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For English speakers learning Chewa, understanding the pronoun "it" requires grasping the noun class system that is fundamental to Bantu languages. Unlike English which uses a single word "it" for all inanimate objects, Chewa uses different demonstrative pronouns depending on the noun class. The most common forms are ichi (this/it - near) and icho (that/it - far) for class 7 nouns, iyi (this/it) and iyo (that/it) for class 9 nouns, and izo for plural references. In the 15 examples below, you'll see how these pronouns function in various contexts, replacing nouns and serving as subjects of sentences.
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FAQ: What does "it" mean in Chewa? In Chewa, "it" is expressed through demonstrative pronouns that change based on the noun class of the object being referenced. The main forms are ichi/icho (class 7), iyi/iyo (class 9), and izo (plural classes).
This lesson employs the pronoun forms throughout natural sentences that demonstrate everyday usage. As an educational language learning material, this lesson helps English speakers understand how Chewa handles pronoun reference differently from English, providing essential foundations for communication.
Key Takeaways: -
Chewa uses multiple words for "it" based on noun classes -
Ichi/icho are the most common forms for class 7 nouns -
Demonstrative pronouns can stand alone as subjects -
Context determines which form to use
ichi [i-tʃi] - pronounced with a clear "ch" as in "church" icho [i-tʃo] - same "ch" sound with "o" as in "go" iyi [i-ji] - "y" pronounced as consonant "y" in "yes" iyo [i-jo] - combination of "ee" and "yo" izo [i-zo] - "z" as in English, clear "o" sound
Note: Chewa is generally pronounced as written, with each vowel given its full value. Stress typically falls on the penultimate syllable.
10.1 Ichi this/it ndi is chakudya food chabwino good
10.2 Icho that/it chili is patali far kwambiri very
10.3 Iyi this/it ndi is nyumba house yanga my
10.4 Ndikufuna I-want ichi this/it tsopano now
10.5 Icho that/it chinagwa fell-PAST pansi down
10.6 Izo it/they zili are m'madzi in-water
10.7 Mwana child akufuna wants ichi this/it
10.8 Iyo that/it inali was-PAST yabwino good
10.9 Ichi this/it sichili is-not chabwino good
10.10 Bambo father anaona saw-PAST icho that/it
10.11 Izo it/they zinabwera came-PAST dzulo yesterday
10.12 Tidzatenga we-will-take ichi this/it mawa tomorrow
10.13 Icho that/it chikuoneka appears chokongola beautiful
10.14 Amayi mother akudziwa knows izo it/them
10.15 Ichi this/it chimandisangalatsa makes-me-happy kwambiri very
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10.1 Ichi ndi chakudya chabwino. This is good food.
10.2 Icho chili patali kwambiri. That is very far away.
10.3 Iyi ndi nyumba yanga. This is my house.
10.4 Ndikufuna ichi tsopano. I want this now.
10.5 Icho chinagwa pansi. That fell down.
10.6 Izo zili m'madzi. They are in the water.
10.7 Mwana akufuna ichi. The child wants this.
10.8 Iyo inali yabwino. It was good.
10.9 Ichi sichili chabwino. This is not good.
10.10 Bambo anaona icho. Father saw that.
10.11 Izo zinabwera dzulo. They came yesterday.
10.12 Tidzatenga ichi mawa. We will take this tomorrow.
10.13 Icho chikuoneka chokongola. That looks beautiful.
10.14 Amayi akudziwa izo. Mother knows them.
10.15 Ichi chimandisangalatsa kwambiri. This makes me very happy.
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10.1 Ichi ndi chakudya chabwino.
10.2 Icho chili patali kwambiri.
10.3 Iyi ndi nyumba yanga.
10.4 Ndikufuna ichi tsopano.
10.5 Icho chinagwa pansi.
10.6 Izo zili m'madzi.
10.7 Mwana akufuna ichi.
10.8 Iyo inali yabwino.
10.9 Ichi sichili chabwino.
10.10 Bambo anaona icho.
10.11 Izo zinabwera dzulo.
10.12 Tidzatenga ichi mawa.
10.13 Icho chikuoneka chokongola.
10.14 Amayi akudziwa izo.
10.15 Ichi chimandisangalatsa kwambiri.
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These are the grammar rules for demonstrative pronouns functioning as "it" in Chewa.
Chewa belongs to the Bantu language family and uses a noun class system. Each noun belongs to a specific class, and pronouns must agree with that class. For the English word "it," Chewa uses demonstrative pronouns that vary based on: -
Noun Class Agreement: Class 7 nouns (chi-/zi-) use ichi/icho; Class 9 nouns (i-/zi-) use iyi/iyo -
Distance: Near forms (ichi, iyi) vs. far forms (icho, iyo) -
Number: Singular forms vs. plural izo
The subject prefix on verbs also changes to agree: -
chi- for class 7: chili (it is), chinagwa (it fell) -
i- for class 9: inali (it was) -
zi- for plural: zili (they are), zinabwera (they came)
Common Mistakes: -
Using the wrong demonstrative for the noun class -
Forgetting to change the verb prefix to match -
Applying English logic of one word for "it"
Step-by-Step Selection: -
Identify the noun class of what you're referring to -
Choose near (this) or far (that) form -
Make sure verb prefixes agree -
Remember that izo covers plural "they/those things"
Grammatical Summary: Demonstrative pronouns in Chewa: -
Class 7: ichi (this), icho (that) -
Class 9: iyi (this), iyo (that) -
Class 8/10: izi (these), izo (those/they)
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In Chewa culture, the distinction between "near" and "far" demonstratives carries social significance beyond mere physical distance. When referring to objects or concepts associated with the speaker's family or community, speakers often use the "near" forms (ichi, iyi) to show familiarity and belonging, even if the object is physically distant.
The demonstrative pronouns are essential in traditional riddling games (miyambo), where the pronoun must match the gender/class of the answer. For example: "Ichi chimayenda usiku - This (thing) walks at night" requires ichi because the answer might be mphaka (cat), a class 7 noun.
In formal speech, especially when addressing elders, speakers may use the far demonstratives (icho, iyo) to show respect and maintain social distance, even when referring to nearby objects. This reflects the broader Chewa value of ulemu (respect).
Regional variations exist between Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique. In urban Lusaka's Town Nyanja, the distinctions are sometimes simplified, while rural speakers maintain strict class agreement. Malawian Chewa tends to preserve more traditional pronoun usage.
False friends for English speakers include assuming "it" is always neuter. In Chewa, even inanimate objects have grammatical gender through the class system, affecting all agreement patterns in the sentence.
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From a traditional Chewa story about the hare (Kalulu):
"Kalulu anaona chipatso chachikulu pa mtengo. 'Ichi ndi changa!' anatero. Koma chinali chitali kwambiri. Anayesa kukwera koma icho chinali patali. Njovu inabwera ndipo inati, 'Icho sichako, ndi cha mtengo.' Koma Kalulu sanvere. Iye anayesabe mpaka chinagwa pansi. Pamenepo njovu inatenga chipatso ndipo inadya. Kalulu anaona kuti icho chinali chachikulu kwambiri kwa iye."
Source: Nthano za Chewa (Chewa Folk Tales), collected by E.J. Chadza, 1968
Kalulu hare anaona saw-PAST chipatso fruit chachikulu big pa on mtengo tree Ichi this ndi is changa mine anatero said-thus Koma but chinali it-was chitali tall kwambiri very Anayesa tried-PAST kukwera to-climb koma but icho that chinali was-PAST patali far Njovu elephant inabwera came-PAST ndipo and inati said-PAST Icho that sichako not-yours ndi is cha of mtengo tree Koma but Kalulu hare sanvere didn't-listen Iye he anayesabe tried-again mpaka until chinagwa fell-PAST pansi down Pamenepo then njovu elephant inatenga took-PAST chipatso fruit ndipo and inadya ate-PAST Kalulu hare anaona saw-PAST kuti that icho that chinali was-PAST chachikulu big kwambiri very kwa for iye him
Hare saw a big fruit on the tree. "This is mine!" he said. But it was very high up. He tried to climb but it was far away. Elephant came and said, "That is not yours, it belongs to the tree." But Hare didn't listen. He kept trying until it fell down. Then Elephant took the fruit and ate it. Hare saw that it had been too big for him anyway.
Kalulu anaona chipatso chachikulu pa mtengo. 'Ichi ndi changa!' anatero. Koma chinali chitali kwambiri. Anayesa kukwera koma icho chinali patali. Njovu inabwera ndipo inati, 'Icho sichako, ndi cha mtengo.' Koma Kalulu sanvere. Iye anayesabe mpaka chinagwa pansi. Pamenepo njovu inatenga chipatso ndipo inadya. Kalulu anaona kuti icho chinali chachikulu kwambiri kwa iye.
This passage demonstrates extensive use of class 7 demonstratives (ichi/icho) with chipatso (fruit), a class 7 noun. Note the agreement: chinali (it was), chinagwa (it fell), chachikulu (big). The past tense marker -na- appears throughout. The negative sichako combines si- (not) + -ch- (it) + -ako (yours), showing possessive agreement. The conjunction kuti introduces reported thought. Cultural note: Kalulu (hare) stories teach moral lessons, here about greed and recognizing one's limitations.
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10.16 Mvula rain yagwa fell-PERF kwambiri heavily dzulo yesterday ndipo and izi this zabweretsa brought-PERF mavuto problems
10.17 Iyo that/it inawononga destroyed-PAST misewu roads yambiri many m'mudzi in-village
10.18 Anthu people akuti say izo those/they zinali were-PAST zowopsa dangerous kwambiri very
10.19 Boma government lati says lidzakonza will-fix izo those/them posachedwa soon
10.20 Ichi this ndi is choyamba first kuchitika to-happen chaka year chino this
10.21 Madzi water aja those anafika reached-PAST mpaka up-to m'nyumba in-houses
10.22 Izo they/those zinawononga destroyed-PAST mbewu crops za of anthu people
10.23 Mkulu chief wa of mudzi village wati said iyi this inali was ngozi disaster
10.24 Komabe however ichi this sichiri is-not chotsiriza last mvula rain ikubwera is-coming
10.25 Izo those zomwe which zinachitika happened-PAST zikufunika need thandizo help
10.26 Bungwe organization la of UN UN lati says lipereka will-give izo those/them
10.27 Chakudya food icho that chidzafika will-arrive sabata week yamawa next
10.28 Iyi this ndi is nthawi time yovuta difficult kwa for onse all
10.29 Koma but ife we tidzatha will-manage izi these pamodzi together
10.30 Icho that chomwe which tikufuna we-need ndi is mgwirizano cooperation
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10.16 Mvula yagwa kwambiri dzulo ndipo izi zabweretsa mavuto. Heavy rain fell yesterday and this has brought problems.
10.17 Iyo inawononga misewu yambiri m'mudzi. It destroyed many roads in the village.
10.18 Anthu akuti izo zinali zowopsa kwambiri. People say those were very dangerous.
10.19 Boma lati lidzakonza izo posachedwa. The government says it will fix them soon.
10.20 Ichi ndi choyamba kuchitika chaka chino. This is the first to happen this year.
10.21 Madzi aja anafika mpaka m'nyumba. That water reached into the houses.
10.22 Izo zinawononga mbewu za anthu. They destroyed people's crops.
10.23 Mkulu wa mudzi wati iyi inali ngozi. The village chief said this was a disaster.
10.24 Komabe ichi sichiri chotsiriza, mvula ikubwera. However this is not the last, rain is coming.
10.25 Izo zomwe zinachitika zikufunika thandizo. Those things that happened need help.
10.26 Bungwe la UN lati lipereka izo. The UN organization says it will provide them.
10.27 Chakudya icho chidzafika sabata yamawa. That food will arrive next week.
10.28 Iyi ndi nthawi yovuta kwa onse. This is a difficult time for everyone.
10.29 Koma ife tidzatha izi pamodzi. But we will manage these together.
10.30 Icho chomwe tikufuna ndi mgwirizano. What we need is cooperation.
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10.16 Mvula yagwa kwambiri dzulo ndipo izi zabweretsa mavuto.
10.17 Iyo inawononga misewu yambiri m'mudzi.
10.18 Anthu akuti izo zinali zowopsa kwambiri.
10.19 Boma lati lidzakonza izo posachedwa.
10.20 Ichi ndi choyamba kuchitika chaka chino.
10.21 Madzi aja anafika mpaka m'nyumba.
10.22 Izo zinawononga mbewu za anthu.
10.23 Mkulu wa mudzi wati iyi inali ngozi.
10.24 Komabe ichi sichiri chotsiriza, mvula ikubwera.
10.25 Izo zomwe zinachitika zikufunika thandizo.
10.26 Bungwe la UN lati lipereka izo.
10.27 Chakudya icho chidzafika sabata yamawa.
10.28 Iyi ndi nthawi yovuta kwa onse.
10.29 Koma ife tidzatha izi pamodzi.
10.30 Icho chomwe tikufuna ndi mgwirizano.
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This news report section demonstrates advanced usage of demonstrative pronouns in formal Chewa. The pronouns izi/izo (plural forms) appear frequently when referring to multiple problems or events. Note the relative pronoun construction "zomwe/chomwe" (those which/that which), combining demonstrative + relative marker.
The perfect tense appears with -a- marker (yagwa - has fallen, zabweretsa - has brought), indicating recently completed actions with present relevance. Future tense uses -dza- (chidzafika - will arrive, lidzakonza - will fix).
The text shows formal register through use of borrowed terms (boma - government, UN) and complex sentence structures. The demonstrative + relative construction (icho chomwe - that which) is characteristic of formal Chewa discourse.
Agreement patterns remain consistent: mvula (rain, class 9) takes i-/yi- pronouns and prefixes, while plural problems/events take zi- prefixes and izo pronouns. This demonstrates how news reporting maintains grammatical precision while conveying urgent information.
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Chewa uses the Latin alphabet without special characters, making it accessible for English speakers. However, certain letter combinations represent sounds not found in English:
Consonant Combinations: -
ch = as in "church" (not like German "ch") -
ng' = like "ng" in "singing" (soft, not like "finger") -
ny = like Spanish "ñ" or "ni" in "onion" -
bv, pf = formerly common, now usually written as v, f -
dz = like "ds" in "beds" -
kh = aspirated "k" with breath -
ph = aspirated "p" (not "f" sound) -
th = aspirated "t" (not like English "th")
Vowels: Always pronounced clearly and separately -
a = "ah" as in "father" -
e = "eh" as in "bed" -
i = "ee" as in "see" -
o = "oh" as in "go" -
u = "oo" as in "too"
Stress Pattern: Generally penultimate (second-to-last syllable), though some words vary. In longer words with prefixes, maintain the stress on the root word's penultimate syllable.
Tone: While Chewa is tonal, tone is not marked in standard orthography. Context usually clarifies meaning where tonal minimal pairs exist.
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