Directions

1. Kululyo

   Right

   Usage

   The word for right, used in giving directions

   Grammar Note

   The ku- is a locative prefix. "On the right of ..." is said as kululyo lwa ... (for example kululyo lwakwe, "on his right")

2. Kulumwensyi

   Left

   Usage

   The word for left, used in giving directions

   Grammar Note

   The ku- is a locative prefix. The spelling kulumwensi also occurs. Some sources write kulumwesyi, but kulumwensyi is used here

3. Kumbele

   Ahead / in front

   Usage

   The word for ahead or in front; also usable for "straight on"

   Grammar Note

   "In front of ..." is said as kumbele lya ... (for example kumbele lya Jehova, "before Jehovah"). The same word also means "the future"

4. Kule

   Far

   Usage

   The word for far; also usable as a short answer, "it is far"

   Grammar Note

   "Far from me" is said as ili kule andime. It is the opposite of afwaafwi (near)

5. Afwaafwi

   Near

   Usage

   The word for near; also usable as a short answer, "it is close"

   Grammar Note

   "Near ..." is said as afwaafwi a ... (for example afwaafwi ankalaki, "near the chariot"). It is the opposite of kule (far). The spelling afwiifwi also occurs

6. Nzila

   Path / way

   Usage

   The word for a path or track you walk along; it also means "way" in the sense of method

   Grammar Note

   With the locative mu- it appears as munzila ("on the path"). A paved main road is called mugwagwa instead

7. Mugwagwa

   Main road / highway

   Usage

   The word for a level, prepared road or a highway

   Grammar Note

   A noun starting with mu-. An ordinary footpath is called nzila instead

8. Kunyika

   North

   Usage

   The word for north, as a compass direction

   Grammar Note

   Nyika also means "the earth", so kunyika can mean "to the ground" or "north"; context decides

9. Kumusanza

   South

   Usage

   The word for south, as a compass direction

   Grammar Note

   The ku- is a locative prefix. "When a south wind blows" is said as muwo nowuunga kuzwa kumusanza

10. Kujwe

    East

    Usage

    The word for east, as a compass direction

    Grammar Note

    The ku- is a locative prefix. "East of ..." is said as kujwe lya ...

11. Kumbo

    West

    Usage

    The word for west, as a compass direction

    Grammar Note

    The ku- is a locative prefix. It is the opposite of kujwe (east)

12. Amuunke kumbele.

    Please go straight ahead.

    Usage

    For giving directions, or for checking the directions you were given

    Grammar Note

    The shape amu- + stem + -e is a polite command to several people or to someone senior (the same as Amuboole, "please come"). The root unka means "to go". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

13. Sena kuli kule?

    Is it far?

    Usage

    Ask before deciding whether to walk or take a ride

    Grammar Note

    Sena at the start of a sentence marks a question. Kuli means "that place is ...". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

14. Sena kuli afwaafwi?

    Is it near?

    Usage

    Check whether the place is within walking distance

    Grammar Note

    The same pattern as Sena kuli kule? (is it far?), with kule swapped for afwaafwi. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

15. Ino cibbadela cili kuli?

    Where is the hospital?

    Usage

    Ask where the hospital or clinic is

    Grammar Note

    The pattern "ino + noun + verb + kuli?" asks "where is ...?". The ci- of cili agrees with cibbadela; for a person it is uli kuli, for several people bali kuli. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

16. Ndiyanda kuunka ku ___.

    I want to go to ___.

    Usage

    Say where you want to go; put a place name in the blank

    Grammar Note

    The pattern "Ndiyanda + ku + verb" means "I want to ...". Put ku before a place name for "to". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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