Notes: 1) this vocabulary list was compiled by a beginning student of Chichewa based on class notes, thus it
is neither complete nor guaranteed for accuracy; 2) Chewa words beginning with a hyphen are either verbs
or suffixes; 3) This list may be downloaded from http://nature.berkeley.edu/~alyons/chichewa/.
-dwala (verb adjective) be ill. -fooka (verb) be weak (often because of illness).
-dwalitsa (verb) make (someone) ill. -fotokoza (verb) explain, fix, repair.
-dwaza (verb) care for (a sick person). -fotokoza ? (verb) explain.
-dwala (verb) be ill. -fula (verb) extract.
-dya mutu (idomatic expression) think deeply -fulumira (verb) hurry.
(lit. eat head). fumbi (noun) dust.
dyana (noun) day before yesterday. -funtha (verb adjective) be crazy.
-dya (verb) eat. funso (noun - 5/6, mafunso) question.
-dya miseche (verb) gossip. -funsira (verb) propose (for marriage).
-dyetsa (verb) feed (an animal or person). -funsa (verb) question.
-dza (verb) come. -funsira (verb) ask (for a reason). Mu ku funsira
-dzandila (verb) stagger. chiyani?. You are asking for what?. Can also mean
dza (verb tense indicator) future tense. to propose.
dzandidzandi (noun) state of staggering back -funtna (verb adjective) become mad, crazy.
and forth. -funa (verb) want.
dzanja (noun - 5/6, ma-anja) hand. fupa (noun - 5/6, mafupa) bone.
dzana (noun) day before yesterday. -fupi (pure adjective) short.
dzenje (noun - 5/6, ma-enje) hole. -futula (verb) break fast (in afternoon, during Lent
-dzera (verb) come for a particular reason. or Ramadan ).
-dzera (verb) go past, go via {someplace}. -futa (verb) erase the blackboard.
dziko lapansi (noun - 5/6) earth, planet, land -fuula (verb) holler, shout.
(lit. country of down). gaga (noun) re-ground corn husks ate during times
dziko (noun) country, land. of no food.
-dziwa (verb) know. galimoto (noun - 5/6, magalimoto) car. fluctuates in
dzino (noun - 5/6, mano) tooth. classes.
dzinalamodza (sp??) (noun) nickname. galu (noun - 1a/2) dog.
dzina (noun - 1/2, maina) name. -ganiza (verb) think.
-dziwitsa (verb) inform (lit. make known). ganizo (noun - 5/6, maganizo) thought.
dzira (noun - 5/6, mazira) egg. -gawa (verb) divide.
dziwe (noun - 5/6) pool. gawo (noun - 5/6, magawo) portion.
-dzola (verb) apply to body (ex. ointment). -gawana (verb) share (lit. divide each other).
dzungu (noun - 5/6, maungu) pumpkin. -gaya (verb) grind.
-dzutsa (verb) wake somebody up (irregular getsi (noun - 5/6, magetsi) electricity.
form of dzuk-its-a). -gogoda (verb) knock (on the door).
dzulo (noun - 5/6) yesterday. -gomera (verb) take one's hat off to someone. Nda
dzuwa (noun - 5/6) sun. ku-gomera-ni. I take my hat off to you.
-dzuka (verb) wake up. -goma (verb) salute, 'take my hat off', acknowledge
-dzudzula (verb) criticize. that someone is good at something.
-enda (verb) walk. -gonja (verb) be conquered, surrender. Ta (ti-a)
-fa (verb) die. gonja. We have lost.
fakitale (noun - 5/6, mafakitale) factory. Can -gonera (verb) sleep with (as in food or dinner).
also be used as class 9 in singular. -gona (verb) sleep, lie down.
-fala (verb) spread (as in rumors, death, etc). -gonjesta (verb) defeat, cause to lose, conquer.
-fanana (verb) be similiar, be like something. -gulitisa (verb) sell. don't confuse with -gula = to
-fiira (verb adjective) be red. buy.
-fika (verb) arrive. gule (noun) dance, performance, usually traditional.
-fisula (verb) break fast. Singular 1a. Plural class 6.
fisi (noun) hyena. -gulitsa (verb) sell.
fodya (noun - 1a only) tobacco. -gula (verb) buy. don't confuse with -gulitsa = to
Chichewa vocabulary 5
mkono (noun - 3/4, mikono) arm. mpanda (noun - 3/4, mipanda) fence.
mkulu (noun - 1/2) elder sibling of same sex, mphindi (noun - 9/10, mphindi) minute.
guy. mphwayi (noun - 9/10) procrastination. use with -
mkuluwiko (noun) ideomatic expression. chita.
mkuja (noun) day after tomorrow. mphira (noun - 9/10) rubber.
mkwiyo (noun - 3/4) anger. mphamvu (noun - 9/10) strength.
mlato (noun) bridge. mphenzi (noun) thunder.
mlandu (noun - 3/4, milandu) case, suit (legal). mpheto (noun) private parts.
Can be trivial or serious. mphika (noun - 3/4) cooking pots (smaller size).
mlatho (noun - 3/4) bridge. mphatso (noun - 9/10, mphatso) gift.
mlamu (noun - 1/2, alamu) brother or sister in- mphepo (noun) wind.
law. mphunzitsi (noun - 1/2, aphunzitsi) teacher.
mlenje (noun) hunter. mphini (noun) tatoo.
mlengalenga (noun) sky. mpira (noun - 3/4) ball. Don't confuse with mphira
mlendo (noun - 1/2) traveler, visitor, guest. = rubber.
mlongo (noun) sibling of opposite sex. mpoto (direction word) north. precede with 'ku'.
mlonda (noun) watchman. mpunga (noun - 3/4) rice.
Mluya (noun - 1/2, Aluya) Arab. msanga (noun - 3/4) quickness. Like tsopano, can
mluzu (noun - 3/4) whistle. use with -a or by itself.
mmacheza (noun) time from 12:00 midnight to msala (noun - 3/4, misala) lust/madness. msala =
3:30 am, until first rooster. lust; misala = madness.
mmawa (noun) early morning, after sunrise. msampha (noun - 3/4, misampha) trap.
don't confuse with mawa = morning. msana (noun - 3/4, misana) back (anatomy). don't
mmawa mawa (noun) early morning, 3rd confuse with msana = noon time; intonation goes
rooster til sunrise. Will also hear 'mmamawa' up on 2nd syllable.
(drop first 'wa'). msewu (noun - 3/4, misewu) road.
mmero (adjective) down, inside the throat. msewy (noun) road.
mmphawi (noun - 1/2) poor person. msika (noun - 3/4, misika) market.
mng'ono (noun - 1/2) younger sibling of same msilikali (noun - 1/2, asilikali) soldiers.
sex. msipu (noun - 5/6, masipu) green grass for grazing.
mnkhwala (noun - 3/4) substance that enables msonkhano (noun - 3/4, misonkhano) meeting,
you to excel (herb, charm, etc.). don't confuse conference.
with mankhwala = medicine. msodzi (noun - 1/2, asodzi) fisherman.
mnkhwani (noun - 3 only) pumpkin leaves. msomali (noun - 3/4) nail.
mnyamata (noun - 1/2, anymata) boy. mtambo (noun - 3/4) cloud.
mnyenyo (noun) break. Ndi li pa mnyenyo. I am mtengo (noun - 3/4, mitengo) tree, or price. mtengo
on break. = tree => rising-falling intonation, mtengo = price
-modzi (suffix) one. malo amodzi. one place. => steady intonation.
add the noun class suffix before. mtedza (noun - 5/6, mitedza) groundnuts
moni (phrase) hello, typical form of greeting (collectively). In plural form means different types
when meeting someone for the first time. of nuts.
Moni mayi. Moni bambo. mtenthandevu (noun) tea or coffee (lit. burn the
monga (connecting word) such as.., like. beard)).
moto (noun - 3/4) fire. usually no class 4. mtendere (noun) peace.
mowa (noun) beer. always in class 3, never mthunzi (noun) shade (of a tree).
plural. mtima (noun - 3/4, mitima) heart. rising falling
moyo (noun - 3/4) life. intonation.
mpando (noun - 3/4, mipando) chair. mtolo (noun - 3/4, mitolo) bundle.
mpaka (connecting word) until. mtondo (noun - 3/4, mitondo) mortar (pounding
Chichewa vocabulary 10
receptacle). rising falling intonnaton; don't mwala (noun - 3/4) stone, rock.
confuse with mtondo -falling intonnation = 2 mwambi (noun - 3/4, miyambi) proverb.
days from now. mwaswera bwanji? (phrase) How did you spend
mtsikama (noun - 1/2, atsikama) girl. the time?. Said after you just say the person a little
mtsuko (noun - 3/4, mitsuko) water pot, usually while ago. mu+a = mwa, recently done.
clay. mwana (noun - 1/2, ana) child. mu + ana = mwana.
mtsinje (noun - 3/4, mitsinje) river. mwawi (noun - 3/4) good luck, opportunity. mwawi
mtsitso (noun) slope going down. wanga (u-anga). my opportunity.
mtsogoleri (noun - 1/2, atsogoleri) leader. mwa chidule (adverb) in brief.
mtundu (noun - 3/4, mitundu) type, kind. mwera (direction word) south. precede with 'ku'.
mtundu wanji (question word) which type. mwezi wa (u-a) mawa (noun - 3/4) next month (lit.
mu li bwanji? (phrase) how are you?. month of tomorrow).
mu (pronoun) you. mwezi watha (u-a-tha) (noun - 3/4) last month (lit.
mu ma chokera? (phrase) where are you from? month has past). could mean last month or the
(originally, regionally). Answer: Ndi ma month has ended depending on intonation.
chokera ku Florida. Variant: mu ku chokera? Mwenechindongwa (noun - 5/6) mphunzitsi wanga
(where are you from right now?). nickname.
mu (preposition) in. mwezi (noun - 3/4, miyezi) moon, month. mwezi wa
mudzi (noun - 3/4, midzi) village. (u-a) June = month of June.
mulungu (noun - 3/4, milungu) god. use class 1 mwendo (noun - 3/4, miyendo) leg. mwendo = mu +
when refering to Christain God. endo; miyendo = mi + endo.
-muna (pure adjective) male. mwini (noun) owner.
muno (adjective) here in. mzimu (noun) spirit, soul.
munda (noun - 3/4) garden. mzinda (noun - 3/4, mizinda) city.
munthu (noun - 1/2, anthu) person. mzungu (noun - 1/2, azungu) white person.
musi (noun - 3/4, misi) pestle (pounding stick). na (verb tense indicator) past tense.
mutu (noun - 3/4, mitu) head. -nama (verb) tell lies.
muzu (noun - 3/4, mizu) root. -namiza (verb) deceive, lie, cheat. Most Chichewa
-mva (verb) feel. speakers don't make a distinction between
-mva (verb) hear. cheating and decieving.
-mveka (noun - 9/10) be heard, well known. namwali (noun - 1a/2, anamwali) maiden, initiate.
-mvera (verb) listen (to). nanga tsopano (phrase) what about now.
mvula (noun - 9/10) rain. nanga (phrase) and what about.. (connecting
mwamuna (noun - 1/2, awamuna) man. Used question word). nanga inu?. what about you?.
when you have to distinguish between men -nayi (suffix) four.
and women. Normally you can just use ndani (question word) who.
munthu and people will assume you're talking ndaswera bwino (phrase) I passed the time well.
about a man. ndemanga (noun - 9/10) comment.
mwa chitsanzo (connecting word) for example. ndevu (noun - 9/10, ndevu) beard.
mwakuti (also pronounced moti) (connecting ndege (noun - 9/10) aeroplane.
word) such that (in a manner that). ndi (connecting word) and.
mwano (noun - 14) rudeness, insolence. ndio za masamba (noun - 9/10) vegetables
mwamba (noun) heaven. (condiments of greens).
mwambo (noun - 3/4, miyambo) traditions, ndithu (exclamation) really, truly.
culture, customs pertaining to, rules. ndiwo/ndio (noun - 9/10, ndiwo/ndio) condiment
mwadzidzidzi (adverb) suddenly. you eat with nsima. ex: fish, greens, beans, meat,
Mwa dzuka bwanji? (phrase) How did you etc.
wake up?. mwa = mu + a. ndi (pronoun) I.
-mwa (verb) drink. ndi li bwino (phrase) I am fine. variants: ndi li
Chichewa vocabulary 11
bwinonso (I am fine also); ndi li bwino nkhosa (noun - 9/10, nkhosa) sheep.
pang'ono (I am a little bit fine). nkhuku (noun - 9/10, nkhuku) chicken.
ndinu (ndi inu) (phrase) it's you. nkhondo (noun - 9/10) war.
ndine (ndi-ine) (phrase) it's me. use low tone on nkhanza (noun - 9/10) cruelty.
ndi. nkhalango (noun - 9/10) forest (which has trees).
ndipo (connecting word) and (in the sense of nkhata (noun - 9/10) head pad (for carrying things
connecting two whole expressions). on head). Made of grass or rolled up rag.
ndowa (ndoo) (noun - 9/10) bucket or pail, nkhwangwa (noun - 9/10) ax.
metal. nkhonya (noun - 9/10, nkhonya) fist, blow.
ndudu (noun - 9/10) cigarette. nkhomaliro (noun) lunch.
-nena (verb) say. -no (suffix) shows proximity to speaker.
-ng'ono (pure adjective) small. nsanje (noun - 9/10, nsanje) jealousy. Mu li ndi
ng'oma (noun - 9/10) drum. nsanje. or Mu ku chita nsanje. You have jealousy
-ng'amba (verb) tear. (you are jealous). You are doing jealousy.
-ng'anima (verb) flash, flicker. Jealousy, but not in the sense of wanting to hurt
-ngati (suffix) how many. the person who has the thing. Most commonly
ngakhale (connecting word) although, even used with human relations.
though. nsalu (noun) cloth. Comes from the Indian word
ngati (connecting word) if, like. as in this is like 'sari'.
that. nsapato (noun - 9/10, nsapato) shoe.
ngombe (noun - 9/10, ngombe) cow. nsabwe (noun - 9/10, nsabwe) louse, lice.
-ni (suffix) command indicator. pitani. (you) go nsawa (noun - 5/6) nuts.
- command. nsima (noun) corn porridge.
njala (noun - 9/10) hunger. class 5 singular only nsomba (noun) fish.
?. Can't use -chita form like you can with -nso (suffix) too, also. ndi li bwinonso; inenso. I am
mwawi = good luck. fine also; me also.
njati (noun - 9/10) buffalo. ntchito ya kalavulagaga (noun) hard work (lit.
-njenjenera (verb) shake, tremble. work that gets all the food out of you).
njinga (noun - 9/10, njinga) bicycle. ntchafu (noun - 9/10, ntchafu) thigh.
njinga ya kapalasa (noun) bicycle. ntchentche (noun - 9/10, ntchentche) fly.
njiwa (noun) dove. nthano (noun - 9/10) story (as in story telling).
njira (noun) path, way. nthenda (noun - 9/10, nthenda) disease.
njiru (noun - 9/10) jealousy, malicious envy. nthenga (noun) feathers.
Jealousy in the sense that you want to deprive nthambi (noun - 9/10) branch.
someone of something you want but can't nthawi (noun - 9/10, nthawi) time.
have. Interchangable with kaduka. nthochi (noun) banana.
njovo (noun) elephant. nthabwala (noun) humor.
-njoya (verb) enjoy. nthaka (noun - 9/10) soil.
njoka (noun - 9/10) snake. nyanda (noun) fibre gotten from bark of trees used
nkhani (noun - 9/10) news, story, issue. to make clothing.
nkhumba (noun - 9/10) pig. nyali (noun - 9/10, nyali) lamp.
nkhuni (noun - 9/10, nkhuni) firewood. nyama (noun - 9/10, nyama) meat, animal.
nkhoswe (noun - 9/10, nkhoswe) elder family -nyaditsa (verb) make proud.
member who bears responsibility for siblings, -nyamula (verb) carry (general), lift.
neices, etc. nyanja (noun - 9/10, nyanja) sea, lake, ocean.
nkhalamba (noun - 9/10) elderly, senior -nyada (verb adjective) be proud.
citizens, old people. nyanga (noun - 9/10, nyanga) horn, tusk, ivory.
nkhali (noun - 9/10) cooking pot for nsima. -nyamuka (verb) get up, stand up.
nkhope (noun) face. -nyenya (verb) goof off, take time from work when
Chichewa vocabulary 12
-tcha (verb) setting a trap. ku tcha msampha. to ti- (prefix - 13) indicate small for a plural noun.
set a trap. can also mean to call or name. -tikita (verb) rub.
-tcha (verb) call, name. Mzinda wa Chicago timati (noun - 5/6, matimati) tomato.
anthu a-ma-u-tcha 'Windy City'. City of tirigu (noun - 9/10, tirigu) wheat.
Chicago, people call it Windy City. -tola (verb) pick up, find (something lying on the
-tchera (verb) set a trap for. Ndi-na-ku-tchera-ni ground).
msampha. I set a trap for you (either on your -tola phunziro (verb) pick up a lesson, learn
behalf or to get you). something the hard way.
-tema (verb) cut (probably not all the way -tola mwana (idomatic expression) have an
through). illegitimate child (lit. pick up a child).
-tembenuza (verb) turn something around. -topa (verb adjective) be tired.
-tembenuka (verb) turn (yourself) around. tsalani bwino (phrase) remain well. said when
-tentha (verb adjective) be hot. parting with someone.
-tentha (verb) burn. -tsala (verb) remain (behind). Tsalani bwino.
-tenga (verb) take. Remain well (said when parting). Can be used in
-teteza (verb) defend. the general sense of remaining behind in your
-thandiza (verb) help, assist. work, progress, life.
-thawa (verb) escape (from a location), run -tsanzika (verb) take leave.
away. don't need a preposition, 'from' built in. tsamba (noun - 5/6, masamba) leaf.
-tha (verb) finish. -tsata (verb) follow. Will also hear -tsatira.
-tha (verb) be able to do something. tsatane-tsatane (adverb) in detail.
-thamanga (verb) run. -tsetsereka (verb) coast, go at top speed.
-thamangitsa (verb) chase. -tseka (verb) shut.
-thawira (verb) escape (to a location). -tsekula (verb) open.
thelele (noun) okra. can also mean greens in tsiku ndi tsiku (noun - 5/6) every day.
general. -tsirika (verb) cast a charm or spell to protect
thengo (noun) bush. something.
-thira (verb) pour. More common variation = - -tsitsa (verb) lower.
tsira. -tsira (verb) pour. Other less common variation -
-thima (verb) extinguish (lights, a fire, etc.), get thira.
drunk. Nda thima. I have extinguished (my -tsiriza (verb) finish, complete. Interchangable with
senses = gotten drunk). Can also mean to maliza.
extinguish the senses (i.e.get drunk). -tsira ndemanga (verb) comment (lit. pour
-thokoza (verb) express thanks. comment).
thope (noun - 5/6) mud. tsiku lo kumbukira kwa balidwa (noun - 5/6)
thonje (noun - 5 only) cotton. birthday.
thumba la pa msana (noun) backpack (lit. bag -tsimikiza (verb) gaurantee, ensure.
of on back). -tsika (verb) descend, come down.
thumba (noun - 5/6, mathumba) bag. tsiku (noun - 5/6, masiku) day.
thupi (noun) body. tsitsi (noun - 5/6, masitsi ??) hair.
thukuta (noun - 5/6) sweat. tsoka (noun - 5/6) bad luck, misfortune.
thunthu (noun - 5/6) whole. tsogolo (noun - 5/6, matsogolo (?)) front.
-thyola (verb) break, snap (into two pieces). -tsogola (verb) take the lead, go ahead.
-thyoka (verb) be in state of having broke (a tsopano (noun - 5/6) now.
bone). Nda thyoka myendo. I am in the state -tukwana (verb) swear (at someone).
of having a broken leg. tulo (noun - 5 only) sleep. Ndi li tulo. I am having a
ti ku puma (phrase) we are breathing. response problem staying awake. Some people put it in
to 'muli bwanji?'. class 5.
ti (pronoun) we. -tulukamo (verb) exit.
Chichewa vocabulary 15
-tuluka (verb) exit. uyu (adjective) this. uyu bambo; bambo uyu. this
-tulutsa (verb) bring into the open, pull out man. can come either before or after the noun.
(make something go out, exit, make tuluka). -uza (verb) tell.
-tumiza (verb) send (something). -vala (verb) wear, dress.
-tuma (verb) send (somone on an errand). -vina (verb) dance.
-tumiza kalata (verb) send a letter. -vomera (verb) agree, assent.
-tunga (verb) scoop, draw (as a liquid). -vula (verb) undress.
-tupa (verb) swell. vuma (direction word) east. precede with 'ku'.
ubale (noun - 14) brotherhood. vuto (noun - 5/6, mavuto) trouble, problem.
uchi (noun - 14) honey. -vuta (verb) cause problems, give problems. similar
udzu (noun) grass. to vutitsa.
udzudzu (noun - 14) mosquitoes. -vutitsa (verb) make problems, create problems.
ufa (noun - 14) flour. similar to vuta.
ufiti (noun - 3/4) witchcraft. a person who -vutika (verb) experience problems.
practices witchcraft = mfiti. -vuula (verb) take something (saturated) out of
ujeni (connecting word) uummm (filler word). water.
ukapolo (noun - 14) slavery. -vuwa (verb) fish with nets.
-uka (verb) get up. variant and interchangable -wala (verb) shine (continuously), appear bright.
with -dzuka. wankhanza (u-a-kunkhanza) (noun - 7/8) cruel
uko (adjective) over there. person (lit. person -omitted- of to be cruel).
ukonde (noun - 14) net. -wawa (verb) ache, hurt.
ukwati (noun - 14) marriage, state of being -wedza (verb) fish with hooks.
married. -weruka (verb) knock off (work).
ulalo (noun - 14/6, maulalo) bridge. -werenga (verb) read, count.
ulesi (noun - 14) laziness. use with -chita. -weta (verb) herd.
ulendo (noun - 14) journey. -wiri (suffix) two.
ulemu (noun - 14) respect. To show respect = - -wisi (pure adjective) unripe, green.
chita ulemu (or -lemekeza). wophunzira (munthu u-a-kuphunzira) (verb
ulimi (noun - 14) agriculture. adjective) student (lit. person of to learn).
-ulula (verb) reveal. wophunzira (noun - 1a/2, ophunzira) student,
-umba (verb) mould (as in with clay). someone who is educated. Derived from munthu
umboni (noun - 14) evidence. wophunzira (u-a-ku-phunzira).
-umiriza (verb) coerce, force. -ya (verb) be deep (literally or figuratively).
umoyo (noun - 14) health. -yaka (verb) go up in flame.
umo (adjective) in there. -yala (verb) spread.
umodzi (noun - 14) unity, quality of one. -yamba (verb) begin, start.
umphawi (noun - 14) poverty. -yamika (verb) express thanks, give praise. see also
una (noun - 14) burrow. thokoza.
uphunzitsi (noun - 14) teaching. -yandikirana (verb adjective) be close to each
usiku (noun) night time, after dark. other.
usodzi (noun - 14) fishing, profession of. -yandikira (verb) be near, get close to.
uta (noun - 14/6, mauta) bow (and arrow). -yankhula (verb) speak. Interchangable with -
uta wa leza (noun) rainbow (lit. bow of god). lankhula.
uthenga (noun - 14/6, mauthenga) message. yankho (noun - 5/6, mayankho) response.
utsi (noun - 9/10) smoke. -yang'ana (verb) look.
-utsa mkwiyo (verb) anger (lit. to wake up -yankha (verb) respond, answer.
anger). -yangana (verb) look at, gaze.
utsiru (noun - 14) idiotcracy. -yang'anira (verb) look after, take care, look for.
-utsa (verb) wake someone up (cause to get up). -yasamula (verb) yawn.
Chichewa vocabulary 16