Looking for practical NKo to Tumbuka phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the NKo 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: read the Tumbuka line out loud three times, then cover the NKo side and try to recall the meaning — repetition builds memory faster than silent reading.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the NKo 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.
ᎣᏍᏆ
Moni(Oscha)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ
Zikomo(Ascadodi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎡᏚᏙᏗ
Muli bwanji(Oscha Edodhi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎠᏧᏍᏆᏗ
Muli bwanji(Oscha Atsachadi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏚᏗ
Muli bwanji(Oscha Dagadudi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Usiku wabwino(Oscha Datsicha)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏙᏗ
Tiwonana(Oscha Dagadodi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏁᏙᏗ
Tsalani bwino(Oscha Danodi)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎢᏳᏍᏆ?
Dzina lanu ndi ndani?(Hisch Ascadodi Iyuscha?)
ᎠᏓ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎠᏍᏆ ᏥᏍᏆ
Dzina langa ndi John(Ada Ascadodi Ascha Tischa)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎯᏍᏆ?
Muli bwanji?(Hisch Hisch?)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Ndine wokondwa kukumana nanu(Ascadodi Tischa)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Muli ndi Chingerezi?(muli ndi chingerezi)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Sikuyankhula Hindi bwino(sikuyankhula hindi bwino)