Traveling with Kids

1. Ndijisi bana bobilo.

   I have two children.

   Usage

   Tells how many children you have, for example when introducing yourself

   Grammar Note

   "Ndijisi" means "I have". "Bobilo" is the form of "two" used with people (class 2). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Mwanaangu wasweeka!

   My child is lost!

   Usage

   Asks bystanders for help when you lose sight of a child in a crowd or market

   Grammar Note

   "Mwanaangu" is "mwana" (child) with "my" attached. "Sweeka" means "get lost" or "go astray", and "wa-" marks the state that has come about. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Mwanaangu waciswa.

   My child is sick.

   Usage

   Tells staff at a lodging or clinic that your child is ill

   Grammar Note

   "Ciswa" means "be sick". "Wa-" is the subject marker for a class 1 noun and shows that the state has come about. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Mwanaangu wafwa nzala.

   My child is hungry.

   Usage

   Says that your child needs something to eat

   Grammar Note

   "Be hungry" is said "fwa nzala" (literally "die of hunger"); "nzala" is hunger. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Mwanaangu ujisi myaka yotatwe.

   My child is three years old.

   Usage

   States your child's age; swap in another number

   Grammar Note

   Age is said "ujisi myaka ..." (has ... years). "Yotatwe" is the form of "three" that goes with "myaka" (years). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Mwana

   Child

   Usage

   A child; the plural is "bana", and "mwanaangu" means "my child"

   Grammar Note

   A class 1 noun; the plural is the class 2 form "bana"

7. Bana

   Children

   Usage

   Children; the singular is "mwana"

   Grammar Note

   A class 2 noun (plural of people)

8. Mulombe

   Boy / young man

   Usage

   A boy or young man

   Grammar Note

   A class 1 noun; the plural is balombe. "Musankwa" means "male" and is used as in mwana musankwa (son)

9. Musimbi

   Girl / young woman

   Usage

   A girl or young woman

   Grammar Note

   A class 1 noun

10. Muvwanda

    Baby

    Usage

    A baby

    Grammar Note

    A class 1 noun; also used as in mwana muvwanda (infant)

11. Kusobana

    To play

    Usage

    To play, as children do; it can also mean to joke or have a good time

    Grammar Note

    A verb infinitive, beginning with ku-; the root is "-sobana"

Browse all TravelPhrases languages