Looking for practical Tumbuka to Afar phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the Tumbuka phrase first, then the Afar translation (Afar) — 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 Afar.
Tip: read the Afar line out loud three times, then cover the Tumbuka 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 Tumbuka to Afar 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.
Moni
Nagaad(nagaad)
Zikomo
Galatooma(galatooma)
Muli bwanji
Bariis(bariis)
Muli bwanji
Galab(galab)
Muli bwanji
Haal(haal)
Usiku wabwino
Haalka habeen(haalka habeen)
Tiwonana
Ilaa mar kale(ilaa mar kale)
Tsalani bwino
Nagaad(nagaad)
Dzina lanu ndi ndani?
Maa magacaa?(maa magacaa)
Dzina langa ndi John
Magacaygu waa John(magacaygu waa John)
Muli bwanji?
Iska waran?(iska waran)
Ndine wokondwa kukumana nanu
Aad baan ku faraxsanahay(aad baan ku faraxsanahay)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
Muli ndi Chingerezi?
Inni ingiriisi maahaa?(Inni ingiriisi maahaa?)
Sikuyankhula Hindi bwino
Hindi maahaa hinjiru(Hindi maahaa hinjiru)
Sindikumva
Ani hinfahmi(Ani hinfahmi)
Chonde yankhulani pang'ono
Fadlan si maahaa siib(Fadlan si maahaa siib)
Mungandiyankhulepo?
Maahaa inna marra?(Maahaa inna marra?)
Kuti ndi kuti?
Maalin baadhu?(Maalin baadhu?)
Ndingafike bwanji ku msewu waukulu?
Akkam an magaalatti gahu?(Akkam an magaalatti gahu?)
Pita kumanzere
Boodha kaaf(Boodha kaaf)
Pita kumanja
Boodha mirga(Boodha mirga)
Pita mwendo
Si qodhi(Si qodhi)
Ndi ndalama zingati?
Maalin abaal?(Maalin abaal?)
Tiketi imodzi, chonde
Tiket tokkon, fadlan(Tiket tokkon, fadlan)
Ndi mtunda wautali kuchokera pano?
Maalin faga?(Maalin faga?)
Ndakhalapo
Ani dhumtu(Ani dhumtu)
Ndingatengere kuti kuti SIM card?
Maalin SIM kaardhii gurgurta?(Maalin SIM kaardhii gurgurta?)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
Iye
Eeyy(ee-yee)
Ayi
Maya(mah-yah)
Pang'ono
Gara(gah-rah)
Ndikugwirizana
Anigu waaq(ah-nee-goo wahk)
Sindikugwirizana
Anigu ma waaq(ah-nee-goo mah wahk)
Ichi chimaoneka bwino
Tani waa'ee(tah-nee wah-ee)
Muli ndi chiyani choti mumaganize?
Ilaa ma waaq?(ee-lah mah wahk)
Mungandithandize?
Ilaa naxar?(ee-lah nah-khar)
Ndikufuna thandizo
Naxar aniga(nah-khar ah-nee-gah)
Dikirani pang’ono
Soo'aa(soo-ah)
Ndikupemphera
Waa'ee aniga(wah-ee ah-nee-gah)
Palibe vutoli
Maya dhib(mah-yah dheeb)
Zikomo
Hambalyo(ham-bahl-yo)
Tsiku lobadwa labwino
Bariis gadhay(bah-rees gah-thai)
Pita bwino pa ulendo
Safar amni(sah-far am-nee)
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
Kukakhala kuti chiteshi cha njinga?
Eeyyoo taayka daab?(eyyoo taayka daab)
Kukakhala kuti malo otchinga basi?
Eeyyoo gaari daab?(eyyoo gaari daab)
Ndi chigawo chiti?
Keenya kaafaa?(keenya kaafaa)
Nanga nthawi itangopita?
Waqti maayti?(waqti maayti)
Kodi iyi ndi njira yoyenera?
Maayta kaan?(maayta kaan)
Iyi ndi pafupi apa
Ittaa hara(ittaa hara)
Iyi ndi kutali ndi apa
Ittaa faar(ittaa faar)
Mungandionetse pa chithunzi?
Maafaa naafaa?(maafaa naafaa)
Chimitsa apa, chonde
Hara dhaaf, fadlan(hara dhaaf, fadlan)
Zimatenga nthawi yaitali bwanji?
Waqti mee?(waqti mee)
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.