Sunu
Today
Usage
Today; placed at the start or end of a sentence
Grammar Note
A noun used like an adverb
Juunza
Tomorrow
Usage
Tomorrow; also said "ijuunza" and "junza"
Grammar Note
A noun used like an adverb
Jilo
Yesterday
Usage
Yesterday; also said "ijilo"
Grammar Note
A noun used like an adverb, paired with "sunu" (today) and "juunza" (tomorrow)
Nsondo
Week
Usage
A week; also said "insondo". "Buzuba bwakusaanguna bwansondo" is the first day of the week
Grammar Note
A class 5 noun. It can also mean Sunday. "Wansondo" means "of the week"
Mafwumofwumo
Morning
Usage
Morning, especially the early hours just after dawn; also said "cifwumofwumo"
Grammar Note
A class 6 plural noun (prefix ma-)
Masyikati
Midday / afternoon
Usage
The middle of the day, when the sun is high
Grammar Note
A class 6 noun (prefix ma-). It is used for both "afternoon" and "the middle of the day"
Mangolezya
Evening
Usage
Evening, around sunset; "kumangolezya" means "in the evening"
Grammar Note
A class 6 noun (prefix ma-)
Masiku
Night
Usage
Night; "kumasiku" means "at night"
Grammar Note
A class 6 noun (prefix ma-). "Mashiku" is a dialect form
Ciindi nzi?
What time is it?
Usage
Asks the time
Grammar Note
"Ciindi" is "time" and "nzi" is "what", so "ciindi nzi" means "what time". It is also used inside sentences, as in "Sena inga ubuka ciindi nzi?" (What time do you wake up?). A set phrase from the Peace Corps Zambia phrasebook (Harris 2013); native review recommended
Ndiyoosika juunza.
I will arrive tomorrow.
Usage
Tells a host or driver when you will arrive
Grammar Note
"Ndi-" is "I", "-yoo-" marks the future and "-sika" means "arrive". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended
Ndakasika jilo.
I arrived yesterday.
Usage
Says when you arrived
Grammar Note
"Ndi-" is "I", "-aka-" marks the past and "-sika" means "arrive". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended
More Tonga (Zambia) phrases
- Basic Words
- Basic Nouns
- Basic Verbs
- Adjectives
- Question Words
- Greetings
- Food & Drinks
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Numbers
- Hotel
- Emergency
- Sightseeing
- Nightlife
- Contacts & SNS
- Beach & Activities
- Places & Areas
- Useful Phrases
- Airport & Customs
- Weather & Climate
- Pharmacy & Health
- Directions
- Money & Exchange
- Health & Hospital
- Nature & Outdoors
- Religion & Temples
- Café & Drinks
- Culture & Etiquette
- Traveling with Kids
- Sports & Activities
- Public Transport
- Accommodation
- Banking & ATM
- Business & Work
- School & Education
- Cooking & Markets
- Music & Entertainment
- Festivals & Events
- Laundry
- Post Office
- Language Learning
- Dating & Romance
- Volunteering
- Accessibility
- Fruits
- Colors
- Dietary & Allergies
- Markets & Souvenirs
- Wine & Spirits
- Car Rental & Driving
- Time & Dates
- Hiking & Trekking
- Yoga & Wellness
- Beauty & Grooming
- Fashion & Clothing
- Convenience Store
- Signs
- Body Parts
- Animals
- Vehicles
- Electronics
- Feelings
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences