Looking for practical Tumbuka to Scots Gaelic phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the Tumbuka phrase first, then the Scots Gaelic translation (Scots Gaelic) — 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 Scots Gaelic.
Tip: read the Scots Gaelic 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 Scots Gaelic 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
Halò
Zikomo
Tapadh leat
Muli bwanji
Madainn mhath
Muli bwanji
Feasgar math
Muli bwanji
Oidhche mhath
Usiku wabwino
Oidhche mhath
Tiwonana
Tìoraidh
Tsalani bwino
Mar sin leibh
Dzina lanu ndi ndani?
Dè an t-ainm a th' ort?
Dzina langa ndi John
Is e John an t-ainm a th' orm
Muli bwanji?
Ciamar a tha thu?
Ndine wokondwa kukumana nanu
Deagh choinneamh
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
Muli ndi Chingerezi?
A bheil Beurla agad?(a vel BYUR-la ag-ut)
Sikuyankhula Hindi bwino
Chan eil Hindi agam gu math(khan ail HIN-dee a-gum goo mah)
Sindikumva
Chan eil mi a' tuigsinn(khan ail mee a' TEEK-shin)
Chonde yankhulani pang'ono
Mas e do thoil e, bris gu h-ìosal(mas eh do HOL eh, bris goo HEE-sal)
Mungandiyankhulepo?
An urrainn dhut sin a ràdh a-rithist?(an OOR-in ghoot shin a RAH a-REE-sht)
Kuti ndi kuti?
Càit a bheil an taigh-beag?(kait a vel an TIGH-bag)
Ndingafike bwanji ku msewu waukulu?
Ciamar a gheibh mi gu mheadhan na cidade?(kee-mar a GAYV mee goo VAY-an na ki-DAD)
Pita kumanzere
Tionndaidh gu clì(TCHIN-dee goo klee)
Pita kumanja
Tionndaidh gu deas(TCHIN-dee goo jass)
Pita mwendo
Falbh dìreach(FAL-iv DEER-ach)
Ndi ndalama zingati?
Dè an cosgais?(day an KOS-gash)
Tiketi imodzi, chonde
Tiocaid aon, mas e do thoil e(TCHOK-id eyn, mas eh do HOL eh)
Ndi mtunda wautali kuchokera pano?
A bheil e fada bhon seo?(a vel eh FAH-da von shoh)
Ndakhalapo
Tha mi air chall(ha mee air KAL)
Ndingatengere kuti kuti SIM card?
Càit as urrainn dhomh SIM a cheannach?(kait as OOR-in ghohm SIM a KYAN-ach)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
Iye
Tha(ha)
Ayi
Chan eil(han ail)
Pang'ono
Is dòcha(is do-cha)
Ndikugwirizana
A tha mi ag aontachadh(a ha mee ag un-tach)
Sindikugwirizana
Chan eil mi ag aontachadh(han ail mee ag un-tach)
Ichi chimaoneka bwino
Tha sin math(ha sheen mah)
Muli ndi chiyani choti mumaganize?
Dè do bheachd?(day do vek)
Mungandithandize?
An urrainn dhut mo chuideachadh?(an oor-in doo mo khoo-yeh-akh)
Ndikufuna thandizo
Tha feum agam air cuideachadh(ha fey-um a-gum air khoo-yeh-akh)