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Common NKo to Chichewa phrases

100 practical NKo to Chichewa phrases for travel, study, work, and daily conversation.

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Looking for practical NKo to Chichewa phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the NKo phrase first, then the Chichewa translation (Chichewa) — 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 Chichewa.

Tip: pick five Chichewa phrases from the greetings section and use them in a real message today. Small daily practice beats cramming before a trip.

Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the NKo to Chichewa 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.

  1. ᎣᏍᏆ

    Moni (Oscha)

  2. ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ

    Zikomo (Ascadodi)

  3. ᎣᏍᏆ ᎡᏚᏙᏗ

    M'mawa wabwino (Oscha Edodhi)

  4. ᎣᏍᏆ ᎠᏧᏍᏆᏗ

    Masana abwino (Oscha Atsachadi)

  5. ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏚᏗ

    Madziwabwino (Oscha Dagadudi)

  6. ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ

    Usiku wabwino (Oscha Datsicha)

  7. ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏙᏗ

    Tiwonana (Oscha Dagadodi)

  8. ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏁᏙᏗ

    Tsalani bwino (Oscha Danodi)

  9. ᎯᏍᏆ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎢᏳᏍᏆ?

    Dzina lako ndi ndani? (Hisch Ascadodi Iyuscha?)

  10. ᎠᏓ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎠᏍᏆ ᏥᏍᏆ

    Dzina langa ndi John (Ada Ascadodi Ascha Tischa)

  11. ᎯᏍᏆ ᎯᏍᏆ?

    Muli bwanji? (Hisch Hisch?)

  12. ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ

    Ndikufuna kukumana nanu (Ascadodi Tischa)

Useful phrases for travellers

Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.

  1. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Mukulankhula Chingerezi? (Mukulankhula Chingerezi?)

  2. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Sindikulankhula Hindi bwino (Sindikulankhula Hindi bwino)

  3. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߓߊ߬

    Sindikumva (Sindikumva)

  4. ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Chonde lukani pang'onopang'ono (Chonde lukani pang'onopang'ono)

  5. ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Mungathe kutero kwachiwiri? (Mungathe kutero kwachiwiri?)

  6. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Kuti ndi kuti chimbudzi? (Kuti ndi kuti chimbudzi?)

  7. ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Ndingapite bwanji ku mseu wa mzinda? (Ndingapite bwanji ku mseu wa mzinda?)

  8. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Pangani kumanzere (Pangani kumanzere)

  9. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Pangani kumanzere (Pangani kumanzere)

  10. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Pitani mwachindunji (Pitani mwachindunji)

  11. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Ndi ndalama zingati? (Ndi ndalama zingati?)

  12. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Tiket imodzi, chonde (Tiket imodzi, chonde)

  13. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Ndi kutali bwanji kuchokera pano? (Ndi kutali bwanji kuchokera pano?)

  14. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Ndakhalapo (Ndakhalapo)

  15. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Ndingatengere kuti SIM card? (Ndingatengere kuti SIM card?)

Everyday conversation

Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.

  1. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Inde

  2. 𞤈𞤢𞤣

    Ayi

  3. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Mwina

  4. 𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢

    Ndikugwirizana

  5. 𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

    Sindikugwirizana

  6. 𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

    Zimakoma

  7. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

    Mumaganiza chiyani?

  8. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Mungandithandize?

  9. 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Ndikufuna thandizo

  10. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

    Dikirani pang'ono

  11. 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Ndikupemphera

  12. 𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Palibe vuto

  13. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Zikomo

  14. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Tsiku lobadwa labwino

  15. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Pita bwino

Directions and getting around

Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.

  1. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬

    Kuti ndi kuti sitima? (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  2. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬

    Kuti ndi kuti malo otsetsereka? (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  3. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬

    Ndi chigawo chiti? (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  4. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬

    Ndi nthawi iti imatenga? (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  5. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬

    Kodi iyi ndi njira yoyenera? (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  6. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬

    Ili pafupi pano (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  7. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬

    Ili kutali pano (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  8. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬

    Kodi mungandionetse pa mapu? (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  9. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬

    Khalani pano, chonde (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  10. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬

    Zimatenga nthawi yaitali bwanji? (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

Shopping and dining

Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.

  1. ߊߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌߟߌ?

    Zimatenga ndalama zingati? (aɡa fɔtɔ?)

  2. ߉ߠߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ

    Izi ndizokwera mtengo kwambiri. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ)

  3. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?

    Kodi muli ndi chinthu chotsika mtengo? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  4. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?

    Ndingathe kulipira ndi khadi? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  5. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ

    Ndikufuna tebulo la anthu awiri. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  6. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ

    Chikonthe, chonde. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  7. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?

    Kodi ntchito yakhala mu mtengo? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  8. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ

    Ndine mvegetarian. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  9. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ

    Osati chakudya chotentha, chonde. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  10. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ

    Izi ndizochuluka. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  11. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ?

    Ndingathe kupeza menyu? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  12. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ

    Galasi ya madzi, chonde. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

Emergencies and health

Help, police, doctor, pharmacy, and urgent situations when you need assistance fast.

  1. ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߍ߬ߟߌ߬

    Fufuzani apolisi (Kâkâ lîsî)

  2. ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߟߌ߬ߞߌ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬

    Fufuzani ambulansi (Kâkâ ambûlâns)

  3. ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬

    Ndikufuna dokotala (Dî nîdâ dâktôr)

  4. ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬

    Ndikumva kutopa (Dî fîl sîk)

  5. ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߍ߬ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬

    Ndine wosokoneza ndi ma nuts a phala (Dî âmâ lêrjîk tû pînâts)

  6. ߞߍ߬ ߝߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߞߌ߬?

    Kuti ndi kuti chibadwe chachikondi? (Kô wâhâ nîrâst hôspîtâl)

  7. ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬

    Kukonda apa (Dî hûrts hîr)

  8. ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߓߊ߬

    Ndapeza pasipoti yanga (Dî lôst mî pâspôrt)

  9. ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߚߊ߬?

    Mungafufuze hotelo yanga? (Kâ nû kâl mî hôtêl)

  10. ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ߡߊ߬!

    Thandizani! (Kâ hâlp!)

Work and business

Meetings, email tone, schedules, and professional phrases for the workplace.

  1. መይ ወይ ደሊ እንደ ወይ

    Ndikuyamikira kukumana nanu (mey wey deli ende wey)

  2. ንደ ወርክ ወን ወይ

    Tiyeni tikhazikitse meeting (nda werk wen wey)

  3. ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Ndi nthawi yanji yomwe ikugwira ntchito kwa inu? (nda wey wey wey)

  4. እኔ ወይ ወርክ ወይ ወይ

    Ndzatumiza lipoti lero (eñe wey werk wey wey)

  5. ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Tingathe kulankhula mawa? (nda wey wey wey)

  6. ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Chonde pezani fayilo yowonjezedwa (nda wey wey wey)

  7. መይ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Zikomo chifukwa cha nthawi yanu (mey wey wey wey)

  8. እኔ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Ndikuyembekezera kugwira ntchito nanu (eñe wey wey wey)

  9. ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Mungathe kuthetsa mfundo imeneyo? (nda wey wey wey)

  10. ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Nditheke kubwerera kwa inu (nda wey wey wey)

  11. ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Nthawi yotsiriza ndi Lachisanu (nda wey wey wey)

Time, days and numbers

Clock times, days of the week, months, quantities, and counting for appointments and plans.

  1. ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬?

    Ndi nthawi yanji? (Kâkâ tî?)

  2. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Ndi nthawi itatu. (Kâkâ tî sâbâ?)

  3. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Lero (Kâkâ tî)

  4. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Mawa (Kâkâ tî fâ)

  5. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Ch yesterday (Kâkâ tî dâ)

  6. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Lolemba (Kâkâ tî lô)

  7. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Lachiwiri (Kâkâ tî tî)

  8. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Lachitatu (Kâkâ tî wâ)

  9. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Chimodzi (Kâkâ)

  10. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Chiwiri (Kâkâ nâ)

  11. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Chitatu (Kâkâ sâ)

  12. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Kumi (Kâkâ fâ)

  13. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Zana (Kâkâ sâbâ)

  14. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Pafupifupi (Kâkâ fâ)

  15. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Zambiri (Kâkâ tî)

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