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Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
This lesson teaches the Chichewa/Chewa demonstrative pronoun meaning “this” and “these” – the proximal demonstratives that point to things near the speaker. Unlike English, which has only one form for “this” and one for “these,” Chichewa has multiple forms that must agree with the noun class of the noun being modified.
Chichewa (also called Chewa or Nyanja) is a Bantu language spoken by approximately 15 million people across Malawi (where it is the national language), Zambia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Like all Bantu languages, Chichewa organizes nouns into classes based on prefixes, and all modifiers – including demonstratives – must show agreement with their noun’s class.
FAQ: What does “this” mean in Chewa? The English word “this” has multiple equivalents in Chichewa depending on the noun class: uyu (for people), ichi (for Class 7 nouns like “chipewa” – hat), uwu (for Class 3 nouns), iyi (for Class 9 nouns like “nyanja” – lake), and others. The demonstrative follows the noun, so “this child” is mwana uyu, literally “child this.”
Key Takeaways: -
Chichewa demonstratives agree with noun class (18+ classes exist) -
Demonstratives FOLLOW the noun (opposite of English word order) -
Most common forms: uyu (Class 1/human), ichi (Class 7), izi (Class 8 plural) -
Contractions occur in fluent speech: “mwana uyu” → “mwanayu” -
Learning noun classes is essential for mastering demonstratives
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Chichewa uses a straightforward five-vowel system similar to Spanish or Swahili:
Letter IPA English Approximation a /a/ “father” e /ɛ/ “bed” i /i/ “see” o /ɔ/ “bought” u /u/ “too”
Key demonstrative pronunciations: -
uyu /u.ju/ – “oo-yoo” (this person) -
ichi /i.tʃi/ – “ee-chee” (this thing, Class 7) -
uwu /u.wu/ – “oo-woo” (this, Class 3) -
iyi /i.ji/ – “ee-yee” (this, Classes 4/9) -
awa /a.wa/ – “ah-wah” (these people) -
izi /i.zi/ – “ee-zee” (these things, Class 8/10)
Note on tone: Chichewa is a tonal language, but tone is not typically marked in standard orthography. Context usually clarifies meaning.
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Noun Class Key: -
Class 1/2: People (singular uyu / plural awa) -
Class 7/8: Things with chi-/zi- prefix (ichi / izi) -
Class 9/10: Various nouns, often animals, abstract concepts (iyi / izi) -
Class 3: Trees, plants, body parts (uwu)
19.1a Mwana uyu akusewera 19.1b Mwana (mwa.na) child uyu (u.ju) this akusewera (a.ku.sɛ.wɛ.ɾa) is-playing
19.2a Anthu awa akugwira ntchito 19.2b Anthu (an.tʰu) people awa (a.wa) these akugwira (a.ku.gwi.ɾa) are-doing ntchito (n.tʃi.to) work
19.3a Chipewa ichi ndi chatsopano 19.3b Chipewa (tʃi.pɛ.wa) hat ichi (i.tʃi) this ndi (ndi) is chatsopano (tʃa.tso.pa.no) new
19.4a Chita ichi! 19.4b Chita (tʃi.ta) do ichi (i.tʃi) this
19.5a Nyanja iyi ndi yaikulu 19.5b Nyanja (ɲan.dʒa) lake iyi (i.ji) this ndi (ndi) is yaikulu (ja.i.ku.lu) big
19.6a Zitseko izi ndi zotseguka 19.6b Zitseko (zi.tsɛ.ko) doors izi (i.zi) these ndi (ndi) are zotseguka (zo.tsɛ.gu.ka) open
19.7a Mtengo uwu ndi wautali 19.7b Mtengo (m.tɛ.ŋgo) tree uwu (u.wu) this ndi (ndi) is wautali (wa.u.ta.li) tall
19.8a Buku ili ndi labwino 19.8b Buku (bu.ku) book ili (i.li) this ndi (ndi) is labwino (la.bwi.no) good
19.9a Mkazi uyu ndiye mkulu wanga 19.9b Mkazi (m.ka.zi) woman uyu (u.ju) this ndiye (ndi.jɛ) is mkulu (m.ku.lu) elder wanga (wa.ŋga) my
19.10a Ana awa akuphunzira 19.10b Ana (a.na) children awa (a.wa) these akuphunzira (a.ku.pʰun.zi.ɾa) are-learning
19.11a Nyumba iyi ndi yanga 19.11b Nyumba (ɲum.ba) house iyi (i.ji) this ndi (ndi) is yanga (ja.ŋga) mine
19.12a Mabuku awa ndi atsopano 19.12b Mabuku (ma.bu.ku) books awa (a.wa) these ndi (ndi) are atsopano (a.tso.pa.no) new
19.13a Nkhuku iyi ndi yayikulu 19.13b Nkhuku (ŋ.kʰu.ku) chicken iyi (i.ji) this ndi (ndi) is yayikulu (ja.ji.ku.lu) big
19.14a Dziko lino lili ndi anthu ambiri 19.14b Dziko (dzi.ko) country lino (li.no) this lili (li.li) has ndi (with) anthu (an.tʰu) people ambiri (am.bi.ɾi) many
19.15a Chigoba ichi chili ndi madzi 19.15b Chigoba (tʃi.go.ba) pot ichi (i.tʃi) this chili (tʃi.li) has ndi (with) madzi (ma.dzi) water
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19.1 Mwana uyu akusewera → “This child is playing”
19.2 Anthu awa akugwira ntchito → “These people are working”
19.3 Chipewa ichi ndi chatsopano → “This hat is new”
19.4 Chita ichi! → “Do this!”
19.5 Nyanja iyi ndi yaikulu → “This lake is big”
19.6 Zitseko izi ndi zotseguka → “These doors are open”
19.7 Mtengo uwu ndi wautali → “This tree is tall”
19.8 Buku ili ndi labwino → “This book is good”
19.9 Mkazi uyu ndiye mkulu wanga → “This woman is my elder”
19.10 Ana awa akuphunzira → “These children are learning”
19.11 Nyumba iyi ndi yanga → “This house is mine”
19.12 Mabuku awa ndi atsopano → “These books are new”
19.13 Nkhuku iyi ndi yayikulu → “This chicken is big”
19.14 Dziko lino lili ndi anthu ambiri → “This country has many people”
19.15 Chigoba ichi chili ndi madzi → “This pot has water”
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19.1 Mwana uyu akusewera
19.2 Anthu awa akugwira ntchito
19.3 Chipewa ichi ndi chatsopano
19.4 Chita ichi!
19.5 Nyanja iyi ndi yaikulu
19.6 Zitseko izi ndi zotseguka
19.7 Mtengo uwu ndi wautali
19.8 Buku ili ndi labwino
19.9 Mkazi uyu ndiye mkulu wanga
19.10 Ana awa akuphunzira
19.11 Nyumba iyi ndi yanga
19.12 Mabuku awa ndi atsopano
19.13 Nkhuku iyi ndi yayikulu
19.14 Dziko lino lili ndi anthu ambiri
19.15 Chigoba ichi chili ndi madzi
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These are the grammar rules for proximal demonstratives (”this”/”these”) in Chichewa:
Chichewa, like all Bantu languages, organizes nouns into classes marked by prefixes. Each class requires different agreement markers on demonstratives, adjectives, and verbs. The most important classes for beginners are:
Class 1/2 (People) -
Singular prefix: m-, mw-, mu- -
Demonstrative: uyu (this person) -
Plural prefix: a- -
Demonstrative: awa (these people) -
Examples: mwana uyu (this child), anthu awa (these people)
Class 7/8 (Things with chi-/zi-) -
Singular prefix: chi-, ch- -
Demonstrative: ichi (this thing) -
Plural prefix: zi-, z- -
Demonstrative: izi (these things) -
Examples: chipewa ichi (this hat), zitseko izi (these doors)
Class 9/10 (Various nouns) -
Singular: N- (often no visible prefix) -
Demonstrative: iyi (this) -
Plural: N-, zi- -
Demonstrative: izi (these) -
Examples: nyumba iyi (this house), nyanja iyi (this lake)
Class 3 (Trees, plants) -
Singular prefix: m-, mu-, mw- -
Demonstrative: uwu (this) -
Examples: mtengo uwu (this tree)
Class 5/6 (Various, often paired objects) -
Singular: (li-), often no visible prefix -
Demonstrative: ili or lino (this) -
Plural prefix: ma- -
Demonstrative: awa (these) -
Examples: dziko lino (this country), mabuku awa (these books)
Demonstratives follow the noun in Chichewa (opposite of English): -
English: “this child” → Chichewa: “mwana uyu” (child this) -
English: “these people” → Chichewa: “anthu awa” (people these)
When speaking naturally, the demonstrative often contracts with the preceding noun: -
mwana uyu → mwanayu (this child) -
chipewa ichi → chipewaichi (this hat) -
nyumba iyi → nyumbayi (this house)
The noun class also controls agreement on: -
Adjectives: chipewa chatsopano (new hat) – “cha-” agrees with Class 7 -
Verbs: Mwana uyu akusewera (This child is playing) – “a-” subject marker agrees with Class 1 -
Possessives: nyumba yanga (my house) – “y-” agrees with Class 9
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Using one demonstrative for all nouns – Remember to match the class! -
Placing demonstrative before the noun – It must follow: “mwana uyu” not *”uyu mwana” -
Forgetting verbal agreement – The verb prefix must also match: “Chipewa ichi chili” not *”Chipewa ichi ali”
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Regional Distribution
Chichewa (also spelled Chewa or Cewa) is known by different names in different countries: -
Malawi: Chichewa (national language since 1968, called such by presidential decree) -
Zambia: Nyanja (one of seven official languages) -
Mozambique: Nyanja or Chewa -
Zimbabwe: Chewa or Nyanja
The name “Nyanja” comes from “nyanja” meaning “lake,” referring to Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa). The language is mutually intelligible across these regions with minor dialectal differences.
Demonstratives in Daily Life
Demonstratives are essential in Chichewa for: -
Market transactions: “Ndikufuna chipewa ichi” (I want this hat) -
Giving directions: “Nyumba iyi ndiyo” (This house is the one) -
Identifying people: “Mwana uyu ndi wanga” (This child is mine)
Cultural Politeness
When pointing to people, Chichewa speakers often use uyu even for adults as a neutral demonstrative. However, for elders or respected figures, speakers may avoid direct demonstratives and use titles or kinship terms instead.
Noun Classes and Cultural Categorization
The noun class system reflects traditional categorization of the world: -
Class 1/2: Humans and personified beings (including some musical instruments that “sing”) -
Class 7/8: Artificial objects, tools, languages (Chichewa itself is Class 7: “chi-chewa”) -
Class 9/10: Animals, borrowed words, many everyday objects
Understanding noun classes gives insight into how Bantu speakers conceptually organize their world.
Reminder: This lesson is designed for English speakers learning Chichewa/Nyanja.
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Source: Peace Corps Learning Chichewa (ERIC ED206158), adapted
F-A: Interleaved Text
Mudziwu uli ndi misewu itatu. Misewu iyi ndi yabwino. Anthu awa amayenda pa misewu iyi tsiku lililonse. Nyumba za mudzi uwu ndi zazikulu.
Mudziwu (mu.dzi.wu) village-this uli (u.li) has ndi (with) misewu (mi.sɛ.wu) roads itatu (i.ta.tu) three. Misewu (mi.sɛ.wu) roads iyi (i.ji) this ndi (ndi) is yabwino (ja.bwi.no) good. Anthu (an.tʰu) people awa (a.wa) these amayenda (a.ma.jɛn.da) walk pa (pa) on misewu (mi.sɛ.wu) roads iyi (i.ji) this tsiku (tsi.ku) day lililonse (li.li.lon.sɛ) every. Nyumba (ɲum.ba) houses za (za) of mudzi (mu.dzi) village uwu (u.wu) this ndi (ndi) are zazikulu (za.zi.ku.lu) big.
F-B: Natural Text and Translation
Mudziwu uli ndi misewu itatu. Misewu iyi ndi yabwino. Anthu awa amayenda pa misewu iyi tsiku lililonse. Nyumba za mudzi uwu ndi zazikulu.
→ “This village has three roads. These roads are good. These people walk on these roads every day. The houses of this village are big.”
F-C: Original Chichewa Text Only
Mudziwu uli ndi misewu itatu. Misewu iyi ndi yabwino. Anthu awa amayenda pa misewu iyi tsiku lililonse. Nyumba za mudzi uwu ndi zazikulu.
F-D: Grammar Commentary
This passage demonstrates multiple demonstrative forms in context: -
Mudziwu – Contracted form of “mudzi uwu” (this village, Class 3) -
Misewu iyi – “these roads” (Class 4, using “iyi”) -
Anthu awa – “these people” (Class 2, using “awa”) -
Mudzi uwu – “this village” (Class 3, using “uwu”)
Note how the verb “uli” (has) agrees with the Class 3 subject “mudzi” through the “u-” prefix. The adjectives also show agreement: “yabwino” (good) uses “ya-” to agree with Class 4 “misewu.”
The passage illustrates natural usage where demonstratives appear multiple times, each agreeing with its respective noun class.
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Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
19.16a Moni, ndikufuna kugula nkhuku 19.16b Moni (mo.ni) hello, ndikufuna (ndi.ku.fu.na) I-want kugula (ku.gu.la) to-buy nkhuku (ŋ.kʰu.ku) chicken
19.17a Nkhuku iyi ndi bwino kwambiri 19.17b Nkhuku (ŋ.kʰu.ku) chicken iyi (i.ji) this ndi (ndi) is bwino (bwi.no) good kwambiri (kwam.bi.ɾi) very
19.18a Mtengo wake ndi wotani? 19.18b Mtengo (m.tɛ.ŋgo) price wake (wa.kɛ) its ndi (ndi) is wotani (wo.ta.ni) what
19.19a Nkhuku iyi ndi zikwatcha mazana awiri 19.19b Nkhuku (ŋ.kʰu.ku) chicken iyi (i.ji) this ndi (ndi) is zikwatcha (zi.kwa.tʃa) kwacha mazana (ma.za.na) hundreds awiri (a.wi.ɾi) two
19.20a Ndipatse nkhuku iyi 19.20b Ndipatse (ndi.pa.tsɛ) give-me nkhuku (ŋ.kʰu.ku) chicken iyi (i.ji) this
19.21a Kodi chipewa ichi ndi ndalama zingati? 19.21b Kodi (ko.di) Q chipewa (tʃi.pɛ.wa) hat ichi (i.tʃi) this ndi (ndi) is ndalama (n.da.la.ma) money zingati (zi.ŋga.ti) how-much
19.22a Chipewa ichi ndi zikwatcha makumi asanu 19.22b Chipewa (tʃi.pɛ.wa) hat ichi (i.tʃi) this ndi (ndi) is zikwatcha (zi.kwa.tʃa) kwacha makumi (ma.ku.mi) tens asanu (a.sa.nu) five
19.23a Ndikufuna malaya awa 19.23b Ndikufuna (ndi.ku.fu.na) I-want malaya (ma.la.ja) clothes awa (a.wa) these
19.24a Malaya awa ndi okongola 19.24b Malaya (ma.la.ja) clothes awa (a.wa) these ndi (ndi) are okongola (o.ko.ŋgo.la) beautiful
19.25a Zinthu izi ndi zanga zonse 19.25b Zinthu (zin.tʰu) things izi (i.zi) these ndi (ndi) are zanga (za.ŋga) mine zonse (zon.sɛ) all
19.26a Mwana uyu ndi wanu? 19.26b Mwana (mwa.na) child uyu (u.ju) this ndi (ndi) is wanu (wa.nu) yours
19.27a Inde, mwana uyu ndi wanga 19.27b Inde (in.dɛ) yes, mwana (mwa.na) child uyu (u.ju) this ndi (ndi) is wanga (wa.ŋga) mine
19.28a Anthu awa akuchokera kuti? 19.28b Anthu (an.tʰu) people awa (a.wa) these akuchokera (a.ku.tʃo.kɛ.ɾa) come-from kuti (ku.ti) where
19.29a Anthu awa akuchokera ku Lilongwe 19.29b Anthu (an.tʰu) people awa (a.wa) these akuchokera (a.ku.tʃo.kɛ.ɾa) come-from ku (ku) to Lilongwe (li.loŋ.gwɛ) Lilongwe
19.30a Zikomo, tsiku lino ndi labwino 19.30b Zikomo (zi.ko.mo) thank-you, tsiku (tsi.ku) day lino (li.no) this ndi (ndi) is labwino (la.bwi.no) good
Part B: Natural Sentences
19.16 Moni, ndikufuna kugula nkhuku → “Hello, I want to buy a chicken”
19.17 Nkhuku iyi ndi bwino kwambiri → “This chicken is very good”
19.18 Mtengo wake ndi wotani? → “What is its price?”
19.19 Nkhuku iyi ndi zikwatcha mazana awiri → “This chicken is 200 kwacha”
19.20 Ndipatse nkhuku iyi → “Give me this chicken”
19.21 Kodi chipewa ichi ndi ndalama zingati? → “How much is this hat?”
19.22 Chipewa ichi ndi zikwatcha makumi asanu → “This hat is 50 kwacha”
19.23 Ndikufuna malaya awa → “I want these clothes”
19.24 Malaya awa ndi okongola → “These clothes are beautiful”
19.25 Zinthu izi ndi zanga zonse → “All these things are mine”
19.26 Mwana uyu ndi wanu? → “Is this child yours?”
19.27 Inde, mwana uyu ndi wanga → “Yes, this child is mine”
19.28 Anthu awa akuchokera kuti? → “Where are these people from?”
19.29 Anthu awa akuchokera ku Lilongwe → “These people are from Lilongwe”
19.30 Zikomo, tsiku lino ndi labwino → “Thank you, today is a good day”
Part C: Chewa Text Only
19.16 Moni, ndikufuna kugula nkhuku
19.17 Nkhuku iyi ndi bwino kwambiri
19.18 Mtengo wake ndi wotani?
19.19 Nkhuku iyi ndi zikwatcha mazana awiri
19.20 Ndipatse nkhuku iyi
19.21 Kodi chipewa ichi ndi ndalama zingati?
19.22 Chipewa ichi ndi zikwatcha makumi asanu
19.23 Ndikufuna malaya awa
19.24 Malaya awa ndi okongola
19.25 Zinthu izi ndi zanga zonse
19.26 Mwana uyu ndi wanu?
19.27 Inde, mwana uyu ndi wanga
19.28 Anthu awa akuchokera kuti?
19.29 Anthu awa akuchokera ku Lilongwe
19.30 Zikomo, tsiku lino ndi labwino
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
This market dialogue demonstrates demonstratives across multiple noun classes in practical conversation:
Class 9 (iyi): nkhuku iyi (this chicken) Class 7 (ichi): chipewa ichi (this hat) Class 6 (awa): malaya awa (these clothes), zinthu izi → zinga (mine) Class 8 (izi): zinthu izi (these things) Class 1 (uyu): mwana uyu (this child) Class 2 (awa): anthu awa (these people) Class 5 (lino): tsiku lino (this day/today)
Useful Market Phrases: -
“Ndipatse...” – Give me... (followed by noun + demonstrative) -
“Kodi... ndi ndalama zingati?” – How much is...? -
“Ndikufuna...” – I want...
Note on “lino”: This is another Class 5 proximal demonstrative, seen in “tsiku lino” (this day/today). It differs slightly from “ili” and represents a locative-influenced form.
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Consonants
Chichewa has several consonant sounds that may be unfamiliar to English speakers: -
ch /tʃ/ – as in English “church” (chipewa, ichi) -
ng’ /ŋ/ – the ng sound WITHOUT following g (ng’ombe = cow) -
ny /ɲ/ – as in “canyon” (nyumba, nyanja) -
bw /bw/ – lip rounding with b (bwino, labwino) -
mw /mw/ – nasal + lip rounding (mwana, mwezi) -
ph, th, kh – aspirated stops (stronger breath than English)
Vowels
All five vowels are pronounced clearly and are never reduced: -
Each vowel represents one syllable -
No silent letters -
Adjacent vowels are pronounced separately
Syllable Structure
Chichewa is syllable-timed (not stress-timed like English). Each syllable receives roughly equal length: -
Chi-pe-wa (3 syllables) -
A-ku-se-we-ra (5 syllables)
Tone
Chichewa uses high and low tones for meaning distinction, but standard orthography does not mark tone. Learners should listen to native speakers and learn tone patterns through exposure.
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Class Prefix Demonstrative Example 1 (human sg) m-, mw- uyu mwana uyu (this child) 2 (human pl) a- awa anthu awa (these people) 3 m-, mu- uwu mtengo uwu (this tree) 4 mi- iyi misewu iyi (these roads) 5 (li-) ili/lino dziko lino (this country) 6 ma- awa mabuku awa (these books) 7 chi- ichi chipewa ichi (this hat) 8 zi- izi zitseko izi (these doors) 9 N- iyi nyumba iyi (this house) 10 N-, zi- izi nkhuku izi (these chickens)
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The Latinum Institute has been creating online language learning materials since 2006, specializing in the construed reading method for accelerated comprehension. This Chichewa/Chewa course follows our proven methodology of interlinear glossing combined with natural sentence practice.
This lesson is part of a systematic vocabulary-building program based on frequency analysis. By learning the most common words first, students can quickly achieve functional literacy in their target language. The demonstrative “this” is among the most frequent words in any language, making it essential early vocabulary.
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
Reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
Sources consulted for this lesson: -
Peace Corps Learning Chichewa Books 1-2 (ERIC ED206158) -
Sam Mchombo, The Syntax of Chichewa (Cambridge University Press, 2004) -
Academic papers on Bantu noun class systems -
Native speaker verification resources
The Chichewa/Nyanja language connects millions of speakers across southeastern Africa. Learning this beautiful Bantu language opens doors to the cultures of Malawi, Zambia, and beyond.
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Lesson 19 Complete Next Lesson: 20 – “not” (Negation in Chichewa)
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