Emergency

1. Ngafweni!

   Help!

   Usage

   Shout it when you are in danger or need urgent help

   Grammar Note

   The verb "-afwa" (help) with "-n-" (me) and the polite/plural command ending "-eni"

2. Mwite bakapokola!

   Call the police!

   Usage

   Asks bystanders to call the police after a crime or accident

   Grammar Note

   "-ita" means "call"; "mu-" is for addressing several people. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Ndekabila shing'anga.

   I need a doctor.

   Usage

   Asks for a doctor when you feel ill

   Grammar Note

   "-kabila" means "need". "shing'anga" can also mean a traditional healer, so for a hospital doctor add "ya ku cipatala". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Naicena.

   I am injured.

   Usage

   Says that you have been hurt

   Grammar Note

   "na-" marks a completed action, "-i-" is "oneself" and "-cena" is "hurt". The form is the same for any speaker, so rely on context

5. Umulilo! Umulilo!

   Fire! Fire!

   Usage

   Warns people around you when you see a fire

   Grammar Note

   "umulilo" means "fire"; repeat it loudly

6. Banjibile icola candi.

   My bag has been stolen.

   Usage

   Reports a theft to the police or people nearby

   Grammar Note

   Literally "they stole my bag from me": "-iba" is "steal" and "ba-" is "they", the unknown people. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Naluba.

   I am lost.

   Usage

   Says you are lost, before asking for directions

   Grammar Note

   "-luba" means "get lost"; "na-" marks a completed state. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. Bushe cipatala cili kwi?

   Where is the hospital?

   Usage

   Asks where the hospital is when you are ill or hurt

   Grammar Note

   "cipatala" is a loanword, and the "ci-" of "cili" agrees with its noun class. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

9. Kwaliba ubusanso.

   There has been an accident.

   Usage

   Reports that an accident has happened

   Grammar Note

   "kwaliba" means "there was"; for a road accident add "ubusanso bwa pa musebo"

10. Ndelwala.

    I am sick.

    Usage

    Says you are unwell; point to where it hurts

    Grammar Note

    "-lwala" means "be ill" and "nde-" is "I am (doing)". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

11. Wilanjikata!

    Do not grab me!

    Usage

    Firmly refuses someone who is grabbing you

    Grammar Note

    "wila-" is the prohibitive "do not" (to one person); "-ikata" means "grab / hold" (the sense "touch" is not confirmed). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

12. Mwangufyanye, mukwai.

    Please hurry.

    Usage

    Asks a driver or official to hurry

    Grammar Note

    "-angufyanya" means "hurry"; "mu-" and "mukwai" make the request polite. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

13. Mwise bwangu!

    Please come right away!

    Usage

    Calls people to come quickly when you need help

    Grammar Note

    "mwise" is "come" (plural/polite). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

14. Ndetiina nganshi.

    I am very afraid.

    Usage

    Says you are frightened when you feel unsafe

    Grammar Note

    "-tiina" means "fear" and "nganshi" means "very". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

15. Bushe kuti nabomfya lamya yenu?

    Can I use your phone?

    Usage

    Asks to borrow a phone for an urgent call

    Grammar Note

    "kuti" expresses possibility or permission, and "yenu" is the polite "your". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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