Looking for practical Ilocano to Tumbuka phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the Ilocano phrase first, then the Tumbuka translation (Tumbuka) — so you can scan quickly before a trip, class, or video call.
The phrases are grouped into eight topics: greetings and pleasantries, useful phrases for travellers, everyday conversation, directions and getting around, shopping and dining, emergencies and health, work and business, and time, days and numbers. Use the table of contents to jump straight to greetings, directions, dining, emergencies, or numbers. You do not need perfect grammar to start — short, clear sentences often work better than silence when you are learning Tumbuka.
Tip: when a Tumbuka phrase looks unfamiliar, compare it with the Ilocano wording — noticing word order differences helps you understand grammar naturally.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the Ilocano to Tumbuka translator to paste your own messages and get an instant translation.
Greetings and pleasantries
Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and polite introductions for meeting new people.
Kumusta
Moni(kumusta)
Agyamanak
Zikomo(agyamanak)
Naimbag a bigat
Muli bwanji(naimbag a bigat)
Naimbag a malem
Muli bwanji(naimbag a malem)
Naimbag a rabii
Muli bwanji(naimbag a rabii)
Naimbag a rabii
Usiku wabwino(naimbag a rabii)
Kitaen tayon
Tiwonana(kitaen tayon)
Pakada
Tsalani bwino(pakada)
Ania ti nagan mo?
Dzina lanu ndi ndani?(ania ti nagan mo)
Ti nagan ko ket John
Dzina langa ndi John(ti nagan ko ket John)
Kumusta ka?
Muli bwanji?(kumusta ka)
Naragsakak nga makilala ka
Ndine wokondwa kukumana nanu(naragsakak nga makilala ka)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
Agsasaoka ti English?
Muli ndi Chingerezi?(muli ndi chingerezi)
Saanak a nasayaat ti agsasaon ti Hindi.
Sikuyankhula Hindi bwino(sikuyankhula hindi bwino)