If you went out on the streets of Kitwe and asked a hundred people what "Nsalankwale yandi" means, you will be lucky if you got one or two who knew that it means "my rose." If, on the other hand you asked what "iluba lyandi" means, everybody will tell you it means "my flower." This is a good reason to simplify things and use words that are more likely to be universally understood.

Rose (Photo by Mrs Herbert Stevens)

Ever since I posted the first Bemba lesson, I have received several requests for tips on words to use when talking to a loved one. Such a use of the Bemba language is positive  and healing. It is therefore with pleasure that I respond to Benedicte’s request for a lesson on this topic.

Romantic expressions tend to be poetic. This poses a problem when you are learning a language because poetry does not easily flow from a learner’s lips. Even if you learnt such deep Bemba, your loved one may not be able to appreciate your efforts because the language you are using is too deep even for them.

If you went out on the streets of Kitwe and asked a hundred people what “Nsalankwale yandi” means, you will be lucky if you got one or two who knew that it means “my rose.” If, on the other hand you asked what “iluba lyandi” means, everybody will tell you it means “my flower.” This is a good reason to simplify things and use words that are more likely to be universally understood.

You have probably heard that traditionally, you show respect by addressing one person as though they were more than one (plural). When it comes to romantic language, intimacy can be deepened by using the singular form of address, e.g “It is you (plural) that I love” (Nimwe natemwa) becomes “Niwe natemwa.” The expressions in this lesson are therefore given in the singular form.

Kitweonline is a family website. This limits what can be included here, but you don’t miss much if you learn what is included.

 So here goes:

English   Bemba

Look  Mona

My rose  We nsalankwale yandi

My Lily  We cananika candi

I am yours  Ndi obe

You are mine Uli wandi

Embrace me  Mfukatila

It is you my heart loves  Niwe umutima wandi watemwa

I will never let you go  Nsakakulekeko iyo

Your lips  Imilomo yobe

Your lips are beautiful  Imilomo yobe yaliyemba

Let me see your face  Unenge ukumone cinso cobe

Let me hear your voice  Unenge ukuumfwe shiwi lyobe

Your voice is sweet  Ishiwi lyobe lyaliwama

You are my love  Wemunandi watemwikwa

I long for you  Ndakufuluka

I am longing for you  Ndekufuluka

My (wife) spouse  Nabwinga wandi

My (husband) spouse  Shibwinga wandi

My queen  Musano wandi

You are beautiful  Waliyemba

You are handsome  Waliyemba

You are my beauty  Wewayemba  wandi

You are the most beautiful woman in the world  We wayemba pabanakashi bonse

Your hair looks beautiful  Umushishi obe nauwama

Your hair locks are beautiful  Ifikuti fyobe fyaliyemba

Your cheek  Isaya lyobe

Your cheeks  Amasaya yobe

Your hands  Iminwe yobe

Your legs  Amolu yobe

Your walk is beautiful  Intampulo shobe shaliyemba

I love your breasts  Nalitemwa mabele yobe

Your tummy  Ifumo lyobe

Your teeth  Ameno yobe

Your mouth is sweet  Akanwa kobe kalilowesha

For more romantic words to use, check out https://kitweonline.com/languages/english-bemba-translations