Nature & Outdoors

1. Ulupili

   Mountain / hill

   Usage

   A mountain or hill; the plural is "impili"

   Grammar Note

   A class 11 noun (prefix ulu-); the plural is the class 10 form "impili"

2. Umumana

   River

   Usage

   A river; the plural is "imimana"

   Grammar Note

   A class 3 noun (prefix umu-); the plural is the class 4 form "imimana"

3. Bemba

   Lake / sea

   Usage

   A large expanse of water; used for both lakes and the sea

   Grammar Note

   A noun written without a prefix; context decides whether a lake or the sea is meant

4. Icimuti

   Tree

   Usage

   A tree; the plural is "ifimuti". It can also mean a log or stick

   Grammar Note

   A class 7 noun (prefix ici-); the plural is the class 8 form "ifimuti"

5. Ulutanda

   Star

   Usage

   A star; the plural is "intanda"

   Grammar Note

   A class 11 noun (prefix ulu-); the plural is the class 10 form "intanda"

6. Akasuba

   Sun

   Usage

   The sun; it also means the daytime

   Grammar Note

   A class 12 noun (prefix aka-)

7. Umweshi

   Moon

   Usage

   The moon; it also means a calendar month

   Grammar Note

   A class 3 noun (prefix umu-)

8. Isabi

   Fish

   Usage

   A fish, such as those caught in rivers and lakes

   Grammar Note

   A noun beginning with the prefix i-

9. Ndefwaya ukumona insofu.

   I want to see elephants.

   Usage

   Tells a guide or companion which animal you want to see

   Grammar Note

   "-fwaya" means "want"; it is followed by a verb in the "uku-" infinitive. "Insofu" is the same in singular and plural. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

10. Bushe pali insoka pano?

    Are there snakes here?

    Usage

    Asks whether there are snakes before you walk into bush or woods

    Grammar Note

    A question starts with "Bushe", and the rest keeps statement word order. "Pali" means "there is" for a place. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

11. Bushe kuti twanina ulupili?

    Can we climb the mountain?

    Usage

    Asks whether you may, or are able to, climb a mountain or hill

    Grammar Note

    "Bushe kuti" opens a "can ...?" question, and the verb "-nina" means "climb". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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