Basic Nyanja Phrases for Visitors and New Arrivals in Lusaka
English is Zambia's official language, and you can get through Lusaka without a word of anything else. But Nyanja is the language of the street, the bus stop and the market, and a few words of it change how people respond to you. A "Muli bwanji?" before you ask for directions gets you a smile, not just an answer.
This guide covers the phrases you'll use most, how to say them, and the etiquette that goes with them.
Why Nyanja?
Zambia has more than 70 languages. Nyanja (also written Chinyanja) is the lingua franca of Lusaka and the Eastern Province, closely related to Chichewa spoken in Malawi. Bemba dominates the Copperbelt and the north, and Tonga and Lozi are spoken in the south and west.
Greetings
Greetings matter in Zambia. Jumping straight into a question without one comes across as abrupt.
Nyanja | English | When to use it |
Muli bwanji? | How are you? | The standard, polite greeting, to anyone |
Nili bwino, kaya inu? | I'm fine, and you? | The usual reply |
Bwino | Fine | Short reply |
Mwauka bwanji? | Good morning (literally, how did you wake?) | Mornings |
Zikomo | Thank you | Everywhere, all the time |
Zikomo kwambiri | Thank you very much | When someone goes out of their way |
Etiquette tip: a handshake usually comes with the greeting. When you shake hands with, or hand something to, an older person, support your right forearm with your left hand. It's a small gesture of respect that people notice.
Everyday essentials
Nyanja | English |
Inde | Yes |
Iyayi / Ayi | No |
Chonde | Please |
Pepani | Sorry / Excuse me |
Sinimvela | I don't understand |
Dzina langa ndine... | My name is... |
Dzina lanu ndani? | What's your name? |
Pitani bwino | Go well (said to someone leaving) |
Salani bwino | Stay well (said by the person leaving) |
At the market
Bargaining is normal at markets like New Soweto and the Sunday craft markets, though not in supermarkets or malls. Keep it friendly; a smile and a "zikomo" go further than a hard line.
Nyanja | English |
Ni zingati? | How much is it? |
Nifuna... | I want... |
Manzi | Water |
Chakudya | Food |
Chakudya ni chokoma | The food is delicious |
For more on paying, see our guide to the Zambian kwacha.
Getting around
Taxi and minibus drivers will speak English, but these help.
Nyanja | English |
Kuli kuti...? | Where is...? |
Kumanja | Right |
Kumanzere | Left |
Pasogolo | Straight ahead |
Imani pano | Stop here |
If something goes wrong
Nyanja | English |
Thandizeni! | Help! |
Chipatala | Hospital |
Apolisi | Police |
In Lusaka, the emergency numbers are 991 for police and 993 for fire. For an ambulance, call 991 or 995.
Tips for using your Nyanja
Lead with the greeting. Even if your Nyanja stops there, "Muli bwanji?" followed by English is completely normal.
Expect a mix. Lusaka speech moves between Nyanja, English and Bemba mid-sentence, sometimes called "town Nyanja". Don't worry about textbook purity.
Ask before photographing people. A gesture towards your camera and a smile works, and respect a no.
Learn "zikomo" first. If you only learn one word, make it this one.
