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Common Tumbuka to Fon phrases

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

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

Tip: when a Fon phrase looks unfamiliar, compare it with the Tumbuka 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 Tumbuka to Fon 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. Moni

    Nɔ́ (nɔ́)

  2. Zikomo

    Mèdɔ́ (mèdɔ́)

  3. Muli bwanji

    Mèdɔ́ agblɔ (mèdɔ́ agblɔ)

  4. Muli bwanji

    Mèdɔ́ ɖe (mèdɔ́ ɖe)

  5. Muli bwanji

    Mèdɔ́ ɖeɖe (mèdɔ́ ɖeɖe)

  6. Usiku wabwino

    Mèdɔ́ xɔxɔ (mèdɔ́ xɔxɔ)

  7. Tiwonana

    Nɔ́ wɛ (nɔ́ wɛ)

  8. Tsalani bwino

    Nɔ́ wɛ ɖe (nɔ́ wɛ ɖe)

  9. Dzina lanu ndi ndani?

    Nɔ́ wɛ nɔ́? (nɔ́ wɛ nɔ́?)

  10. Dzina langa ndi John

    Mè nɔ́ John (mè nɔ́ John)

  11. Muli bwanji?

    Nɔ́ wɛ nɔ́? (nɔ́ wɛ nɔ́?)

  12. Ndine wokondwa kukumana nanu

    Mèdɔ́ nɔ́ (mèdɔ́ nɔ́)

Useful phrases for travellers

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

  1. Muli ndi Chingerezi?

    I gbè yé èdè Gẹ̀ẹ́sì? (muli ndi chingerezi)

  2. Sikuyankhula Hindi bwino

    Mè n'gbè yé Èdè Hindi kè. (sikuyankhula hindi bwino)

  3. Sindikumva

    Mè n'kó nù. (sindikumva)

  4. Chonde yankhulani pang'ono

    S'il vous plaît, gbè yé kè. (chonde yankhulani pang'ono)

  5. Mungandiyankhulepo?

    Mè s'kà yé nù? (mungandiyankhulepo)

  6. Kuti ndi kuti?

    Èwé n'kà dɔ́? (kuti ndi kuti)

  7. Ndingafike bwanji ku msewu waukulu?

    Mè n'kà yé nù àlà nà? (ndingafike bwanji ku msewu waukulu)

  8. Pita kumanzere

    Tò n'kà kè. (pita kumanzere)

  9. Pita kumanja

    Tò n'kà pɔ́. (pita kumanja)

  10. Pita mwendo

    Lè n'kà kè. (pita mwendo)

  11. Ndi ndalama zingati?

    Kí n'kà dɔ́? (ndi ndalama zingati)

  12. Tiketi imodzi, chonde

    Mè s'kà àyé, s'il vous plaît. (tiketi imodzi, chonde)

  13. Ndi mtunda wautali kuchokera pano?

    Èwé n'kà mɛ́? (ndi mtunda wautali kuchokera pano)

  14. Ndakhalapo

    Mè n'kà nɔ́. (ndakhalapo)

  15. Ndingatengere kuti kuti SIM card?

    Èwé n'kà nɔ́ SIM? (ndingatengere kuti kuti sim card)

Everyday conversation

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

  1. Iye

    Ɛ (e)

  2. Ayi

    Ayi (ayi)

  3. Pang'ono

    Mɛ (me)

  4. Ndikugwirizana

    Mè yé (me ye)

  5. Sindikugwirizana

    Mè n'yi (me n'yi)

  6. Ichi chimaoneka bwino

    N'kɔ nɔ (n'ko no)

  7. Muli ndi chiyani choti mumaganize?

    N'kɔ a kɔ? (n'ko a ko)

  8. Mungandithandize?

    I n'kɔ mɛ? (i n'ko me)

  9. Ndikufuna thandizo

    Mè n'kɔ mɛ (me n'ko me)

  10. Dikirani pang’ono

    Tɔ́ nɔ (to no)

  11. Ndikupemphera

    Mè nɔ n'kɔ (me no n'ko)

  12. Palibe vutoli

    Ayi n'kɔ (ayi n'ko)

  13. Zikomo

    Mè nɔ wé (me no we)

  14. Tsiku lobadwa labwino

    Mè nɔ tɔ́ (me no to)

  15. Pita bwino pa ulendo

    N'kɔ a wé dɔ (n'ko a we do)

Directions and getting around

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

  1. Kukakhala kuti chiteshi cha njinga?

    N'ye wé train station? (N'ye wé train station?)

  2. Kukakhala kuti malo otchinga basi?

    N'ye wé bus stop? (N'ye wé bus stop?)

  3. Ndi chigawo chiti?

    Ké platform na? (Ké platform na?)

  4. Nanga nthawi itangopita?

    Ké sa a yé? (Ké sa a yé?)

  5. Kodi iyi ndi njira yoyenera?

    N'ye wé yé na? (N'ye wé yé na?)

  6. Iyi ndi pafupi apa

    Yé na hɛn (Yé na hɛn)

  7. Iyi ndi kutali ndi apa

    Yé na hɛn gbo (Yé na hɛn gbo)

  8. Mungandionetse pa chithunzi?

    Mè wé hɛn n'ye map? (Mè wé hɛn n'ye map?)

  9. Chimitsa apa, chonde

    Tó hɛn, s'il vous plaît (Tó hɛn, s'il vous plaît)

  10. Zimatenga nthawi yaitali bwanji?

    Ké sa a yé? (Ké sa a yé?)

Shopping and dining

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

  1. Iyi ikuguliradi chingwe?

    Mè wé na? (iyi ikuguliradi chingwe)

  2. Iyi ndi mtengo wopusa

    Yè wé bɔ́ nɔ́. (iyi ndi mtengo wopusa)

  3. Muli ndi chinthu chochepa mtengo?

    A wé nɔ́ dɔ́? (muli ndi chinthu chochepa mtengo)

  4. Ningathe kulipira ndi khadi?

    Mè wé hɛn nɔ́? (ningathe kulipira ndi khadi)

  5. Ndikufuna tebulo la anthu awiri

    Mè wé dɔ́ nɔ́ fɔ́. (ndikufuna tebulo la anthu awiri)

  6. Chikalata, chonde

    A wé nɔ́ bɔ́. (chikalata, chonde)

  7. Ntchito ikuphatikizidwa?

    Sè wé bɔ́? (ntchito ikuphatikizidwa)

  8. Ndine wopanda nyama

    Mè wé kɔ́ nɔ́. (ndine wopanda nyama)

  9. Chonde, osati chakudya chothira

    Mè wé nɔ́ kɔ́ nɔ́. (chonde, osati chakudya chothira)

  10. Iyi ndi yokoma

    Yè wé sɔ́. (iyi ndi yokoma)

  11. Ningathe kupeza menyu?

    Mè wé nɔ́ mɛ́ nɔ́? (ningathe kupeza menyu)

  12. Galasi ya madzi, chonde

    Mè wé nɔ́ gɔ́ nɔ́. (galasi ya madzi, chonde)

Emergencies and health

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

  1. Fufuzani polisi

    Nɔ̀ nɔ́ wɛ́ (nɔ̀ nɔ́ wɛ́)

  2. Fufuzani ambulansi

    Nɔ̀ nɔ́ àmblans (nɔ̀ nɔ́ àmblans)

  3. Ndikufuna dokotala

    Mè hùn wá dɔ́ktɛ́ (mè hùn wá dɔ́ktɛ́)

  4. Ndikuwona bwino

    Mè tɔ́ dɔ́ (mè tɔ́ dɔ́)

  5. Ndine wosowa ma groundnuts

    Mè wá nùmɛ́ kɔ́ (mè wá nùmɛ́ kɔ́)

  6. Kuti ndi chiyani chachikondi?

    Fɔ́ wɛ́ dɔ́kita nɔ́? (fɔ́ wɛ́ dɔ́kita nɔ́?)

  7. Kuli kuuma apa

    A hùn nɔ́ (a hùn nɔ́)

  8. Ndasowa pasipoti yangu

    Mè lɔ́ mɔ́ kɔ́tɔ́ (mè lɔ́ mɔ́ kɔ́tɔ́)

  9. Mungafufuze hotelo yanga?

    Kɔ́ nɔ́ nɔ́ wɛ́ mɔ́ hɔ́tɛ́l? (kɔ́ nɔ́ nɔ́ wɛ́ mɔ́ hɔ́tɛ́l?)

  10. Thandizani!

    Sè! (sè!)

Work and business

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

  1. Ndalumba kukumana nanu

    Mè wá nɔ́ (Me wa no)

  2. Tiyeni tiwoneke pa nthawi

    Mè tɔ́ nɔ́ kɔ́ sɔ́ (Me to no ko so)

  3. Nthawi yiti ikukugwirirani ntchito?

    Nɔ́ kɔ́ sɔ́ kó? (No ko so ko?)

  4. Ndidzatumiza lipoti lero

    Mè yé sɔ́ nɔ́ kɔ́ bɔ́ (Me ye so no ko bo)

  5. Tingathe kulankhula mawa?

    Mè tɔ́ nɔ́ kɔ́ bɔ́ kɔ́ (Me to no ko bo ko)

  6. Chonde onani fayilo yolembedwa

    Mè tɔ́ nɔ́ kɔ́ sɔ́ nɔ́ (Me to no ko so no)

  7. Zikomo chifukwa cha nthawi yanu

    Mè tɔ́ nɔ́ kɔ́ nɔ́ (Me to no ko no)

  8. Ndikuyembekezera kugwira ntchito nanu

    Mè tɔ́ nɔ́ kɔ́ sɔ́ (Me to no ko so)

  9. Mungathe kuthetsa mfundo imeneyi?

    Nɔ́ kɔ́ sɔ́ kó? (No ko so ko?)

  10. Nditenge nthawi ndikubwerereni

    Mè tɔ́ nɔ́ kɔ́ sɔ́ (Me to no ko so)

  11. Nthawi yomaliza ndi Lachisanu

    Nɔ́ kɔ́ sɔ́ kó (No ko so ko)

Time, days and numbers

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

  1. Ndi chiyani nthawi?

    Nukon wé? (nukon we)

  2. Ndi saa tatu

    Wé hã tã (we han ta)

  3. Lero

    Ayi (ayi)

  4. Maŵa

    Mèbè (mebe)

  5. Kale

    Ayi gbo (ayi gbo)

  6. Lolemba

    Lundi (lundi)

  7. Lachiwiri

    Mardi (mardi)

  8. Lachitatu

    Mercredi (mercredi)

  9. Mmodzi

    Yin (yin)

  10. Awiri

    Hè (he)

  11. Atatu

    Tã (tan)

  12. Kumi

    Dè (de)

  13. Zana

    Yin hã (yin han)

  14. Pachikhalidwe

    Mè (me)

  15. Zambiri

    Hè hã (he han)

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