Directions

1. Kukuso

   Left

   Usage

   The word for left, used in giving directions

   Grammar Note

   It is sometimes written as two words, ku kuso. The ku- is a locative prefix meaning "towards"

2. Kukulyo

   Right

   Usage

   The word for right, used in giving directions

   Grammar Note

   It is sometimes written as two words, ku kulyo. The right hand is said as ukuboko ukwa ku kulyo

3. Kuntanshi

   Ahead / in front

   Usage

   The word for ahead or in front

   Grammar Note

   It is sometimes written as two words, ku ntanshi. "In front of ..." is said as pa ntanshi ya ...

4. Kunuma

   Behind

   Usage

   The word for behind or at the back

   Grammar Note

   It is sometimes written as two words, ku numa. "Behind ..." is said as kunuma ya ...

5. Mupepi

   Near

   Usage

   The word for near; also usable as a short answer, "it is close"

   Grammar Note

   "Near ..." is said as mupepi na ... (for example mupepi na menshi, "near the water")

6. Kutali

   Far

   Usage

   The word for far; also usable as a short answer, "it is far"

   Grammar Note

   It is also used in the form ukutali. It is the opposite of mupepi (near)

7. Bushe hotela ili kwi?

   Where is the hotel?

   Usage

   Ask someone where the hotel is

   Grammar Note

   The pattern "Bushe + noun + ... + kwi?" asks "where is ...?". The verb follows the subject: ali kwi for a person, bali kwi for several. Hotela is a loanword. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. Bushe maliketi ili kwi?

   Where is the market?

   Usage

   Ask someone where the market is

   Grammar Note

   Maliketi is a loanword; "at the market" is ku maliketi or pa maliketi. Loanword. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

9. Bushe iyi nshila ileya ku ___?

   Does this road go to ___?

   Usage

   At a fork, check that the road leads to your destination; put a place name in the blank

   Grammar Note

   The word for road is inshila; after the demonstrative iyi the initial i- drops, giving iyi nshila. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

10. Bushe kuli mupepi?

    Is it near?

    Usage

    Check whether the place is within walking distance

    Grammar Note

    Kuli means "it (that place) is ...". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

11. Bushe kuli kutali?

    Is it far?

    Usage

    Ask before deciding whether to walk or take a ride

    Grammar Note

    The same pattern as Bushe kuli mupepi? (is it near?), with mupepi swapped for kutali. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

12. Endeni kuntanshi.

    Go straight ahead.

    Usage

    For giving directions, or for checking the directions you were given

    Grammar Note

    Adding -eni to a verb stem gives a polite command, used for several people or for someone senior. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

13. Pilibukeni kukuso.

    Turn left.

    Usage

    For giving directions, or for checking the directions you were given

    Grammar Note

    The root -pilibuka means "to turn around or change direction", and -eni makes a polite command. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

14. Pilibukeni kukulyo.

    Turn right.

    Usage

    For giving directions, or for checking the directions you were given

    Grammar Note

    The same as Pilibukeni kukuso (turn left), with kukuso swapped for kukulyo. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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