Fashion & Clothing

1. Zyakusama

   Clothes

   Usage

   Clothing in general; for looking for clothes or asking about laundry

   Grammar Note

   Made from "ku-sama" (to wear), with "zya-" for several things. The form "shakusama" also occurs

2. Cisani

   Garment / cloth

   Usage

   A single garment or a piece of cloth, including a cloak or wrap

   Grammar Note

   A class 7 noun (prefix ci-); the plural is the class 8 form "zisani"

3. Impato

   Sandals

   Usage

   Sandals worn on the feet; for looking for footwear

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 noun. In a sentence the initial i- drops to give "mpato". "Kusama mpato" means "to wear sandals"

4. Lutambo

   Belt / cord

   Usage

   A belt worn at the waist, or a thin cord

   Grammar Note

   A class 11 noun (prefix lu-). "Lutambo lwako" means "your belt". The word also covers rope and thong

5. Ninga

   Ring

   Usage

   A ring worn as an ornament

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 noun. A gold ring is "ninga yangolida". "Ningayakuminwe" (finger ring) is another way to say it

6. Ndiyanda kuula zyakusama.

   I want to buy clothes.

   Usage

   When looking for clothes at a market or shop

   Grammar Note

   "Ndiyanda kuula …" is the pattern for "I want to buy …", with the item in place of …. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Ndiyanda kuula mpato.

   I want to buy sandals.

   Usage

   When you want to buy footwear

   Grammar Note

   The "Ndiyanda kuula …" pattern. "Mpato" is "impato" without its initial i-. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. Ihempe

   Shirt

   Usage

   A shirt; for looking for clothes

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 noun. The words "isyaati" and "nsikipa" (T-shirt) also exist. In a sentence the initial i- may drop. Source: dictionary only; native review recommended

9. Buluke

   Trousers

   Usage

   Trousers; for looking for clothes

   Grammar Note

   A class 14 noun (prefix bu-). The spelling "bulukwe" also occurs. Source: dictionary only; native review recommended

10. Musinsi

    Skirt

    Usage

    A skirt; for looking for clothes

    Grammar Note

    A class 3 noun (prefix mu-). Source: dictionary only; native review recommended

11. Ingowani

    Hat

    Usage

    A hat; for looking for one on a sunny day

    Grammar Note

    A class 5 noun. The word "mvwuse" (hat) also exists. The same spelling also exists as a class 9 word meaning "hate", so take care not to confuse them. Source: dictionary only; native review recommended

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