Category: Chichewa To English

Chichewa To English Dictionary – N

Namkungwi*Female initiation counsellor.
Namondwe*Cyclone.
Namtindi*Crowd attending a function.
Ndale*1. Politics. 2. A trap using legs.
Ndondomeko*1. Procedures. 2. Policy.
Nduna*1. Minister. 2. Chief’s adviser(s)
Ngaliba*Male initiation counsellor.
Ngodya*Corner of a building.
Njala*1. Hunger. 2. Famine.
Nkhalango*Forest.
Nkhanza*Abuse. This refers to a range of
actions whose aim is to victimise or
hurt an individual, deliberately or
unintentionally.
Nkhokwe*Granary.
Nkhongo gwaa *Used as a derogatory term for cash
transfer programmes.
Ntchembere*Older Mother(s).
Ntchito za manja *Vocational skills.
Nthambi*1. Tree branch. 2. Sub-office to main office
Nyakwawa*Village headman.
Nyama zakutchire*Wild animals.
Nyumba ya Malamulo*Parliament.
Nzeru*Knowledge; Wisdom; Intelligence.
Nzika*Citizen

Chichewa To English Dictionary – O

Opindula*Beneficiaries.

Chichewa To English Dictionary – P

Pa bwalo*1. Court; Chief’s court. 2. Arena.
Open space where sporting
activities are done, where people
gather.
Pakhomo pamwana alirenji*Self-sufficient in food; Rich enough
to buy whatever food you need.
Pambalambanda*Transparency; not being done in
secrecy.
Polisi*Police.
Poto*Cooking pot

Chichewa To English Dictionary – S

Sendawana*Magic spell for getting rich. Refers to
an animal (pongoline) that is used to
steal other people’s money.
Sing’anga*Herbalist; Witch doctor.
Sukulu ya mkombaphala*Nursery school

Chichewa To English Dictionary – T

Thandizo*Donation.
Thangata*Exploitation. The system of wage
labour in which workers are paid
below the survival threshold.
Thanzi*Good health.
Tsankho*1. Discrimination. 2. Favouritism. 3.
Nepotism.
Tsogolo*Future

Chichewa To English Dictionary – U

Uchembere*Motherhood.
Udindo*1. Role. 2. Position
Ufiti*1. Witchcraft. 2. Magic. 3.
Paranormal. *Ufulu
Freedom.*Ukadaulo
Expertise.*Ulamuliro
1. Leadership. 2. Governance.Ya fanta*Literally “for a bottle of Fanta”. Used
to refer to a bribe where service
providers ask for a tip/token for
their service. Sometimes it is used
to refer to begging for a favour
(money), as with Traffic Police
Officers.ife. 3. Livelihood.
Umunthu*Humanity. The spirit of feeling
empathy towards human being or
living things.
Umwini*Ownership.
Unyinji*Multitude.
Upo*Evil plot.
Uve*Unhygienic; Insanitary; Filthy.

Chichewa To English Dictionary – V

Ya fanta*Literally “for a bottle of Fanta”. Used
to refer to a bribe where service
providers ask for a tip/token for
their service. Sometimes it is used
to refer to begging for a favour
(money), as with Traffic Police
Officers.

Chichewa To English Dictionary – Z

Zakudya zamagulu*Balanced diet.
Zamakono*Technology.
Zamalimidwe*Agriculture.
Zembetsa*Stealing.
Zifuyo*Livestock.
Ziphuphu*1. Corruption. 2. Bribes.
Zipsinjo*Challenges.
Zisankho*1. Voting. 2. Elections.
Zokopera anthu*1. Crowd puller. 2. Entertainment. 3.
Mobilising people. 4. To attract
people to attend function or
ceremony
Zolembera*1. Reports. 2. Ballpens.
Zotsamwitsa*Challenges.
Zotsatira*Results.

Chichewa To English Dictionary – A

Achinyamata*Young adults.
Adindo*Duty bearers
Akhansala*Councillor
Akuboma*Officers from Central government or
District Government Officers
Amayi oyendayenda*Sex workers.
Amkhalapakati*Mediators
Azamba*Traditional Birth Attendants
Azimayi/Amayi*Older women

Chichewa To English Dictionary – B

Banki m’khonde*Village bank
Boma*Government.
Bungwe*Organisation
Buthu*A young virgin girl.
Bwalo*Ground/arena
Bwalo la ana*Children’s corner
Bwalo loyendayenda lozenga
milandu kumudzi*Mobile courts.
Bwanamkubwa*District Commissioner