Hiking & Trekking

1. Nzila

   Path / way

   Usage

   A path or way to walk along; the basic word for asking about trails

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 noun that also means "way" or "method". The locative form is "munzila" (on or along the path). A paved main road is "mugwagwa"

2. Nzila yamaulu

   Footpath

   Usage

   A narrow path for walking; for asking about routes to villages or hills

   Grammar Note

   Literally "path of the feet". The pattern nzila ya + noun means "path of …". Source: dictionary only; native review recommended

3. Cilundu

   Mountain / hill

   Usage

   A mountain or hill; for naming a hiking destination

   Grammar Note

   A class 7 noun (prefix ci-); the plural is "zilundu". It joins with prepositions, as in "acilundu" (on the mountain) and "kucilundu" (to the mountain)

4. Ndiyanda kutanta acilundu.

   I want to climb the mountain.

   Usage

   To say you want to go hiking or climb a hill

   Grammar Note

   "Kutanta" is "to go up". It is used for upward movement, and the root is "tanta" (climb). "A-" is a locative preposition. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Sena nzila eeyi ilaunka kucilundu?

   Does this path go to the mountain?

   Usage

   To check a destination at a fork or before setting out

   Grammar Note

   "Nzila" is a class 9 noun, and its demonstrative is "eeyi" (this). "I-la-unka" is the present of "go". "Ku-" means "to". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Kutanta

   To go up / climb

   Usage

   Going up a slope or hill; it is also used for boarding a boat

   Grammar Note

   An infinitive (ku-tanta). It is used for going up stairs, going up to the temple, and boarding a boat

7. Kuseluka

   To go down

   Usage

   Going down a hill; it is also used for getting off a vehicle

   Grammar Note

   An infinitive (ku-seluka). It is used for coming down from a mountain ("kuseluka acilundu"), and also for getting off a vehicle

8. Banyama bamusyokwe

   Wild animals

   Usage

   Animals that live in the bush; for asking about safety on a walk

   Grammar Note

   "Banyama" is the plural of "munyama" (animal). "Musyokwe" means the field or wild, and "banyama bamusyokwe" means wild animals. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

9. Sena kuli banyama bamusyokwe aano?

   Are there wild animals around here?

   Usage

   To ask a guide or host about safety before a hike or safari

   Grammar Note

   "Sena kuli X aano?" is the pattern for "Is there X here?". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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