Bemba Phrases - The Lifespring Foundation (Africa)
The Lifespring Foundation (Africa)
Bemba Phrases
The work that we do in Zambia is predominantly in Ndola although many educated people speak English the language spoken by the majority of people in this area is the tribal dialect of Bemba. Here are some Bemba phrases...very useful if you should come to visit as a volunteer.
| ENGLISH | BEMBA |
| My name is..... | Ishina lyandi ni..... |
| What is your name? | Niwe nani? |
| His/her name | Ninani |
| Are you Mr John? | Ni we John? |
| Let me introduce.... | Inkewebe..... |
| My colleague | Uotuomba nae |
| My friend | Umunandi |
| I'm pleased to meet you | Natemwa pakukumona |
| How are you? | Muli Shani (formal) / Ulishani |
| I'm fine thanks & you? | Bwino, ngaiwe? |
| How are things? | Ifintu filishani |
| Where are you from? | Wafumakwisa |
| I'm from Great Britain | Nafuma ku Great Britain |
| Where do you live? | Wikala kwisa? |
| I live in London | Njikala ku London |
| How do you say this in Bemba? | Mulanda shani ifi mu |
| Do you know English? | Walishimba icisungu? |
| Yes a little | We panono |
| I don't speak Bemba well | Nshaishiba Benma sana |
| Could you please speak more slowly | Landa panono panono |
| Do you understand? | Waumfwa |
| I don't understand | Nshumfwile |
| I'm sorry | Mbelelako uluse |
| Could you please repeat that? | Bwekeshapo |
| Excuse me | Mbelelako uluse |
| Have you been to Africa before? | Waliyako ku Africa? |
| This is my first visit to Zambia | Elonaisako ku Zambia |
| Lunch | Kakulya cakasuba |
| Dinner | Kakulya cakungule |
| Food | Ifyakulya |
| Please come in | Ingileni |
| Please sit down | Ikaleni |
| Would you like something to eat | Mulefwaya Ifyakulya |
| To drink | Ifyakunwa |
| Do you like the food? | Mulefwaya ifyakulya? |
| The food is delicious | Ifyakulya nafiwama |
| Thanks for a wonderful time | Natotela sana |
| Yes | Ee |
| No | Awe |
| Ok | Bweno |
| Please | Mukwai |
| Thank you very much | Natolela sana / tatotela sana |
| Hello | Ulishani / Mulishani |
| Good morning | Mwaikaleni |
| Good afternoon | Cungulo mukwai |
| Good night | Sendamenipo |
| Goodbye | Shalenipo |
| See you later | Tukamonana |
| Come again soon | Mukese bwangu |
| What are you doing? | Ulecita inshi? |
| Where are you going? | Waja kwisa? |
| I'm going to work | Naya kuncito |
| Could we go together? | Twalaya bonse |
| We're ready right now | Twalaya ililine |
| Are you ready? | Nanifekanya |
| Please wait for me | Ndolela |
| We are in a hurry/ Let's hurry | Twendesheko |
| I don't know | Nshishibe |
| I don't think so | Nshilietoontontanya ifi |
| I'm cold | Nintatala |
| I'm hot | Ninkaba |
| I'm hungry | Ndinensansa |
| I'm thirsty | Ndinecilaka |
| I'm happy | Ndeneusensa |
| I'm sad | Ndinobulanda |
| I'm tired | Ninaka |
| I'm fine | Ndibwino |
| Please do not disturb | Wimfulunganyo |
| Where is the bathroom? | Ukuwakusaukila nikwisa |
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