Café & Drinks

1. Ndefwaya amenshi ya kunwa.

   I want drinking water.

   Usage

   Asks for drinking water at a shop or lodging

   Grammar Note

   "Amenshi" is a class 6 plural, so the linking word is "ya"; "ya kunwa" means "for drinking". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Bushe amenshi aya yawama ukunwa?

   Is this water safe to drink?

   Usage

   Checks whether tap water or water you are offered is fine to drink

   Grammar Note

   "Aya" is the class 6 form of "this", and "-wama" means "good" with the agreement prefix ya-. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Mpeelako amenshi na kabili, twapapata mukwai.

   More water, please.

   Usage

   Politely asks for another serving of water

   Grammar Note

   "-peela" means "give", and the ending "-ko" adds "a little". "Mukwai" is a respectful form of address. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Ndefwaya kofi ukwabula mukaka.

   I want coffee without milk.

   Usage

   Orders black coffee at a café or lodging

   Grammar Note

   "Ukwabula" means "without" and is followed by a noun. "Kofi" is a loanword. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Ndefwaya chai ukwabula mukaka.

   I want tea without milk.

   Usage

   Orders tea without milk at a café or lodging

   Grammar Note

   "Chai" is a loanword spelled with ch (native Bemba spelling would use c); "amakabe" is also used. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Ndefwaya ubwalwa.

   I want an alcoholic drink.

   Usage

   Orders beer or another alcoholic drink at a bar or restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "Ubwalwa" refers to alcoholic drinks in general, beer included. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Chai

   Tea

   Usage

   Tea; "amakabe" is also heard

   Grammar Note

   A loanword; native review recommended

8. Kofi

   Coffee

   Usage

   Coffee

   Grammar Note

   A loanword; native review recommended

9. Umukaka

   Milk

   Usage

   Milk, such as the milk added to a drink

   Grammar Note

   A class 3 noun (prefix umu-); also written without the initial u as "mukaka"

10. Ubwalwa

    Beer / alcohol

    Usage

    Beer and other alcohol; not to be confused with "ubwali", the staple food

    Grammar Note

    A class 14 noun (prefix ubu-)

11. Umwangashi

    Wine

    Usage

    Wine

    Grammar Note

    A class 3 noun (prefix umu-)

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