A Rough Guide to IciBemba

Volume 1 of the hopefully soon-to-exist, volunteer/co-worker produced:

EWB Language Guide Series

Written by: Owen Scott, Elias Mutwale

Table of Contents

Section Page
Disclaimer 1
Preface 2
On the Importance of Language 3
Pronunciation 4
Greetings 5
Verbs (conjugation) 6
Verbs (list) 11
Feelings 12
Times 13
Some Nouns 14
Connecting Words 15
Other Useful Things 16
Sentences 17
Disclaimer
It is almost certain that not everything in this guide is correct. However, much of it is.

There…it’s been said.

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Preface
I developed this guide during my last few weeks in Zambia as a way to help future EWB
volunteers (and volunteers with other organizations) to learn Bemba prior to leaving for
overseas. The impetus for the guide came from the many nights I spent sitting alone by
candlelight studying verb conjugation by written practice; I simply felt like much of the
study I did while in Zambia could have been done more effectively prior to leaving (and
with less opportunity cost related to other cool stuff).

I am by no means fluent in Bemba; in fact, I can barely speak the language at all, and
have never held down anything close to a conversation. However, I did learn a lot in my
time overseas, and feel that that knowledge is valuable and worth sharing.

This guide was written by me (Owen), and then edited and contributed to heavily by my
friend, co-worker, and primary Bemba teacher Elias Mutwale. He even edited some of
my English. I can’t express in words how grateful I was for his help, and hope that many
future volunteers from EWB can participate in collaborative efforts such as this to take
our organizational language learning capacity to another level.

This guide is not a “how-to guide”, nor is it an “exercise book”, nor is it divided into bite-
size lessons. Rather, it is simply an organized presentation of information. It is up to the
reader to decide how this information is to be used/learned. I trust you to figure this one
out for yourself…

(also, any questions about this guide, contact: owenscott@ewb.ca)

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On the Importance of Language

Understanding and speaking the local language while overseas can bring you many
things. It can gain you added trust, it can bring you added comprehension of your
surroundings, and it can allow you to interact more enjoyably with other people.
However, there are more important reasons to learn language as well.

In Zambia, as in many countries, English is the official language but it is no one’s first
language. English is learned in school, and, in most cases, school is not free. Thus, I
might posit that English language ability and socio-economic status correlate fairly
closely.

For this reason, as a volunteer, by limiting yourself to effective communication only in

English, you are also severely reducing your ability to even interact with the poorest of
the poor; the people whose lives and opportunities you are ostensibly overseas to help
improve. For me, this is the most important of many good reasons why language learning
should continue to be a core organization value of EWB, and why we desperately need to
work as an organization to make sure that resources and techniques are available to help
our volunteers turn ambition into action with regards to language. Hopefully this guide
can be a start.

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Pronunciation
Don’t worry about being perfect. Just be close. You will learn more once you get there.
Everything in this guide is written very phonetically, so follow this outline and you will
be fine.

Vowels: ‘a’ – like the ‘a’ in ‘cat’

‘e’ – like the ‘a’ in ‘mate’
‘i’ – like the ‘i’ in ‘ski’
‘o’ – like the ‘oa’ sound in ‘coat’
‘u’ – like the ‘oo’ sound in ‘cool’

Most consonants are pronounced the same as in English. There are a few exceptions:

Consonants: ‘c’ – like the ‘ch’ in ‘chair’

‘b’ – like a mix of ‘b’, ‘w’, and ‘v’ (try saying all three at once)
‘ ng’ ‘ – like the ‘ng’ in ‘singing’

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Greetings
During your time in Zambia you will be constantly greeting people. Exchanging
greetings and enquiring as to other people’s well-being is an integral part of the Zambian
culture.

Usually, when first meeting someone (even if you know them already) you should start
with a “hello”. Depending on the context and time of day, what “hello” you use will vary.
Following this initial greeting, you should move on to ask how they are. There is
essentially no limit to the number of enquiries you can make (although there kind of
it…it’s situation dependent…not that I really ever understood anything that well), so feel
free to use more than one in succession. The list that follows is a list of some of the basic
greetings to get you started. You will learn more as you travel.

“Hellos”

iciBemba English When to Use

Greeting: Mwashibukeni? Good morning?

Morning
Response: Eya mukwai. Yes mukwai.

Greeting: Mwaikaleni? You’ve been good?

Afternoon
Response: Eya mukwai. Yes mukwai.

Greeting: Cungulo mukwai. Good evening mukwai? Evening

Response: Eya mukwai. Yes mukwai.

Greeting: Mwapoleeni? Hello?

Anytime
Reponse: Eya mukwai. Yes mukwai.

Greeting: Mwabombeni? Work’s good? When someone’s

Response: Eya mukwai. Yes mukwai. working.

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“How are you?’s”

iciBemba English When to Use

Greeting: Muli Shaani? How are you?

Anytime
Response: Bwino. Well.

Greeting: Mwashibukashaani? How did you sleep?

Morning
Response: Bwino. Well.

Greeting: Mwaikalashaani
Afternoon
Response: Bwino. Well.

Greeting: Mwabombashaani? How has work been?

At/after work.
Reponse: Bwino. Well

Greeting: Kung’anda Kulishaani? How’s home?

Anytime.
Response: Kung’anda Kuliye Bwino Home is well.

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Verbs (conjugation)
Verb conjugation can be one of the most beneficial things to study before going overseas.
If you intend to learn the language beyond simple greetings, there is no getting around
learning the grammar rules surrounding verbs. The following section lists some of the
most important verb tenses you will use while speaking Bemba. (Note: in Bemba, the
very itself never changes based on conjugation; only the words that precede it do).

Past Tense (yesterday or before)

English iciBemba
I verbed Nali verb
You verbed Wali verb
He/She verbed Ali verb
We verbed Twali verb
They verbed Bali verb
You (plural) verbed Mwali verb

English iciBemba
I didn’t verb Nsha verb
You didn’t verb Tawa verb
He/She didn’t verb Ta verb
We didn’t verb Tatwa verb
They didn’t verb Taba verb
You (plural) didn’t verb Tamwa verb

Past Tense (earlier today)

English iciBemba
I verbed Naci verb
You verbed Waci verb
He/She verbed Aci verb
We verbed Twaci verb
They verbed Baci verb
You (plural) verbed Mwaci verb

English iciBemba
I didn’t verb Nshaci verb
You didn’t verb Tawaci verb
He/She didn’t verb Taci verb
We didn’t verb Tatwaci verb
They didn’t verb Tabaci verb
You (plural) didn’t verb Tamwaci verb

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Past Tense (very recent…almost present)

English iciBemba
I’ve verbed Na verb
You’ve verbed Wa verb
He/She has verbed A verb
We have verbed Twa verb
They have verbed Ba verb
You (plural) have verbed Mwa verb

English iciBemba
I haven’t verbed Nshi verb
You haven’t verbed Tau verb
He/She hasn’t verbed Ta verb
We haven’t verbed Tatu verb
They haven’t verbed Taba verb
You (plural) haven’t verbed Tamu verb

Present Tense

English iciBemba
I’m verbing Nde verb
You’re verbing Ule verb
He/She is verbing Ale verb
We’re verbing Twale verb
They’re verbed Bale verb
You’re (plural) verbed Mule verb

English iciBemba
I’m not verbing Nshile verb
You’re not verbing Taule verb
He/She isn’t verbing Tale verb
We’re not verbing Tatule verb
They’re not verbing Tabale verb
You’re (plural) not verbing Ta-mule verb

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Present Tense (you’re physically on your way to do it)

English iciBemba
I’m going to verb Naya muku verb
You’re going to verb Waya muku verb
He/She is going to verb Aya muku verb
We’re going to verb Twaya muku verb
They’re going to verb Baya muku verb
You’re (plural) going to verb Mwaya muku verb
*Note: you can also ‘go to place’, e.g. ‘Naya muku Zambia’ (‘I’m going to Zambia’)

English iciBemba
I’m not going to verb Nshilaya muku verb
You’re not going to verb Tauleya muku verb
He/She is not going to verb Taleya muku verb
We’re not going to verb Tatuleya muku verb
They’re not going to verb Tabaleya muku verb
You’re (plural) not going to verb Tamuleya muku verb

Future Tense (later today)

English iciBemba
I’ll verb Nala verb
You’ll verb Wala verb
He/She will verb Ala verb
We’ll verb Twala verb
They’ll verb Bala verb
You’ll (plural) verb Mwala verb

English iciBemba
I won’t verb Nsha verb
You won’t verb Tawa verb
He/She won’t verb Ta verb
We won’t verb Tatusa verb
They won’t verb Taba verb
You (plural) won’t verb Tamwa verb

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Future Tense (tomorrow or later)

English iciBemba
I’ll verb Nka verb
You’ll verb Uka verb
He/She will verb Aka verb
We’ll verb Tuka verb
They’ll verb Baka verb
You’ll (plural) verb Muka verb

English iciBemba
I won’t verb Nshaka verb
You won’t verb Tawaka verb
He/She won’t verb Taka verb
We won’t verb Tatwaka verb
They won’t verb Tabaka verb
You (plural) won’t verb Tamwaka verb

Something you always do

English iciBemba
I verb Nda verb
You verb Ula verb
He/She verbs Ala verb
We verb Tula verb
They verb Bala verb
You (plural) verb Mula verb

English iciBemba
I don’t verb Nshi verb
You don’t verb Tau verb
He/She doesn’t verb Ta verb
We don’t verb Tatu verb
They don’t verb Taba verb
You (plural) don’t verb Tamu verb

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Verbs (list)
Once you’ve got a grip on verb tenses, it can be useful to study some verbs to go along
with them. The following section lists some of the most important verbs you may need to
know when speaking Bemba in your community. You will probably learn more as you
travel.

English iciBemba English iciBemba

to learn uku-sambilila to play (a game/sport) uku-teya
to teach uku-sambilisha to play (an instrument) uku-lisha
to eat uku-lia to understand/listen uku-umfwa
to drink uku-nwa to try uku-esha
to feel ukw-umfwa to roast/fry uku-salula
to go uku-ya to like uku-temwa
to sleep uku-lala to run uku-butuka
to read uku-belenga to wash uku-washa
to write uku-lemba to see uku-mona
to bath uku-samba to think uku-totonkanya
to take uku-senda to buy uku-shita
to fetch (water) uku-tapa to work uku-bomba
to meet uku-monana to dance uku-shana
to cook ukw-ipika to watch uku-tamba
to sit ukw-icala to make uku-panga
to walk (to travel) ukw-enda to pack uku-longa

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Feelings
Expressing feelings is a very important thing to be able to do while interacting with
people. The verb “uku-umfwa” is “to feel” (see previous section). The following section
will show you how to express in Bemba some of the things you may be feeling while
travelling.

English iciBemba
Hungry Insala
Thirsty Icilaka
Tired Ukunaka
Sleepy Utulo
Awake Buka
Happiness Insansa
Sad Ubulanda
Lonely Fuluka
Sick Ukulwala

Examples: Nde umfwa utulo. I’m feeling sleepy.

Na umfwa nsala. I’ve felt hungry.
Nala umfwa insansa. I will feel happy.

uku-umfwa sana feeling - to feel very feeling

Examples: Nde umfwa sana icilaka. I’m feeling very thirsty.

Nali umfwa sana ukunaka. I felt very tired.
Nala umfwa insansa. I will feel very happy.

uku-umfwa panono feeling - to feel a little feeling

Examples: Nde umfwa panono insala I’m feeling a little hungry

Na umfwa ukunaka panono I’ve felt a bit tired
Nali umfwa panono ubulanda I felt a bit ubulanda

Note: ‘uku-umfwa’ should be pronounced ‘uk-umfwa’

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Times
As you will see later in this guide, being able to mention various times of the day will be
very helpful once you start trying to form simple sentences.

English Bemba
Today Lelo
Yesterday/Tommorow (determined by context) Mailo
At a certain point in the future Panshita imo
Morning Ulu cello
Afternoon Akasuba
Evening Icungulo
This morning Luno ulu celo
This afternoon Kano akasuba
This evening Cino icungulo
Yesterday/Tommorow morning Mailo ulu celo
Yesterday/Tommorow afternoon Mailo acasuva
Yesterday/Tommorow evening Maielo icungulo
Pa “day of the week” On “day of the week (in English) ”

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Some Nouns
Better learnt on the ground, but I figured I’d include a few just for fun (if I were trying to
learn the language before going overseas my main focus would be on verb conjugation,
not noun memorization; in my opinion memorization is easier done through practice than
study).

English Bemba English Bemba

fire umulilo road umusebo
nshima (staple food) ubwali bicycle incinga
house ing’anda water amenshi
banana inkonde toilet icimbusu
mushroom ubowa bag icola
beans cilemba stomach ulufumo
rice umupunga chicken inkoko
groundnuts (peanuts) imbalala fish isabi
pen/pencil icilembelo guitar banjo

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Connecting Words
You’ll need a few of these to get going, but I don’t know that many. This is a start…

English Bemba
and/with na
and then elyo
pantu because
pali about
to ku
at/on pa

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Other Useful Things
These don’t necessarily fit nicely into the structure of this document, but they are good to
know.

English Bemba
Give me… (completely polite to say) Peniko…
Where…? Kwisa…?
Shinga…? How much for…?
Ishina lyandi nine… My name is…
Nimwebo banana ishina? What is your name?
Muleya kwisa? You are going where?
Mwafuma kwisa? You have come from where?
Mwende bwino. Go well.
Amenshi ayakunwa Water to drink.
Kuti na Can I/I can
Ndefwaya I’m wanting

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Sentences
This final section will show you how to combine some of the basic things in this guide to
form more complex sentences. As you will see, the simple tools provided in this
document will allow you to begin to say relatively complex things. These are just a few
examples.

Nde fwaya uku-samba cino icungulo.

I want to bath this evening.

Na umfwa sana icilaka, peniko amenshi ayakundwa.

I feel very thirsty, give me water to drink.

Nde fwaya uku-afwa uku-lima uku-sambilisha pali Zambia.

I want to help to farm to learn about Zambia.

Shinga ubwali na inkoko?

How much for nshima with chicken?

Mailo akasuba nka afwa uku-salula imbalala.

Tomorrow afternoon I will want to help to roast groundnuts.

Nde umfwa sana utulo, nka samba mailo ulucelo.

I’m feeling very tired, I will bath tomorrow morning.

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