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Hi i like your accurate translations. Pls help me too.
How do you translate the following from english to bemba
1. “ancient of days”
2. “you who fights for me” or “my defender”
3. “I worship you”, “I give you my all”
Hi my translating friend
how would i say
"Dear future girlfriend I miss you"
Thanks in advance.
Jesse,
“Dear future girlfriend I miss you” = We uli nokuba cibusa candi, ala ndekufuluka.
What are the meaning of " Tapapitile nanshita" and "Ilyo papitile imyaka itatu" , please?
Hi Lucy,
“Tapapitile nenshita” = In no time (Quickly)
“Ilyo papitile imyaka itatu” = After three years
Ba editor:
Please give me a hand on my way to God by translating this:
"Ubufumu bwa kumulu" bwaisa pabwelu na
maka yakwa Yesu ukuba ndubulwila wesu mumulu elyo no kube mfumu
fya fikilishiwa.
Umuntu uwaelelwa alatemwa uwamwelela.
What does this sentence mean?
Hi Jack,
“Umuntu uwaelelwa alatemwa uwamwelela.” = “The person who is forgiven loves the one who forgives him/her.”
Natotela sana.
Please, my friends. I don't qutie understand this sentence:
Ishiwi lya mu ciGriki ilya kuti ukusansa,lyalepilibula ukuba no bunkalwe ubwabipisha nga nshi. (Imil. 8:3)
hello,
can you please transkate these words from english to bemba:-
Dear friends
thank you
mountain of the kings
These are the words
thank you
Hi Voldemort,
“Dear friends” = “Mwe fibusa”
“Thank you” (I thank you) = “Natotela”
“Thank you” (I am thanking you) = “Ndemutotela”
“Thank you” (We thank you) = “Twamutotela”
“Thank you” (We are thanking you) = “Tulemutotela”
“Mountain of the kings” = “Ulupili lwaba shamfumu”
Hello so my friend recently wrote to me and she wrote,
Ndemifuluka sana sana..Ndekutotela pakumpwishisho mweo!
could you please translate this for me I'd truly appreciate it.
-Jesse
Hi Jesse,
“Ndemifuluka” = “I miss you”
“sana” = “A lot” or “So much”
“Ndekutotela” = “Thank you”
“pakumpwishisho mweo!” = “For making my life complete”
hello… how do i tell in bemba.. " i'm sorry. please forgive me."
Sandeep,
“I’m sorry. please forgive me.” = “Nalilufyanya, njeleleniko” (Past tense, e.g. Yesterday)
or “Nindufyanya, munjeleleko” (Immediate apology).
“Forgive me” = “Njeleleniko”
Ba Editor:
Njikila mu/ku Kasama. Mu or Ku? Any difference?
Twinga cicita or Tunga cicita? Any mistake? I mean we can do it!
I translate English divorcee with my poor Bemba knowledge as umuntu ulekene mucuupo. Is it correct? If not, please help.
Nangeniko or Ndangeniko? Why?
Hi,
Is there a hospitality/customary phrase which means: "enjoy your meal/food"
Thank You
Debbie,
Enjoy your meal is “Lilenipo mukwai”
Inviting someone to come to the dining table is “Nimwe ndeita mukwai.” (“You are invited, sir/madam”).
How can I say "Welcome back" in Bemba??
I think "welcome" is Mwaiseni and "back" is Inuma in Bemba, is it right?
Keita,
“Welcome back” is “Mwabweleni” (Singular and plural).
“Bwela” is “Come back” (singular)
“Bweleni” is “Come back” (plural)
“Mwa…” is “You have…” (plural)
“Wa…” is “You have…” (singular)
“Mwabweleni” has no singular form
Another example using “Mwa…”
“Welcome” = Mwaiseni (Plural and Singular)
“Isa” = “Come” (singular)
“Iseni” = “Come” (Plural)
I have got SIX versions of what is your name in Bemba. Please tell me which one is correct or better or used more common. Thank you!
1, Nga imwe nimwe banani ishina lyenu?
2, Niwebo nani?
3, Niwebo nani ishina?
4, Niwe nani ishina lyobe?
5, Ishina lyobe niwebo nani?
6, Niwani ishina?
Sorry, when I surf the net, actually, I found three more, please, explain them for me, I am getting confused.
7, Ishina lyobe ni wani?
8, Ishina Lyenu nimwe ba nani?
9, Ishina lyenu imwe ni bani?
Hi Tom,
In Bemba the plural is used as a form of respect (Nos. 1,8 and 9). No. 4 is not grammatically correct.
There are many ways of saying the same thing. The simplest is best: “Ishina nimwe bani? (plural) or “Ishina niwani?” (singular).
“Niwani” is an abbreviation of “Niwe nani?” (Who are you?). You are more likely to hear “Niwani” in the village and “Niwebo nani?” in urban areas.
Here are translations close to the literal meaning of the words:
1, Nga imwe nimwe banani ishina lyenu? = What about you, what is your name?
2, Niwebo nani? = Who are you?
3, Niwebo nani ishina? = What are you called?
4, Niwe nani ishina lyobe? = What is your name?
5, Ishina lyobe niwebo nani? = Your name, what is it?
6, Niwani ishina? = What is your name?
7, Ishina lyobe ni wani? = Your name, what is it?
8, Ishina Lyenu nimwe ba nani? = Your name, what is it?
9, Ishina lyenu imwe ni bani? = Your name, who are you?
We hope that clarifies some of the mystery.
Please translate for me:
The false is nothing but an imitation of the true.
Had it been I, I would have helped the old granny.
Please explain:
In the senctence "Apo nkaya ku Bulaya, makucita shani?", what does maku mean?
In "Apo naisa, kakiye ku mushi.", kakiye should be kabiye, right?
Hi Arthur,
“The false is nothing but an imitation of the true” = “Ubufi bumoneka kwati cishinka”
“Had it been I, I would have helped the old granny.” = Aciba nine, nganalyafwiliishe ba mama.”
Thank you very much.
Thanks! That helps a lot!!
And how can I say that if I have a headache from overworking?
Keita,
“I have a headache from overworking” = “Umutwe wakalipa kumulandu wakubombesha.”
Natotela pacafwilisho cobe.
Way to go, i7ng!
Please translate. "My head hurts"
＝Ninjechepa Umutui. Urekalipa.
Is that correct?lol
Hi Keita,
“My head hurts” = “Umutwe ulekalipa”
If you have a throbbing headache you can say *Umutwe ulepuma.”
If you fell and injured your head and it is sore, you would say “Ninjicena kumutwe,ulekalipa.”
I think that is what you are trying to say.
I hope that helps.
Dear Editor:
I know that there is a concord between nouns and their modifiers in Bemba. It is easy for words like umutu which has a tangible prefix mu. But what troubles me are the ones without tangible prefixes like kafundisha and Lesa. My questions are:
1 How to say in Cibemba: a good teacher,good teachers and almighty God.
2 What is the meaning of Ninshi tungacita? and its sentence structure?
3 Why Kanshi auba kuno is translated as I wish you were here?
Thank you very much, best wishes.
Hi i7ng,
You are right. Modifiers make life easier when dealing with nouns.
One way to deal with nouns without modifiers is to tackle them on one at a time, the way you have done.
“A good teacher” = Kafundisha musuma
“Good teachers” = Ba kafundisha basuma
“Almighty God” = Lesa wa maka yonse
“Ninshi tungacita?” = What can we do?
There are words and phrases for which there is no direct translation from English to Bemba, and vice versa. The nearest translation can then be used.
“Kanshi auba kuno” is the nearest to “I wish you were here.”
The same Bemba words can mean something else in a different context, e.g.
“(Kanshi) auba kuno, ngawali mupokeleele” = “(in that case)If you had been here, you would have welcomed him/her”
We hope that helps.
Please translate, "My Friend"
Hi gh,
My friend = Umunandi
I'm writting to a sponsored child. How do I say "God bless you as you learn and grow" in Bemba?
Hi Adrienne,
God bless you as you learn and grow = Lesa akupaale mu masambililo yobe namu mikulile yobe.
Dear editor, Where can I obtain or purchase a Bible in Icibemba in PDF or txt or doc format on line? Thank you. Natotela. Lesa akupele.
Hi i7ng,
There are a lot of free options. Most of them are packaged as Apps for different phone versions. One version that has the option for audio read back is : http://www.youversion.com/en-GB/mobile
You can find many others by searching for “Holy Bible for mobile” in Google Search.
We hope that helps.
Can you translate from English to Bemba
Listening To The Great Teacher
Thank you
Hi can you please translate this from English to Bemba:
I love you the way you are. I have no idea how my life would be without you but I know that It wouldn't be as good as it is at the moment. I can promise you that my feeling not going to change towards you and that I will give up everything just to be with you. I love you and I will love you forever.
Thanks.
Hi Emils,
Romantic Bemba is very poetic, deep and very different from the day to day language. There are also many ways of saying things. Here’s our attempt at a less poetic version:
I love you the way you are = Nalikutemwa nemibele yobe yonse
I have no idea how my life would be without you = Ukwabula iwe katwishi nobumi ningakwata
but I know that It wouldn’t be as good as it is at the moment = lelo teti bucile apa
I can promise you that my feeling not going to change towards you = Ala ine nshakatale nkutaluka
and that I will give up everything just to be with you = pali iwe nafyonse kuti nalofya
I love you and I will love you forever = Nalikutemwa. Icitemwikwa candi tacakatale acipwa
Thank you so much. Lesa akupale!
Ba i7ng,
Natotela (Thank you).
Balikwata amano nokutontonkanya, eico bafwile ukulacita ifintu ku banabo mu mutima wa bwananyina.
Can you help translate the foregoing sentence, with particular explanation of the words balikwata, ukulacita, eico and bwananyina?
Hi i7ing,
“Balikwata amano” = “The are intelligent”
“Nokutontonkanya” = “and (they can) reason”
“eico” = “Therefore”
“bafwile” = “They should”
“bafwile ukulacita ifintu ku banabo” = “They should act towards others”
“mu mutima wa bwananyina” = “in a spirit of brotherhood”
Balikwata = they have
Ukulacita = to be doing
Eico = therefore
Bwananyina = brotherhood
Is there an equivalent expression to "once upon a time" that you would say at the beginning of a story?
Hi Robert,
“Once upon a time” = “Patile akantu” (Pronounced as PATILYA KANTU)
What does this word mean in Bemba? bapongoshi
Thank you!
“Bapongoshi” = Father-in-law / Mother-in-law / Daughter-in-law /Son-in-law.
The meaning depends on the context.
Hi Kitweonline, how do you say 'come back here!'
Hi Alex,
“Come back here” is “Bwela kuno” (singular)
and “Bweleni kuno” (plural).
Hi, how do you spell white people in bemba? I know what it is, just not how to write it, thanks
Jennifer,
The word for white person (male or female) is Musungu (singular) or Basungu (plural).
“A white person” = Umusungu
“White people” = Abasungu
Thanks so much…the word you've suggested "Ulwendo" seems perfect. I appreciate your help. Will let you know of the program's successes as we move forward.
Lynda
Thanks Lynda. We wish you all the best and look forward to hearing from you.
Hi…I'm a Social Worker who has been asked to submit a proposal for a program aimed at assisting young women who have spent their younger years in a Zambian orphanage, but are now aging out (becoming old enough to leave the program). The program will attempt to help the young women as they safely transition to living on their own, w/out the familiar supports of the orphanage.
The name I'm thinking of is "Transitions" but I'm just not quite sure how the word translates.
Can you help??
Thanks,
Lynda
Lynda, in this context, you could use “Ulwendo” which means “A journey.” It expresses the elements of “transitions” for which we can not think of a direct translation.
hello,
i was hoping to translate, "her love lifts my soul"
"her love nourishes me" and "her love guides me to greatness"
thank you very much
Julian
can you please traslate this
'naine damifuluka sana daddy'
“Naine ndamufuluka sana, Daddy” = “I miss you too (a lot), Daddy”
"she holds my heart in her hands"
i would ike to have this translayes if possible please
Hi, Im trying to learn bemba and would much appreciate your help with the following translation.
Chawama ukumfwa ati muli umutende. – I thought it may be along the lines of 'Glad to hear you are well'
Ba Lesa ba Pale – this I was completely unsure of.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks for the wonderful sight
Hi Geraint,
Congratulations. You got the first part right. It means exactly what you thought.
“Ba Lesa ba pale” means “God bless.”
Thanks for your encouraging comment.
Hi,
how do you say 'I love you' and 'I want to be with you'?
Thanks.
I love you = Nalikutemwa
I want to be with you = Lyonse ndefwaya tuli pamo
How do I say….I have found the woman of my dream,I will do anything for you my Zambian princess
hi
pls translate the greetings for me
thank ui
Can you translate; "I think you're 23 years old" for me please x
“I think you’re 23 years old” = “Kwati uli ne myaka 23″
Whoops! So sorry for the duplicate… I had meant to add to that phrase before you did the work.
Thank you so much for it by the way… it's beautiful.
What I was wanting to add was "Together they hung the moon" Or "They hung the moon"
Whichever is better.
Thank you SO much (gain)
Rejeana
Hello! Would you please translate this quote for me?
"He Hung the Moon"
Thank you!
Rejeana
Does anyone know a website with cibemba proverbs? I can't find it anywhere. Namutotela mukwai. Julio
Hi Julio,
We, at KitweOnline, don’t know of any website that explains Bemba proverbs. It is one of the projects we hope to take on later this year.
If anyone would like to volunteer for the task, please contact us below.
Hello,
I would like to have the phrase 'Forever in my heart' translated please
Thank you
Kate
‘Forever in my heart‘ = “Apapeleela kasuba, uli muntu wandi”
I would like to know the Bemba word for 'enough' in the context of "God's grace is enough (sufficient)". Thank you!
Good evening!
I was wondering if you could tell me how to say/write, " He hung the moon"
I thank you!
Have a wonderful evening!
Rejeana
“He hung the moon” (An idiom meaning “He is wonderful”) = Alimpesha maano
Hello! Have not been here in a while. Still training the dog! Need a few more words, if you don't mind.
(Don't worry, these words are just for teaching the dog tricks, not for harming any one.)
Kill
dead
play dead
leave it
speak
Thanks! You are very helpful.
Kill = Ipaya
Dead = -fwa (e.g. He/she has died = Afwa. He/she is dead = Aalifwa)
Play dead = Fwa
Leave it = Leka
Speak = Sosa
I would like this translated please,
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me….
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
Thank you very much.
God's Grace
please transalate for me
ndekufuluka sana,ndelolela ukubwela kobe kunganda,lesa alompala pakuti inshila shesu shi kimano, uli wandi
“ndekufuluka sana” = “I miss you a lot”
“ndelolela ukubwela kobe kung’anda” = “I await your return home”
“Lesa alepaala pakuti inshila shesu shi kumane” = “May God bless us so that our paths can cross again”
“uli wandi” = “You are mine”
Hello my friend who is currently in Zambia wrote a letter to me and she signed ended a letter with the following phrase/sentence I was wondering if you knew what it meant:
Nalitemwisha sana
Thank YOU
“Nalitemwisha sana” = “I was very happy” or “I really love” (depending on the context)
hi, how do i say. hi honey how was your day? and i miss you already.
Jabulile, greetings can be varied depending on what the person has been doing:
“Mwabombeni” (for someone who has been working)
“Mwatandaleni” (for someone who has been resting)
“Mwaculeni” (for someone who has been unwell, or is bereaved)
If your love has just come back from work, you could say:
“We citemwikwa candi, mwabombeni.”
“I miss you already.” = “Ndekufuluka”