Welcome to Lesson 37 of our iciBemba course. Today we explore how Bemba expresses the English modal verb “would” — a word that carries two distinct meanings in English: conditional situations (”I would go if I could”) and habitual past actions (”She would always sing in the morning”).
Unlike English, which uses a single auxiliary verb “would” for both meanings, Bemba employs different grammatical strategies: -
nga — the conditional marker meaning “if/when,” used to introduce conditional clauses -
-la- — the habitual aspect marker, inserted into the verb to express repeated or customary actions
This lesson will teach you to construct both conditional and habitual expressions in Bemba, giving you powerful tools for expressing hypothetical situations and past habits.
Link to course index:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: How do you say “would” in Bemba? Bemba does not have a single word equivalent to English “would.” Instead, conditional meanings use the marker nga (”if/when”) combined with specific verb forms, while habitual meanings use the aspect marker -la- within the verb structure.
Key Takeaways: -
nga introduces conditional clauses (”if/when”) -
-la- marks habitual aspect (”always,” “used to”) -
Bemba verbs are agglutinative: Subject prefix + Tense/Aspect + Root + Final vowel -
Subject prefixes: n- (I), u- (you.SG), a- (he/she), tu- (we), mu- (you.PL), ba- (they) -
The final vowel is typically -a but may change to -e in certain moods
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Bemba uses the Latin alphabet with consistent sound-letter correspondences:
Vowels: -
a [a] — as in “father” -
e [e] — as in “bed” -
i [i] — as in “see” -
o [o] — as in “go” -
u [u] — as in “food”
Key Consonants: -
ng [ŋ] — as in “sing” (nga = [ŋa]) -
sh [ʃ] — as in “ship” -
c [tʃ] — as in “church” -
ny [ɲ] — as in Spanish “ñ”
Key Words for This Lesson: -
nga [ŋa] — if, when (conditional marker) -
-la- [la] — habitual aspect marker -
ukuba [u.ku.ba] — to be -
ukuya [u.ku.ja] — to go -
ukucita [u.ku.tʃi.ta] — to do
Note: Bemba is a tonal language with high and low tones, but standard orthography does not mark tone. Context and practice help distinguish tonal patterns.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Conditional Constructions with nga:
37.1a Nga nali no ndalama, nkashita icitabo 37.1b Nga (ŋa) if nali (na.li) I-was no (no) with ndalama (nda.la.ma) money, nkashita (ŋka.ʃi.ta) I-would-buy icitabo (i.tʃi.ta.bo) book
37.2a Nga wali pano, twakumona 37.2b Nga (ŋa) if wali (wa.li) you-were pano (pa.no) here, twakumona (twa.ku.mo.na) we-would-see-you
37.3a Nga aisa, tukamupela icakula 37.3b Nga (ŋa) if aisa (a.i.sa) he/she-comes, tukamupela (tu.ka.mu.pe.la) we-will-give-him/her icakula (i.tʃa.ku.la) food
37.4a Nga mwali no moto, mwakupya ubwali 37.4b Nga (ŋa) if mwali (mwa.li) you.PL-were no (no) with moto (mo.to) fire, mwakupya (mwa.ku.pja) you.PL-would-cook ubwali (u.bwa.li) nshima
37.5a Nga bali abaiche, bakatamba 37.5b Nga (ŋa) if bali (ba.li) they-were abaiche (a.ba.i.tʃe) young, bakatamba (ba.ka.tam.ba) they-would-dance
Habitual Constructions with -la-:
37.6a Alalya ubwali cila bushiku 37.6b Alalya (a.la.lja) he/she-HAB-eats ubwali (u.bwa.li) nshima cila (tʃi.la) every bushiku (bu.ʃi.ku) day
37.7a Nalaya ku sukulu cila cungulo 37.7b Nalaya (na.la.ja) I-HAB-go ku (ku) to sukulu (su.ku.lu) school cila (tʃi.la) every cungulo (tʃu.ŋu.lo) morning
37.8a Balaimba inyimbo sha calo cesu 37.8b Balaimba (ba.la.im.ba) they-HAB-sing inyimbo (i.ɲim.bo) songs sha (ʃa) of calo (tʃa.lo) country cesu (tʃe.su) our
37.9a Tulabelenga ibuuku ilya Baibo 37.9b Tulabelenga (tu.la.be.le.ŋa) we-HAB-read ibuuku (i.bu.ku) book ilya (i.lja) the-of Baibo (ba.i.bo) Bible
37.10a Ulabomba umulimo cila bushiku 37.10b Ulabomba (u.la.bom.ba) you-HAB-work umulimo (u.mu.li.mo) work cila (tʃi.la) every bushiku (bu.ʃi.ku) day
Combined and Complex Sentences:
37.11a Nga naishiba, nkalonda 37.11b Nga (ŋa) if naishiba (na.i.ʃi.ba) I-knew, nkalonda (ŋka.lon.da) I-would-follow
37.12a Alalya inama nga ali no nsala 37.12b Alalya (a.la.lja) he/she-HAB-eats inama (i.na.ma) meat nga (ŋa) when ali (a.li) he/she-is no (no) with nsala (nsa.la) hunger
37.13a Nga twaishiba, twakulanda 37.13b Nga (ŋa) if twaishiba (twa.i.ʃi.ba) we-knew, twakulanda (twa.ku.lan.da) we-would-speak
37.14a Balaya ku musumba nga bali no ndalama 37.14b Balaya (ba.la.ja) they-HAB-go ku (ku) to musumba (mu.sum.ba) city nga (ŋa) when bali (ba.li) they-are no (no) with ndalama (nda.la.ma) money
37.15a Nga nali umwana, nalasangalala cila bushiku 37.15b Nga (ŋa) when nali (na.li) I-was umwana (u.mwa.na) child, nalasangalala (na.la.sa.ŋa.la.la) I-HAB-rejoiced cila (tʃi.la) every bushiku (bu.ʃi.ku) day
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
37.1 Nga nali no ndalama, nkashita icitabo → “If I had money, I would buy a book”
37.2 Nga wali pano, twakumona → “If you were here, we would see you”
37.3 Nga aisa, tukamupela icakula → “If he/she comes, we will give him/her food”
37.4 Nga mwali no moto, mwakupya ubwali → “If you (plural) had fire, you would cook nshima”
37.5 Nga bali abaiche, bakatamba → “If they were young, they would dance”
37.6 Alalya ubwali cila bushiku → “He/she eats nshima every day” (habitual)
37.7 Nalaya ku sukulu cila cungulo → “I go to school every morning” (habitual)
37.8 Balaimba inyimbo sha calo cesu → “They sing songs of our country” (habitual)
37.9 Tulabelenga ibuuku ilya Baibo → “We read the book of the Bible” (habitual)
37.10 Ulabomba umulimo cila bushiku → “You work every day” (habitual)
37.11 Nga naishiba, nkalonda → “If I knew, I would follow”
37.12 Alalya inama nga ali no nsala → “He/she eats meat when he/she is hungry” (habitual)
37.13 Nga twaishiba, twakulanda → “If we knew, we would speak”
37.14 Balaya ku musumba nga bali no ndalama → “They go to the city when they have money” (habitual)
37.15 Nga nali umwana, nalasangalala cila bushiku → “When I was a child, I would rejoice every day”
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
37.1 Nga nali no ndalama, nkashita icitabo
37.2 Nga wali pano, twakumona
37.3 Nga aisa, tukamupela icakula
37.4 Nga mwali no moto, mwakupya ubwali
37.5 Nga bali abaiche, bakatamba
37.6 Alalya ubwali cila bushiku
37.7 Nalaya ku sukulu cila cungulo
37.8 Balaimba inyimbo sha calo cesu
37.9 Tulabelenga ibuuku ilya Baibo
37.10 Ulabomba umulimo cila bushiku
37.11 Nga naishiba, nkalonda
37.12 Alalya inama nga ali no nsala
37.13 Nga twaishiba, twakulanda
37.14 Balaya ku musumba nga bali no ndalama
37.15 Nga nali umwana, nalasangalala cila bushiku
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
These are the grammar rules for nga and -la- in Bemba:
1. The Conditional Marker: nga
The word nga functions as Bemba’s primary conditional marker, equivalent to English “if” or “when” in hypothetical contexts. It introduces the condition (protasis) of a conditional sentence.
Structure: nga + condition clause, + result clause
The result clause (apodosis) typically uses: -
Future tense marker -ka- for real possibilities -
Past tense forms for counterfactual conditions
Subject Prefix + Tense Marker + Verb Root + Final Vowel: -
nka- (I would) = n- + -ka- -
uka- (you.SG would) = u- + -ka- -
aka- (he/she would) = a- + -ka- -
tuka- (we would) = tu- + -ka- -
muka- (you.PL would) = mu- + -ka- -
baka- (they would) = ba- + -ka-
2. The Habitual Aspect Marker: -la-
The infix -la- is inserted between the subject prefix and the verb root to express habitual or repeated actions. This corresponds to English “would” in past habitual contexts (”I would always...”) or present habitual (”I regularly...”).
Structure: Subject prefix + -la- + verb root + final vowel (-a)
Conjugation Pattern: -
nala- (I habitually) = na- + -la- -
ula- (you.SG habitually) = u- + -la- -
ala- (he/she habitually) = a- + -la- -
tula- (we habitually) = tu- + -la- -
mula- (you.PL habitually) = mu- + -la- -
bala- (they habitually) = ba- + -la-
3. The Verb “to be”: -li / -ba
The copular verb appears as -li in past tense constructions: -
nali = I was -
wali = you were -
ali = he/she was -
twali = we were -
mwali = you (pl.) were -
bali = they were
4. The Preposition “no” (with)
The word no means “with” and is used to express possession in constructions like: -
nali no ndalama = I was with money (I had money) -
ali no nsala = he/she is with hunger (he/she is hungry)
5. Noun Classes
Bemba has approximately 18-20 noun classes, each with specific prefixes. Some common patterns: -
Class 1/2: umu-/aba- (people): umwana/abana (child/children) -
Class 3/4: umu-/imi- (plants, objects): umuti/imiti (tree/trees) -
Class 5/6: i-/ama- (various): ibuuku/amabuuku (book/books) -
Class 7/8: ici-/ifi- (things): icitabo/ifitabo (book/books)
Common Mistakes to Avoid: -
Forgetting the subject prefix before -la- (wrong: *laya; correct: nalaya) -
Using -la- with nga in the same clause (choose one construction) -
Confusing -ka- (future/conditional) with -la- (habitual) -
Omitting no when expressing “having” something
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Bemba Language and Culture:
IciBemba (Bemba) is a Bantu language spoken by approximately 3.7 million people, primarily in Zambia’s Northern, Luapula, Copperbelt, and Central provinces. It serves as a lingua franca across much of northern Zambia and is one of the country’s seven official vernacular languages.
Cultural Significance of Conditional Speech:
In Bemba culture, conditional statements are often used in: -
Proverbs (Imilumbe): Traditional wisdom frequently employs conditional structures -
Negotiations: Polite requests often use conditional framing -
Storytelling: Folk tales use nga to set up hypothetical scenarios
Habitual Expressions in Daily Life:
The habitual marker -la- is essential for describing: -
Daily routines and customs -
Traditional practices passed through generations -
Regular activities in village and family life
Regional Variations:
Bemba has several dialects including Aushi, Bisa, Chishinga, Lala, and Lamba. While core grammar remains consistent, minor phonological and vocabulary differences exist. The standard taught here is based on the Northern Province variety, which is widely understood.
Formal vs. Informal Register:
Bemba distinguishes respect through: -
Using plural forms (mu-) for elders and respected persons -
Indirect conditional phrasing for polite requests -
The habitual aspect for describing someone’s character traits respectfully
Loan Words:
Modern Bemba incorporates loan words from English, Portuguese, and Swahili, reflecting historical trade and colonial influences. Words like “sukulu” (school), “motoca” (car), and “balangetty” (blanket) show English influence.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Source: Bilingual Bemba-English Dictionary (White Fathers Missionaries, adapted)
F-A: Interlinear Text
Nga nakufumya mu bucinga, ulenjalu-kila Nga (ŋa) if nakufumya (na.ku.fu.mja) I-get-you-out mu (mu) from bucinga (bu.tʃi.ŋa) game-pit, ulenjalu-kila (u.le.nja.lu.ki.la) you-will-turn-against-me
F-B: Natural Text with Translation
Nga nakufumya mu bucinga, ulenjalu-kila → “If I get you out of the game pit, you will turn against me”
F-C: Original Bemba Text
Nga nakufumya mu bucinga, ulenjalu-kila
F-D: Grammar Commentary
This proverb demonstrates the classic conditional structure with nga. The verb -fumya (to get out, to remove) takes the object infix -ku- (you) creating nakufumya (I get you out). The result clause uses the present continuous marker -le- with the verb -jalukila (to turn against), showing how conditional outcomes can be expressed with various tense markers depending on the degree of certainty or hypotheticality.
The proverb warns against ingratitude — a rescued person may become an adversary. Such conditional wisdom sayings (imilumbe) are central to Bemba oral tradition and demonstrate sophisticated use of the nga construction.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
37.16a Cungulo bwino, bamayo. Bushe mwalishininkisha bwino? 37.16b Cungulo (tʃu.ŋu.lo) morning bwino (bwi.no) good, bamayo (ba.ma.jo) mother. Bushe (bu.ʃe) Q mwalishininkisha (mwa.li.ʃi.ni.ŋki.ʃa) you-slept bwino (bwi.no) well?
37.17a Ee, nalishininkisha bwino. Nga uli shani? 37.17b Ee (e) yes, nalishininkisha (na.li.ʃi.ni.ŋki.ʃa) I-slept bwino (bwi.no) well. Nga (ŋa) and uli (u.li) you-are shani (ʃa.ni) how?
37.18a Ndi bwino. Nalaya ku musumba lelo. 37.18b Ndi (ndi) I-am bwino (bwi.no) well. Nalaya (na.la.ja) I-HAB-go ku (ku) to musumba (mu.sum.ba) city lelo (le.lo) today.
37.19a Nga ulaya ku musumba, ushite ubwali. 37.19b Nga (ŋa) if ulaya (u.la.ja) you-go ku (ku) to musumba (mu.sum.ba) city, ushite (u.ʃi.te) buy ubwali (u.bwa.li) mealie-meal.
37.20a Ee, nkashita ubwali nga nali no ndalama ishikwanine. 37.20b Ee (e) yes, nkashita (ŋka.ʃi.ta) I-will-buy ubwali (u.bwa.li) mealie-meal nga (ŋa) if nali (na.li) I-have no (no) with ndalama (nda.la.ma) money ishikwanine (i.ʃi.kwa.ni.ne) enough.
37.21a Ulabomba umulimo shani ku musumba? 37.21b Ulabomba (u.la.bom.ba) you-HAB-work umulimo (u.mu.li.mo) work shani (ʃa.ni) what ku (ku) at musumba (mu.sum.ba) city?
37.22a Nalashitisha ifya kulya ku musika. 37.22b Nalashitisha (na.la.ʃi.ti.ʃa) I-HAB-sell ifya (i.fja) things-of kulya (ku.lja) eating ku (ku) at musika (mu.si.ka) market.
37.23a Nga walipwa, uletwala ndalama ku ng’anda. 37.23b Nga (ŋa) when walipwa (wa.li.pwa) you-are-paid, uletwala (u.le.twa.la) you-bring ndalama (nda.la.ma) money ku (ku) to ng’anda (ŋan.da) home.
37.24a Ee, nalatwala ndalama cila mulungu. 37.24b Ee (e) yes, nalatwala (na.la.twa.la) I-HAB-bring ndalama (nda.la.ma) money cila (tʃi.la) every mulungu (mu.lu.ŋu) week.
37.25a Abana balaya ku sukulu lelo? 37.25b Abana (a.ba.na) children balaya (ba.la.ja) they-HAB-go ku (ku) to sukulu (su.ku.lu) school lelo (le.lo) today?
37.26a Ee, balaya ku sukulu cila bushiku. 37.26b Ee (e) yes, balaya (ba.la.ja) they-HAB-go ku (ku) to sukulu (su.ku.lu) school cila (tʃi.la) every bushiku (bu.ʃi.ku) day.
37.27a Nga bafika ku sukulu, balasambilila. 37.27b Nga (ŋa) when bafika (ba.fi.ka) they-arrive ku (ku) at sukulu (su.ku.lu) school, balasambilila (ba.la.sam.bi.li.la) they-HAB-study.
37.28a Bamayo, bushe mwalilya ubwali? 37.28b Bamayo (ba.ma.jo) mother, bushe (bu.ʃe) Q mwalilya (mwa.li.lja) you-ate ubwali (u.bwa.li) nshima?
37.29a Awe, teti nalye. Nga upya ubwali, nkalya. 37.29b Awe (a.we) no, teti (te.ti) not-yet nalye (na.lje) I-eat. Nga (ŋa) if upya (u.pja) you-cook ubwali (u.bwa.li) nshima, nkalya (ŋka.lja) I-will-eat.
37.30a Nkapya ubwali nomba. Tukalya bonse. 37.30b Nkapya (ŋka.pja) I-will-cook ubwali (u.bwa.li) nshima nomba (nom.ba) now. Tukalya (tu.ka.lja) we-will-eat bonse (bon.se) all-together.
Part B: Natural Sentences
37.16 Cungulo bwino, bamayo. Bushe mwalishininkisha bwino? → “Good morning, mother. Did you sleep well?”
37.17 Ee, nalishininkisha bwino. Nga uli shani? → “Yes, I slept well. And how are you?”
37.18 Ndi bwino. Nalaya ku musumba lelo. → “I am well. I go to the city today.”
37.19 Nga ulaya ku musumba, ushite ubwali. → “If you go to the city, buy mealie-meal.”
37.20 Ee, nkashita ubwali nga nali no ndalama ishikwanine. → “Yes, I will buy mealie-meal if I have enough money.”
37.21 Ulabomba umulimo shani ku musumba? → “What work do you do in the city?”
37.22 Nalashitisha ifya kulya ku musika. → “I sell food at the market.”
37.23 Nga walipwa, uletwala ndalama ku ng’anda. → “When you are paid, bring money home.”
37.24 Ee, nalatwala ndalama cila mulungu. → “Yes, I bring money every week.”
37.25 Abana balaya ku sukulu lelo? → “Are the children going to school today?”
37.26 Ee, balaya ku sukulu cila bushiku. → “Yes, they go to school every day.”
37.27 Nga bafika ku sukulu, balasambilila. → “When they arrive at school, they study.”
37.28 Bamayo, bushe mwalilya ubwali? → “Mother, have you eaten nshima?”
37.29 Awe, teti nalye. Nga upya ubwali, nkalya. → “No, not yet. If you cook nshima, I will eat.”
37.30 Nkapya ubwali nomba. Tukalya bonse. → “I will cook nshima now. We will all eat together.”
Part C: Bemba Text Only
37.16 Cungulo bwino, bamayo. Bushe mwalishininkisha bwino?
37.17 Ee, nalishininkisha bwino. Nga uli shani?
37.18 Ndi bwino. Nalaya ku musumba lelo.
37.19 Nga ulaya ku musumba, ushite ubwali.
37.20 Ee, nkashita ubwali nga nali no ndalama ishikwanine.
37.21 Ulabomba umulimo shani ku musumba?
37.22 Nalashitisha ifya kulya ku musika.
37.23 Nga walipwa, uletwala ndalama ku ng’anda.
37.24 Ee, nalatwala ndalama cila mulungu.
37.25 Abana balaya ku sukulu lelo?
37.26 Ee, balaya ku sukulu cila bushiku.
37.27 Nga bafika ku sukulu, balasambilila.
37.28 Bamayo, bushe mwalilya ubwali?
37.29 Awe, teti nalye. Nga upya ubwali, nkalya.
37.30 Nkapya ubwali nomba. Tukalya bonse.
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
This dialogue showcases both conditional (nga) and habitual (-la-) constructions in natural conversation:
Conditional uses of nga: -
37.19: Nga ulaya... (if you go...) -
37.20: nga nali no ndalama (if I have money) -
37.27: Nga bafika (when they arrive) -
37.29: Nga upya (if you cook)
Habitual uses of -la-: -
37.18: Nalaya (I habitually go) -
37.22: Nalashitisha (I habitually sell) -
37.24: nalatwala (I habitually bring) -
37.26: balaya (they habitually go) -
37.27: balasambilila (they habitually study)
Politeness markers: -
bamayo (mother) — respectful address using ba- prefix -
bushe — question particle for polite inquiries
Vocabulary from this dialogue: -
musumba = city, town -
musika = market -
sukulu = school (from English) -
ubwali = nshima (staple maize porridge) -
ndalama = money -
ng’anda = house, home -
abana = children -
cungulo = morning -
mulungu = week
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Bemba Sound System:
Bemba orthography is largely phonemic — letters consistently represent specific sounds.
Vowels (5): All vowels are pure (monophthongs) and can be short or long: -
a [a], e [e], i [i], o [o], u [u] -
Long vowels are written double: aa, ee, ii, oo, uu
Consonants: -
Prenasalized stops: mb, nd, ng, nj (common in Bantu languages) -
Nasal + consonant clusters: Begin many words -
c = [tʃ] (like English “ch”) -
sh = [ʃ] (like English “sh”) -
ng’ = [ŋ] (velar nasal, as in “sing”) -
ny = [ɲ] (palatal nasal, like Spanish “ñ”)
Tone: Bemba distinguishes high and low tones, which can change word meaning. Standard orthography does not mark tone, so learners must acquire tonal patterns through listening and practice.
Vowel Fusion: When vowels meet at word boundaries, they often fuse: -
u + a → wa (ukuya + aku → ukwaya) -
a + i → e (nala + isa → nalesa)
Syllable Structure: Most syllables are open (CV): mu-su-mba, u-bu-wa-li
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
This lesson is part of a comprehensive Bemba language course following the Latinum Institute methodology, which has been creating online language learning materials since 2006.
The Latinum Method: Our approach emphasizes the construed reading technique — presenting target language text with word-by-word analysis before moving to natural translations and pure target-language reading. This granular method accelerates comprehension while building systematic vocabulary.
The 1000-Word System: This course follows a frequency-based vocabulary progression. By mastering the most common words first, students quickly gain the ability to understand a large percentage of everyday communication.
Sources Consulted for This Lesson: -
Bemba Online Project (Emory University) -
Kitwe Online Bemba Dictionary and Grammar -
ResearchGate Bilingual Bemba-English Dictionary -
University of Cambridge Language Centre Bemba Resources -
White Fathers Missionaries historical materials
Course Index:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
Reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
---