Weather & Climate

1. Mvwula ilawa.

   It is raining.

   Usage

   The basic sentence for saying it is raining

   Grammar Note

   The root -wa means "to fall", and -la- marks a present state. The initial i- agrees with mvwula (rain). The spelling mvula also occurs. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Mvwula mpati ilawa.

   It is raining heavily.

   Usage

   For a downpour, as a lead-in to changing plans

   Grammar Note

   Mpati means "big", so mvwula mpati is a heavy rain. The verb starts with i- to agree with mvwula. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Mujulu muli makumbi.

   There are clouds in the sky (it is cloudy).

   Usage

   For describing a cloudy day

   Grammar Note

   The pattern "place + muli + noun" means "there is a ... in ...". Julu is the sky, and with mu- it becomes "in the sky". Makumbi is plural; the singular is kkumbi. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Kuli mpeyo.

   It is cold.

   Usage

   When it feels cold, such as in the early morning or at night

   Grammar Note

   Mpeyo means "cold". The same form also means "wind", so context decides. Kuli points to the place in general. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Mvwula

   Rain

   Usage

   The word for rain

   Grammar Note

   It is also written mvula. The rainy season is called mainza

6. Muwo

   Wind

   Usage

   The word for wind

   Grammar Note

   A strong wind or windstorm is called guwo. The spelling muuwo also occurs

7. Makumbi

   Clouds

   Usage

   The word for clouds, for talking about the sky

   Grammar Note

   A plural form starting with ma-. The singular is kkumbi

8. Izuba

   Sun

   Usage

   The word for the sun; it also means "day"

   Grammar Note

   The form zuba, without the initial i-, also occurs, as in zuba lyakali afwaafwi kubbila ("the sun was about to set")

9. Mainza

   Rainy season

   Usage

   The season of heavy rain; useful when talking about when to visit

   Grammar Note

   A plural form starting with ma-. It means "rainy season" and is sometimes used for "summer"

10. Mupeyo

    Cold season

    Usage

    The word for the cold season, for talking about when to travel

    Grammar Note

    A noun from the same root as mpeyo (cold). The form mpeyo is also used with the same meaning

11. Cilimo

    Dry season

    Usage

    The hot, dry time of year; sometimes translated as "summer"

    Grammar Note

    It means both "dry season" and "hot season". It is a noun starting with ci-

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