Lamba phrasebook

Pronunciation guide

Vowels A,a,E,e,I,I,O,o,U,u

Consonants B: as a 'wv' sound C: as a CH sound as in the word church ND: as in 'standard' F: as in 'far' NG: as in 'Bingo' NJ: as in 'range' K: as in 'kick' L: as in 'long' M: as in 'moon' N: as in 'net' NG': as in 'singing' P: as in 'pig' S: as in 'single' SY/SH: as in 'shipping' T: as in 'tan' W: as in 'wood' Y: as in 'yo-yo'

Common diphthongs

Phrase list

Laamba:Balukwisa mailo Eng: They are coming tomorrow Lamba:Ndukwipika insumbi syenu/shenu Eng: I am cooking your chickens Lamba:Kamuya munsitileko/munshitileko tomatosi Eng:Go and buy me some tomatoes Lamba:Balya abanakasyi/abanakashi balukusitisya/balukushitisha ifyakufwala. Eng: Those women are selling clothes Lamba:Nsyilukulyako/nshilukulyako Eng:I am not eating Lamba:Webo, kowisa ulye nsyima/nshima Eng:You, come and eat maize meal mush

Basics

Hello. . ( 'MULISHANI' ) Hello. (informal) . (SHANI ) How are you? ? ( SHANI?) Fine, how about you . . (BWINO, KANI NA MWEBO ) What is your name? ? ( NI MWE BANANI OR ISHINA LYENU NI SHANI?) My name is ______ . ______ . ( NINEBO....) Nice to meet you. . (CHIWEME ) Please. . (NA PAPATA ) Thank you. . ( NA TOTA) You're welcome. . ( NA TOTA) Yes. . (EH EH ) No. . (AIKONA ) Excuse me. (getting attention) . (MWANE ) Excuse me. (begging pardon) . ( NA SASA ) I'm sorry. . ( NA SASA) see you soon . (TUKA BONANA BUKUMO ) Goodbye (informal) . ( ) I can't speak name of language [well]. [ ]. ( NsHISHIPO UKU LABILA ISHINA LYA MULAKA UYO]) Do you speak English? ? ( MULA LABILA ICHISUNGU?) Is there someone here who speaks English? ? ( LOMBI PALI ABESHI ICHISUNGU?) Help! ! ( NGOFWENIKO!) Look out! ! ( ICHO !) Good morning. . ( MWA BUKA SHANI) Good night. . ( MULALE BWINO) Good night (to sleep) . ( 'MULALE BWINO' ) I don't understand. . ( NSHISHIPO IFYO ) Where is the toilet? ? (CHILI KWISA ICHIMBUSU ?)

Problems Leave me alone. . ( NDEKENI NENKA.) Don't touch me! ! ( AIKONA UKUNJIKATA/AIKONA UKUNJIKATAMO) I'll call the police. . (NDUKWITA BAKAPOKOLA .) Police! ! ( BAKAPOKOLA!) Stop! Thief! ! ! (IMAKANA! KABWALALA!) I need your help. . (NDUKUFWAYA MUNGOFWEKO/ NGOFWENIKO.) It's an emergency. . ( .) I'm lost. . ( .NALUBA) I lost my bag. . ( NALUFYA ICHOLA CHANJI.) I lost my wallet. . ( NALUFYA ICHIKWAMA CHANJI.) I'm sick. . ( NSHILEUNFWAPO BWINO NALWALA.) I've been injured. . (NACHENEKWA.) I need a doctor. . ( NDEFWAIKWA BA DOKUTA.) Can I use your phone? ? (MBONFYEKO FONI YENU?)

Numbers 1 ( CIMO) 2 (FIBILI ) 3 ( FOTATU) 4 (FINE ) 5 (FISANU ) 6 (FISANU NACIMO ) 7 (FISANU NAFIBILI ) 8 (FISANU NAFITATU ) 9 ( FISANU NAFINE) 10 (I