Phrases › Bemba
Phrases
Early draft: There was little reliable source material for this language, so some lines may be wrong. Check with a speaker before relying on them.
In Bemba, hello is Mwapoleni mukwai and thank you is Natotela. Here are 19 everyday Bemba phrases with pronunciation, for travel and a first conversation.
How to say hello in Bemba · How to say thank you in Bemba · How to say goodbye in Bemba · How to say please in Bemba · How to say sorry in Bemba
| English | Bemba |
|---|---|
| Hello | Mwapoleni mukwai Formal/plural greeting; informally just 'Muli shani?' (How are you?) is used as a greeting |
| Goodbye | Shalenipo mukwai Said by the person leaving, to those staying; 'Twalamonana' (see you) also works |
| Please | Mukwai Added to soften any request; also doubles as a general polite tag |
| Thank you | Natotela Said by one person; a group or when speaking to an elder says 'Twatotela' |
| Yes | Ee |
| No | Awe |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Mulekeleko mukwai 'Mulekeleko' (forgive me) for excuse me; 'Nalapila' is used for a deeper apology |
| Do you speak English? | Bushe mwalishiba ukulanda Icisungu? |
| I don't understand | Nshaumfwa Also heard as 'Nshaumfwile' |
| Please speak slowly | Landeni panono panono mukwai Literally 'speak a little a little' |
| How much is it? | Nishinga mukwai? 'Shinga?' alone is the short, everyday version |
| Where is the bathroom? | Ni kwisa icimbusu mukwai? |
| I'd like this, please | Ndefwaya ici mukwai |
| The bill, please | Ndefwaya ukulipila mukwai Literally 'I want to pay' |
| Where is …? | Ni kwisa … mukwai? Put the place name where the gap is |
| Help! | Njafweniko! Plural/polite imperative, appropriate for shouting to strangers |
| I need a doctor | Ndefwaya dokota mukwai |
| Call the police! | Shita ba kapokola mukwai! |
| Can you help me? | Bushe kuti mwanjafwa mukwai? |
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