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Common Shona to Tumbuka phrases

100 practical Shona to Tumbuka phrases for travel, study, work, and daily conversation.

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Looking for practical Shona to Tumbuka phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the Shona 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 Shona 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 Shona 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.

  1. Mhoro

    Moni

  2. Ndatenda

    Zikomo

  3. Mangwanani akanaka

    Muli bwanji

  4. Masikati akanaka

    Muli bwanji

  5. Manheru akanaka

    Muli bwanji

  6. Usiku hwakanaka

    Usiku wabwino

  7. Tichasangana gare gare

    Tiwonana

  8. Sara zvakanaka

    Tsalani bwino

  9. Zita rako ndiani?

    Dzina lanu ndi ndani?

  10. Zita rangu ndiri John

    Dzina langa ndi John

  11. Uri sei?

    Muli bwanji?

  12. Ndinofara kukuziva

    Ndine wokondwa kukumana nanu

Useful phrases for travellers

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

  1. Unotaura Chirungu here?

    Muli ndi Chingerezi? (muli ndi chingerezi)

  2. Handitauri Hindi zvakanaka

    Sikuyankhula Hindi bwino (sikuyankhula hindi bwino)

  3. Handinzwisisi

    Sindikumva (sindikumva)

  4. Ndokumbirawo utaure zvishoma

    Chonde yankhulani pang'ono (chonde yankhulani pang'ono)

  5. Ungazvitaura zvakare here?

    Mungandiyankhulepo? (mungandiyankhulepo)

  6. Chimbuzi chiripi?

    Kuti ndi kuti? (kuti ndi kuti)

  7. Ndingasvika sei kumusoro kwemaguta?

    Ndingafike bwanji ku msewu waukulu? (ndingafike bwanji ku msewu waukulu)

  8. Tendeuka kuruboshwe

    Pita kumanzere (pita kumanzere)

  9. Tendeuka kurudyi

    Pita kumanja (pita kumanja)

  10. Enda mberi

    Pita mwendo (pita mwendo)

  11. Mari yechikwereti ingani?

    Ndi ndalama zingati? (ndi ndalama zingati)

  12. Tikiti imwe, ndapota

    Tiketi imodzi, chonde (tiketi imodzi, chonde)

  13. Iko kure here kubva pano?

    Ndi mtunda wautali kuchokera pano? (ndi mtunda wautali kuchokera pano)

  14. Ndakakanganiswa

    Ndakhalapo (ndakhalapo)

  15. Ndingatenga kupi kadhi reSIM?

    Ndingatengere kuti kuti SIM card? (ndingatengere kuti kuti sim card)

Everyday conversation

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

  1. Ehe

    Iye

  2. Kwete

    Ayi

  3. Pangove

    Pang'ono

  4. Ndinobvumirana

    Ndikugwirizana

  5. Handibvumirane

    Sindikugwirizana

  6. Izvozvo zvinonzwika zvakanaka

    Ichi chimaoneka bwino

  7. Unofungei?

    Muli ndi chiyani choti mumaganize?

  8. Unogona kundibatsira here?

    Mungandithandize?

  9. Ndiri kuda rubatsiro

    Ndikufuna thandizo

  10. Mirira kwechinguva

    Dikirani pang’ono

  11. Ndine urombo

    Ndikupemphera

  12. Hapana chakaipa

    Palibe vutoli

  13. Makorokoto

    Zikomo

  14. Makorokoto ezuva rekuzvarwa

    Tsiku lobadwa labwino

  15. Iva nerwendo rwakanaka

    Pita bwino pa ulendo

Directions and getting around

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

  1. Kupi kune chiteshi chechitima?

    Kukakhala kuti chiteshi cha njinga? (Kupi kune chiteshi chechitima?)

  2. Kupi kune chiteshi chebhazi?

    Kukakhala kuti malo otchinga basi? (Kupi kune chiteshi chebhazi?)

  3. Ndeipi puratifomu?

    Ndi chigawo chiti? (Ndeipi puratifomu?)

  4. Inobva nenguva ipi?

    Nanga nthawi itangopita? (Inobva nenguva ipi?)

  5. Iyi ndiyo nzira chaiyo here?

    Kodi iyi ndi njira yoyenera? (Iyi ndiyo nzira chaiyo here?)

  6. Iri pedyo pano

    Iyi ndi pafupi apa (Iri pedyo pano)

  7. Iri kure nepano

    Iyi ndi kutali ndi apa (Iri kure nepano)

  8. Unogona kundiratidza pamepu here?

    Mungandionetse pa chithunzi? (Unogona kundiratidza pamepu here?)

  9. Mira pano, ndapota

    Chimitsa apa, chonde (Mira pano, ndapota)

  10. Zvinotora nguva yakareba sei?

    Zimatenga nthawi yaitali bwanji? (Zvinotora nguva yakareba sei?)

Shopping and dining

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

  1. Zvinodhura here?

    Iyi ikuguliradi chingwe? (iyi ikuguliradi chingwe)

  2. Izvozvo zvinodhura kwazvo

    Iyi ndi mtengo wopusa (iyi ndi mtengo wopusa)

  3. Une chimwe chinhu chiri pamutengo wakaderera here?

    Muli ndi chinthu chochepa mtengo? (muli ndi chinthu chochepa mtengo)

  4. Ndingabhadhara nekadhi here?

    Ningathe kulipira ndi khadi? (ningathe kulipira ndi khadi)

  5. Ndingada tafura yevaviri

    Ndikufuna tebulo la anthu awiri (ndikufuna tebulo la anthu awiri)

  6. Chikwereti, ndapota

    Chikalata, chonde (chikalata, chonde)

  7. Sevhisi iri mukati here?

    Ntchito ikuphatikizidwa? (ntchito ikuphatikizidwa)

  8. Ndiri muvegetarian

    Ndine wopanda nyama (ndine wopanda nyama)

  9. Hapana chikafu chinopisa, ndapota

    Chonde, osati chakudya chothira (chonde, osati chakudya chothira)

  10. Izvi zvinonaka

    Iyi ndi yokoma (iyi ndi yokoma)

  11. Ndingawana menyu here?

    Ningathe kupeza menyu? (ningathe kupeza menyu)

  12. Girazi remvura, ndapota

    Galasi ya madzi, chonde (galasi ya madzi, chonde)

Emergencies and health

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

  1. Fonera mapurisa

    Fufuzani polisi

  2. Fonera amburensi

    Fufuzani ambulansi

  3. Ndiri kuda chiremba

    Ndikufuna dokotala

  4. Ndiri kunzwa kusuruvara

    Ndikuwona bwino

  5. Ndine allergic kumapundu

    Ndine wosowa ma groundnuts

  6. Chii chiri pedyo nechipatara?

    Kuti ndi chiyani chachikondi?

  7. Zvinorwadza pano

    Kuli kuuma apa

  8. Ndakakanganwa pasipoti yangu

    Ndasowa pasipoti yangu

  9. Unogona here kufonera hotera yangu?

    Mungafufuze hotelo yanga?

  10. Rubatsiro!

    Thandizani!

Work and business

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

  1. Ndinofara kukusangana

    Ndalumba kukumana nanu

  2. Ngatirongei musangano

    Tiyeni tiwoneke pa nthawi

  3. Ndeipi nguva inokodzera kwauri?

    Nthawi yiti ikukugwirirani ntchito?

  4. Ndichatumira chirevo nhasi

    Ndidzatumiza lipoti lero

  5. Tingataure mangwana here?

    Tingathe kulankhula mawa?

  6. Ndapota tarisai faira rakabatanidzwa

    Chonde onani fayilo yolembedwa

  7. Ndatenda nenguva yako

    Zikomo chifukwa cha nthawi yanu

  8. Ndiri kutarisira kushanda newe

    Ndikuyembekezera kugwira ntchito nanu

  9. Ungajekesei iyo pfungwa?

    Mungathe kuthetsa mfundo imeneyi?

  10. Ndichadzoka kwauri

    Nditenge nthawi ndikubwerereni

  11. Nguva yekupedzisira iChishanu

    Nthawi yomaliza ndi Lachisanu

Time, days and numbers

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

  1. Ndeipi nguva?

    Ndi chiyani nthawi? (Ndi chiyani nthawi?)

  2. Iri pa3

    Ndi saa tatu (Ee-ree pah-tatu)

  3. Nhasi

    Lero (N-ha-see)

  4. Mangwana

    Maŵa (Mahn-gwah-nah)

  5. Zuro

    Kale (Zoo-roh)

  6. Muvhuro

    Lolemba (Moo-vhoo-roh)

  7. Chipiri

    Lachiwiri (Chee-pee-ree)

  8. Chitatu

    Lachitatu (Chee-tah-too)

  9. Imwe

    Mmodzi (Ee-mweh)

  10. Piri

    Awiri (Pee-ree)

  11. Tatu

    Atatu (Tah-too)

  12. Gumi

    Kumi (Goo-mee)

  13. Zana

    Zana (Zah-nah)

  14. Hafu

    Pachikhalidwe (Hah-foo)

  15. Zvimwe

    Zambiri (Zvee-mweh)

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