Markets & Souvenirs

1. Ndilalanga buyo.

   I am just looking.

   Usage

   To tell a seller politely that you are only browsing

   Grammar Note

   "Ndi-la-langa" is "I am looking". "Buyo" means "just" or "only". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Ino musika uli kuli?

   Where is the market?

   Usage

   To ask the way to the market

   Grammar Note

   "Ino X uli kuli?" is the pattern for "Where is X?". "Musika" is a class 3 noun and also the word for baking soda, so it is best used inside a sentence. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Ndiyanda kuunka kumusika.

   I want to go to the market.

   Usage

   When asking for a ride or directions to the market

   Grammar Note

   "Ku-" means "to" and joins musika as "kumusika". "Kumusika" means "to the market". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Ndiyanda kuula nswi.

   I want to buy fish.

   Usage

   When buying fish at a market or by a lake

   Grammar Note

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

5. Ndiyanda kuula nyama.

   I want to buy meat.

   Usage

   When buying meat at a market or butcher

   Grammar Note

   The "Ndiyanda kuula …" pattern. Say which meat with a phrase such as "nyama yang'ombe" (beef). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Ndiyanda kuula cisyumani.

   I want to buy vegetables.

   Usage

   When looking for vegetables at a market

   Grammar Note

   "Cisyumani" means vegetables or a vegetable dish. Names of single vegetables such as tomato or onion are poorly documented and not confirmed here. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Ndiyanda kuula buci.

   I want to buy honey.

   Usage

   When buying honey at a roadside stall or market

   Grammar Note

   "Buci" is a class 14 noun (prefix bu-). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. Ndiyanda kuula munyo.

   I want to buy salt.

   Usage

   When buying salt at a market or shop

   Grammar Note

   "Munyo" is a class 3 noun (prefix mu-). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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