CHINYANJA (CHICEWA) - ENGLISH

DICTIONARY

This dictionary was originally compiled by the late Father Jan Vermeullen of
the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) in 1979 and published with the following
introduction:

"This dictionary has been prepared to help people trying to learn Chinyanja
(Chicewa). It has been kept as simple as possible, endeavouring to give only the
more commonly used words.

This is just a trial run to fill the need for such a book while waiting for a re-
vised edition of the D.C. Scott - A. Hetherwick "Dictionary of the Nyanja Lan-
guage", or possibly a completely new one which may now be in preparation at the
University of Zambia or the University of Malawi.....

Your comments and suggestions are welcome.

Mission L.C.
P.O. Box 8076,
Lusaka"

We thank those who are helping in this project to revise Father Vermuellen's
dictionary, especially Miss Agnes Tikili-Banda who has put the dictionary on disc.
As before comments and suggestions are welcome.

Father Charles Searson SJ

Luwisha House,
P.O. Box 35391,
Lusaka, Zambia.
Telephone: 00- 260-1-29.16.06
June 4th, 1999
 2

A
Ai A short form of iai
Amba to begin.[see - yamba].
Ani what? What kind? What sort?
Anthu people.
Asamula to yawn. [see - yasamula].
Asilikali soldiers
Ati isn't it? Don`t you? (asking for consent) [see also: Eti? Wati?].
Atsa to kindle, to light.
Apa here.
A there.
Azimu the spirits of the dead.

B
Ba To steal. [see Kubera].
Ba A verb tense infix indicating the time during which stg is being done
Badisa To be born (as to time).
Badili a relay, someone replacing another.
Badwira born (as to place).
Bafuta white Calico or thin white linen.
Bala to give birth, to produce (used of people, plants, animals).
Bala a wound or an ulcer. [see Mabala and cironda].
Bambo Father, Sir, Master.
Bango Reeds. Matete (Ns).
Bangula to roar (Lion), to shout.
Banja Family, Relatives.(Li ndi Banja - he has got a Wife and Children).
Basela a little extra gift you give to customer who has bought goods from
you.
Basi that`s all, that`s enough, its enough.
Bata calm (no noise).
Baya to stab, pierce (with a spear or any sharp instrument).
Befu being out of breath (cifuwa ca Befu Asthma).
Bemberezi mud wash .
 3
Bere Breast.
Bereka to bear, to produce to have a child, to give birth, to
carry a child on your back.
Biliwila to be green (as new grass).
Bingu roar of thunder, noise of rapids, earthquake.
Birimankhwe Chameleon.
Bisa To hide something. [see - Bisya].
Bisala to hide oneself.[see - Bisyala].
Bodza a lie. - Bodza = its a lie!
Nena Bodza = to tell a lie.
Cita bodza = to tell a lie. [see Nama = to tell a lie].
Boma Fort, Government Offices, The Government (Administration).
Bondo Knee.
Bongo-Bongo Brain.
Boola to pierce, to drill a hole through.[see - Doola].
Bovu cheeks [see -Masaya].
Buluzi Lizard.
Bunda (pl. Maunda) young bird. young Pigeons, the young of large bird. [see
- Liunda].
Busa to herd, to drive together.
Busa place for flock to rest or eat.
Buthu a little girl who has not yet reached puberty.
Buula to groan.
Bvaka to clothe someone, to provide or give clothing. [see -Bveka].
Bvala to put on clothes or to wear.
Bveka to clothe someone: to provide or to give clothing. [see - Bvaka].
Bvika to thatch.
Bviika to dip, to put in water, to steep, to soak in water.
Bvina to dance.
Bvumbala to take out or to overturn.
Bvomera to agree, to accept, to say "yes".[see - Bvomereza & Bvomekeza].
Bvula to take off clothes or to undress.
Bvulala to be wounded or to be hurt.
Bvulaza to hurt someone seriously or badly.
Bvuma to give assent, to consent, to take up the chorus (when singing or tell-
ing a story). - Ku Bvuma - to give consent to something.
Bvumbwe wild cat.
Bvumbwa to be wet with rain.
Bvunda to be rotten [see - Vunda].
Bvundikila to cover or to put a lid on.
Bvundula to stir up.
Bvundukula to uncover or to take lid off [see - Vundukula].
 4
Bvuta to be difficult, to trouble, to worry, to bring difficulties.
Bvutana to quarrel.
Bvutika to be poor or to live in poverty.
Bvuto trouble,problame, difficulty.
Bvuula to take out of the water.
Bwalo yard, ground around, courtyard, court.
Bwanji How are you? how? What about (this or that).
Bwato Boat.
Bwebweta to babble, to stutter, to rave, to be delirious.
Bwenzi (1) (n) Friend.
(2) (adv.) ought, should be, if only ( used in the second part of a con-
ditional sentence).
Bwera to come. - Bwera ndi - to bring, to come with.
Bwereka to borrow ot to lend.
Bwerekana to borrow or to lend to one another.
Bwerera to return or to come back.
Bwererana to come back together again.
Bweretsa lit. to make come; to cause, to order (a book), to bring,
to go and get, to fetch.
Bwereza to repeat or to do again.
Bweza to give back, to send back.
Bwinja pl.mainja, a deserted place, an uninhabited or deserted village.
Bwino (adv) well, carefully, gently, later, in good time.
Ku Cita Bwino Bwino - to be accurate.
Bwinoko a bit better or rather well.[see Bwinopo].
Bwinopo to chew cud.
Bzola to pass through. [see Pyola].

C
Celela to start off early in the morning. [see - Lawila or Lawilila].
Cha (1) to give a name, to be ripe (fruit), to pluck(fruit).
(2) to set a trap.
Chabe useless. Nothing, only, just.
Chaka Year or feast.
Chakudya something to eat or food.
Chala finger or toe.
Chamba (1) Indian hemp.
(2) dance (any)
Chambu Medicine for protecting gardens, camp, and house.
 5
Chambuyo backwards.
Changu diligence. - cita cangu, to be diligent.
Chanza palm of your hand. -Gwirana canza, to shake hands.
Chapa to wash clothes.
Chaulere gift (freely given).
Che possessive stem: his, hers, its.[see - Ke].
Chedwa to delay, to be late, to linger.
Cheka to cut, to slice, to saw, to cut across.
Chembere old woman.A married woman with children. [see - Ncembere].
Chenjera to be clever, to be cunning.
Chenjerera to outwit.
Chenjeretsa to ask for too high a price, to steal. To want to appear
too clever in front of others.
Chenjeza lit. to make clever, to warn in advance, to give good advice.
Chepa to be small, to be few in number, little, to be too few.
Chepetsa to diminish,to make small. [see - Kudzichepetsa].
Cheuka turn around.
Chete adv. quietly, quiet, still.
Cheza to converse, to talk to, to chat to, to visit.
Cezela to visit. - Cezela usiku = to spend the whole night (doing something:
e.g. dancing, drinking. travelling etc,etc.,)
Chezima to shine, to gleam, to glitter.[see - Cezimira].
Chedwa (1) to be called, to be named so and so.
(2) to be late.
Cheru attention. - Chita Cheru = to pay attention (to)
Uzivelala = to pay attention to.
Chidindo a stamp seal or a date stamp.
Chire the bush [see - thengo].
Chimwa to do wrong or to sin.[see - cimwa].
Chinga Fence or enclose with a fence.
Cholakwa fault or mistake.
Chula (1) to pronounce, to mention, or to say.
(2) to lance, to open a boil.
Chibade cranium, head, hard rind of a gourd.
Chibayo Pneumonia, Pleurisy.
Chibonga a club with a head or knobkerry.
Chiboo a hole, in cloth or wood.
Chibuma a clod of earth.
Chibvomezi noise of an earthquake, of a crowd or of dancing.
Chibvundikiro lid of a pot or container.
Chibwana childishness or childhood.
Chibwano chin.
Chibwebwe stuttering, babbling or stammering.
Chibwenzi friendship - pen pala Cibwenzi.
Chida weapon.
 6

Chidani hatred.
Chidule briefly or with brevity.
Njira ya cidule = (Kanjira aka ne ka shorti ) a short cut.
Chidulo salt made from burnt ashes used in the same way as
Bicarbonate of Soda.
Chiduka a broken piece (of brick) or its broken.
Chidutswa a bit cut or broken off something.
Chifukwa because. - Chifukwa ca = because of.
Chifukwa cace = the reason for it.
Chifukwa ciani? = why? for what reason?
Chifuwa chest, a cold or a chest trouble.
Chifwamba a person who steals, a bandit, a thief.[see Kawalala].
Chigamba a patch.
Chigawo a part. [see - Gawa].
Chigololo improper sexual conduct or adultery.
Chigumula (1) a flood,(water rising over its banks).
(2) Retrenchment.
Chigwa a valley.
Chigayo grinding mill.
Chikaso yellow color of ginger.
Chikasu Ginger root.
Cikasu - yellow, the colour of ginger.[see - Cikaso].
Chikho gourd or cup ( Chalice).
Chikhulupililo trust, belief or faith [see - khulupililia].
Chikole something given as a pledge.[see- Mkole].
Chikoba hide of an animal.
Chikondi Love.
Chikope eyelids.[see - Kakope].
Chikumbumtima memory or rememberance.
Chikunu Rape or abduction.
Chikwakwa sickle, reaping-hook, the long hook-knife used as a grass cutter, a
slasher. - (plur) Zikwakwa.
Chikwanje a large-bladed knife.
Chikwati wedding. [see - Ukwati - marriage].
Chilakolako extreme desire.
Chilala drought, famine, destruction of food.
Chilankhulo language.
Lankhula - to speak.[see -Yankhula and Ciyankhulo].
Chilayo Vows.
Chilema a deformity, a maiming.
Chilimwe the dry season.
Chilombo a dangerous animal, a wild animal.
Chilumba an island.
Chimake a sheath.
 7

Chimalo or Malowolo (Lobola) Brideprice or Bridewealth.

Used by the Angoni People of Eastern Province.
Chimanga Maize or corn.[see - Miliss].
Chimbala cold nsima (Yogoneka).
Chimbudzi (1) Pit latrine.
(2) the central tuft of the grass roof on a round hut.
Chhimbwira a person who is not able to children; a woman who is
barren or a man who can not be
Father.[see - Chumba or Gomwa].
Chimera malt, sprouted maize. (Year).
Chimbwi (Ns) a hyena. [see - Fisi].
Chimtali dance at wedding for girls.
Chimodzi-modzi like, the same as.
Chimwa to do wrong or to sin.[see - Macimo]
Chimwemwe joy or happiness.
Chinamwail the dance or ceremony of initiation at puberty. Usually for girls and
sometimes also for boys.
Chindoko Syphillis.
Ching`aning`ani flash of lightning, glitter, sheen.[see -`nganing`ani]
Chingwe rope, string, or line.
Chinjiriza to protect, to shelter, to reinforce.
Chinkhwa bread.(made from dried bananas).
Chinsinsi a secret.
Chinthu a thing, matter.[see - Kanthu]
Chinyalala rubbish, straw, weeds. [see - Mauzu].
Chinyontho moisture [see - mnyontho].
Chipala a blacksmith`s forge.
Chipali having more than one wife; bigamy or polygamy.
Chipanda the beer gourd.
Chipande wooden spoon (large)
Chipangano an agreement, a contract.
Pangana = to agree with one another, to make contract.
Chipasu-pasu desolation, destruction.[see - Pasula]
Chipata a gate, a gorge, a gap.
Chipatso a fruit.
Chipere a skin disease,eruption of the skin. [see - Phere]
Chipewa hat.[see cisoti].
Chiphuphu a bribe.
Chipinda partition, room, bedroom.
Chiponde mashed food mostly peanut butter.
Chipongwe rudeness, insolence.
Chipsepse tail (fish) sometimes also fins.
Chipsera the scar of an old wound.
 8

Chipsero a broom.[see - Cipsyero]

Chipululu desert, a deserted or desolate place.
Cipupa wall.
Ciputu the stump of a buch of grass.
Chira to recover, to be cured, to feel better after an illness
Chiritsa to cure, to make recovery .[see - Ciza]
Chirikiza to support,to help to assist, to prop up.
Chisa a nest, a bird`s nest.
Chisamba a dance for women with thier first pregnancy.
Chisagu cold.
chisoni sorrow, pity, mercy.
chisoti hat. [see Chipewa].
Chiswe white ants (collective singular).
Chita to make, to do.
chita mantha - to be afraid.
Chita Ulesi - to be lazy.
Chiterere a dance by women.
Chitedze a kind of broad bean, buffalo-bean.
Chitepo large leaf (pl.- Matepo or Zitepo).
Chitete a kind of basket.
Chithaphwi a pond.
Chithunzi picture, a shadow.[see Chithunzi-thunzi andMthunzi].
Chitsanzo an example, a model to follow or imitate.
Chitsenko door.
Chitsime a well for water.
Chitsononko an empty maize cob.
Chitsulo Iron or any tool or instrument made of iron.
Chitumwa a kind of preventive medicine, a charm against sickness.
Chitungu sweat (pl.)Tukhuta Nchito yokhetsa Tukhuta.
Kutukhuta = to sweat.
Chiuno waist, small of the back, loins.
Chiuta God. also Cauta, Mphambe, Mulungu.
Chiwala a large grasshopper. pl. Ziwala.
Chiwalo a limb, a part of the body.
Chiwanda an evil spirit( of a dead ancestor,usually) or a ghost.
Chiwerewere harlotry, wnadering about from one sexual partner to another.
Chiweto domestic animal.
Chiwewe rabies, madness in a dog or cat.
Chiwiya a household vessel or utensil.
Chiwongo clan name such as Phiri, Banda, Mbewe,Sakala Mvula.
(or) totem name used mostly by the tribes which migrated from South
Africa in the 18 th Century. Also used for dowry.
 9
Chizindikiro a sign, a mark.
Chizimba a kind of medcine used in witch craft.activating agent.
Chizungu as European in language or manner, but mostly used in reference to
the English language or way of life.
Chobvela clothes, something to put on.
Coka to go away, to leave.
Cokera to come from.
Cokolo Ku tenga cokholo - to take the wife of a dead brother.(Polygamy)
Colinga aim.
Coma to spend the day visiting relatives. Form of greeting from about mid-
day. - Mwacoma bwanji ? Good afternoon/evening.
[see-Tandala, Swera]
Combo boat.
Cona a cat.(Kapusi is mostly used in town Nyanja).
Coci like this.
Conco Like that.
Conde please, well, by the way. Used in the same way as Zikomo.
Coona a true thing, a real thing, the truth.Zoona- its the truth.
Cule a frog.pl. Macule.
Culu ant hill. [see Chuluu]
Culuka to be numerous, to be plentiful,to abound.
Culukitsa to multiply.
Cuma wealth, riches.
Chumba I a barren person.
II a trap for a leopard or hyena.

D
Da to be black, to be dark, to be dirty. [see - kufipa].
Dabwa to be astonished.
Dala (adv.) purposefully, purpodely, on purpose, intentionally, knowingly
Wa citela Dala = you have done it on purpose.
Dala to be blessed, to be happy.
Dalitsa - to caused to be blessed, happy.
Ne wa Dalitsawa - he/ she is blessed.
Dama pride, pride of estate, also lust, impurity.
Dambo a grass-covered plain, a watery marsh.
Dana to hate one another.
Dandaula to complain, to grumble, to grieve for.
 10
Dazi baldness.
Dekha to settle (as water), to be calm of mind, to be quiet of heart, gracious
Denga roof. [see tsindwi].But most people refer to the roof as Menje.
Dere like that [see - Tere: Conci].
Dikira to wait, to wait for. [see - Lindira, Yembekeza].
Dimba a garden near water. (Sugar-cane fields mostly grown in dimbas).
Dinda to give a blow with your fist. to stamp - as with a date stamp.
Diso eye pl. Maso [see -Liso: Meso].
Diza (1) to delay, to wait, to hesitate. –
(2) a type of large locust.
Dodoma to be astonished, to be puzzled [see - Zizwa].
Dondo thick bush.
Dongosola to arrange in order, to do in order, to speak in order. [see longosola].
Dontha to drop, to leak.
Dontho a drop.
Dooko a landing place.
Doola to pierce, to pass through. [see - Boola].
Dothi soil, earth. Mostly used in reference to rubbish or dirty surroundings.
Duka to be broken in pieces, to break in pieces, to be cut.
Dula to cut, to cut across, to take a short-cut.
Dula Nkhani = to interrrupt.
Dululu snake poison.
Dumbo malice,evil speaking of another, insolence.
Duwa pl.Maluwa flower.
Dwala to be sick, to be ill.
Dya to eat.
Dyera eat, excell, surpass, excess, to over do things.
Mwadyera ? = how`s life ?
Dyeratu waste, to over eat.
Dyetsa to feed.
Dza to come, [see - bwera].
Dza- verbal infix (1) gives the meaning of coming to do something.
(2) of future tense.
Dzala to fill, to be full. [see -Dzaza which means to overfill
or fill to the brim
Dzala ash heap, waste heap.Also called Chisala.
Dzana the day before yesterday(can also be refered to as Mazo).
Dzabdira to stagger(as when drunk), to wobble from side to side.
Dzanda to stagger, to rebound, to be elastic [see - Nzanda].
Dzandidzandzi the weak or staggering walk of a sick or drunk person.
Dzanja arm or hand [see - Manja].
Dzaza to fill, to be full. [see - Dzala].
Dzenje a pit, a hole.pl. Maenje.
Dzi verbal infix, indicating the reflexive, -self.
Dzidzimuka to be startled.
 11

Dzidzidzi adv. all of a sudden, startled, suddenly.

Dziko country, territory of a chief. Chalalo is mostly used in reference to a
country
Dziko la pansi = the earth.
Chalalo Chathu = our country.
Dzila egg. pl. Mazila.
Dzimbiri rust (iron,green mould on copper etc.,).
Dzina name, pl. Maina.
Dzinga to surround. [see - Zinga).
Dzinja the rainy season.
Dzino tooth, pl Mano.
Dzinthu grain, produce.
Dwiza to know.
Dziwe a pool (as in a dry river bed).
Dzoka to rub yourself with oil., to annoint.
Also Dzola = rub and dzoza = annoint.
Dzombe Locust.
Dzudzula to rebuke, to take to task, to scold.
Dzuka to wake up, to get up. Also - Uka.
Dzulo yesterday.
Dzungu pumpkina, pl. Maungu.
Dzuwa the sun.

E
E, EE, Eya yes.
Edzeka to lean anything against (something). [see - yedzeka].
Same for all verbs beginning with `e` as: -enda = yenda: -enera=yenera, etc,.
Eni Plural of Mwini, -selves, owners.
Enieni true, truly, really.
Eti Isn`t it? Don`t you? (asking for consent).
[See also: Ati? and Wati?]
 12

F
Fa to die, to be dead.
Falitsa to spread about, to make known (as a rumour).
Fanana to be similar, to reseambel, to tbe like. [also - Fana fana].
Fanizo a parable, a comparison.
Fano an image, an idol.
Fatsa to be kind, to be gentle, to be meek.
Felela thatch.
Feluka to fail, [see - Lephera. -Jomba refers to getting stuck]
Fendaluzi the Luzi tree [see - Mbobvu or Nyanda]
Fesa to sow (by scattering small seeds in the wind or seedbed).
Fewa to be soft.
Fika to arrive (at a place), to reach.
kufikira - until
Kufikira paka pa - until a certain date
Finya to squeeze, to twist, to press in order to get out pus (in a wound or
boil), to squeeze water from clothes, to wring.
Mafinya - pus.
Fisi Hyena [see also -Cimbwi].
Fiyira to be red or reddish. [see - Fuyira].
Folera to spread the grass on the roof when thatching, to thatch.
Fooka to be weak. to be spiritually weak.
Fota to wither (as leaves, or a flower).
Fotokoza to explain.
Fufuza to grop for (something), search, investigate.
Fuka to rise and spread, as smoke.
Fuko People.
Fukata to embrace, to carry a child on your breast
Fukula to dig, to dig up.
Fula (1) to dig a hole.
(2) to castrate.
(3) to forge (as a blacksmith). - [see also - Sula]
Fulatira to turn your back on.
Fulu Tortoise.
Fulula (phala) porrige of mixture water and flour.
Fulumira to be in hurry. [also - Fulumiza]
Fuma to come from.
Ku fumila - come from = originate from.
Fumbi dust.[see - Pfumbi].
 13

Fuwbwa to be eaten (full of holes, as grain or wood).

Funa to intend, to want, to seek, to desire, to be about to do something.
Funa-Funa to search for.
Funda to be warm.
Kufiundisa mazi - warming the water.
Funga to lock. Koma cisko
fungulo -key.
Fungata to put one`s arms around.
Fungatira to hug (as a mother hugs her child), to set on eggs ( as a hen).
Fungo a smell. body odour.
Funkha to carry off, to remove (in war), to plunder, to carry away everything.
Funsa to inquire, to ask a question.
mwa ne funsira chani - why did you ask me?
Funtha to become mad.
Funya to fold, to roll up.
Funyula to unfold.
Fupa to give a reward (not payment), a free offering or gift.
(often given at a dance or other ceremony).
also used in reference to bones.
Fupi short, near.
Pafupi - close to, close by, easy to do.
Fupika to be short, to be too short, to be near, to be close by.
Futsa to parboil fresh vegetables and then dry them in the sun to preserve
them for future - use in dry season. (Zofutsa).
Fuula to scream: [see - Pfuula].
Fuwa a cooking stone (one of the three used to support a pot over the fire).
Fuyira to be red or reddish [see - Fiyira].
Fwidwa to be worn out, to be threadbare ( of cloth).

G
Gadama to lie on your back.
Gaduka to boil (water). be boiling [see also - Wira].
Gaga bran, husk.
Gaki sisal
Gamuka to fall down (wall, hut).
Gamula (1) to cause to fall, to destory.
(2) to chop down a tree
(3) to decide, to give a verdict.
Ganiza to think, to consider, to suppose.
Ganizo = a thought & Maganizo = thoughts.
 14
Ganyu a small bit of work to be paid on the spot. (piece work)
Mkazi wa Ganyu = prostitute.
Munthu wa Ganyu
Ndikulembani Ganyu
Gareta a cart.
Garu a dog.
Gaula to dig or plough the garden.
Gawa to divide, to share out, to apportion.
Gaya to grind.
Gela/Gera to shave, to cut your hair or beard
Gogo a grandparent.
Gogoda to knock (e.g. on the door).
Goli a slave-stick, a harness for oxen.
Gombe the edge or bank of the river or lake.
Gomola sweet.
Gona to lie down, to sleep, to stay long in a place.
Ne wugona -can even mean a person who is natually dull.
Goneka to lay down (as a child, a book).
Gonja to do obeisance to, to submit to somebody. [Also:- Khonja].
Gontha to be deaf (to be disabled).
Gonthi a deaf person.
Gowero a boy`s house or dormitory.
Guda a jar (large or small), a pail for water.
Gudira to be wide and spreading, providing shade (tree).
Guga to be threadbare (cloth,to be barren (old garden), to look old.
Gula buy.
Gulitsa to sell.
Gule a dance.
Gulu a group of people or animals.
Gulu la nkhondo, the army, soldiers.
Guluka to slip out(e.g. a hoe or an axe from its handle or tooth from its
socket).
Gulula to take out of it`s socket or from its handle, to dislocate.
Gumuka to fall down (wall or plaster from the wall). [see Gamuka]
Gund to hit, to bump into, to thunder.
Gundika to be in full swing, to make a big noise - (gule wagundika).
Guwa a platform, a kind of shelf made of clay in the house, altar.
Gwa to fall, to collapse.
Gwa strong, hard, firm.
Gwada to knee, to kneel down.
Gwedza to shake, to be shaky, to be slack.
Gwedeza to shake.
Gwero a source, beginning of a river or stream.
Gwira to catch, to hold, to grasp.- Gwira nchito = to work.
Gwirana to hold each other.
 15

Gwirizana to hold or to help one another.

Gwirizira to support.

I
iai no [see Ai].
Ife we.
Ika to put, to place, to bury, to lay eaggs (hen).
Ima to stop moving, to stand still, to wait, to be in the early months of
pregnancy.
Imba to sing, to beat a drum [see Omba].
Imbvi white hair, grey hair.
Imfa death.
Imika to put upright, to stand upright.
Imilila to stand, to stand upright, to stand by, to minister to.
Inga to send away, to drive away, to frighten away
(usually birds, goats or chickens).
Insa a Duiker or small Antelope.
Inwsa collective singular, for winged white ants.
Inu you (2nd Plural).
Ipa to be bad, to be evil, (when one is ugly, one is said to be ‘ipa’ in the
meaning of ‘ugly’, not of ‘bad’ and ‘evil’).
Ipitsa to spoil, to ruin,to disfigure, to abuse, to do ill to.
Itana to call, to invite, to summon.
Iwala to forget.
Iwe you (2nd person singular).
Iwo they (3rd person plural).
Iye he, she, it.
 16

J
Ja Demonstrative stem, for something easily identified or already men-
tioned . Also `that over yonder`, farther away.
Jambula to draw (a picture), to print.
Jenjemera to shiver, to tremble.
Jolika to hold your head down, to be ashmed.
Jujuka to fad, to lose its colour, to be worn out or threadbare.
Jumpa to jump.

K
Ka a diminutive prefix, small.
Ka (1) a verbal infix indicating motion, to go and do (something).
(2) if, when
Kada a verbal infix for the past condition, would (have come), if ....
Kada (also daka) = still.
kabudula short pants or underware.
Kabvalidwe manner of dressing or clothes.
Kabvira to slpash over (as when carrying water) to spill.
Kabvumbulu a whirlwind.
Kacamba sweet potatoe [see Kadolo].
Kacasu distilled beer or spirits.
Kacere a tree, a very large evergreen tree.
Kacetecete in silence.
Kacisi a small hut for the spirits of the dead.
Kadendene heel [see - cidendene].
Kaduka jealousy, evy, malice.
Kadzitape a tell-tale.
Kadzidzi a small owl with a large head.
Kaidi a jail.
Kaikakaika to doubt.
Kaingo (Ns) Leopard [see - Nyalubwe, Kangombwa].
 17
Kakamira to stick fast to, to catch fast hold of.
Kakamiza to force, compel, oblige.
Palibe Kukakamiza - there is no forcing.
Kalamba to be old, to become old, to grow old.
Nkhalamba - an old person.
Kalanga adv. expresses regret, remorse, grief.
Kalanzi small white ants.
Kalata a letter, paper.
Kale in the past, formerly.
Kale-kale - a long time ago, long, long ago.
Kaleza (1) lightnening.
(2) razor blade.
Kali angry, fierce [see Kalipa].
Kalimba a hand piano.
Kalipa to be angry, to be firece.
Kalipira to be angry against someone, to scorn.
Kalilombe a Chamleon (large).
Kaliwa a pipe ( for smoking).
Kalize centipede [see - nankalize].
Kalulu Rabbit or Hare.
Kama to milk - Kukama mkaka = to milk the cow.
Kama a bedstead.
Kamba to tell, to narrate, to relate, to talk.
Kamba a Tortoise.
Kamba Ka - because of [see -Chifekwa Cha].
Kambiri often.
Kambiri-kambiri - many times.
Kambuku Leopard [see -Nylubwe, Kangombwa].
Kamodzi once - Kamodzi-kamodzi = once in a while.
Kamundi a Lemur.
Kamwa mouth. - Pa Kamwa = on the mouth.
Kamwazi dysentery.
Kana to refuse, to say no.
Kanda to knead (dough), to push down (earth or mud with your feet),
Ne zamukanda = to beat up.
Kanense (also kaninse) =- the little finger.
Kanga to be hard, to be difficult, to be impossible.
Ku kangana = to argue.
Mwandi kanga = you have failed me.
kangamira to grasp, to grapple, to hold fast [see - Kakamira].
Kang`antha to beat, to shower blows upon [see - Kankhantha].
Kanganula to loosen.
Kangati how may times?
Kangaude a spider.
 18

Kangaza to press, to press upon, to strive, to hasten, to do diligently.

Katsiwiri skilled worker, master craftsman.
Kangombwa a Leophard [see - Nyalubwe, Kaingo(Ns).
Kanika to fail ( to do something), to be a failure.
Kanikiza (1) to press, to urge.
(2) To press in ( a spear or sharp instrument).
Kaniza to refuse, to say no, to refuse to give s.h. lent.
Kankha to push (car), to shove (dirt or rubbbish).
Kankhanta to beat, to shower with blows upon [see Kang`antha].
Kantemba small roadside temporary shop.
Kantha to beat (as cloth in washing), to wash clothes, to beat with your fist,
to kill by beating with your fists.
Kanthu something, anything.
Kamula to open (tongs, teeth, armlet).
Kanya to knead dough or mud [see - kanda].
Kapa to bail water out of a boat.
Kapena perhaps or maybe.
Kapici a stout pole, inside the house, used to hold the door closed.
Kapitao Captain, Overseer, Foreman.
Kapokola Police.
Kapolo a slave.
Kasenye the smallest of the Antelopes.
Kasule a Whitlow.
Kasupe a spring of water.
Katemo a small axe.
Kapompho (Ns) axe, as Nkhwangwa.
Katondo a kind of red soil.
Katundu belongings, load, luggage, burden.
Kavalo a horse.
Kawiri twice. - Kawiri-kawiri = often.
Kaya perhaps, I don`t know.
Kayikira to doubt.
Mwa Kayikira ? = are you doubtful ?
Kazi Feminine.
Mkazi - a woman.
Kazinga to fry or to roast.
Kazitape a tale-bearer, a gossip.
Khadabo nail (of a finger or toe).
Khadzula to split, to chip, to break (used of things that are brittle).
Khakhala to be rough, to be rugged (skin or path).
Kha (1) to drip, to drop, to leak.
(2) alone by yourself - Ali Yekha.
 19

Khama perseverence, stubborness.

kuchita khama = to persevere.
Kupitilila.
Kantu ndi Khama.
Khala to remain, to stay,to sit. Also used as an equivalent of ‘li’ = to be, and
‘li ndi’ = to have.
Khala coal, charcoal (pl. Makala).
Khanda a smalll child (pl.Makanda).
Khande a kind of black soil (pl. Makande).
Khapwira to lap, as an animal when drinking, or when drinking from your hand.
Khasu hoe.
Khatamira to be wet with rain (body or ground), anything cooked with too much
water.
Khate Leprosy.
Khazika to set, to place, to establish.
Khazikika to stay in place, to be firmly established, to have settled down, to
wait, to make wait. - to persevere.
Khofi to strike with blow.
kumenya na Khofi = to strike with the palm of your hand.
Khoka a net, a drag-net.
Khoko husk, leaf, skin, crust, pl. Makoko.
Khola coral, kraal, fold.
Kholo ancestor, pl. Makholo.
Kholowa sweet potatoe leaves cooked as relish (ndiwo).
khoma (1) to fix by using a hammer to stap a document, to pay tax.
(2) the wall of the house or a city.
khomo entrance way.
Pa khomo = at the entrance, just outside the door, in front of the
house.
Khonde the verandah of the house.
Khonja to submit to, to do obeisance, to yield, to surrender. [see - Gonja].
Khonje a fibrous plant, aloes [see – Gari = sisal].
Khonjetsa to over-power, to subdue [see gonjetsa].
Khosi neck. - Pa khosi = on the throat.
Khoswe a rat or any rodent in the house. - [see - mbewa or field mice].
Khota to be bent, to be crooked (as a tree or road).
Khotamiro a Lintel.
Khoza (1) to secceed, to do right, to be able to (do something), to manage
to do something
(2) an Ivory ring or bracelet.
Khudza to touch.

Khulula to unstring, to loosen, to be faint with the heat.

 20
Khululuka as above, to grow mild, to subdue anger.
Khululuka mtima - to subdue an angry person.
Khululukila to forgive.
Khulupilila to trust, to believe, to hope ,to expect, to hope for, faith.[see Cik
hulupililo]. - (Sometimes) Khulupira = tohave faith.
Chikhululupipriko canu ndi cacikulu = your faithfullness is great.
Wokhulupirika = trustworthy.-
Khumba to desire strongly.
Khumbi a shed, a shelter with open sides.
khundu a side, an edge [see - mbail, mphepete].
Khumi ten. - Makumi khumi = one hundred.
Khungu skin, blindness.
Khunkha to collect the gleanings after the harvest.
Khungubwi a crow [see - khwangala].
Khungwa bark of a tree.
Khunyu Epilesy.
Khuphuka to get rich suddenly, after being poor.
Khuta to be satisfied, to have enough.
Khuta mowa - to be drunk.
Khutila to be satisfied.
Khutu ear, pl. Matutu or Matu.
Khuwi Vulture. pl. makuwi [see Muimba].
Khuza to console.
Kukhuza Malilo = to cry with relatives of the dead person.
Khwalala a path, road (wide) as an Elephant path, or a path near a village wid-
ened by constant traffic
Khwangwala a Crow [see - Kwawa)
Khwapa (1) the armpit.
(2) Kwapa Maudzu - to cut down grass.
Khwawa the dry bed of a stream [see - kwawe].
Khwekhwe a noose, a trap (for catching birds or rabbits), a snare - [see Nkwek-
hwe].
Khwesa to rub.
Khweta to turn [see kwenta and Khota].
Khwidzira to pinion (by binding the arms), to hem, hem in, corner something.
Khwima to be mature, firm, to be old.
Khwinya a wrinkle (skin or cloth), pl. Makwinya.
Khwinyata to shrink, to shrivel up, to dry, to wither (leaves, skin).
Khwisula to offer a scarifice for rain [see - Kusula].
Khwisula Nkhuku = to offer a fowl in sacrifice.
khwizira to urge dogs to hound game.
Ko thine, yours, possessive stem. 2nd person singular.
Kocera to gather (clouds).
 21

Kodi? (1) introduces a question.

Kodi (2) is that so! Really!
Kodola to beakon.
Kodza to urinate.
Koka to pull, to tug, to drag, to draw.
Kokoma to roar (as a bush fire, rapids, rain).
Kokota to scrape out, to pull.
Kola to catch (as in trap), to seize.
Kolera to be on fire,to be lit, to be lighted.
Koleza to blow into the fire.
Kolola (1) to break something off from above, as maize or millet from
their stalk, to reap.
(2) to harvest
Koloweka to link, to bend, to suspend, to hang up.
Kolowolato scrape out (ash form a pipe, eye from its socket).
Kolwe (Ns) Baboon [see - mkwere].
Koma (1) but
(2).to be good, to be nice, to be beautiful (of people, things and situa-
tions).
Komana ndi = to meet [see Kumana].
Komba to scrape, put with your finger.
Kombe net for fishing.
Komera lock.
Kometsa very sweet.
Komoka to lose consciousness, to swoon, to faint.
Komola cause to faint.
Konda to love, to like, to prefer.
Kondwa to be happy, to be glad, to be pleased.
Konga the same.
Kongola (1) to be beautiful (often used for the beauty of a person, more intense
meaning than Koma.
(2) to borrow money.
Kongwa to be seizes with cold, to shiver.
Konko there, for Komweko.
Konola to pound (used of the first pounding of maize), to break into small
pieces. - To pound into flour is `Kusinja`.
Konse-konse everywhere. – (in a negative sentence) = not at all, never.
Konza to correct, to mend, to repair, to put right, to beautify.
Kopa to persuade (by enticintg), to seduce.
Kukopela - to imitate.
Kosomola to cough [see - Kotsomola].
Kotama to stoop, to bend.
Kotheratu for ever.
Kowa to hook to catch.
 22

Ku to, at, in.

As local preposition ‘ku’ becomes ‘kwa’ before a person`s name.
Kuba to steal.
Kubweleka to borrow; to lend.
Kubweletsa to bring.
Kubweza to take or to bring back.
Kuchapa to launder.
Kudana to hate each or one another.
Kudzichepetsa to humble oneself.
Kufatsa to be meek.
Kukazinga to cry.
Kukukuta to gnaw on anything hard (as a dog on a bone).
Kukukuta Mano = to gnash teeth.
Kula to be great, to grow, to increase.
Kulanga to punish, penalise.
Kulewa avoid [see - Kupewa].
Kulira to cry.
Kulowa to bewitch.
Kulu big, large.
Mkulu = elder, important man.
Kulumba to praise someone.
Kuluwika to speak in a round about way, to use words of a hidden meaning.
Kumana to meet [see - Komana].
Kumanga to build; to imprison.
Kumba to dig.
Kumbuka to remember [see - Kumbukila].
Kumigodi On the Copperbelt.
Kumika to find, to meet.
Kumudwa to trip, to bump your foot against a stone or a stump.
Kumudwitsa to give scandal.
Ndakumudwa ndi mzaga - I was scandalized by my friend.
Kumvera to hear.
Kunana to get wet.
Kunanitsa to make someone wet.
Kundika to gather, to collect, to store, to hoard.
Kuntha to beat, to shake.
Mkuntho = a heavy wind that shakes everything.
Kunja outside [see - Panja]
Kundudza to gnaw.
Mkungudza = gums (of teeth), Pyorrhoea.
Kunyada to be proud.
Kunyenga to deceive.
Kuochera to roast.
 23

Kupata to embrace [see - Kwapatira].

Kupeteka to bend, to fold, to pleat.
Kupempha to ask for.
Kupemphera to pray.
Kupondoka
Kusa to hoe lightly, to gather or heap dry leaves and grass.
Kusamba to bath.
Kusula to propitiate the spirits of the dead (prayer or offering at the grave).[see
- Khwisula]
Kusilila to be enivous.
Kusinja to pound.
Kusonkhana to meet or to congregate as a group.
Kuta to wrap up, to cover, to veil, to hide something.
Kutail far, far away.
Kuti (1) conjunction, that.
(2) Where? To what place?
(3) Speak, say
Kutumula to shake off, to dust, [see - sansa].
Kutsagana to accompany each other.
Kutsira to pour.
Kutsukuluza to rinse.
Kuthwawa to run away.
Kuwa to cry out, to shout, to howl [see - Uwa].
Kuwanitsa to be able.
Kuza to enlarge, to increase, to get much bigger in size. (from Kula).
Kwa Where? [see - ku].
Kwau = your home, your village, where you come from.
Kwao = their home, their village, where they come from.
Kwathu = our home, our village, where we come from
Kwacha it is dawn, the sun is up.
Money unit in Zambia and Malawi.
Kwana to be enough, to suffice.
Kwanila - to be enough, to amount to.
Kwapa to beat the grass when walking in the bush, to slash grass.
Kwapatira to put under your arm, to carry under your arm, to cross strings of beads
on your shoulders and chest.
Kwapula to flog, to beat.
Kwata to marry, to copulate with.
Kwatira to marry (used of males only).
Kwatiwa to marry (used of women only).
Kwawa to crawl, to creep.
Kwaya Kwayani - take it (in both hands), receive it (in both hands).
Kwera to climb up, to go up.
Kweza - to raise.
 24

Kwidzira to hem, to corner something.

Kwentha to turn, to bend, [see - Kwhweta and Khota].
Kweni-kweni really, truly,very much.
Kwina elsewhere, somewher or someplace else.
Kwinda to rolll or tuck up your clothes when wading in awater.
Kwinyilira mtima -
Kwirira to cover over, to bury.
Kwinyata to wrinkle [see - Kwinya].
Kwiya to be angry.

L
Labada to care for, to head.
Labvula to spit.
Laka (1) to desire, long for. [see - Lakalaka]
(2) to be baffled, puzzled, to fail, to be at a loss.
Alikuchita lakalakawo? Alikupa ndiwo.
Lakwa to be unskilful, akward.
to fail, miss ,to be inaccurate.
Lalanje Orange, pl.Malanje.
Lalata to evil entreat,taut, speak harshly or evil to
Lalika to proclaim, make known.
Lamba (1) belt, girdle.
(2) to pay respect, to do obeisance to, obey, stay under a chief.
Lambalala to skirt, to go around by the side of.
Lambula to order, to command, rule,decide.
Lamulo order, command, law.
Malamulo - rule of law, set of rules, constitution.
Landa to seize, to take, snatch, to steal, to take by force.
Landira to receive.
Landitsa to set free, resuce.
Langa to punish, to admonish, to instruct.
Langiza to advise, to instruct.
Lankhula to speak, talk [see - Yankhula].
Lapa to regret, repent.
Lasa to hit, to wound, to shoot.
Nda Lasidwa ndi munga - I have been piecred by a torn.
 25

Laula to utter bad things, unlawful, to swear (at a person), to meet with a bad
omen (see Malaulo)
Lawa (1) to taste
(2) to test, to try.
Lawi Malawi - Flame of fire.
Lawira (1) to take leave, to say good -bye.
(2) to leave very early in the morning.
Payila = its morning. - [see - Lawirira].
Ledzera to be drunk- kuKulewa is the term mostly used. - [see - Lodzera].
Leka to cease doing something, to stop.
Lekana to part, to separate, leave each other (husband and wife).
Lekerera to bear with, spare, not to take care of.
Lema to be tired.
Lemara to be lame.[see - Lumala] - Munthu wulemara.
Lemba to write, to draw, to ingrave.
Lemkeza to honour, to respect.
Lemera (1) to be heavy
(2) to be rich.
Cholemekra ngako! Kulemera!
Lenda to be gluey, sticky as some boiled leaves, gums.
Lenga to do wonders, create, to do things beyond power of man.
Lengeza to make known, proclaim, to send notice around.
Lephera to fail (to do something), to be at a loss [see - feluka].
Lera to care for, to nurse.
Leretsa to separate two combatants, to recuse from.
Lekura or Leluka - to be not heavy, to be light [see Luluka and Pepuka].
Leta (Ns) to bring. - Letani mpindo.
Letsa to forbid, to hinder. - coletsa = hindrance.
Leza (1) God [Mlezi].
(2) to be patient with, bear with. - Leza mtima = be patient
Uta wa Leza = rainbow.
Li to be.
Li ndi to have.
Libe to not have, to be without.
Licelo a flat basket (for winnowing).
Likha to hew down, to fall down, to know down ( a tree).
Likongwe a Weasel, a Ferret.
Lilime tongue [see - lulime].
Lima to hoe, cultivate, to use a hoe (khasu).
Limba to be hard, firm, strong.
Limba mtima - be of a strong heart.
Limba a musical instrument, several strings strung on a board,
harmonium, organ.
Limbika to be firm, strong.
 26

Limodzi together [ see - Pamodzi].

Linda to wait.
Lindira wait for, watch.
Lindimu Mandimu pl. - Lemon.
Linga (1) to aim, to purpose.
(2) to measure, to think. to say.
(3) a stockade, rampart.
Lingalira (1) to think [see - Ganiza].
(2) to imagine.
lingana to be the same, similar.
Linganika to be equal.
Linganiza to make the same, to be equal, to make smooth, to level up.
Linthumbu the red ant [see - Linthumbwi].
Linunda the hamp on the back of an animal [see - Nunda].
Lipa to pay, pay for [see - Lipira].
Lipenga a trumpet, bugle.
Lipira to pay, pay for (when buying), pay wages, repaying credit.
Lipsa to take revenge, to make pay for [see - lipsira].
Lira to cry, weep, sound (as bell).
to cry for, want, need.
Litepo Matepo (plur) = leaf, leaves (of a tree).
Liti when?
Litsilo dirt.
Litsipa headache, swelling of the temple vein.
Liu a voice, tune (of a song) pl. Mau - words.
Liunda pl. Maunda, the young of large birds[see - bunda].
Liwiro speed.
Liwombo the fontane;l (in the skull of an infant).
Lodza to bewitch.[ see - Kulowa].
Lodzera to be drunk [see - ledzera].
Loko a lock.
Lola to allow, give permission.
Loleza to allow, give permission.
lomba (1) to pray, worship.
(2) (Ns) now [see - tsopano].
Londa to watch, follow, pursue.
Londola to follow up, to pursue
mwalondola mwana ? = have you followed the child ?
Longa (1) to arrange, to put to, to put one thing on top of another, in its place.
(2) to pack things (in a suit case).
Longeza to pack.
Longolola to quarrel, talk loudly.
Longosola to arrange, relate in order, one thing after another
Lonjera to greet.Kupatsa moni is also to greet someone.
 27

Lonjeza to promise, make agreement.

Losa to divine, to foretell.
Lota to dream, divine, guess.
Analotela kuti chiza chitika = he guessed that it would happen.
Lowa to enter, to go in, come in [see - gena].
Lowana to live together.
Lowe a wet place in the ground.
Lowera cut in, in a queue.
Lowetsa to bring in [see - genetsa].
Loza to point towards.
Ludzu thirst [see - Njota].
Luka (1) to weave, to knit.
(2) to vomit [see - Sanza]
Luluta to utter the sound of nthungululu.
Luluza to hush a child, to depreciate, to scorn, to make light of anyone.
Luma to bite.
Lumala to be lame [see - Lemara].
Lumba to thank (Tonga).
Lumbe the night-jar (chamber-pot).
Lumbira to swear, take an oath.
Lume dew on the ground, pl. Mame.
Lumikika to join.
Lumo razor [see - kaleza].
Lumpha to jump [see - jumpha]
kulumpha thala = to go to the other side of the fire to sleep (as women
do at the time of menstruation) – (hence also) to menstruate.
Lunga to be straight (of a road), to be plumb, upright
Lungama to be straight, just, to be honest
Chilungamo pa zokhula anthu pamodzi.
kusalungamo.
Luntha wisdom, wit.
Lupande a yard (length).
Lupanga a large knife, a sword.
Lupsya burnt bush, the burning of the bush [see - ku
Luso cleverness, skill, wisdom, experience, ability.
Luzi bark string, pl. maluzi.
 28

M
Ma- (1) verbal infix, contiunace, something often repeated.
(2) sign of respect when answering back, when an older
person calls you.
Mabuka eruptions, swelling which come of themselves, on any part of the body,
not directly traceable to external cause.
Mabvu wasps, hornets [see - mago].
Mabvume a chorus response in singing.
Macedzana (lit.) the year before, the year before last, a long time ago
[see Makedzana].
Macila (1) a sedan-chair, a stretcher.
(2) payment of a ransom, a ransom.
Madoda a mature man, somethime headman, sing. Ndoda or Lidoda.
Madzi (pl.) water.
Madzulo late afternoon, early evening.
Maere (1) wonders, things that astonish, are strange.
(2) the `lots`.
Mafinya pus.
Mafuta fat or oil.
Mafuwa stones for cooking.
Maganizo thought (s). The action of thinking is expressed by the verb ‘kuganiza’
Magazi blood [see - Mwazi].
Magwero head or source of river.
Mai Mother, my mother.
Maike or Mai ake - his/her mother.
Mailo tomorrow/Yesterday.
Makaka kuchita to be proud, to show off.
Makamaka especially, surpassing [see - Maka].
Makama crowds [see - Magulu].
Makande black clay, soil.
Makangaza a friut similar to pomegranate.
Makani a contest, in word or deed, rivalry,struggle.
Makedzana lit. the year before, the year before last, along time ago.
Makhalidwe nature, disposition, custom, habit.
Makhalo private parts of both men or women, [see - Mapeto].
Makono nowadays, this present tiem, season, year.
 29

Makwerero a ladder or steps.

Makwinya wrinkles on eithr clothes or face.
Mlalanje usually pl. for oranges, sing. Lilanje.
Malasha charcoal [see - Tsimbe].
Malaulo evil tidings [see - Laula].
Malaya pl. shirt or blouse.
Malemba Malambo - what is written, the scriptures.
Malimwe the dry season.
Malinga perhaphs, supposing, if specially.
Malinga ndi = according to.
Malipiro payment, wages, ransom.
Malike border, limit of yur property.
Maliro funeral, mourning, a dead person.
Ika mailiro - to bury somebody.
Malisece nakedness.
Maliza to finish, but kusiliza is to finish.
Malo place, room, space.
M`malo mwace = instead.
Kupatsa malo = to accomodate, or find a place for.
Malobvu spittle.
Malodza a portent, evil tidings, bewitchment.
Malonda sale, trade.
za malonda - things for sale.
Malonje what is given for reconcilliation, also an offerring to a visitor as lonjera.
Maloto (pl.) dream,but Lota is to dream.
Malowolo ‘Lobola’ is bride-price.
Malome (maternal) uncle who is the head of the family.
[see - Mtsibweni].
Malongo the joints, limbs, pain in, fever, malaria.
Mamba (1) the Cobra or black Mamba.
(2) scales (fish).
(3) dandruff.
Mambala good for nothing, bad boy, bad character
Mame dew.
Mamina mucus from nose, -mina to blow one`s nose.
-mamvekera thunder
-Mana to refuse to give something to someone, to be stingy.
Mancici a species of a large owl associated with witchcraft.
Manda grave or grave yard.
Mandimu usually pl. for lemons, sing. Ndimu or Lindimu.
Mandolo unripe ground-nuts.
 30
Manga (1) to tie, to bind, fasten, build.
(2) pots, stripes, variegated colours (of skin or cloth)
(singular) Banga [see Mathotho].
Mang`a cracks on one`s heels, ffissures.
Mangawa debts, what has to be paid when guilty in a case or mlundo.
Mangu quickly [see - Msanga].
Manja hands, sing. dzanja.
Manje now.
Manjenje palsy, trembling of the limb.
Mankhaka cucumbers [see - Makhaka].
mankhusu the husk (wheat, rice, millet), what goes with the wind in winnowing.
Mano teeth but dzino or Lino for one toot.
Mantha fear.
ku chita mantha = to be afraid.
ne wa mantha = he is a coward.
Manthongo sleep-dust in the corner of the eyes.
Manya wrinkles also known as Mankwinya.
Manyazi shame, shyness (though soni is more appropriate to shyness).
a chita manyazi = to be shy, ashamed.
a chita soni = she is being shy.
Mayowa manure.
Manzere the left hand.
Mapapu the lungs.
Mapasa twins (but Bapundu in Bemba).
Mapeto (1) boundary (garden, village, country).
(2) private parts of both men and women [see - Makhalo].
Mapewa shoulders, butone shoulder is called phewa.
Pa phewa = on the shoulder.
Masace brooms.
Masala what remains of an abanadoned village, an old abandoned garden.
Masana noon, mid-day [see - Mzuwa], but can also be spelled as Msana or
Usana.
Masanje children`s play-house in the bush or preparing body for
Masaya cheeks, but tsaya for one cheek [see - Bovu].
Masese (1) sediment, dregs [see -Masika].
(2) African traditional beer or Chibuku.
Masewelo game or play, but sewera is to play.
Masewera - is to be too playful.
Masiye what is left behind by the deceased, especially the wife and children.
Mkazi wa Masiye = a widow.
Ana a Masiye = orphans.
Mwana wa Masiye = an orphan.
Maso eyes (in Plur) - Diso or Liso = eye (in singular)
Masuku a wild friut the size of a plum.
 31

Masula to loosen, untie or to terminate a contract.

Mata (1) to stick, glue, plaster
(2) spittle [see - Malobvu].
Matalala hail, but Mvula ya Matalala is hailstorm.
Matanda cross bar or string (in trap), a ladder.
Mathanga snail [see -Vikonon].
Matemba Minnows.
Matenda sickness.but ali ndi tenda - he is got a sexually transmitted disease.
Matete (Ns) reeds [see - Bango].
Mathero the limits of a country, the end of something.
Mathongo spots, mottled (of skin or cloth).
Matondo fruit of Mtondo tree mor like a mango.
Matoo fruit of the Mtoo tree.
Matsatsa sticks, small firewood.
Matu ears, but khutu for one ear.
Matuvi excrement [see - Matubzi].
Matubzi excrement, sing. thubzi, but also known as Matuvi locally.
Matula unglue, unstick, to peel.
Mau Li ndi Mau = to have something to say.
(the singular form) Liu = voice, tune.
Mauka Child`s disease [see - Mabuka].
Maungu Pumpkins, but Dzungu for one pumpkin, though the seeds are called
Ungu.
Mawa tomorrow.
M`mam`mawa = early in the morning.
M`mawa = before midday.
Mawere (1) the breasts, also the mother`s milk [see - Maziwa].
(2) a kind of small millet, finger-millet.
Mayeso trial, test, exam, but used mostly to refer to lessons .
Maziko foundations.
Maziwa breast milk [see - mawere].
Mbadwa native of a country, born in it, also citizen.
Mbadwo a generation.
Mbala a thief, but locally known as Kawalala.
Mbalame bird, but ka mbalame is a small, tiny bird.
Mbale (1) brother, sister (same sex).
(2) plate, dish.
Mbail side, edge, rim.
pa mbail ya - at a certain place.
Mbaliwail sparks.
Mbambo ribs.
Mbaniro tongs [see - Mbano].
Mbasela a little extre given out to a customer.
Mbatata sweet potatoe.
 32

Mbatatase potatoes.
Mbawala an Antelope, Bush-buck.
Mbe white, clear, open (ideophone).
Mbedza a fish-hook, a hook.
Mbemberezi the Ichneunon-fly.
Mbendela flag.
Mbereko goat skin or linen cloth used to carry child.
Mberere sheep [see - Nkosa].
Mbeta a unmarried woman, free.
Kuka funsira Mbeta = to begin marriage negotiations.
Mbetete a trumpet made of an animal horn, also a long-handed gourd
Mbeu seed vegetable, sprouting plants.
Mbewa field mice eaten as it is considered a delicacy.
Mbidzi Zebra.
Mbili account, narrative.
Mbiri (1) a story, rumour, fame, a report.
(2) [adj] many
Kwambiri = very much (zikomo kwambiri = thank very much).
Mbiya jar, pot (general word)
Mbobo a long green/grey snake (very deadly in a very short time)
Mbobvu the Luzi tree [see - Fendaluzi and Nyanda].
Mbola a sting.
Mbombo a selfish man.
Mboni (1) witness, one who sees.
(2) the pupil of the eye.
Mbu white, whitish (ideophone) [see - Mbe].
Mbulu a lump (as in porride), a lump of anything moulded with the hands, a pill
(medicine).
Mbumba kindred, those sustained by one, one` female relations
Mbuna a game-pit.
Mbusa a shepherd, one who herds, Church leader or Pastor.
Mbuto a sleeping place, a nest, a burrow (rabbit).
Mbuwa of skin to be whitish with dust or dirt.
Mbuye (1) Master, Lord, Grandparent.
(2) [pl.] Ambuye = reverence
Mbuyo back.
Mbuzi goat.
Mbwemba the Tamarind tree.
Mchapi witch-doctor in reference to cleasing.
Mcenga sand.
Mcere Salt.
Mcewere a species of small grain head about 1 foot long.
Mcira a tail.
Mcombo naval.
 33

Mdani foe or enemy.

Mdierekezi a slanderer.
Mdima darkness.
Mdulo cutting, `cutting sickness` (blood spitting) caused by not following
customs or sexual taboos.
Mdzakazi a female slave.
Mdzeka the first row of grass at the bottom to start a grass roof .
Mdzipe pl. Mizipe - a strong sinem, a tendon.
Mdzukulu grand-child, dscendant, posterity, a younger relation who buries the
elder..
Meka to show off [see - Makaka].
Mema to gather for, to call a gathering
Memeza to muster.
Mene who, which.
Menya to beat, strike, hit.
Kumenyana - to fight each other.
Mera to germinate, to sprout [see - Mela].
Mmera is a young shoot.
(M`)mero gullet, throat.
Meta to shave, to cut your hair or beard [see- gera/gela].
Meza to swallow [see - mela].
Mfedwa a mourner or a near relative of the deceased.
Mfiti a witch or a wizard.
Mfu/Mfuu a shout or a cry [see - Pfuula].
Mfuko a mole.
Mfule an animal, or man `cut` or castrated, an eunuch.
Mfulu a free man, a generous man [see - Ufulu or Ulere].
Mfumu Chief.
Mfundo a knot, (tying together), a joint, tumour, swelling.
Mfungulo a key.
Mfuno nose [see - Mphuno].
Mfupo some coins or money given to dancers, often put at their feet.
Mfuti rifle or gun.
Mfutso dried vegetable leaves used as ‘ndiwo’ when green ‘ndiwo’ is not
available.
Mfuu a shout, a cry, loud noise [see - Mfu and Pfuula].
Mganda men`s dance at marriage ceremony.
Mgaiwa whole flour or mealie meal from the mill.
Ufa = white flour or mealie meal.
Mgodi a mine. – (Hence) Kumigodi = on the Copperbelt.
Mgonero meal before going to bed or supper.
Mgonthi a deaf person.
Mgwala the beaten track of animals.
Mgwalangwa the fan palm [see -mlaza].
 34

Mgwazi a brave warrior, a hero [see - Ngwazi].

Milaza the first stage in the growing of a Pam tree.
Miliss locally used word for corn or Maize.
Mimba belly, stomach, the inside of something, breadth of cloth
ali ndi mimba = she is with child.
Mina to bllow your nose.
Minga thorns which is pl.of munga.
Mira to go under water, to be submerged.
Miraga suburbs, also known as ku ma yadi.
Misala madness.
Misale a millet with sweet stalk but its grain is not eaten.
Mitala bigamy, polygamy .
Mitu nkuka ya ku mitu - to placate the spirits of the dead
Miza to cover, put under water.
Mjedo a taunt.
Mkaidi prisoners, but Kaidi for one prisoner
Mkaka milk.
Mkhadze a species of Euphorbia, often planted as a hedge, juice is poisonous.
Mkamwini (1) son-in-law.
(2) someone`s husband or wife.
Mkanda bead.
Mkandankhuku brambles.
Mkangala (1) tough, strong, fully grown bamboo.
(2) musical instrument (reed and string).
Mkango Lion.
Mkate a loaf or roll, can be bread, rice or bananas.
Mkati inside
Mkamwini husband`s position in wife`s village in matrilineal syteam
Mkazi woman or wife.
Mkeka palm leaf mat [see - mphasa]
kuluka mkeka = to a weave a palm leat mat or a mkeka or mphasa.
Mkeka small basin or pot usually of clay.
Mkokomo sound of rain; rapids; wind.
Mkole a pledge [see - Chikole].
Mkombero a rim; edgeof basket or bicycle.
Mkhunkhu a club or a stroke [see - Nkhunkhu].
Mkhwani pumpkin leaves cooked as relish [see - Nkhwani].
Mkwapulo a switch [see - Nkwapulo].
Mkwhere a baboon [also - Nyani and Kolwe (Ns)].
Mkono arm.
Mkonono snore (n).
Mkota an old female animal; goat or dog.
Mkuca the day after tomorrow, but locally Mazo is used.
Mkungudza a species of tree, used as Cedar.
 35

Mkulu elder; old man; mature man; important man.

Mkute food left over from the night before [also - Chibala].
Mkuwa Copper or brass.
Mkwapulo a switch; stick for beating [see - Kwapula].
Mkwingirima scars of wounds inflicted by a lash.
Mkwiyo anger.
Mlamba the cat-fish.
Mlambe the Baobab tree.
Mlamu brother or sister-in-law.
Mlandu case or dispute.
Mlangali (1) red cloth.
(2) a species of euphorbia.
Mlatho bridge [also - Ulalo].
Mlaza fan palm, used to make mats (mphasa or Mkaka) and rope.
Mleme a bat, sometimes used for swallow.
Mlezi a nurse [also - God].
Mlendo a stranger,a visitor, a person on a journey.
Mlombwa a species of tree, teak, which is used in making good quailty furniture.
Mlomo lip.
Cha Mlomo = in marriage negotiations the would-be groom offers this
present "for-the-lips", i.e. to get the negotiations started.
Mlonda a watchman or a guard.
Mlongo brother or sister (different sex).
Mlumbwana a young man [also - Mulumbwana].
Mlungu week.
Mlulzu a whistle; whistling with lips or through fingers.
Mmanga a species of hard `Iron-wood` tree.
M`mam`mawa very early in the morning.
M`mawa in the morning.
Ku M`mawa = the east and reference to Eastern Province.
M`mawa mwace = the next day.
M`mbuyo behind.
Mmera a young shoot.
Mmero throat or gullet.
Mmisiri a skilled worker or craftsman.
Mmodzi one.
Mnansi neighbour.
Mndipiti in procession.
Mneneri one who speaks for another, a prophet.
Mng`anzi Iguana, large species of lizard.
Mngoli a stringed instrument played with a bow.
Mng`ono younger brother.
Mnkhaka a cucumber (pl) minkhaka or Chidzakaka.
Mnofu flesh.
 36

Mnyamata a boy; a young man; youth.

Mnyontho moisture [see - Chinyontho].
Mnza companion.
Mnzace his or her companion.
Mnzako your companion.
Mnzanga my companion.
Momboli one who ransoms; redeems; redeemer.
Monga like; as.
Moni Salutation; greeting; anytime of the day.
Mono a fish-basket for catching fish.
Moto fire.
kusonkha moto = make a fire.
kupala moto = to light a fire with red ambers.
Mowa opaque beer made from maize or millet.
Moyo life; health; surname.
Mpaka until; as far as.
Mpako a hole in the treee; rock; ant-hill.
Mpakati a company; a multitude.
Mpala (1) Antelope Impala.
(2) shaving of the hair bald.
Mpaliro an arrow without a barb or teeth.
Mpama a species of creeper yam.
Mpanda fence, enclosure or area enclosed by a fence.
Mpando a chair (generic term).
Mpata a gap between; mountain pass; opportunity; a gate
[see - Chipata].
Ku peza Mpata = finding an opportunity.
Mpango a belt or anything which is used as a belt.
Mpanje a kind of a long drum.
Mpeni knife.
Mpesa grape.
Mphafa the liver.
Mphaka cat, but sometimes used to refer to a wild cat (a domestic cat is locally
refered to as a Pusi) – See also Cona and Bvumbwe.
Mphala an open shelter where men sit or rest; or to discuss matters or work to-
gether- By extension also a courtroom, known as ‘nsaka’
Mphale pounded maize.
Mphambano at the crossroads.
Mphambe God, the `almightly`.
Mphamvu power; strenghth.
Mphamvu ya Mulungu - God`s power.
Mphanda a tree fork.
Mphanje a new rough garden.
 37

Mphasa mat made from reeds [see - Mkeka].

Kusoka mphasa = to sow a reed mat (as in Katete Church)
Mphatso gift.
Mphawi a poor person.
Mphemvu cockroach.
Mphepete side; edge; along [see - Mbal]i.
Pa mphepete pa - by the edge of ...
Mphepo wind; a cold wind.
Mphere scabies.
Mphero a grinding stone [see - Pera].
Mpheta a small grain eating bird, which becomes red in the rainy season.
Mphete ring (n).
Mphezi Lightning.
Mphika a cooking pot.
Mphindi a time; space;a minute.
Mphingo the Ebony tree.
Mphini a cut on the body; tatoo mark.
Mphinjiri medicine, made of bits of wood; root of a tree; charms.
Mphiri the puff-adder [also - Chiphiri].
Mpholopolo bullet.
Mphongo male.
Mphonje a fringe on cloth.
Mphoto a reward; prize; wages.
Mphuci a borer infects maize and millet stalks.
Mpulu a ram.
Mphulupulu perverseness.
Mphumi the forehead. - Pa mphumi = on the forehead.
Mphumphu wholeness; roundness; perfectness; a ball of tobacco.
Mphungu a species of large bird; eagle [also - Phungu].
Mphuno nose [also - Mfuno].
Mphunzi a large caterpillar or maggot.
Mphunzitsi teacher.
Mphuthu a door-post; the side-post helping to keep the door in place at night.
Mphutsi a maggot.
Mphwayi untidiness; carelessness; could not care less attitude.
Mphwando a big meal; banquet; a feast [see - Phwando].
Mpiko a lever [see - Pikula].
Mpingo assembly; Church; crowd.
Mpingu a bad omen, i.e seeing a black cat crossing the road in front of you, you
turn back. - [see Pingasa and Pingo].
Mpini wooden handle (axe; hoe etc.).
Mpira ball, something made of rubber.
Mpolo a still-born child, one born without strength.
Mpongozi mother-in-law; in-law.
 38

Mpoto (1) north.

(2) an old antelope bull.
Mpsimpsi noise as when eating stalks of sugar-cane or Msale; the residual of ma-
shed fiber is spat out
kutsira Mpsimpsi = to take revenge on somebody.
Mpkuksi same meaning as Mpukutu.
Mpukutu a parcel of things wrapped together [see - Mpukusi].
Mpunga rice.
Mpupuluzi the scattering of people from the land;deserted land.
Mpupu bribe.
Mpweya air; breath.
Msala madness [see - Misala].
Msale sweet stalk of kind of millet or stalk of maize that won`t produce.
Msambi herd; flock.
Msambo menstruation.
Msampha a trap.
Msana the back; mid-day; noon [see - Masana and Usana].
Msanga quickly. - mwa msanga = do it quickly.
Msasa a temporary lightly built hut.
Msempha a tendon [see - Mtsempha].
Msenjere a species of high thick stalked grass.
Mseu road (njira) made with feet; path way.
Msewere (Ns) joking companion.
Msidze the eyebrows.
Msika market, though locally known as Maketi.
Msilikali soldier.
Msinkhu size. - Kukula msinkhu = to grow up.
Kutha msinkhu = to reach puberty.
Msinjiro a pestle; also pounded ground-nuts used in cooking relish
Msip young green grass.
Msiwani a maternal cousin [also - Msuwani].
Msodzi a fisherman.
Msoko sewing stitches; seam.
Msomali nail; a peg.
Msompho an adze; a small instrument for trimming wood.
Msonkhano a agathering; a meeting (pl. Masonkhano; Misonkhano).
Msokho tax. - Kusonkha = to levy taxation
sonkha msokho = pay your tax.
Msono young of wild beast.
Msoro a species of tree much used for medicine; also sometimes
offerings to the spirits are put near it.
Msoti a young female animal; fowl.
Msuku a species of large leafed tree, whose round fruit is eaten.
Msulu a species of weasel.
 39

Msuanamo shutting the lips in anger.

Msundu a leech.
Msungwana girl [see - Mtsikana].
Msuwani a maternal cousin [see - Msiwani].
Mtambe green leaves of beans or nyemba eaten as relish.
Mtamabo cloud.
Mtanda (1) a cross-beam, a cross.
(2) a portion; a lump of nsima, also known as Mkusu.
(3) a giant.
Mtapo a place where they dig ore or clay (the clay itself used in the making of
pots and tiles).
Mtayo a still-born baby or an aborted foetus.
Mtembo a corpse.
Mtendere peace.
Mtengatenga carriage of loads.
Mtengo (1) tree.
(2) price.
Mteteka a very liquid fermented mealie meal or flour porridge mixed with water.
Mthambe bean leaves cooked as relish.
Mthenga a message; a messenger [also - Uthenga; Wamthenga].
Mthiko wooden cooking stick.
Mthula a shurb; thorn;with bitter fruit, but larger than Mthungwi
[see Nthula].
Mthungwi a shurb [see - Mthula].
Mthunzi shade; shadow; picture [see - chithunzi].
Mtima the heart.
Mtima iwiri = undecided; 2 fared.
Mtima wodyeretu = careless.
Mtobvu lead, but also used to refer to tin [also - Mtovu]
Mtokoso something for poking or digging.
Mtolo bundle.
Mtombozi a shurb and tree, its white juice is used as gum.
Mtondo (1) the day after Mkucha.
(2) mortar used for pounding maize.
(3) a species of tree,with small leaves with large mango like fruit.
Mtovu lead but also used to refer to tin [also - Mtobvu].
Mtsamiro a pillow; a wooden support for the head.
Mtsatsi the castor-oil plant [also - nsatsi, its fruit].
Mstsekero (1) shutting in and so.
(2) a stick for fastening a door.
(3) the last rain of the season.
Mstempha a vein; artery; also a tendon.
 40
Mtsibweni a mother`s elder brother; maternal uncle; head of the family
[see - Malume].
Mstikana girl; a young woman; youth [see - Msungwana].
Mtsinje river; stream.
Mtsitsi fine root; creeper.
Mtsokwe a particle, as when pounded maize is strained;
the lees, dregs of mowa.
Mtsonyo sound made with lips to show contempt or disgust.
Mtsuko a water pot or jar.
Mtswatswa noise made when walking in the bush; on dry leaves.
Mtulo a free gift.
Mtumbira a mound. a ridge in the garden.
Mtumiki a servant; messenger; delegate [see - -tuma and -tumiza].
Mtunda hill; coast; high solid ground; in opposition to dambo.
Mtundu kind; tribe; sort.
Mu in; inside; abbr. m` [also mwa before a person`s name].
Mubvi an arrow.
Mudzi a village.
Kumudzi kwathu - our village.
Muimba vulture [also - Mwiba and Khuwi].
-Muka to go.
Mukangano objections [see - Kangana].
Mulu a heap.
-Mulumunya to suck with lips or gums.
Mulungu God [see - Chauta; Chiuta; Leza; Mlengi; Mlezi;Mphambe].
-Muna male.
Munda garden or field [see - dimba].
Munga a thorn (pl. Minga).
Muni a torch; lamp [see -Muuni].
Muno in here.
Munsi (1) a pestle (n).
(2) at the foot of or under (adv).
Munthu a person.
Munyu (Ns) salt [see - Mcere].
Muyeso a measure [see - mweso].
Muzu root (pl. Mizu).
-Mva to hear; to listen; understand; to feel.
-Mvana to agree with one another, to be of the same opinion; to understand one
another.
-Mvera to obey; to listen to
Mvula rain.
Mvuma east; east wind.
Mvumbi heavy rain; continuous rain.
Mvundikiro a lid.
 41
Mvuu hippotamus.
Mwa in [see - mu].
-Mwa to drink.
Mwabvi ordeal poison (bark of the Mwabvi tree).
Mwai (1) luck; chance; good fortune.
(2) soot [also - Mwayi].
Mwala stone (pl. Miyala).
Mwalamwaza to spread out (flour); turn overr with hand.
Kumwaza - to spread out; to scatter.
Mwalira to die (same as -Fa).
Mwambi a proverb; a tale; a riddle [also - Nthanu and Nthano].
Mwambo custom; way of doing things and behaving. rite.
Mwamuna a man; husband.
Mwana a child.
Mwanbere swolen glands resulting from wound or sore.
Mwano insolence.
Mwayi (1) good luck.
(2) soot [also - Mwai].
Mwaza to scatter; to disperse.
Mwazi blood [see - Magazi].
Mwendo leg (pl. Miyendo).
kugwira mwendo = to submit; to do obeisance.
Mweta to cut grass or plants.
Mwetu a smile.
Mwetula to pull out hair; to break string across.
-Mwetulira to smile; to tear at a thing with teeth.
Mwezi month; moon.
ali ku Mwezi - she is in her menstruing periods.
Mwina perhaps [see - Kapena].
Mwini owner (pl.eni).
Mwiri a small animal of the cat family, its skin is used as a sporran.
Mya (1) soft, smooth.
(2) crouching in the grass.
Myatika to flatter; use false pretences.
Myuka to take skin off, to loose the skin.
-Myuka mtima = to feel anxiety, the rising of the heart.
Mzati the central post of a house.
Mzere line or row.
Mzimu the spirit of a dead person (pl. Mizimu).
Mzinda a capital; a town; city.
Ku mzinda ya Lusaka = in Lusaka town.
Mzinga a cannon.
Mzipe a sinew, a tendon.
 42

Mzongo a strip of meat, as used in drying up biltong; a long narrow piece of

cloth.
Mzuli a fez.
Mzungu a white man; used to refer to any white person irrespective of origin.
Mzuwa mid-day; afternoon..

N
-na- verb infix, past tense.
also -da-.
-na and, with (used for ndi).
-na some, some more.
other e.g. ina, ena.
nadzikambe chameleon.
-nai four.
-nama to tell a lie.
namgumi a whale.
-Namiza to deceive, to slander.
namkholow sweet-potatoe leaves used as ndiwo.
namkungwi instructor, adviser during initiation rites.
namondwe a storm, a wind-storm, waves.
namsongole a species of grass, weed.
namtindi 'muchness, many, a multitude.
namwali a grown up girl ready for marriage.
namwino a mid-wife.
nanga yes, and how?, how about this?, well then.
namkalize a centipede (painful bite), sometimes also a scorpion
See nkhanira and also kalize.
ncafu the thigh, lap.
ncefu an eland, also nsefu.
ncembele a woman who has children.
ncence a fly.
ncenzi large water rat, beaver rat.
ncetho an arrow with barbs.
ncisi a dirty person.
nchito work, labour, occupation.
wanchito - a worker, labourer.
ncofu (1) colic, bile, vomiting.
(2) navel cord.
 43

ndakatulo something composed out of one's head.

ndalama usually plural, money..
ndale a mode of wrestling men gripping each other, politics
-ndandalika to stand or sit in line.
ndani who is it?
ndebvu beard.
madebvu a bearded person.
ndemanga something composed out of one's head (as ndakatulo).
ndende prison, jail.
ndeu quarrel.
ndere slime or moss
ndi and, with, by.
also to be.
ndipo and.
ndiponi it is acceptable, it is better, not too bad [see - Nkasako]
ndithu realy, indeed, in fact.
ndiwo relish.
ndoda a mature man.pl. madoda.
ndodo stick.
ndoyo a bend, a corner. - Mwala wa pa ndoyo = the corner stone.
ndowe dung of animals, manure.
ndulu the gall, used to make poison.
nduna adviser to the chief - war chief - a captain - government minister.
-nena to tell, say something.
-nenetsa talk a little bit loudly.
-nenepa to be fat.
-neneza to accuse, slander, report a person.
-nga mine, my. Mwana wanga = my child.
-nga- verb infix to be able, even if.
-nga verb kunga to be like, similar.
ng'ala an opacity of the cornea.
ngala a head of grain, an ear of wheat.
ngalande a water channel, ditch.
ngalawa a canoe, a dug-out.
-ng'alula to split (bamboo, firewood).
-ng'amba to tear in pieces, split.
-ng'ambika to be torn. chang'ambika it got torn.
ng'amba a break of fine weather in the rainy season.
ngamira a camel.
ngana so and so.
nganga chest, breast-bone.
-ng'anima to shine, gleam, glitter.
 44

ng'aning'ani! shining! glitter!

cing'aning'ani lightning (mamvekera=thunder).
-ng'anipa to gleam.
ng'anjo a furnace.
ng'anzi a species of large lizard, iguana [see-Mng`anzi].
-ngathe to be able, may, can.
ngati (1) if.
(2) like.
-ngati? how many? how much? muli ndi zaka zingati?
-ngo- (1) verb infix to show that the action is perfored without any
particular reason; just, simply; cf chabe.
(2) just, immediately.
ngoli a one-stringed violin.
ngola a cart.
ngoma the kudu antelope.
ng'oma drum (n). - Kuimba / Kuomba / Kuliza nghoma = to beat the drum
ng'ombe a cow, bull, ox; nkhunzi=a bull.
ng'oma crocodile.
ngondia a corner, a bend [see -Ndonyo].
ng'ondo scattering.
-ng'ondoka to be dispersed.
ngondwa a large lizard.
ngongole a debt, a loan.
-ngongoleza to lend, borrow.
ngozi accident, mishap.
ngozi inaoneka - an accident happened.
***nguli a top, whipping top.
Ng`ulung`unya to suck in the mouth without chewing.
Nguluwe a wild pig.
Ng`ung`udza to grumble, mutter, complain.
Nguwo skin of animal, used as clothing or carrying a baby.
Ngwala a beaten track (of game).
Ngwalangwa a palm-fan.
Ngwandali hoop iron (from around bales) used as grass slasher.
Ngwazi a big strong man, a brave warrior.
Ngwee the light at dawn,currency Kwacha -Ngwee.
Independence cry at midnight on 24 October 1964.
Ngwiro straight; prefect, without defect.
Nkhadze a species of Euphoria, a milky juice that causes blindness if it touches
the eyes, often used as….
Nkafi an oar.
Nkhalamba an old person.
Nkhalamo a lion.
Nkhalango a forest, a thicket; woods.
 45
Nkhali a cooking pot.
Nkhama gums without teeth (child or old man /woman)
(pl.) Mankhama.
Nkhalwe cruelty.
Nkhanambo a scab.
Nkhandwe a Chacal or fox.
Nkhanga a guinea-fowl.
Nkhani a story, report, news.
Nkanira scorpion. [see - Namkalize or Kalize].
Nkhata a grass or cloth ring for the head for carrying burdens.
Nkhawa anxiety, fear. - Kuda Nkhawa = to be worried.
Nkhokwe a granary or grain store.
Nkholi a stick with a large head for throwing.
Nkholokwa gleaningsof maize.
Nkhondo war; fight. - Ankhondo = warrior or soldier.
Nkhongo the back of the head.
Nkhongono limbs; joints; strength of the body.
Nkhono a snail; a shell.
Nkhonono snoring.
Nkhonya the fist, blow with the fist.
Nkhope face.
Nkhonje unripe beans or bananas.
Nkhosa sheep. [see - Mberere].
Nkhoswe tutor;advocate;the go-between responsible for marriage agreements.
Patron /Advocate in Heaven (like St Patrick).
(Khoswe = house name).
Nkhufi a tick, which gives tick fever to man when bitten. - [see -Nkhufu].
Nkhuku general word for fowl.
Nkhukudembo a turkey.
Nkhuli desire or craving for meat.
Nkhulungo a potter`s stone, used for polishing clay floors of the house.
Nkhumba pig.
Nkhunda Pigeons.
Nkhungu a mist; rust on a knife.
Nkhungudza (1) a species of tree, used for cedar [see - Mkungudza].
(2) disease of the gums.
Nkhungulupsya burnt grass, particles from bush fire.
Nkhuni firewood.
Nkhunje the bud of the flower.
Nkhunji a bull.
Nkhusu husk of grain, pl. Mankhusu.
Nkhuntho a storm, violent wind. [see - Mkhuntho].
Nkhuti hole for dirt.
Nkhunzi a bull.
 46
Nkhuyu fig. - Mkuyu = Fig-tree; Ficus.
Nkhwali a quail; Partridge.
Nkhwangwa axe.
Nkhwende bark-cloth. [see - Fendaluzi: Mbobvu: Nyanda.
Nkhwazi the fish-eagle.
Nkhwekwe a noose [see - Khwekhwe].
Nkhwende bark-cloth [see - Mkhende].
Nkhwidzi jealousy, grudge [see - Mkhwidzi: Nsanje].
Nkhwiko the throat which swallows: Adam`s apple; the wind-pipe.
Nkhwingwirima scars from stroke of whip [see - Mkwingwirima].
Nkhwinjiri leglets or armlets of copper or Iron.
Nkhwisa a large nettle.
Ni used as verb perfix for ndi (and).
Ning`a to be narrow in the middle: thin (as neck of a Phial; Wasp
Ninji? What is it?
Ninkha to give; to bestow.
Njakata to have 2 choices.
Kugwira Njakata - to remain undecided between 2 choices.
Njala hunger.
Njata to bind lightly.
Njati Buffalo.
Njazi a curse, spell,threat of any type, often followung a quarrel.
swearing mostly used when you want others to believe you.
Njenje the Cicada, quivering, shaking.
Njenjejenje ideophone - shivering.
Njenjemera to shiver or shake with fear or cold.
Njenjete a species of moth.
Njere the seed (in fruit;flower), the stone of a fruit.
Njereza Lime;Kaolin;white-wash.
Njerewa brick.
Nji What?which? How? Bwanji?
Njinga a circle, something round, a bicycle, a bobbin,spool.
Njira pathway.
Njiru envy, jealousy, malice.
Njiwa a wind pigeon.
Njobvu Elephant.
Njota (Ns) thrist [see - Ludza].
Njuci bee: Uci - honey.
Njunta to catch (as a trap).
Njunzi the Cheetah.
Nka for past continuos. - Ankagalitsa = andilkugulitsa.
Nka to go [see - Muka]
Nkana if, even, possibly, to refuse.
Nkanagala musical monochord.
Nkasako and [see - Ndiponi].
 47

Nkole a pledge [see - Chikole].

Nkongole a debt {see - Ngongole].
Nkumbalume one who shoots well.
No indicates something very near, so near that you are inside it, eg this week,
this room, this car.
+Pano = on this spot where I am now.
+Kuno = to this direction where I am now.
+Muno = in this house where I am now.
Nola to sharpen, grind on a stone.
Nolo a whetstone, grinding stone.
Nona to be fat (animal).
Nong`ona to whisper.
Nsabwe louse.
Nsadzu the honey-bird [see - Nsoro].
Nsaka an open shelter where men sit to rest, discuss matters or work to-
Gether – By extendion a court [see -Mphala].
Nsakali a grass torch.
Nsakapuka cattle or dog tick.
Nsambi a drove of cattle [see - Msambi].
Nsambo brass-wire as leglets or armlets. Token exchanged between two families a
sign of agreement on marriage of children.It is a Chewa equivalent of Lo-
bola.
Nsangala cheeriness, good humour from Sangalala.
Nsangamutu beads for head; head-bands.
Nsanja shelf. a high plat-form. a tower.
Nsanje jealousy [see - Nkhwiko].
Nsanu sharp pointed grass seeds.
Nsanza rag.
Nsapato shoes.
Nsaru cloth.
Nsato boa constrictor,Python.
Nsatsi Castor-oil bean.
Nsawa groundnuts, peanuts.
Nse all, whole, eg onse, yonse, zonse et al.
Nsefu an Eland [see - Nsefu].
Nsembe an offering, a sacrifice.
Khwisula nsembe = to offera sacrifice.
Wansembe = Catholic Priest.
Nsengwa small flat basket.
Nsenjere tall grass, thick stem.
Nsenye a untimely birth, aborted foetus.
Nseru nausea, disgust.
Nsewe a piece of dry grass, used for learing to count, or as little
arrows.
 48

Nsi below, underneath,on the ground [see - Pansi].

Nsici a post, poles for building the house wall.
Nsidze the eyebrows.
Nsikidzi bed-bug.
Nsikwa a small top, made of round piece of gourd-shell.
Nsima stiff porridge made from Maize or millet.
Nsinga a bow-string, a string or bond made of animal skin.
Nsinjiro pounded groundnut used in cooking relish (ndiwo).
Nsithu a thicket used as burial place.
Nso again, also, no more. - Anso = please repeat, say it again.
Nsomba fish.
Nsompho an adze [see -Mtsompo]
Nsonga sharp pointed thing, thin end of bamboo, tree.
Nsoro a honey-guide [see - Nsadzu].
Nsoti a young female animal.
Nsungwi bamboo.
Nsupa a phial, a bottle.
Nswace a tooth-brush made with the stem of a shrub.
[see - Nswaci]
Nthaka earth, soil, ground.
Nthale Iron-ore [see - Thale].
Nthalo a wide mouth pot, for cooking Nsima
Nthambi branch.
Nthanda the morning star.
Nthano a tale; a fable [see - Nthanu].
Nthanthi a story, proverb, riddle.
Nthawi time, season.
Nthawi zonse - all the time.
Nthenda disease, sickness.
Ali ni Nthenda - he has got a veneral disease.
Nthenga a feather.
Nthengu a small bird.
Ntherezi slipperiness.
Nthethe young unripe plant bamboo.
Nthiwatiwa an Ostrich.
Nthobvu lead, solder, tin.
Nthochi general term of banana.
Nthomba small-pox.
Nthona a round piece of ivory or bone, or stone inserted in the lips.
Nthongo a lump, a morsel of Nsima taken in the fingers.
Nthsatsi castor-oil bean.
Nthula a fruit of the Nthula tree/shrub.
Nthuli a large lump of meat.
Nthuli-nthuli cut in pieces.
 49

Nthumbo the anus commonly refereed to as Panyo.

Nthungo a spear pointed instrument, large needle.
Nthungulu shout o joy, shrill trill by women.
Nthunthumira to tremble or shake with fear.
Nu your, yoours possessive stem 2nd person plural.
Nunkha to smell bad, to stink.
Nunkhila to smell good.
Nusu a bit.
Nya to ease oneself, to defecate.
Nyada to be proud., hence: Kunyadira za mawa = in bad sense.
Kukhela onyadira = in good sense (‘être fier’)
Nyala to be wriknkled, withered, to be ashamed, also to be modest, shamefaced
Nyalanyaza to be indifferent, inattentive, to sit still when sent anywhere
Nyale lamp.
Nyalubwe leopard [see - Nyalugwe].
Nyama game meat, but generally used to refer to meat.
Nyambita to lick.
Nyambo bait.
Nyamuka to raise up and go.
Nyamula to carry, lift, raise.
Nyanda Bark-cloth [see -Nkhwende]
Mnyanda- the tree;also Fendaluzi,a nd Mbobvu.
Nyanga a horn, a tusk.
Mnyanga - Ivory.
Nyang`wa to be proud, to talk big.
Nyani a baboon [see Mkhwere or Kholwe (Ns).
Nyaya swim.
Nyanja lake.
Nyankhwa blunt arrows.
Nyansa to disgust, to be disgusting.
Nyanya overdoing something.
inu mwa nyanya = you are overdoing it.
Nyata wet, to be wet.
Nyau a dance, a secret society o traditional dancers; their masks
or pictures.
Nyaza to put to shame.
Nyeka to be burnt, to be consumed by fire.
Nyema to break into pieces, to divide.
Nyemba bean, sweet bena, long and thin. Kayera is also a type of bean whose
leaves Mtambe are used as ndiwo.
Nyibvula to smile, to grin.
Nyenga to cheat, to deceive.
Nyengo season.
Nyenje Cicada.
 50

Nyenyu to crumble, break into bits.

Nyenyeka to be broken into fragments, small bits.
Nyenyeswa crumbs.
Nyenyere small black ant.
Nyenyezi a star.
Nyerenyetsa to itch, to tickle.
Nyereza to tickle
Nyezi shining.
Nyezima to shine to glitter, to be bright.
Nyimbo song.- Imba = to sing.
Nyinyirika grumble or complain. - to despise, to show despite by moving the head, to
make a sound of despite [see Mtsonyo].
Nyonga strength.
Nyongolotsi a worm.
Nyowa to be wet.
Nyoza to scorn, despise.
Nyumba house or room.
Nyumbu the gnu antelope.
Nyumwa to be suspicious, to hesitate.
Nyundo hammer.
Nyungwa an elephant with one or no tusks.
Nzamga friend, companion. –
Other words: Mnzako, Mnazce, Anazathu, Anazanga.
Nzama a bean that grows under-ground like Nsawa.
Nzanda to rebound, be elastic, to stagger as when drunk.
[see -Dzanda -Dzandira].
Nzandinzandi weak or staggering walk of a sick or drunk person.
Nzeru intelligence, cleverness, wisdom, brains, sense, ability of mind.
Nzika staying a long time in one place.
Nzimbe sugar-cane.
Nzime the last borne.
Nzingano a needle [see - Singano].
Nzongo a strip of meat.
Nzukwa a glost [see - Mzukwa].
Nzuna to be sweet [see - Zuna: Tsekemera].
 51

O
Ocha to roast, toast; burn.
Chimanga Cho ocha - roasted green Maize.
Odzera to nod, sleep while sitting up.
Sinza - shut one's eyes.
Akustira - he is falling asleep.
Oka to transplant.
Ola I to rot, decay [see - Vunda].
II to gather and take away, something that is spilled or spread.
Oloka to cross, to ford (river).
Kuolowa manja - to be generous.
Omba to sound.
Omba Mfuti - to fire a gun.
Omba Ng`oma - beat the drum.
Ombera to shoot at
Ombeza to cast lots.
Ombola to ransom;rescue; redeem.
Omola to take out from pot with a spoon ( portion of Nsima).
Ku Pakula nsima - taking out a portion of nsima.
Ona to see, to look.
Oneka = to see, to be visible, to happpen.
Onekela = to apppear.
Onetsa = to show.
Onda to be thin, lean. - Ne onda = he is thin.
Onga to thank. - Kuwanongera manja-
Onga gun powder [see - Wonga].
Ongeza to add [ see - Onjeza].
Ongoka to be straight.
Ongola to make straight. - Kuongola myendo = to stretch the legs.
Onja to take off a noose animal caught in a trap.[see - Onjola].
Onjenza to add to; sometimes also -Onjeza.
Onjola to take off a noose from an animal trapped [see - Onja].
Ononja to destroy, spoil, waste.
Onongeka to be demaged, spoiled. - Cha onogeka = its been demaged or spoiled.
Opa to fear, be afraid. - Ne mu opa = I am afraid of him.
Opsa/Opsya to cause to fear, to frighten, to be dreadful.
Otha moto to warm yourself by the fire.
Othela moto to warm oneself n th sun.
Owani a crested crane.
 52

P
Pa at. - Pamwamba pa = on top of , above.
Pachika to hang, to suspend, put above (on rafter or shelf).
Pafupi near.
paka to smear, paint. - Anthu ali ku paka = they are many.
Pakati (pa), in the middle of between.
Tenga pakati = become pregnant.
Ali ndi pakati = she is pregnant.
Pakiza to put in, fill up (a bag)
Pakuti because of, since, seeng that - (also| poti, popeza kuti.
Pakula (ndiwo) = to dish out (the relish).
Pala to plane, to smooth, scrape.
Palana cibwenzi to make friendship with another
Palamula to be guilty of, be given a case, to provoke
Palapata to be restless
Palasa to paddle, row (a boat), to pedal(bicycle) chova
Palibe Kanthu it doesn't matter
Palira (from Pala): to remove as weeds or grass in maize field.
Dzipalira = self-help.
Pama a slap with a open palm.
Pamantha to beat clay,stamp a mud floor.
Pamba pancreas sometimes also used to refer to the spleen.
Pambana to be better, to excel, to surpass.
Pambasuka to uncoil (piece of string or snake).
Pambuka (1) to side aside.
(2) euphemism for releasing oneself (often for child).
[see - Pakuta].
Pambuyo (pa) behind, after, (time and space).
Pamene when; where.
Pamodzi together (Limodzi).
Pampasa to feel out with hands, as blindman or in darkness.
[see - Pampasira; Papasa].
Pamwamba (Pa) above over upon.
Pana to fix between 2 sticks.
Panda (1) to beat or slap.
(2) to be without, lack.
Popanda = without.
Panga to make do, fabricate.
 53

Pangana to amke an agreement.

Chipangano -make an agreement.
Pang`ono a little, few.
Pang`ono pang`ono = little by little.
Pangwe musical instrument, strings.
Panika to fix, fasten.
Panikiza to press down, to be squeezed tight between two.
Panikizana to crowd together, to hustle.
Panja Pa ouside.
Pano here.
Pansi pa down, on the ground, below, underneath. - Pansi pano = here on earth.
Panthi a flat side.
Papasa to feel out with hands, as blind man in darkness.
[see - Pampasa; Pampasira].
Papatiza to be narrow, no room to pass.
Pasula to destroy, to break up, to unroof.
Pata to receive.
(1) Munthu wapata - a gifted person.
(2) a gap between [see - Mpata].
Patail far away.
Ne ku tali - it is far away.
Patsa to give.
Mupatsye - give him/her.
Patsidya across the river stream.
Ne wa ku sidya - he is from the country across the river.
Patsogolo before, in front.
Patuka to go to the side (road), to separate.
Wopatulika - separate.
Patula to separate as in choosing out things, to put aside.
Paza to skirt round.
Peka (1) to produce fire with sticks.
(2) to create something inthe mind.
Pemba to entreat, to beseech, and thus to honour.
Pembedza to honour, worship, adore.
Pempha to beg, ask for.
Pemphera to pray.
Pena elsewhere, a short term for Kapena which means perhaps.
Pendeka to be inclined, slant, to lean on one side.
Peneka to doubt, to hesitate.
Penga to become mad [see - Futa].
Peni a pen.
Penya to see, to look for, to pay attention to.
 54

Pepa to apologize, excuse oneself.

Pepani - we are sorry.
Pepala paper.
Pepesa to apologize.
Pepeta to winnow.
Pepuka to be light in weight.
Pera to grind. - Mphero = grinding stone.
Pereka (Kwa) give to, present to, hand over to.
Perekekeza to accompany, guide.
Peresa to rub, scrape, grind.
Perete drill (as soldiers).
Perewera to be too few, too short, too little, not enough.
Ne wo perewera nzeru = he is not mature enough.
Pesa (1) to comb.
(2) to herd domestic animals.
Peta (1) to winnow.
(2) to bend. - Kupeteka = to fold.
Pewa to avoid.
Peza to find.
Pfinya to press, squeeze, wring out. - chopfinyira = a squeezer.
Pfuula to shout [see - Fuula].
Pfumbi dust.
Pfunda to cover with blanket or cloth.
Pfundo a joint, knot, a lump, swelling.
Pfundula to cast off, as when a snake casts off its skin. - [see - Fundula].
Pfungo smell, scent. - Ali ne ka pfungo = he has got a bad body odour.
Pfupa bone.
Pha to kill.
Phaka a shelf or plat-form.
Phala gruel, thin porridge, sweet beer.
Phale a sherd or fragment of a clay pot.
Phanga a cave in rock.
Phaphatiza to force through into a pot, hole or ring.
Phapu the lung.
Phaso a rafter, pole or bamboo to make the roof.
Phatha to stick in a gap, a forck of tree, be stuck half way.
Phatika to stick, adhere to, put a patch on.
Phatikira join oneself to a group.
Phatikana (1) to be close together.
(2) to squeeze in a small space.
Phazi foot.
Phenyuka to open up, to be open.
Phenyula to open between, open up.
Phereza to be accomplished (something foreseen, annouced) - be concluded.
 55
Phesi stalk of maize, millet, grass.
Phewa shoulder [see - Phuzi].
Phika to cook, to cook with water by boiling.
Phiko wing.
Phimba to cover.
Phindu (1) gran.
(2) turning, changing.
Phiphiritsa to speak by allusions, figurative speech.
Phira Millet pl. Maphira.
Phiri hill, mountain.
Phofo ideophone, fall.
Phobvu froth, foam (cooking beer) [see - Thobvu].
Phodo (1) hoof, notch end of arrow.
(2) quiver.
Phokonyola to twist off, tear off (a branch, joint neck of fowl].
Phokoso noise, tumult.
Phokosa to make noise [see - Sokosa].
Phompho precipice, chasm.
Phonya to miss, fail to hit or catch [see - Phophonya].
Phukusi parcel.
Phuka to spring forth, to bud.
Phula (1) wax (brown,to close the comb).
(2) to take off the fire.
Phulika to split open, to burst, to crack.
Phulusa ashes but locally refered to as Mulota.
Phungu counsellor. - Aphungu = instructor in initiation rites.
Phunthwa to knock, hurt foot against stone or stump, to trip upon, to stumble.
phunzira to learn.
Phunzitsa to teach. - Aphunzitse = a teacher.
Phunzo insolence, ause of power, stubborness.
Phuzi shoulder [see - Phewa].
Phwa to dry up (water in - well, river, cooking pot).
Phwando a big meal, banquet, a feast.
Phwanya to break or smash into small pieces.
Phwanyika to be broken or smashed. - Cha phwanyika = it has been broken.
Pikuka to tilt over, fall over.
Pikula to lever up, lift up.
Pima to measure.
Pinda to bend, fold
Pinduka to change, turn, change one`s mind.
Pindula to gain, profit.
 56
Pinga to cross, lie across.
Pingasa to lie across.
Pinimbira to be stunted in growth.
Pirikitsa to chase away [see Pitikitsa] - Ana mu Pirikitsa = he was chased away.
Piringidza to bar and fasten a door [see Piringitsa].
Piringu-piringu a crowd, big number of people, animals mixed without order,
moving to and fro.
Pirira to endure, hold fast, to suffer, to accept suffering.
Piriwiri red [see - Psyu].
Pita to go, to pass on. - Ana Pita Kumudzi = he went to his home village.
Pitikitsa chase away [see - Pirikitsa].
Pitirira to go further on, pass on.
Pitiriza forced to go further on after reaching ones destination.
Piye peeping (chicken) [see Nkhuku] - Mwanapiye = chick.
Pola to heal, become well.
Pole Pole little by little.
Pomba to twine around as thread or string.
Pombedza to twine around.
Pombonyola to twist around or off.
Pombosola to untwist, unwind, disentangle.
Ponda to tread on, to trample under foot, to knead bread.
Pondoka to go wild.
Anapondoka = torun away from one`s parents to live as a prostitute.
Ponya to throw away, toss out, cast off.
Popanda without.
Popota to break off, smash clods,
Posa to be better, to surpass, to excel.
Pota (1) to twist, spin.
Pota chingwe = make a rope by twisting bark-rope.
Pota M`mimba = belly-ache.
(2) Tapota nanu = we beseech you, we implore you.
Potoka to be twisted, crooked, curved around.
Psa to be cooked, ripe, burnt. - Apsa mtima = to be angry.
Psantha to squeeze, cruch.
Psapsalira to urge on men quarrelling or dogs hunting
[see - Psapsaliza].
Psera to sweep [see - Sesa].
Psinja to press , to overburden, overwhelm.
Psyinya to squeeze, crush, press out.
Psipa to kiss, suck with lips, kiss with tongue.
Psopa to suck.
Psu/Psyu red.
Pukusa to shake (head, shoulders), agitate water.
Pukuta to wipe, to dust, to clean, rub off. - Pukuta Madzi - wipe up the water.
 57

Pula take off the fire.

Pula ndiwo - remove the pot of relish form the fire.
Pulukira to be foolish, stupid, ignorant.
Pulula to strip off, pull off, get off, be carried off (leaves, men).
Pulumuka to escape, to be safe, to be saved.
Pulumutsa to save, to rescue, to deliver.
Pulupudza not to obey, to pay no heed, misconduct
Puma to rest, breathe.
Pumula to rest, be quiet.
Punduka to be lame.
Pundula to maim.
Pungula to reduce in volume, to take off from some thing, part of.
Puntha to thrash, beat off grain.
Pupuluzi to be bare, barren, stripped of grass: trees: houses.
Punguza to fast, deprieve oneself of some food.
Pusa to be foolish, silly, to be a fool, not to be cever.
Pusana to miss, to misunderstand.
Kupusana = to miss each other (said of people searching for each other
in different places)
Puta to provoke, annoy. - Ali na chiputa = he likes annoying others.
Pweteka to hurt, to cause pain, to ache, be painful.
Pwetekere tomato.
Pyapyala to be thin (cloth: wood].
Pyanga to sweep [see - Psera:Pyera].
Mupyange munyumba = you must sweep the house.
Chopyangira = sweeping broom or brush.
Pyera sweep [see - Psera:Pyanga].
Pyola to pass through [see - Psyola].
ku pyoleka - go through.

S
Sa (1) not, verbal affix, also, si
(2) related to master, master of [see - Tsa].
Sace a broom [see - Tsace].
Sadsa to lop off (a branch from a tree0.
Sadzula to take off the husk off, to skin, take the bark off,
 58

Saganiza to mix, mingle, confuse[see - Sanganiza: Sakaniza].

Saka to hunt, to drive before one.
Sakaniza to mix [see - Saganiza: Sanganiza.]
Sakaza to destroy, spoil, devastate.
Sala (1) to abstain from, to fast, abstain from certain things.
(2) to remain [see - Tsala].
Salala to be smooth.
Salaza to make smooth, to planee.
Samala to care, to take care of, to heed, to follow the customs.
Asamala nyumba = she takes care of the house.
Samba to bathe or wash oneself, used as euphemism for monthly period of a
woman.
Sambira to swim [see - Nyaya].
Samuka to leave one place to go to another [see - Ku kuka].
Sanduka to change into something or someone else.
Ana sanduka chinyama = he changed into a wild animal.
Sanduliza to change, turn over.
Sangalala to rejocie, be glad, to exult.
Sanja (1) to put upon the top, to be built upon.
(2) to hammer, beat in order to sharpen.
Sanjika to put upon, to be put upon, to pile up.
Sankha to choose, separate. - Masanko = elections.
Sankhula to choose out from.
Sansa to dust off, shake off the dust.
Sansantha to cut, crush, smash into small pieces.
sansi a musicalinstrument made with tongues of wood or metal.
Santhula to turn over,take off or down from.
Sanu five.
Pa chisanu - on Friday.
Sanza to vomit (Ns) - Luka.
Sasa to be sour, bad rotten.
Ndiwo za sasa - the relish has gone off.
Sansantha to beat thin or small.
Sata to be proud or boastful.
Sauka to be poor, afflicted, unfortunate.
Sautsa cause someone problems.
Sasula to unthatch, take off from roof grass or tiles.
Saulira to be vindictive, to harbour grudge.
Sawa to be watery, soft, bad or dry and insipid.
Se ideophone for soft, smooth, gentle.
Sefuka to overflow (a pot or a river).
Seka to laugh, laugh at.
Sekerera to rejoice, be glad.
Sema to adze.
 59

Sempha (1) to miss, to pass.

kusemphana = to miss each other, to cross each other, to overlap.
(2) to bring about a disease by not following a custom. (of women)
Senda to skin, to husk.
Sendera to move, to shift, to come near.
Sendeza to cause to move, to bring nearer.
Senga (1) to cut, to mow.
(2) to beg, ask.
(3) to milk a cow/goat.
Senza to carry on your head, to lift a burden.
Sepa to barter for food.
Sera (1) wax.
(2) to be loose (as knife in sheath, a topper in a bottle).
Seri the other side of.
Ku seri ku nyumba = behind the house. - Zam`seri = in secret.
Seru loose.
Seru-seru nausea; wanting to vomit [see Nseru].
Seruka/Serula (1) to come up to the surface, to have nausea.
(2) to speak evilly,insult.
(3) to come down a tree.
Sesa to sweep [see - Psera: Pyanga].
Seteka to lick.
Sewera to play, amuse oneself. - Maswero = games.
Ne wa maswera = he is too playful.
Seza to widen, loosen.
Shatine (slang) bush [see - kumchire].
Shupa (slang) for troublesome
ku shupika - to be poor.
Si negative of ndi, not [see- Sa].
Sikula to chew the cud [see - Bzikula].
Simba to relate, to tell a story, report, narrate.
Simbwa to act insolently, be daring, not caring for consequences.
Sina to press with fingers, to pinch [see -Tsina].
Sinda to press upon, heavily.
Sinde the base of a stalk [see- Tsinde].
Sindikiza to press, fix strongly down, to stamp.
Sindira to press upon, to `damn,` to ram [see - Tsindira].
Sing`ang`a the medicine man.
Singano (n) a needle (injection).
Sinja to pound.
Sinjililia to slander, speak macliciously of, accuse falsely.
Sinkha to think (as in trying to recall), to meditate.
Sinkha-sinkha
Sintha to change; exchange.
 60

Sinza to nod when sleepy, to shut one `s eyes.

[see Sinzina; Tsinza; Tsinzina].
Sipa to eat relish without sauce.
Sirika to guard, protect with medicine [see -Tsirika].
Sirira to covet, desire.
Siruka to be insipid, tasteless, despised.
Sisima to sign.
Sisita to rub, to stroke.
Sita to press down, to iron out.
Sitolo store, shop.
Siya to leave something behind, to abandon.
Siyana to be different, to be separated.
Socera to go astray, to get lost, to wander [see - Sokera].
Sodza to kill game or fish, to hunt or to fish.
Soka to sew or to mend cloth.
Sokasera
Sokela to wander, loose one`s way, to stray [see - Socera].
Sokonekera to be confused, entangled, mixed up.
Sokoneza to confuse, entangle.
Sokonombwe a large grasshopper [see - Tsokonobwe].
Sokosa to make noise, to disturb.
Solola to pull out, to pull a strand of grass from roof, or hair from head.
Sololoka to fall out by itself.
Soma (1) to defecate (young child).
(2) (slang for educated) in ‘Ni yo soma = he is educated’
Someka to poke, push in a pointed thing, peg [see - Tsomeka].
Somphola to snatch away [see - Tsomhpola].
Sona to sew or mend [see - Soka: Tunga].
Songoka to be sharp or pointed.
Songola to sharpen [see - Nola].
Song`ontho maize cob without grain [see - Chisong`ontho].
Sonjola to stretch,neck to look ahead, to peep, to spy.
Sonkha (1) to gather, to collect.
(2) moto = to lay and light a fire.
Sonkhana to gather together, to come together (e.g) for a meeting.
Msonkhano - a gathering or a meeting.
Sonkhanitsa to gather. - V.T = call a meeting.
Sonkheza to light a fire, to blow.
Sonkhezera to incite, prompt, urge.
Sosa to hoe lightly, hoe down and gather grass and weeds in preparing a gar-
den for planting.
Sowa to lack, to need, to be lost.
Sudzula to divorce.
Sukuluka to become tasteless, insipid, to fade (cloth).
 61

Sukuluza to rinse
Sukuluza mu Kamwa - rinse your mouth.
Sula (1) to forge, hammer red-hot Iron.
(2) to look down upon someone.
Sumu poison.
Sunama to pout the lips (in anger), to sulk.
Sunga to keep.
Sungaunuka to melt ( wax: lead: sugar), become watery.
Sunsa to dip morsel in sauce, Ndiwo.
Sunso a strainer.
Suntha to move.
Suta to smoke.
Kusunta fodya - to smoke a pipe/take snuff.
Suzumira to peep, to look up, to spy.
Swa to break or smash.
Sweka to be broken in pieces.

T
Ta (1) verb infix after doing something.
(2) used when answering to your Father as sign of respect.
Tafula to mock at, use filthy language.
Tafuna to chew.
Talala hail strom pl. Matalala.
Tail far, long, tall.
Kutali - far away.
Talika (1) to be long, high or far.
(2) to be too long, high, far.
Tama to praise.
Tamanda to praise, to thank.
Tamba to spread (water, plants, shoots).
Tambala Cock.
Tambalala to stretch out.
Tambasula to spread, stretch out, to relax [see - Tambutula].
Tambwali a unreliable person.
 62
Tandala to recreate, relax to visit.
Tanganidwa to be busy.
Tani (1) (verb) to do what? to say what?
(2) (adj) of what sort; of what quality? – See Nji ? = of what nature ?
Tansa to stretch, extend.
Tandthauza to mean, to signify.
Tanza to stretch forth a hand or leg.
Tapa to take a portion of.
Tapa mo -take some and leave the rest.
Tate Father pl. Atate sign of respect.
Taya to lose, to throw away.
Tayika to be lost, lose one`s way.
Tema (1) to cut with an axe or a knife, to cut across.
(2) to hit someone with a stone.
Temba (1) to carry on a pole.
(2) to give someone a credit in a card game.
Tembenuka to turn (a complete turn) turn around, to change.
Anatembenuka = he has become born again.
Tembenuza active voice.
Tenga to get, to fetch, take, carry.
Tengulira to prune a tree or plant.
Tentha to be warm, to be hot, to burn, set fire to.
Tepa to bend (not to be strong enough).
Tera to alight (bird or plane).
Tere like this [see - dere: Chonci].
Tereka to put pot on the fire, to set well down or upon.
Terera to be slippery, to slip.
Tero to do or say like that [see - Chonci: Dere: Tere].
Teteka (1) to crack and spark (fire-wood or pop-corn).
(2) to split and scatter seeds or some palnt when ripe.
Tetemera to shake or quiver as arrow, reed, spear.
Tetera (1) to cluck as hen, to cackle.
(2) to talk to one`s ancestory spirits.
Teteza to support, assist,to defend, help [see - Chirikiza: Thandiza]
Tewera (1) a loin-cloth.
(2)
Tha to be finished, to be able to, to finish, to be exhausted (i.e no more ).
Thabwa board, plank.
Thadzi a female.
Thako buttock, the bottom pl. Mathako.
Thala (1) the inner wall of hut, the sleeping palce inside the hut.
(2) the tarmac as in road.
Mitala = polygamy.
Thale Iron ore [see - Nthale].
Thamanga to run [see - Thaminga].
 63

Thambo the sky, heavens, firmament.

Thandiza to help, to assist [see - Chililkiza: Teteza: Thangata].
Thanga (1) species of pumpkin.
(2) a sail; sail cloth.
Thangata to help [see - Thandiza].
Thangwe at the beginning, to begin with, first.
Thantwe a rock.
Thanzi well, good, nice.
Thawale a pool.
Theka a portion, part of.
Thekenya the Jigger flea.
Themba a minnow, small white fish pl. Mathemba.
Thengo bush [see - Chire: Shatine].
Therere leaves used as ndiwo which is soft, stringy and gluey when
cooked.Wild Okra.
Thetheka to crackle as wood, to laugh loudly.
Thifula to bend.
Thima to be extinguished [see Zima: Zimitsa].- Thimitsa = to extinguish.
Thira to pour [see - Tsira].
Thobvu foam or froth.
Thobwa to be struck in the eye, tobe dazzled.
Thokoza to thank, be thankful [see - Onga].
Thondo the fruit of the the Mtondo tree pl. Matondo (as mango).
Thonya leak.
Tonthola to be quiet, silent, still.
Tonzhoza to quiten.
Thope usually, mud pl Mathope.
Thonthola to pick off, pull out, as hair, feathers, etc.
Kuthonthola ndiwo = to pick up pumpkin leaves as realish
Thotho spot - (pl.) Mathotho.
Thu our, possessive stem.
Thudzula to break off, to tear off a little bit.
Thukuta sweat (n).
Thumba bag, pocket. - Thumba ya dalama = pocket of money.
Thunthu entirety, thickness.
Thupi body.
Thumpha to leap, to swell.
Thumpuka to float, bob up and down in water.
Thuza a blister.
Thuza to be consoled.
Thuzitsa to console.
Thwa to be sharp.
Thyoka to be broken, to break.
 64

Thyola to break off.- Kuthyola = to break off.

Ti? (1) What? which? (one out of many).
(2) to say, Osati and not.
Tibula to pound broken maize, the first pounding is ‘Okonola’.
Tikuoneni Greeting as moni.
Timba a species of small birds.
Tipula to dig or hoe, break up ground.
Tirigu Wheat.
Tiye/Tiyeni come on, let's go.
Tokosa to poke, pick [see - Tosa].
Tola to pick up, to lift up or to find.
Tololo heaped up, full.
Tomera to betroth: to promise in marriage.
Tomedwa to be betrothed.
Tombosola to unfold, unwind, unravel.
Tonde a he-goat.
Tondoza to soothe. - Ku Tondoza Mtima = to soothe one's heart
Tong'ola to knuckle off from stem as maize.
Tongole small honey-fly.
Tonola to knuckel off grains.
Tonza to upbraid.
Topa to be tired.
Tosa to poke [see - Tokosa].
Tsa master of.
Tsabwalo = the court keeper.
Tsamunda = the master of the garden (munda).
Tsabola red pepper or chili powder.
Tsace a broom [see Sace].
Tsagana to accompany [see - Tsakana].
Tsakama to stick fasat.
Tsakamira to be stuck fast, wedged in
Tsakana to accompany, to meet [see - Tsagana].
Tsala (1) to remain, to be left.
(2) an old garden.
Tsalima to knick, to jerk, throw out the legs.
Tsama to stick in.
Tsamira to lean upon, against [see - Tsakama].
Tsamwali a friend(agemate), a lover [see- Samwali; Shamwali].
Tsangula to rub, wipe off.
Tsankho choice, choosing,election [see Tsankhu below].
Tsankhu Choice, choosing,election [see Tsankho above].
Tsatsastha to chop [see - Sasantha].
Tsanya a species of hard tree, Mopani tree.
Tsanza to copy, imitate.
 65

Tsata to follow.
Tsatila to imitate, to follow, to pursue.
Tsatsa a small stick, fire-wood, a switch.
Tsaya cheek pl. Masaya.
Tsazaikana to separate from, to take leave of.
Tsece trattles bound on legs pl. Masece.
Tseguka to open by itself, not by somebody else.
Tsegula to open [see - Tseguka: Tsekula: Vula].
Tseka to close, to lock, shut [see - Vala}.
Tsekemera to be sweet (sugar-cane, honey).- [see Tsecemera: Nzuna: Zuna].
Tsekera thick stemmed grass used in house making.
Tsekereza to shut in, to intercept.
Tseketa to shut off, to cut to size.
Tsekula to open [see - Tsegula].
Tsekwe wild duck, goose.
Tsempho a sickness caused by a woman putting too much salt in ndiwo during her
periods.
Tsendera to pack close, to dam, to ram close.
Tsenga a trick, sleight of hand.
Tseri the side of [see Seri]. - Ku seri/tseri = behind
Patseri/Paseri = on the other side.
Tsidya the other side, across the river or lake.
Tsiku day - (pl.) Masiku - Tsiku lanji ? = what day?
Tsikla to overturn to tilt up something.
Tsimba the girls' house.
Tsimbe charcoal pl. Masimbe [see - Malasha].
Tsimikiza to confirm,to be determined,make sure,to ratify.
Tsimphina to limp.
Tsina to pinch, press.
Tsinda/Tsindira to press down [see - Sinda].
Tsinde the base, heavy end.
Tsindwi roof pl. Matsindwi [see - Denga].
Tsinya wrinkle pl. Matsinya [see- Manya]>
Tsinzina to shut one's eyes against dust or wind, also being sleepy.
Tsipa to sip, suck from.
Tsira to pour [see - Thira].
Tsirirka to guard, protect with medicine.
Tsirirza to finish, to end.
Tsiru a mad person, fool.
Ne tsiru = he is mad or a fool
Tsiruka to become mad or insane.
Tsitsa to lower, put down from [see - Tsika].
Tsitsi hair.
 66

Tsogolo to go in front of (in time and space).

patsogolo pa - in front of, further on ( in time and space).
Tsogoza front,usually with locatives pa, ku, mu.: Patsogolo, kutsogolo, m`tsogolo.
Tsoka bad luck, misfortune.
Tsoko coughing.
Tsokomola to cough.
Tsokonombwe grass hopper.
Tsokwe grains of maize off the cob, ready for pounding.
Tsomeka to push, press in anything pointed.
Tsompha to adze, to use the tsompha, adze or nsompho.
Tsonga the thin end (pole, tree, bamboo).- Kukhala tsonga = to sit upright.
Tsono by the way, then, well, however.
Tsonya to show spite by making the sound with lips or side of mouth.
Tsopa to suck, make a noise in sucking.
Tsopano now. - Tsopano apa = just now.
Tsuka to clean objects, to wash by scrubbing.
Tsuku fruit of the Masuku tree pl .Masuku.
Tsukuluka of a garden, soil that has lost its strength,also of salt.
Tsukuluza to rinse out.
Tsumba a crest (as cock), a tuft of hair.
Tsutsa to argue, to refute, to contradict.
Tswanya to break, crusk.
Tswatswa noise of cracking.
Tubula to pound in mortar pl. Tibula.
Tubvi/Tudzi dang of animal or human.
Tudzulira Maso - to be looking stern.
Tukula to lift up, raise up often with lever, to beat (pulse).
Tukumuka to expand, to swell, become larger.
Tukumala to raise the back as haughty person or cat.
Tukwana to insult (bad words), foul language, sexual parts.
Tula to put down a load, lift down.
Kutula Mnyamata = bring boy on trial to girl`s village.
Tuluka come out.
Tulula to have diarrhea.
Tulutsa eject.
Tuma to send somebody.
Tumiza to send something.
Tumwa to be sent. - Mtumwi = one who is sent, messenger.
Tunda to pass water or to urinate.
Tundumala to lie heaped together, or a person with her back to the fire
Tunga (1) to draw, fetch, go and get water.
(2) to sew or mend clothes [see - Sona: Soka].
Tupa to swell, be swollen.
 67
Tuta to carry on one`s head.
Tuwa to be whitish (body) with ashes or dust.
Tuzula to protude.
Twika to put a load on the head.

U
Ubve dirt.
Ubwana childhood.- Chibwana = childishness.
Ubweya fur, hair (body), down.
Uci honey.
Udindo responsible job, duty, position, work dignity.
Udongo cleanliness.
Udzu grass pl. Maudzu.
Udzudzu Mosquito.
Ufa Flour.
Ufiti witchcraft.
Ufulu freedom, generosity.
Ufumu sovereignty, kingdom.
Ugogodi slander.
Uja that one.
Uje so and so, I forget his name
Uka to rise, get up [see - Dzuka].
Ukali fierceness, ferocity. - Kali = fierce.
Uja Munthu ne wa Ukali = that one is a fierce person.
Ukapolo slavery.
Uko there, over there.
Ukonde net for hunting.
Ukulu size, dignity.
Ukwati marriage but Chiwati is a wedding.
Ula lot, divining sticks.
Ulalo bridge [see - Mlatho].
Ulembe poison, arrow-poison from a poisonous plant.
Ulemerero glory
Ulemu respect. - Kuchita Ulemu = to be polite, to show respect.
Ne waulemu = he is very respectful.
Ulendo a journey, a trip.
Ulere freedom of manner, action, a free gift.
Ulesi laziness. - Achita Ulesi = he/she is being lazy
Ulimbo bird-lime.
 68
Ulongwe dung.
Uluka to fly.
Ulula to reveal or make known something hidden.
Ana ulula kani - he revealed the secret, he was told.
Ululu pain, poison.
Uma to dry up - Kuuma manja = to be hard hearted or mean.
Umba to mould, to make bricks.
Umbala to circumcise.
Umbeta the state of a woman without a husband = widowhood.
Umbombo selfishness, miserliness.
Umboni testimony.
Umiriza to urge, to compel
Umodzi 'oneness', unity.
Umphawi poverty.
Unda (1) to make mound, buildwith clay, earth as white ants.
(2) to make a plat-form with earth.
Udana to stick together.
Undukula to remove the medicine safe-guarding the crops before
reaping.
Unguza to look around.
Unika to light (as touch), give light.
Unjika to heap up, to gather scattered items.
Unthama to crouch (as Lion), to stoop.
Unyamata boyhood, youth.
Unyinji big number, multitude.
Unyolo a chain.
Upo a counsel(advice),the person who counsels is Phungu.
Usa (1) to rest, take shelter. - Kuusa mvula = to take shelter from the rain.
(2) to drive cattle together [see -Busa, kusa].
Usana noon, daytime.
Usiku night-time.
Usiwa shabbiness of clothing.
Uta a bow.
Uta wa Leza - Rain-bow.
Utali length, distance.
Utata a flea.
Uthenga message [see - Mthenga].
Utoto paint
Utsa to raise up.
Utsi Smoke(n) [see - Chuci].
Uwa to bark, to howl.
Uza to tell, to say
Uzi thread as in neddle.
Uzimba a hunting.
Uzira to blow, puff.
 69

V
Vimba(Ns) to thatch, to cover, conceal with grass.. - Ku bvika/Felela = to thatch.
Vukuta to blow bellows [see -Bvukuta].
Vumbula to turn something [see - Bvumbula].
Vumula use medicine to take out poison [see - Bvumula].
Vunda to be rotten, decay [see - Bvunda].
Vundula to stir [see - Bvundula].
Vundukula to uncover [see - Bvundukula].
Vunga to wrap up.

W
Wakha (1) to catch (ball) [see- Gwira].
(2) to catch fire, light a fire.
Wala to shine as in sun, to be light.
Waliwali bright, shining, polished.
Wamba (1) of no account. - Munthu wamba = a simple ordinary man.
(2) to harden, tighten by fire (as skin of drum), to toast, to patch.
Wamng`ono someone who is small, little.
Wanda (1) to lay flat, make level, as levelling grass when walking.
(2) to spread everywhere.
Wanditsa to make a thing known all around.
Wati? isn`t it? don`t you? asking consent [see - Ati? eti?].
Waula to singe, scorch.
Wawa (1) term of great respect, third person plural, for Iwo.
(2) to ache, to be bitter tasting.
Wawasa to be sour, to be acidic.
Waza (1) to sprinkle, to drizzle.
(2) to split wood.
Wenda to creep.
Wenga to peel fruit, to pare.
Werama to stoop, to bend down.
Weramuka to get up, raise up from stooping.
Werenga to read, to count.
Weruka to leave (e.g work or school) and go.
Weruza to judge.
Weta to tend, keep, look after people or cattle.
 70
Weyula to wave, to turn to one side.
Wina to win.
Winda (1) to protect with medicine.
(2) Tsitsi - to let hair grow, remain unshorn as after a death or sickness.
Winduka to turn over.
Windula (1) to take away medicine protecting house or garden.
(2) to shave the hair after death or sicknes.
Wira to boil, to bubble.
Wirikiza to double, to repeat.
Wiringula to squabble, make excuse for refusing to so something.
Wirira to be rough with long grass or bush: or hair unshorn.
Wisi fresh, green.
Wo their, possessive stem.
Wonga gun powder.
Wotha to warm oneself [see Otha: Othera].
Wotha moto = to warm oneself near a fire.
Wothera Dzuwa = to warm oneself in the sun

Y
Ya to be deep, long (time). - Muyaya = for ever.
Wamuyaya = eternal.
Yabwa to itch.
Yaka to burn, be lit [see - Yakha].
Yakha (1) to catch (ball).
(2) to catch fire, to burn, to be lit.
Yala to spread, arrange.
Yaluka to be insane.
Yamba to be first, to begin, to provoke.
Yambira to start (with). - Kuyambira ... Kufikira = from ... till.
Yambana to quarrel.
Yambuka to ford, go across [see - Oloka].
Yamika to thank, to praise.
Yamwa to suck ( breast), suckle.
Yandama to float.
Yanga to spread above, to float on water [see - Yangalala].
Yang`ana to look, to see.
Yang`anira to look after, superintend.
Yanika to spread in the sun to dry.
Yanjana to be reconciled, to be of one mind.
Yankha to answer.
Yankhula to speak, talk [see - Lankhula].
 71
Yasama to open the mouth, to gape, to yawn.
Yasamula to yawn.
Yatsa to kindle, to light a fire, a candle, a lamp.
Yembekeza expect [see - Dikira].
Yenda to walk, move, travel.
Yendera to visit.
Yendetsa to drive, ride, move (something).
Yenera must, should, obligation, to fit.
Yenga to melt fat, tomake oil (from ground-nuts, Castor-beans).
Yera to be white, to be clean, to be pure.
Yerekeza to make like, to compare, to signify.
Yeretsa to clean.
Yesa to try, to guess, to measure, to test. - Mayeso = test, trial, exams.
Muyeso = a measure.
Yetsemula to sneeze.
Yokoka to fall and scatter on the ground (as flowers and seeds).
Yoyola to cause to fall and be scattered.

Z
za concerning, about.
Zama to be deep, to go right down.
Zambwe the west wind, the west.
Zaza to be wild, fierece, to be angry.
Zedi (adv) very, really, truly (Malawi).
Zemba to disappear by getting out of sight, to avoid.
Zenera a window.
Zenga to tie, bind round.
Zengereza to linger, delay, be late (used in confiter?).
Zerenga to wrap around, twine around.
Zeze musical instrument with strings.
Zifuyo domestic animals, cattle.
Zika to pierce, put a post into its hole or of a root taking hold
in the ground.
Zikomo thank you, please, excuse me.
Zilakolako eager desires, to covet, lust.
Zima to be quenched, be out (a fire, a light) [see - Thima].
Zimira
Zimitsa to quench, extinguish (a fire, a light) [see - Thimitsa].
Zimbiri rust [see - Dsimbiri].
Zimirira to fade away, become indistinct.
Zindikira to recognize, understand, realise.
 72
Zinidikiza to mark, to stamp [see - Tsindika].Zinga to surround.
Zingano needle + mbota = thread.
Zingwa to be poor.
Zintambo bands of plaited grass worn around head by women after death of
husband [see Zitambo].
Zinyalalala sweeping, things spread on the ground.
Zinyau mask of wild beast used in the Nyau dance.
Zira to smooth by hand with clay, usually using a flat small stone
in the last stage of polishing a mud-floor or a wall.
Zirala to be partly quenched (fire or light), of fire or light dying out
Zitambo bands of plaited grass worn around head by women after the death of
husband.
Ziwanda evil spirits [see - Chiwanda: Zithumwa].
Ziwiya household utensils.
Ziya to be exhausted, faint [see - Lefuka].
Zizira to be cool, to be cold, to be insipid, without savour, to be calm.
Ziziritsa to chill, make cold, to be very cold.
Zizwa to be astonished [see - Dodoma].
Zokota to engrave, to carve, make embroidery [see - Zukuta].
Zolika to bend down the head, to be ashamed. - [see - Jolika: Zyolika].
Zoloweera to be accustomed to .
Zoloweza to accustom.
Zonda to spy, to look around.
Zonga to cut meat in long strips [see - Zyonga].
Zuka to come out, be uprooted.
Zukuta carve wood/Ivory embroider [see - Zokota].
Zula to pull up with the roots, to pull off (a peg, a nail).
Zula Msomali/Mtengo = pull off a nail / a tree.
Zuna to be sweet [see Nzuna: Tsemera].
Zungulira to surround, go around.
Zunguza to whilr around.
Zungunyula to sprain, twist [see – Dzungunyula: Dzungunyula].
Zunza to afflict, make suffer, annoy. - Mazunzo = suffering.
Zunzika to be afflicted, to suffer.
Zweta to wheel round.
Kuchita Chizwezwe = to lose one`s equilibrium (after whirling around).
Zyolika to hold one`s head down, to be ashamed [see ]

This computerised edition of Fr Vermeullen’s Cinyanja-English Dictionary was made for the
Archives of the Missionaries of Africa [WF] in Lusaka from a disket made under the supervi-
sion of Fr Charles Searson, SJ.
Director of the Archives: Fr Hugo Hinfelaar. Editor and printer: Fr M.C.J. Gruffat.
Date:: 30th October 2001.