English→Chichewa (Malawi)

Translate English to Chichewa (Malawi) like a local.

Malawi Chichewa sounds like itself through the familiar “muli bwanji” greeting, respectful plural forms for elders, and everyday addresses such as “Amayi” and “Bwana”.

Going the other way? Chichewa (Malawi) to English

474 local dialects

AIRTranslate on iPhone choosing between Chichewa varieties

What locals actually say

How are you, Mum?

Muli bwanji, Amayi?

“Muli” is the respectful plural form used when addressing an elder, while “Amayi” is a warm Malawian title for a mother or older woman.

Please wait for me—I’m coming.

Chonde, ndidikireni; ndikubwera.

The ending “-ni” in “ndidikireni” marks a polite or plural request, and “ndikubwera” naturally signals that the speaker is on the way.

Boss, how much is this?

Bwana, ichi ndi ndalama zingati?

“Bwana” is an everyday Malawian way to address a male vendor or stranger respectfully, rather than a literal use of a job title.

Turn left at the next corner.

Tembenukira kumanzere pa mphambano yotsatira.

Mphambano means a junction or corner, and kumanzere marks the left side in Chichewa.

Please add a little salt.

Chonde, onjezerani mchere pang'ono.

The respectful plural imperative ending in -ni in onjezerani signals politeness toward an elder or someone being addressed respectfully.

It is raining heavily today.

Lero kukugwa mvula kwambiri.

The impersonal ku- construction in kukugwa is used for weather events such as rain.

I am very happy today.

Lero ndikusangalala kwambiri.

Ndikusangalala uses the Chichewa verb kusangalala, meaning to feel happy or pleased, with the ongoing-action prefix ndi-.

Is there a minibus to Blantyre?

Kodi pali minibus yopita ku Blantyre?

Pali is the Chichewa existential construction for asking whether something is available, while yopita ku means going to.

Notes like these come with every AIRTranslate translation, so you learn why locals phrase it that way as you go.

How Chichewa (Malawi) differs

Chichewa (Malawi standard); muli bwanji greetings; respectful plural forms for elders.

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Localization Notes explaining why locals say it that way