In this video, learn how to greet others in Bemba, one of Zambia’s most widely spoken languages! Whether you’re in a formal setting like the office or an informal situation with family or friends, we cover essential greetings for all occasions.
Discover how to show respect with professional greetings and warm, everyday exchanges in this quick and easy lesson. Perfect for anyone looking to improve their Bemba language skills and cultural etiquette!
Phrases included:
Welcome – Mwaiseni (Mwah-eh-seh-nee)
Hello – Mwapoleni (Mwah-poh-leh-nee)
Good morning – Mwashibukeni mukwai (Mwah-shee-boo-keh-nee moo-kwah-ee)
Good morning (back) – Endita mukwai (Ehn-dee-tah moo-kwah-ee)
How are you? – Muli shani? (Ehn-dee-tah moo-kwah-ee)
I’m fine – Ndifye bwino
(And you) How are you? – (Nga imwe) muli shani?
I’m fine – Ndifye bwino (Ndee-fyeh bwii-noh)
It is good – Chawama (Chah-wah-mah)
Good Morning – Mwashibukeni (Mwah-shee-boo-keh-nee)
Good afternoon – Chungulo mukwai (Choon-goo-loh moo-kwah-ee)
Good evening – Chungulo mukwai (Choon-goo-loh moo-kwah-ee)
See you later – Tukamonana limbi (Too-kah-moh-nah-nah leem-bee)
Bye(I’m leaving) – Shalenipo (Shah-leh-nee-poh)
Bye(Stay well) – Mushale umutende (Moo-shah-leh oo-moo-tehn-deh)
Bye(Sleep well) – Sendameni bwino (Sen-dah-meh-nee bwii-noh)
Bye(Work well) – Mubombe bwino (Moo-bohm-beh bwii-noh)
Bye(Rest well) – Mutushe bwino (Moo-too-sheh bwii-noh)
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Natôtela for this wonderful lesson. Natemwo kusambilila my language. But I must ask, does good afternoon not mean mwatandaleni(generally) and mwabômbeni(for the workspace. Can good night mean sendamenipo or mulâle bwino. And how can we say good evening informally(without mukwai)? Ngafweniko?
Hi Langa, Thanks for reaching out with your comments and questions. You can tailor your Bemba greeting to whatever activity a person has been engaged in:
Ukutandala = To visit / to chill => Mwatandaleni.
Ukubomba = To work => Mwabombeni.
Ukuchula = To suffer / to mourn => Mwachuleni.
Ukubwela = To return => Mwabweleni.
Ukwangala = To play / to party => Mwa angaleni.
Ukusendama = Ukulala = To sleep => Mwasendameni.
Ukushibuka = To wake up => Mwashibukeni,
etc.
Yes, Good night is Sendamenipo or Mulâle bwino.
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