nexal-code: bemba-subordinator-ukuti-complementizer-clause-introduction-conjunctions
Introduction
In Bemba, ukuti serves as the primary subordinating conjunction meaning “that” - the essential word for introducing subordinate clauses, reported speech, and complement clauses. Where English might say “I believe that...” or “She said that...”, Bemba uses “ukuti” to create the bridge between the main clause and the dependent clause.
The word ukuti reveals Bemba’s agglutinative structure: “uku-” (infinitive prefix related to verbal nouns) + “-ti” (say/tell root). This etymological connection shows how the subordinator evolved from constructions meaning “the saying/telling of...” - a common pattern across Bantu languages where complementizers derive from speech verbs.
Understanding ukuti is fundamental to expressing complex thoughts in Bemba. It appears constantly in everyday speech - whenever you report what someone said, express what you think or believe, explain what you want or hope for, or introduce any subordinate clause. The word is so essential that mastering its use immediately elevates your Bemba from simple statements to sophisticated discourse.
This lesson explores ukuti through 30 examples progressing from basic complement clauses to complex constructions found in authentic Bemba literature and conversation. You’ll see how ukuti works with verbs of cognition (thinking, knowing, believing), verbs of speech (saying, telling), verbs of emotion (hoping, fearing), and verbs of perception (seeing, hearing).
Link to course index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
Key Takeaways -
Ukuti is Bemba’s primary subordinating conjunction “that” -
It introduces subordinate clauses after verbs of saying, thinking, wanting, and believing -
The structure reveals “uku-” (infinitive prefix) + “ti” (say/tell) -
Essential for reported speech and expressing complex thoughts -
Appears constantly in natural Bemba conversation -
Can introduce both declarative and interrogative subordinate clauses
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
22.1a Ine I nalisumina I-believe ukuti that Lesa God alikwata he-has uluse mercy
22.1b Ine (i-ne) I nalisumina (na-li-su-mi-na) I-believe ukuti (u-ku-ti) that Lesa (le-sa) God alikwata (a-li-kwa-ta) he-has uluse (u-lu-se) mercy
22.2a Umwana child abilishe he-said ukuti that alefwaya he-wants ukulya to-eat ubwali nshima
22.2b Umwana (u-mwa-na) child abilishe (a-bi-li-she) he-said ukuti (u-ku-ti) that alefwaya (a-le-fwa-ya) he-wants ukulya (u-ku-lya) to-eat ubwali (u-bwa-li) nshima
22.3a Nalimwene I-saw ukuti that ing’anda house yali it-was nkulu big sana very
22.3b Nalimwene (na-li-mwe-ne) I-saw ukuti (u-ku-ti) that ing’anda (in-gan-da) house yali (ya-li) it-was nkulu (n-ku-lu) big sana (sa-na) very
22.4a Mpepa I-hope ukuti that muletwalilila you-will-continue bwino well mu in milimo work
22.4b Mpepa (m-pe-pa) I-hope ukuti (u-ku-ti) that muletwalilila (mu-le-twa-li-li-la) you-will-continue bwino (bwi-no) well mu (mu) in milimo (mi-li-mo) work
22.5a Ndefwaya I-want ukukwishibisha to-let-you-know ukuti that ndekufuluka I-miss-you
22.5b Ndefwaya (n-de-fwa-ya) I-want ukukwishibisha (u-ku-kwi-shi-bi-sha) to-let-you-know ukuti (u-ku-ti) that ndekufuluka (n-de-ku-fu-lu-ka) I-miss-you
22.6a Bena they bakamba they-said ukuti that abana children bali they-are bwino well
22.6b Bena (be-na) they bakamba (ba-kam-ba) they-said ukuti (u-ku-ti) that abana (a-ba-na) children bali (ba-li) they-are bwino (bwi-no) well
22.7a Alembele he-wrote ukuti that aletula he-will-return mailo tomorrow
22.7b Alembele (a-lem-be-le) he-wrote ukuti (u-ku-ti) that aletula (a-le-tu-la) he-will-return mailo (mai-lo) tomorrow
22.8a Twaishibisha we-know ukuti that amenshi water ali it-is pa at fumpa well
22.8b Twaishibisha (twa-i-shi-bi-sha) we-know ukuti (u-ku-ti) that amenshi (a-men-shi) water ali (a-li) it-is pa (pa) at fumpa (fum-pa) well
22.9a Tekwesha not-possible ukusumina to-believe ukuti that ifintu things fiicitikila they-happen fye just
22.9b Tekwesha (te-kwe-sha) not-possible ukusumina (u-ku-su-mi-na) to-believe ukuti (u-ku-ti) that ifintu (i-fin-tu) things fiicitikila (fi-i-ci-ti-ki-la) they-happen fye (fye) just
22.10a Umukashi woman amwene she-saw ukuti that umuntu person alebomba he-works nankwe hard
22.10b Umukashi (u-mu-ka-shi) woman amwene (a-mwe-ne) she-saw ukuti (u-ku-ti) that umuntu (u-mun-tu) person alebomba (a-le-bom-ba) he-works nankwe (nan-kwe) hard
22.11a Ndelomba I-pray Lesa God akupele he-give-you fyonse everything umutima heart obe your ulekabila it-desires
22.11b Ndelomba (n-de-lom-ba) I-pray Lesa (le-sa) God akupele (a-ku-pe-le) he-give-you fyonse (fyon-se) everything umutima (u-mu-ti-ma) heart obe (o-be) your ulekabila (u-le-ka-bi-la) it-desires
22.12a Nafwile it-is-necessary ukwishiba to-know ukuti that ubumi life bulafilwa it-changes
22.12b Nafwile (na-fwi-le) it-is-necessary ukwishiba (u-kwi-shi-ba) to-know ukuti (u-ku-ti) that ubumi (u-bu-mi) life bulafilwa (bu-la-fil-wa) it-changes
22.13a Batandalile they-began ukulanda to-speak ukuti that umulandu reason waliboneka has-appeared
22.13b Batandalile (ba-tan-da-li-le) they-began ukulanda (u-ku-lan-da) to-speak ukuti (u-ku-ti) that umulandu (u-mu-lan-du) reason waliboneka (wa-li-bo-ne-ka) has-appeared
22.14a Icitemwiko love cesu our cilalangisha it-shows ukuti that Lesa God ali he-is pamo together na with fwe us
22.14b Icitemwiko (i-ci-tem-wi-ko) love cesu (ce-su) our cilalangisha (ci-la-lan-gi-sha) it-shows ukuti (u-ku-ti) that Lesa (le-sa) God ali (a-li) he-is pamo (pa-mo) together na (na) with fwe (fwe) us
22.15a Bamayo mother-his abilishe she-said ukuti that alefwaya she-wants abana children baile they-go ku to sukulu school bwino well
22.15b Bamayo (ba-ma-yo) mother-his abilishe (a-bi-li-she) she-said ukuti (u-ku-ti) that alefwaya (a-le-fwa-ya) she-wants abana (a-ba-na) children baile (ba-i-le) they-go ku (ku) to sukulu (su-ku-lu) school bwino (bwi-no) well
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
22.1 Ine nalisumina ukuti Lesa alikwata uluse “I believe that God has mercy”
22.2 Umwana abilishe ukuti alefwaya ukulya ubwali “The child said that he wants to eat nshima”
22.3 Nalimwene ukuti ing’anda yali nkulu sana “I saw that the house was very big”
22.4 Mpepa ukuti muletwalilila bwino mu milimo “I hope that you will continue well in your work”
22.5 Ndefwaya ukukwishibisha ukuti ndekufuluka “I want to let you know that I miss you”
22.6 Bena bakamba ukuti abana bali bwino “They said that the children are well”
22.7 Alembele ukuti aletula mailo “He wrote that he will return tomorrow”
22.8 Twaishibisha ukuti amenshi ali pa fumpa “We know that water is at the well”
22.9 Tekwesha ukusumina ukuti ifintu fiicitikila fye “It’s not possible to believe that things just happen”
22.10 Umukashi amwene ukuti umuntu alebomba nankwe “The woman saw that the person works hard”
22.11 Ndelomba Lesa akupele fyonse umutima obe ulekabila “I pray that God gives you everything your heart desires”
22.12 Nafwile ukwishiba ukuti ubumi bulafilwa “It is necessary to know that life changes”
22.13 Batandalile ukulanda ukuti umulandu waliboneka “They began to speak that a reason has appeared”
22.14 Icitemwiko cesu cilalangisha ukuti Lesa ali pamo na fwe “Our love shows that God is together with us”
22.15 Bamayo abilishe ukuti alefwaya abana baile ku sukulu bwino “His mother said that she wants the children to go to school well”
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
22.1 Ine nalisumina ukuti Lesa alikwata uluse
22.2 Umwana abilishe ukuti alefwaya ukulya ubwali
22.3 Nalimwene ukuti ing’anda yali nkulu sana
22.4 Mpepa ukuti muletwalilila bwino mu milimo
22.5 Ndefwaya ukukwishibisha ukuti ndekufuluka
22.6 Bena bakamba ukuti abana bali bwino
22.7 Alembele ukuti aletula mailo
22.8 Twaishibisha ukuti amenshi ali pa fumpa
22.9 Tekwesha ukusumina ukuti ifintu fiicitikila fye
22.10 Umukashi amwene ukuti umuntu alebomba nankwe
22.11 Ndelomba Lesa akupele fyonse umutima obe ulekabila
22.12 Nafwile ukwishiba ukuti ubumi bulafilwa
22.13 Batandalile ukulanda ukuti umulandu waliboneka
22.14 Icitemwiko cesu cilalangisha ukuti Lesa ali pamo na fwe
22.15 Bamayo abilishe ukuti alefwaya abana baile ku sukulu bwino
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Basic Function
Ukuti is Bemba’s primary subordinating conjunction, equivalent to English “that” when it introduces clauses. It creates the essential link between a main clause and a subordinate clause, particularly after verbs of: -
Cognition: sumina (believe), ishiba (know), yeeya (think), mona (understand) -
Speech: landa (speak), kamba (say), eba (tell), lembela (write) -
Emotion/Desire: fwaya (want), pepa (hope), lomba (pray), kabila (wish) -
Perception: mona/mwena (see), umfwa (hear/feel)
Structural Analysis
The word ukuti decomposes into: -
uku-: Infinitive prefix (marks verbal nouns) -
-ti: Root related to “say/tell” (from verb stem -ita/-amba in proto-Bantu)
This reveals its origin as a nominalized verbal form meaning essentially “the saying/telling (of)...” which grammaticalized into a pure complementizer.
Word Order Patterns
Bemba uses ukuti between the main verb and the subordinate clause:
Main Subject + Main Verb + ukuti + Subordinate Clause
Example structure: -
Ine nalisumina ukuti Lesa alikwata uluse -
I I-believe that God he-has mercy
The subordinate clause following ukuti is a complete clause with its own subject and verb, maintaining standard SVO word order.
Tense and Aspect
The verb in the main clause and the verb in the subordinate clause conjugate independently for tense and aspect: -
Present main, present subordinate: Naishibisha ukuti ali bwino (I know that he is well) -
Past main, present subordinate: Nalimwene ukuti ali bwino (I saw that he is well) -
Present main, future subordinate: Nalisumina ukuti aletula (I believe that he will return)
Negative Constructions
When negating, the negative marker can appear in either the main clause or the subordinate clause (or both), with different meanings: -
Main clause negated: Tansumina ukuti ali bwino (I don’t believe that he is well) -
Subordinate clause negated: Nalisumina ukuti tali bwino (I believe that he is not well)
Subject Concord
Bemba’s noun class system requires concordial agreement. The subject prefix in the subordinate clause must agree with the subject’s noun class: -
Class 1/2 (people): ukuti ali bwino (that he/she is well) vs ukuti bali bwino (that they are well) -
Class 7/8 (things): ukuti cili bwino (that it [ci-class] is well) vs ukuti fili bwino (that they [fi-class] are well)
Alternative Forms
While ukuti is standard, you may also encounter: -
pakuti: Alternative subordinator with similar function (slightly more emphatic or causal: “that/because”) -
kuti alone: In rapid speech, the initial “u-” may be elided
Mistake 1: Omitting ukuti
Incorrect: Nalisumina ali bwino ❌ Correct: Nalisumina ukuti ali bwino ✓
Unlike English where “that” is optional (”I believe [that] he is well”), Bemba ukuti is generally required.
Mistake 2: Wrong concord in subordinate clause
Incorrect: Nalimwene ukuti abana ali bwino ❌ (using singular “ali” with plural “abana”) Correct: Nalimwene ukuti abana bali bwino ✓ (using plural “bali” with plural “abana”)
Mistake 3: Confusing ukuti with infinitive uku-
Ukuti (subordinator “that”) vs uku- (infinitive marker “to”)
Compare: -
Ndefwaya ukuti nile (I want that I go) = “I want to go” [expressing desire with subordinate clause] -
Ndefwaya ukuya (I want to-go) = “I want to go” [using infinitive directly]
Both are acceptable, but the first uses ukuti + full clause, the second uses bare infinitive.
Mistake 4: Incorrect word order
Incorrect: Ukuti nalisumina Lesa alikwata uluse ❌ (starting with ukuti) Correct: Nalisumina ukuti Lesa alikwata uluse ✓ (ukuti follows main verb)
Ukuti appears after the main verb, not at the start of the sentence.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Ukuti is one of the most frequently used words in Bemba conversation. Any time you report what someone said, express what you think or believe, or introduce complex ideas, ukuti appears. This makes it absolutely essential for:
Reported Speech: When recounting conversations, Bemba speakers rely heavily on ukuti: -
Babilishe ukuti bakesa (They said that they will come) -
Mama alembele ukuti abana bali bwino (Mother wrote that the children are well)
Expressing Beliefs and Opinions: In a culture that values communal discussion and sharing perspectives: -
Ine nalisumina ukuti... (I believe that...) -
Twaishibisha ukuti... (We know that...)
Making Requests and Expressing Desires: When explaining what you want or hope for: -
Ndefwaya ukuti muletula (I want that you return) -
Mpepa ukuti Lesa akapele uluse (I hope that God gives mercy)
Ukuti appears in all registers of Bemba - from intimate family conversation to formal speeches and written literature. Unlike English where “that” can often be dropped in casual speech (”I think [that] he’s coming”), Bemba maintains ukuti across registers.
Town Bemba (urban variety) and rural Bemba both use ukuti with equal frequency, though urban speakers may occasionally blend it with English in code-switching contexts.
Bemba is widely used in Christian religious contexts in Zambia, and ukuti appears constantly in:
Prayer: Ndelomba ukuti Lesa akapele... (I pray that God gives...) Biblical translation: The Bemba Bible makes extensive use of ukuti in translating “that” from biblical languages Testimony: When sharing religious experiences, speakers frame their accounts with ukuti
Bemba culture, like many Bantu cultures, has rich traditions of emotional expression through language. Ukuti enables speakers to articulate feelings precisely: -
Ndekufuluka ukuti twali pamo (I miss that we were together) -
Nalitemenwa ukuti wesa (I’m happy that you came) -
Nkabila ukuti ukacenjele (I hope that you understand)
Traditional Bemba wisdom often uses ukuti to express cultural truths:
Tekwesha ukusumina ukuti ifintu fiicitikila fye - “One cannot believe that things just happen” (Everything has a cause/reason)
This reflects the Bemba philosophical perspective that events have underlying causes and purposes.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
The following passage comes from contemporary Bemba religious literature, demonstrating natural use of ukuti in authentic context.
Umwanakashi woman umo one amwene she-saw ukuti that inte witness-plural alebomba they-work nankwe hard ali while-they-are ne with cikuku gentleness kabili and aleyafwa they-die bambi others no with kukanasosa not-condemning amashiwi words ya of musalula judge nelyo and ukuseka to-laugh nga like ca of kutila to-fear bambi others balanda they-speak ifyabipa bad-things
Umwanakashi (u-mwa-na-ka-shi) woman umo (u-mo) one amwene (a-mwe-ne) she-saw ukuti (u-ku-ti) that inte (in-te) witness-plural alebomba (a-le-bom-ba) they-work nankwe (nan-kwe) hard ali (a-li) while-they-are ne (ne) with cikuku (ci-ku-ku) gentleness kabili (ka-bi-li) and aleyafwa (a-le-ya-fwa) they-die bambi (bam-bi) others no (no) with kukanasosa (ku-ka-na-so-sa) not-condemning amashiwi (a-ma-shi-wi) words ya (ya) of musalula (mu-sa-lu-la) judge nelyo (nel-yo) and ukuseka (u-ku-se-ka) to-laugh nga (nga) like ca (ca) of kutila (ku-ti-la) to-fear bambi (bam-bi) others balanda (ba-lan-da) they-speak ifyabipa (i-fya-bi-pa) bad-things
Umwanakashi umo amwene ukuti inte alebomba nankwe ali ne cikuku kabili aleyafwa bambi no kukanasosa amashiwi ya musalula nelyo ukuseka nga ca kutila bambi balanda ifyabipa
“A certain woman saw that the witnesses work hard with gentleness and they fear others with not condemning the words of the judge and laughing as if fearing that others speak bad things”
Umwanakashi umo amwene ukuti inte alebomba nankwe ali ne cikuku kabili aleyafwa bambi no kukanasosa amashiwi ya musalula nelyo ukuseka nga ca kutila bambi balanda ifyabipa
This passage demonstrates ukuti introducing a complex subordinate clause describing what the woman observed. The clause contains multiple verbs all governed by the initial ukuti:
Key vocabulary: -
inte: witnesses (from English “witness” adapted to Bemba phonology with class 9/10 prefix) -
cikuku: gentleness, kindness, tenderness -
kukanasosa: to not condemn (ku- infinitive + negative + -sosa “to condemn”) -
amashiwi: words (class 6 plural) -
musalula: judge -
ifyabipa: bad things (class 8 plural)
Grammatical features: -
alebomba: they-work (a- class 6 subject prefix + -le- present continuous + -bomba work) -
ali ne: while they are with (copula + instrumental “with”) -
aleyafwa: they fear (present continuous tense) -
balanda: they speak (ba- class 2 subject prefix + -landa speak)
The passage shows how ukuti can introduce lengthy, complex subordinate clauses containing multiple coordinated verbs - all describing what was observed.
This text comes from Bemba religious literature (Jehovah’s Witness translation materials), which has been instrumental in standardizing written Bemba since the early 20th century. The passage illustrates several important features:
Complex subordination: The ukuti clause extends for the entire sentence, demonstrating how Bemba can build elaborate descriptions within a single subordinate clause.
Moral teaching: The content reflects Bemba values around proper speech and conduct - not condemning others, speaking with gentleness, being mindful of how one’s words affect others.
Loan integration: The word “inte” (witnesses) shows how Bemba integrates English religious terminology while maintaining full Bemba morphology and concord patterns.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
22.16a Mukashi: Wife: Ndefwaya I-want ukukwishibisha to-let-you-know ukuti that ndefwaya I-want ukuya to-go ku to Lusaka Lusaka mailo tomorrow
22.16b Mukashi: (mu-ka-shi:) Wife: Ndefwaya (n-de-fwa-ya) I-want ukukwishibisha (u-ku-kwi-shi-bi-sha) to-let-you-know ukuti (u-ku-ti) that ndefwaya (n-de-fwa-ya) I-want ukuya (u-ku-ya) to-go ku (ku) to Lusaka (lu-sa-ka) Lusaka mailo (mai-lo) tomorrow
22.17a Mwaume: Husband: Ee yes nalisumina I-believe ukuti that umulandu reason waliboneka has-appeared
22.17b Mwaume: (mwa-u-me:) Husband: Ee (ee) yes nalisumina (na-li-su-mi-na) I-believe ukuti (u-ku-ti) that umulandu (u-mu-lan-du) reason waliboneka (wa-li-bo-ne-ka) has-appeared
22.18a Mukashi: Wife: Naishibisha I-know ukuti that ulelanda you-speak ukubomba to-work ku at ncito job lelo but nafwile necessary ukuya to-go ku to cipatala hospital
22.18b Mukashi: (mu-ka-shi:) Wife: Naishibisha (na-i-shi-bi-sha) I-know ukuti (u-ku-ti) that ulelanda (u-le-lan-da) you-speak ukubomba (u-ku-bom-ba) to-work ku (ku) at ncito (n-ci-to) job lelo (le-lo) but nafwile (na-fwi-le) necessary ukuya (u-ku-ya) to-go ku (ku) to cipatala (ci-pa-ta-la) hospital
22.19a Mwaume: Husband: Mpepa I-hope ukuti that takwaba not-there icakosa problem Uli you-are bwino well
22.19b Mwaume: (mwa-u-me:) Husband: Mpepa (m-pe-pa) I-hope ukuti (u-ku-ti) that takwaba (ta-kwa-ba) not-there icakosa (i-ca-ko-sa) problem Uli (u-li) you-are bwino (bwi-no) well
22.20a Mukashi: Wife: Ndi I-am bwino well lelo but dokotela doctor alembele he-wrote ukuti that nafwile necessary ukwisa to-come pakweshiwa to-be-examined umulandu because wa of umwana child
22.20b Mukashi: (mu-ka-shi:) Wife: Ndi (n-di) I-am bwino (bwi-no) well lelo (le-lo) but dokotela (do-ko-te-la) doctor alembele (a-lem-be-le) he-wrote ukuti (u-ku-ti) that nafwile (na-fwi-le) necessary ukwisa (u-kwi-sa) to-come pakweshiwa (pa-kwe-shi-wa) to-be-examined umulandu (u-mu-lan-du) because wa (wa) of umwana (u-mwa-na) child
22.21a Mwaume: Husband: Ee yes ndenga I-understand Bushe question dokotela doctor abilishe he-said ukuti that umwana child ali is shani how
22.21b Mwaume: (mwa-u-me:) Husband: Ee (ee) yes ndenga (n-de-nga) I-understand Bushe (bu-she) question dokotela (do-ko-te-la) doctor abilishe (a-bi-li-she) he-said ukuti (u-ku-ti) that umwana (u-mwa-na) child ali (a-li) is shani (sha-ni) how
22.22a Mukashi: Wife: Abilishe he-said ukuti that umwana child alekula he-grows bwino well lelo but nafwile necessary ukumona to-see bantu people abacenjela who-know ifyakukalela things-of-feeding fyakalipa things-good
22.22b Mukashi: (mu-ka-shi:) Wife: Abilishe (a-bi-li-she) he-said ukuti (u-ku-ti) that umwana (u-mwa-na) child alekula (a-le-ku-la) he-grows bwino (bwi-no) well lelo (le-lo) but nafwile (na-fwi-le) necessary ukumona (u-ku-mo-na) to-see bantu (ban-tu) people abacenjela (a-ba-cen-je-la) who-know ifyakukalela (i-fya-ku-ka-le-la) things-of-feeding fyakalipa (fya-ka-li-pa) things-good
22.23a Mwaume: Husband: Bwino good Ndelomba I-pray ukuti that Lesa God akupele he-give-you ukucenjela to-understand ukucita to-do ifyakalipa good-things fy for umwana child
22.23b Mwaume: (mwa-u-me:) Husband: Bwino (bwi-no) good Ndelomba (n-de-lom-ba) I-pray ukuti (u-ku-ti) that Lesa (le-sa) God akupele (a-ku-pe-le) he-give-you ukucenjela (u-ku-cen-je-la) to-understand ukucita (u-ku-ci-ta) to-do ifyakalipa (i-fya-ka-li-pa) good-things fya (fya) for umwana (u-mwa-na) child
22.24a Mukashi: Wife: Natotela I-thank Ee yes twaishibisha we-know ukuti that Lesa God ali he-is pamo together na with fwe us lyonse always
22.24b Mukashi: (mu-ka-shi:) Wife: Natotela (na-to-te-la) I-thank Ee (ee) yes twaishibisha (twa-i-shi-bi-sha) we-know ukuti (u-ku-ti) that Lesa (le-sa) God ali (a-li) he-is pamo (pa-mo) together na (na) with fwe (fwe) us lyonse (lyon-se) always
22.25a Mwaume: Husband: Bushe question wafwaya you-want ukutula to-return bushiku day bushi which
22.25b Mwaume: (mwa-u-me:) Husband: Bushe (bu-she) question wafwaya (wa-fwa-ya) you-want ukutula (u-ku-tu-la) to-return bushiku (bu-shi-ku) day bushi (bu-shi) which
22.26a Mukashi: Wife: Nkabila I-hope ukutula to-return pa on Lwesitatu Tuesday lelo but naishibisha I-know ukuti that ifintu things fili they-are no with kufilwa to-change
22.26b Mukashi: (mu-ka-shi:) Wife: Nkabila (n-ka-bi-la) I-hope ukutula (u-ku-tu-la) to-return pa (pa) on Lwesitatu (lwe-si-ta-tu) Tuesday lelo (le-lo) but naishibisha (na-i-shi-bi-sha) I-know ukuti (u-ku-ti) that ifintu (i-fin-tu) things fili (fi-li) they-are no (no) with kufilwa (ku-fil-wa) to-change
22.27a Mwaume: Husband: Ee yes ndenga I-understand Mpepa I-hope ukuti that mukende you-go bwino well kabili and umwana child aibe he-be bwino well
22.27b Mwaume: (mwa-u-me:) Husband: Ee (ee) yes ndenga (n-de-nga) I-understand Mpepa (m-pe-pa) I-hope ukuti (u-ku-ti) that mukende (mu-ken-de) you-go bwino (bwi-no) well kabili (ka-bi-li) and umwana (u-mwa-na) child aibe (a-i-be) he-be bwino (bwi-no) well
22.28a Mukashi: Wife: Nalitotela I-thank Ndelomba I-pray ukuti that Lesa God akupele he-give-you ukupona to-survive bwino well nga when ndi I-am takweko not-here
22.28b Mukashi: (mu-ka-shi:) Wife: Nalitotela (na-li-to-te-la) I-thank Ndelomba (n-de-lom-ba) I-pray ukuti (u-ku-ti) that Lesa (le-sa) God akupele (a-ku-pe-le) he-give-you ukupona (u-ku-po-na) to-survive bwino (bwi-no) well nga (nga) when ndi (n-di) I-am takweko (ta-kwe-ko) not-here
22.29a Mwaume: Husband: Nkabila I-hope ukuti that takutwalilila it-not-take-long ukubwelela to-return Twaishibisha we-know ukuti that muli you-are abancende safe mu in mala hands ya of Lesa God
22.29b Mwaume: (mwa-u-me:) Husband: Nkabila (n-ka-bi-la) I-hope ukuti (u-ku-ti) that takutwalilila (ta-ku-twa-li-li-la) it-not-take-long ukubwelela (u-ku-bwe-le-la) to-return Twaishibisha (twa-i-shi-bi-sha) we-know ukuti (u-ku-ti) that muli (mu-li) you-are abancende (a-ban-cen-de) safe mu (mu) in mala (ma-la) hands ya (ya) of Lesa (le-sa) God
22.30a Mukashi: Wife: Amina amen Tukamonana we-will-see-each-other mailo tomorrow pa at akapitula morning We you citemwiko love candi my
22.30b Mukashi: (mu-ka-shi:) Wife: Amina (a-mi-na) amen Tukamonana (tu-ka-mo-na-na) we-will-see-each-other mailo (mai-lo) tomorrow pa (pa) at akapitula (a-ka-pi-tu-la) morning We (we) you citemwiko (ci-tem-wi-ko) love candi (can-di) my
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
22.16 Mukashi: Ndefwaya ukukwishibisha ukuti ndefwaya ukuya ku Lusaka mailo Wife: “I want to let you know that I want to go to Lusaka tomorrow”
22.17 Mwaume: Ee, nalisumina ukuti umulandu waliboneka Husband: “Yes, I believe that a reason has appeared”
22.18 Mukashi: Naishibisha ukuti ulelanda ukubomba ku ncito lelo nafwile ukuya ku cipatala Wife: “I know that you speak about working at your job but I need to go to the hospital”
22.19 Mwaume: Mpepa ukuti takwaba icakosa. Uli bwino? Husband: “I hope that there’s no problem. Are you well?”
22.20 Mukashi: Ndi bwino lelo dokotela alembele ukuti nafwile ukwisa pakweshiwa umulandu wa umwana Wife: “I am well but the doctor wrote that I need to come to be examined because of the child”
22.21 Mwaume: Ee, ndenga. Bushe dokotela abilishe ukuti umwana ali shani? Husband: “Yes, I understand. What did the doctor say about how the child is?”
22.22 Mukashi: Abilishe ukuti umwana alekula bwino lelo nafwile ukumona bantu abacenjela ifyakukalela fyakalipa Wife: “He said that the child is growing well but I need to see people who know about good nutrition”
22.23 Mwaume: Bwino. Ndelomba ukuti Lesa akupele ukucenjela ukucita ifyakalipa fya umwana Husband: “Good. I pray that God gives you wisdom to do good things for the child”
22.24 Mukashi: Natotela. Ee, twaishibisha ukuti Lesa ali pamo na fwe lyonse Wife: “Thank you. Yes, we know that God is always together with us”
22.25 Mwaume: Bushe wafwaya ukutula bushiku bushi? Husband: “Which day do you want to return?”
22.26 Mukashi: Nkabila ukutula pa Lwesitatu lelo naishibisha ukuti ifintu fili no kufilwa Wife: “I hope to return on Tuesday but I know that things can change”
22.27 Mwaume: Ee, ndenga. Mpepa ukuti mukende bwino kabili umwana aibe bwino Husband: “Yes, I understand. I hope that you go well and the child will be well”
22.28 Mukashi: Nalitotela. Ndelomba ukuti Lesa akupele ukupona bwino nga ndi takweko Wife: “Thank you. I pray that God gives you to survive well when I’m not here”
22.29 Mwaume: Nkabila ukuti takutwalilila ukubwelela. Twaishibisha ukuti muli abancende mu mala ya Lesa Husband: “I hope that you return soon. We know that you are safe in God’s hands”
22.30 Mukashi: Amina. Tukamonana mailo pa akapitula. We citemwiko candi Wife: “Amen. We will see each other tomorrow morning. You are my love”
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
22.16 Mukashi: Ndefwaya ukukwishibisha ukuti ndefwaya ukuya ku Lusaka mailo
22.17 Mwaume: Ee, nalisumina ukuti umulandu waliboneka
22.18 Mukashi: Naishibisha ukuti ulelanda ukubomba ku ncito lelo nafwile ukuya ku cipatala
22.19 Mwaume: Mpepa ukuti takwaba icakosa. Uli bwino?
22.20 Mukashi: Ndi bwino lelo dokotela alembele ukuti nafwile ukwisa pakweshiwa umulandu wa umwana
22.21 Mwaume: Ee, ndenga. Bushe dokotela abilishe ukuti umwana ali shani?
22.22 Mukashi: Abilishe ukuti umwana alekula bwino lelo nafwile ukumona bantu abacenjela ifyakukalela fyakalipa
22.23 Mwaume: Bwino. Ndelomba ukuti Lesa akupele ukucenjela ukucita ifyakalipa fya umwana
22.24 Mukashi: Natotela. Ee, twaishibisha ukuti Lesa ali pamo na fwe lyonse
22.25 Mwaume: Bushe wafwaya ukutula bushiku bushi?
22.26 Mukashi: Nkabila ukutula pa Lwesitatu lelo naishibisha ukuti ifintu fili no kufilwa
22.27 Mwaume: Ee, ndenga. Mpepa ukuti mukende bwino kabili umwana aibe bwino
22.28 Mukashi: Nalitotela. Ndelomba ukuti Lesa akupele ukupona bwino nga ndi takweko
22.29 Mwaume: Nkabila ukuti takutwalilila ukubwelela. Twaishibisha ukuti muli abancende mu mala ya Lesa
22.30 Mukashi: Amina. Tukamonana mailo pa akapitula. We citemwiko candi
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
This dialogue demonstrates ukuti in natural conversational Bemba between husband and wife discussing a medical appointment. Several key patterns emerge:
Reported Speech: The dialogue shows typical Bemba patterns for reporting what others said: -
dokotela alembele ukuti... (the doctor wrote that...) -
dokotela abilishe ukuti... (the doctor said that...)
Expressing Desires and Hopes: Throughout the dialogue, speakers use ukuti to express what they want or hope: -
Ndefwaya ukukwishibisha ukuti... (I want to let you know that...) -
Mpepa ukuti... (I hope that...) -
Ndelomba ukuti... (I pray that...)
Expressing Knowledge: The couple frequently uses ukuti to state what they know: -
Naishibisha ukuti... (I know that...) -
Twaishibisha ukuti... (We know that...)
Multiple ukuti in One Utterance: Notice how speakers can use ukuti twice in one statement when expressing layered thoughts: -
Nkabila ukutula pa Lwesitatu lelo naishibisha ukuti ifintu fili no kufilwa (I hope to return on Tuesday but I know that things can change)
This shows both “I hope that [X]” and “I know that [Y]” in one sentence.
Cultural Elements:
The dialogue reflects several Bemba cultural values:
Family care: The wife’s concern for proper nutrition for the child and the husband’s supportive response Faith expression: Both speakers invoke God (Lesa) in their hopes and prayers for safety Respectful communication: The husband uses Mpepa ukuti... (I hope that...) rather than direct commands Traditional farewells: Tukamonana mailo (We will see each other tomorrow) is a standard Bemba parting phrase Terms of endearment: We citemwiko candi (You are my love) shows emotional intimacy appropriate between spouses
Lexical Notes: -
cipatala: hospital (from English “hospital” with Bemba class 7 prefix ci-) -
dokotela: doctor (from English “doctor” with Bemba phonology) -
Lwesitatu: Tuesday (literally “third day” - Bemba days are numbered) -
abancende: safe ones (from verb stem -cende “be safe”)
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
This lesson is part of the Latinum Institute’s Modern Language Course series, designed specifically for autodidact learners who want to master Bemba systematically through frequency-based vocabulary building.
The Latinum Institute has been creating language learning materials since 2006, pioneering the use of interlinear construed text methodology for independent language learners. Our approach is based on proven principles:
Frequency-Based Progression: This lesson focuses on ukuti (that/subordinator), lesson #22 from our carefully curated 1000-word CSV curriculum. Each lesson builds on high-frequency vocabulary that you’ll encounter constantly in real Bemba conversation and literature.
Interlinear Glossing: The granular word-by-word glossing in Section A allows you to understand exactly how Bemba constructs meaning, revealing the agglutinative structure that might otherwise remain opaque. You can see how prefixes, roots, and suffixes combine to create complete utterances.
Authentic Context: Unlike textbooks that create artificial “learner language,” we use authentic Bemba examples including literature citations, proverbs, and natural dialogue. This prepares you for real Bemba as it’s actually spoken in Zambia.
Cultural Integration: Understanding a language means understanding the culture. Each lesson incorporates cultural context, traditional sayings, and insights into Bemba society and values.
Progressive Complexity: We move from simple constructions to increasingly complex authentic usage, building your confidence incrementally while maintaining engagement with real language.
Self-Contained Lessons: Each lesson is complete in itself. Because of our interlinear methodology, we don’t restrict vocabulary - if a word helps create an authentic, meaningful example, we use it and gloss it. This means you’re always learning from real language use.
Visit our course index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
See what learners say about Latinum Institute materials: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
The construed text approach accelerates comprehension by making the grammatical structure visible while you read authentic texts. Many learners find this method more effective than traditional textbook approaches, particularly for self-directed study.
About Bemba: Bemba is one of Zambia’s major languages, spoken by approximately 4 million people as a first language and many more as a lingua franca, particularly in the Copperbelt and northern regions. It’s one of seven official regional languages of Zambia and plays an important role in education, media, and religious life. Learning Bemba opens doors to understanding Zambian culture and connecting with one of southern Africa’s most vibrant linguistic communities.
This lesson gives you command of one of the most essential words in Bemba - ukuti - enabling you to express complex thoughts, report speech, and engage in sophisticated conversation. Master this word and you’ve taken a significant step toward Bemba fluency.
---