In this lesson we cover some words you might want to use while visiting a friend.
BEMBA.                      ENGLISH
Odi                              May I come in?
Kalibu (Odini)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â You may come in
Ingileni                        Please come / go in
Ikaleni pa mupando. Please be seated
Bushe ba mayo epo bali? Is the mistress at home?
Bushe ba tata epo bali?    Is the master at home?
Epo bali                       He /she is in
Awe tabalipo               No he / she is not in
Tabaliko                       He / she is not there
Bele kwi?                   Where has he / she /they gone?
Bele ku tauni            He / she / they have gone to town
Bele ku nchito          He / she / they have gone to work
Bele ku “market”      “       “       “       “      “     to the market
Bele mukutapa amenshi. He/she/they have gone to draw water
Bele ku cililo             He/she/they have gone to attend a funeral
Balebwela lilali?        When are they coming back?
Katwishi                     I am not sure
Nshishibe uko bali.   I don’t know where they are
Mwisakamana          Do not worry
Balaisa nombaline. They are coming back very soon
Taba cilanda             They did not say
Taba cinjeba.            They did not tell me
Bacitila mulolele.      They asked if you could wait
Isaleni icibi.              Please close the door
Amenshi nayapya?   Is the water boiled?
Inganda ino isuma.     This house is nice
Inganda ino ikulu.     This house is big
Umwana uyu musuma. This baby/child is lovely/nice
Mwansekesha             You make me laugh
Mwisakamana ku cakulya. Do not bother preparing food
Natotela sana           Thank you very much
Shani tu “tea”?          How about some tea?
No mukaka                With milk
Na mani                     With eggs
Na “bread”                 With bread
Na ma sikono            With scores
