Looking for practical Tumbuka to Krio phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the Tumbuka phrase first, then the Krio translation (Krio) — 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 Krio.
Tip: pick five Krio 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 Tumbuka to Krio 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
Hello
Zikomo
Tenki
Muli bwanji
Gud mɔnin
Muli bwanji
Gud aftanun
Muli bwanji
Gud ivnin
Usiku wabwino
Gud nait
Tiwonana
Si yu leta
Tsalani bwino
Bai
Dzina lanu ndi ndani?
Wetɛn na yu neym?
Dzina langa ndi John
Ma neym na John
Muli bwanji?
Ow yu de?
Ndine wokondwa kukumana nanu
Naes fo mit yu
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
Muli ndi Chingerezi?
Yu sabi English?(muli ndi chingerezi)
Sikuyankhula Hindi bwino
A no sabi Hindi well.(sikuyankhula hindi bwino)
Sindikumva
A no sabi.(sindikumva)
Chonde yankhulani pang'ono
Plis, tok slow.(chonde yankhulani pang'ono)
Mungandiyankhulepo?
Yu fit tok dat again?(mungandiyankhulepo)
Kuti ndi kuti?
Weh na di toilet?(kuti ndi kuti)
Ndingafike bwanji ku msewu waukulu?
Ow A go fit reach di city center?(ndingafike bwanji ku msewu waukulu)
Pita kumanzere
Turn left.(pita kumanzere)
Pita kumanja
Turn right.(pita kumanja)
Pita mwendo
Go straight.(pita mwendo)
Ndi ndalama zingati?
Ow much na di fare?(ndi ndalama zingati)
Tiketi imodzi, chonde
One ticket, plis.(tiketi imodzi, chonde)
Ndi mtunda wautali kuchokera pano?
E far from ya?(ndi mtunda wautali kuchokera pano)
Ndakhalapo
A don lost.(ndakhalapo)
Ndingatengere kuti kuti SIM card?
Weh A go fit buy SIM card?(ndingatengere kuti kuti sim card)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
Iye
Yes
Ayi
No
Pang'ono
Maybe
Ndikugwirizana
A mi agree
Sindikugwirizana
A no agree
Ichi chimaoneka bwino
Dat na fine
Muli ndi chiyani choti mumaganize?
Wet in you tink?
Mungandithandize?
You fit help me?
Ndikufuna thandizo
A need help
Dikirani pang’ono
Wait small
Ndikupemphera
A sorry
Palibe vutoli
No problem
Zikomo
Congratulations
Tsiku lobadwa labwino
Happy birthday
Pita bwino pa ulendo
Get safe trip
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
Kukakhala kuti chiteshi cha njinga?
Weh na di train station?
Kukakhala kuti malo otchinga basi?
Weh na di bus stop?
Ndi chigawo chiti?
Which platform na im?
Nanga nthawi itangopita?
Wetin time e go lef?
Kodi iyi ndi njira yoyenera?
Dis na di right way?
Iyi ndi pafupi apa
E dey near here
Iyi ndi kutali ndi apa
E far from here
Mungandionetse pa chithunzi?
Yu fit show me pan di map?
Chimitsa apa, chonde
Stop here, pliz
Zimatenga nthawi yaitali bwanji?
How long e go tek?
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.
Iyi ikuguliradi chingwe?
How much dis cost?(iyi ikuguliradi chingwe)
Iyi ndi mtengo wopusa
Dat too expensive.(iyi ndi mtengo wopusa)
Muli ndi chinthu chochepa mtengo?
You get anytin wey cheaper?(muli ndi chinthu chochepa mtengo)
Ningathe kulipira ndi khadi?
I fit pay by card?(ningathe kulipira ndi khadi)
Ndikufuna tebulo la anthu awiri
I wan table for two.(ndikufuna tebulo la anthu awiri)
Chikalata, chonde
Di bill, please.(chikalata, chonde)
Ntchito ikuphatikizidwa?
Service dey include?(ntchito ikuphatikizidwa)
Ndine wopanda nyama
I na vegetarian.(ndine wopanda nyama)
Chonde, osati chakudya chothira
No spicy food, please.(chonde, osati chakudya chothira)
Iyi ndi yokoma
Dis dey sweet.(iyi ndi yokoma)
Ningathe kupeza menyu?
I fit get di menu?(ningathe kupeza menyu)
Galasi ya madzi, chonde
A glass of water, please.(galasi ya madzi, chonde)
Emergencies and health
Help, police, doctor, pharmacy, and urgent situations when you need assistance fast.
Fufuzani polisi
Call di police
Fufuzani ambulansi
Call ambulance
Ndikufuna dokotala
A need doctor
Ndikuwona bwino
A dey feel sick
Ndine wosowa ma groundnuts
A get allergy for peanuts
Kuti ndi chiyani chachikondi?
Weh di nearest hospital de?
Kuli kuuma apa
E dey pain here
Ndasowa pasipoti yangu
A don lose mi passport
Mungafufuze hotelo yanga?
You fit call mi hotel?
Thandizani!
Help!
Work and business
Meetings, email tone, schedules, and professional phrases for the workplace.
Ndalumba kukumana nanu
Na nice for meet you
Tiyeni tiwoneke pa nthawi
Make we plan wan meeting
Nthawi yiti ikukugwirirani ntchito?
Wetin time go work for you?
Ndidzatumiza lipoti lero
A go send di report tiday
Tingathe kulankhula mawa?
We go fit talk tomorrow?
Chonde onani fayilo yolembedwa
Abeg find di file wey attach
Zikomo chifukwa cha nthawi yanu
Tenki for your time
Ndikuyembekezera kugwira ntchito nanu
A dey look forward for work with you
Mungathe kuthetsa mfundo imeneyi?
You fit clarify dat point?
Nditenge nthawi ndikubwerereni
Make I get back to you
Nthawi yomaliza ndi Lachisanu
Di deadline na Friday
Time, days and numbers
Clock times, days of the week, months, quantities, and counting for appointments and plans.