Mali nzi eeci?
How much is this?
Usage
To ask a price; point at the item as you say it
Grammar Note
Literally "what money is this"; the demonstrative eeci (this) follows mali nzi. Found only in the Peace Corps Zambia teaching material (Harris 2013), not in the Bible translations; native review recommended
Antoomwe mali nzi?
How much for everything together?
Usage
When buying several items at once
Grammar Note
antoomwe (together) is placed before mali nzi. Found only in the Peace Corps Zambia teaching material (Harris 2013), not in the Bible translations; native review recommended
Ndiyanda kuula ___.
I want to buy ___.
Usage
Put the name of the item you want in the blank
Grammar Note
ndiyanda is followed by the infinitive kuula (buy), and then the item. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended
Tandiyandi eeci.
I don't want this.
Usage
To decline an item that is offered
Grammar Note
The item follows tandiyandi (I do not want); the demonstrative changes if the item is not a ci- class noun. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended
Sena mujisi ___?
Do you have ___?
Usage
To politely ask in a shop whether they have something
Grammar Note
sena opens a yes-no question; mujisi is mu- (you, polite) + jisi (have). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended
Ndaula zintu zinji.
I have bought many things.
Usage
After shopping, to say you bought a lot
Grammar Note
ndaula is ndi-a-ula (I have bought); zintu is the plural of cintu (thing), followed by zinji (many). Found only in the Peace Corps Zambia teaching material (Harris 2013), not in the Bible translations; native review recommended
Muulo
Price
Usage
For talking about a price
Grammar Note
A mu- class noun meaning a price or value
Cintolo
Shop
Usage
When looking for a shop
Grammar Note
A ci- class noun; it is also written cintoolo with a long vowel. Attested in dictionary only; native review recommended
Kwatcha
Kwacha (Zambian currency)
Usage
For prices and the money you have; it follows the amount
Grammar Note
It follows the number of the amount; a different word spelled kwacha means "dawn", so the currency is written kwatcha, with tch. Loanword. Found only in the Peace Corps Zambia teaching material (Harris 2013), not in the Bible translations; native review recommended
Ndiyanda kubbadela.
I want to pay.
Usage
After shopping or a meal, to say you want to pay
Grammar Note
bbadela means pay; bb is a real double consonant and is not written as a single b; cakubbadela (something to pay with) also exists. 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
- Numbers
- Hotel
- Emergency
- Sightseeing
- Nightlife
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- Useful Phrases
- Airport & Customs
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- Directions
- Money & Exchange
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- Nature & Outdoors
- Religion & Temples
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- Schedule & Booking
- Culture & Etiquette
- Traveling with Kids
- Sports & Activities
- Public Transport
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- Laundry
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- Language Learning
- Dating & Romance
- Volunteering
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- Wine & Spirits
- Car Rental & Driving
- Time & Dates
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- Fashion & Clothing
- Convenience Store
- Signs
- Body Parts
- Animals
- Vehicles
- Electronics
- Feelings
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences