Nexal Code: CW-L22-KUTI-CONJ-SUBORD | Frequency Rank: 22 | Category: Grammar - Clause Subordination
Welcome to Lesson 22 of our Chewa (Chichewa/Nyanja) language course. This lesson focuses on kuti, the essential subordinating conjunction meaning “that,” which introduces dependent clauses expressing statements, purposes, wishes, and indirect commands. This word is fundamental to building complex sentences in Chewa.
For the complete course index, visit: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: What does “that” mean in Chewa? The English subordinating conjunction “that” is rendered as kuti in Chewa. It introduces subordinate clauses after verbs of saying, thinking, wanting, and knowing. Unlike English where “that” is often omitted in speech (”I think [that] she’s coming”), kuti in Chewa is typically retained, though it can be optional in certain constructions.
How This Lesson Works: In the 30 examples below, you will see kuti used in various clause structures—from simple statements to complex embedded sentences. Chewa subordinate clauses often trigger the subjunctive mood, marked by a change in the verb’s final vowel to -e. Pay attention to how kuti connects the main clause to the dependent clause.
Key Takeaways: -
Kuti is the primary subordinating conjunction meaning “that” in Chewa -
It introduces purpose clauses, wish clauses, indirect commands, and reported speech -
Subordinate clauses with kuti often use the subjunctive mood (final vowel becomes -e) -
The conjunction kuti can occasionally be omitted, but is usually present -
Tone plays an important role: kuti is toneless in isolation but becomes kúti with question intonation
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Kuti /ku.ti/ - Both syllables are short and clear. The u is a pure vowel as in “boot” (but shorter), and the t is dental, produced with the tongue against the upper teeth. In connected speech before a clause, it may be pronounced kúti with a slight high tone on the first syllable.
Chewa Vowels: -
a = /a/ as in “father” -
e = /ɛ/ as in “bed” -
i = /i/ as in “machine” -
o = /ɔ/ as in “caught” -
u = /u/ as in “boot”
Subjunctive Marker: When kuti introduces a purpose or wish clause, the verb in the subordinate clause often changes its final vowel to -e (the subjunctive mood). For example: kubwera (to come) → abwere (that s/he should come).
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22.1a Ndimadziwa kuti akubwera 22.1b Ndi-ma-dziw-a (ndi.ma.ˈdzi.wa) I-HAB-know-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that a-ku-bwer-a (a.ku.ˈbwɛ.ɾa) s/he-PRES-come-FV
22.2a Anati kuti mvula igwa 22.2b A-na-ti (a.ˈna.ti) s/he-PAST-say kuti (ˈku.ti) that mvula (ˈmvu.la) rain i-gw-a (i.ˈgwa) it-fall-FV
22.3a Tikufuna kuti mubwere mawa 22.3b Ti-ku-fun-a (ti.ku.ˈfu.na) we-PRES-want-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that mu-bwer-e (mu.ˈbwɛ.ɾɛ) you.PL-come-SUBJ mawa (ˈma.wa) tomorrow
22.4a Ndikukhulupirira kuti ndi zoona 22.4b Ndi-ku-khulupir-ir-a (ndi.ku.xu.lu.pi.ˈɾi.ɾa) I-PRES-believe-APPL-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that ndi (ndi) it.is zoona (zo.ˈo.na) true
22.5a Mwana akulira kuti afuna chakudya 22.5b Mwana (ˈmwa.na) child a-ku-lir-a (a.ku.ˈli.ɾa) s/he-PRES-cry-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that/because a-fun-a (a.ˈfu.na) s/he-want-FV chakudya (tʃa.ˈku.dja) food
22.6a Anandiwuza kuti apita kumsika 22.6b A-na-ndi-wuz-a (a.na.ndi.ˈwu.za) s/he-PAST-me-tell-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that a-pit-a (a.ˈpi.ta) s/he-go-FV kumsika (ku.ˈmsi.ka) to.market
22.7a Tikuyembekezera kuti tikapambane 22.7b Ti-ku-yembekezer-a (ti.ku.jɛm.bɛ.kɛ.ˈzɛ.ɾa) we-PRES-hope-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that ti-ka-pamban-e (ti.ka.pam.ˈba.nɛ) we-FUT-win-SUBJ
22.8a Ndinabwereka njinga kuti afike msanga 22.8b Ndi-na-bwerek-a (ndi.na.bwɛ.ˈɾɛ.ka) I-PAST-lend-FV njinga (ˈndʒi.ŋga) bicycle kuti (ˈku.ti) so.that a-fik-e (a.ˈfi.kɛ) s/he-arrive-SUBJ msanga (ˈmsa.ŋga) quickly
22.9a Iye akudziwa kuti ndimamukonda 22.9b Iye (ˈi.jɛ) s/he a-ku-dziw-a (a.ku.ˈdzi.wa) s/he-PRES-know-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that ndi-ma-mu-kond-a (ndi.ma.mu.ˈko.nda) I-HAB-him/her-love-FV
22.10a Aphunzitsi anati kuti tiphunzire mwakhama 22.10b A-phunzitsi (a.pʰu.ˈndzi.tsi) teacher a-na-ti (a.ˈna.ti) s/he-PAST-say kuti (ˈku.ti) that ti-phunzir-e (ti.pʰu.ˈndzi.ɾɛ) we-study-SUBJ mwakhama (mwa.ˈxa.ma) diligently
22.11a Sindikuganiza kuti izi ndi zowona 22.11b Si-ndi-ku-ganiz-a (si.ndi.ku.ˈga.ni.za) NEG-I-PRES-think-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that izi (ˈi.zi) these ndi (ndi) are zowona (zo.ˈwo.na) true.things
22.12a Tinawauza kuti agone 22.12b Ti-na-wa-uz-a (ti.na.wa.ˈu.za) we-PAST-them-tell-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that a-gon-e (a.ˈgo.nɛ) they-sleep-SUBJ
22.13a Mkango ukudziwa kuti njovu ikufuna kuuthamangitsa 22.13b Mkango (ˈmka.ŋgo) lion u-ku-dziw-a (u.ku.ˈdzi.wa) it-PRES-know-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that njovu (ˈndʒo.vu) elephant i-ku-fun-a (i.ku.ˈfu.na) it-PRES-want-FV ku-u-thamangits-a (ku.u.tʰa.ma.ˈŋgi.tsa) INF-it-chase-CAUS-FV
22.14a Ndikukhulupirira kuti Mulungu alipo 22.14b Ndi-ku-khulupir-ir-a (ndi.ku.xu.lu.pi.ˈɾi.ɾa) I-PRES-believe-APPL-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that Mulungu (mu.ˈlu.ŋgu) God a-li-po (a.ˈli.po) s/he-be-LOC
22.15a Anandilembera kalata kuti ndidzamuone 22.15b A-na-ndi-lember-a (a.na.ndi.lɛm.ˈbɛ.ɾa) s/he-PAST-me-write-FV kalata (ka.ˈla.ta) letter kuti (ˈku.ti) so.that ndi-dza-mu-on-e (ndi.dza.mu.ˈo.nɛ) I-FUT-him/her-see-SUBJ
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22.1 Ndimadziwa kuti akubwera → “I know that s/he is coming”
22.2 Anati kuti mvula igwa → “S/he said that rain will fall”
22.3 Tikufuna kuti mubwere mawa → “We want you to come tomorrow”
22.4 Ndikukhulupirira kuti ndi zoona → “I believe that it is true”
22.5 Mwana akulira kuti afuna chakudya → “The child is crying because s/he wants food”
22.6 Anandiwuza kuti apita kumsika → “S/he told me that s/he went to the market”
22.7 Tikuyembekezera kuti tikapambane → “We are hoping that we will win”
22.8 Ndinabwereka njinga kuti afike msanga → “I lent the bicycle so that s/he would arrive quickly”
22.9 Iye akudziwa kuti ndimamukonda → “S/he knows that I love him/her”
22.10 Aphunzitsi anati kuti tiphunzire mwakhama → “The teacher said that we should study diligently”
22.11 Sindikuganiza kuti izi ndi zowona → “I don’t think that these are true”
22.12 Tinawauza kuti agone → “We told them to sleep”
22.13 Mkango ukudziwa kuti njovu ikufuna kuuthamangitsa → “The lion knows that the elephant wants to chase it”
22.14 Ndikukhulupirira kuti Mulungu alipo → “I believe that God exists”
22.15 Anandilembera kalata kuti ndidzamuone → “S/he wrote me a letter so that I would see him/her”
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22.1 Ndimadziwa kuti akubwera
22.2 Anati kuti mvula igwa
22.3 Tikufuna kuti mubwere mawa
22.4 Ndikukhulupirira kuti ndi zoona
22.5 Mwana akulira kuti afuna chakudya
22.6 Anandiwuza kuti apita kumsika
22.7 Tikuyembekezera kuti tikapambane
22.8 Ndinabwereka njinga kuti afike msanga
22.9 Iye akudziwa kuti ndimamukonda
22.10 Aphunzitsi anati kuti tiphunzire mwakhama
22.11 Sindikuganiza kuti izi ndi zowona
22.12 Tinawauza kuti agone
22.13 Mkango ukudziwa kuti njovu ikufuna kuuthamangitsa
22.14 Ndikukhulupirira kuti Mulungu alipo
22.15 Anandilembera kalata kuti ndidzamuone
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Grammar Rules for Kuti in Chewa:
Kuti is the primary subordinating conjunction in Chewa, functioning like English “that” when introducing dependent clauses. However, it has a broader range of uses than its English equivalent.
1. Basic Structure: The fundamental pattern is: Main Clause + kuti + Subordinate Clause
Example: Ndimadziwa + kuti + akubwera (I know) + (that) + (s/he is coming)
2. Triggering the Subjunctive: When kuti introduces a purpose clause, wish clause, or indirect command, the verb in the subordinate clause typically takes the subjunctive mood. This is marked by changing the final vowel of the verb to -e: -
kubwera (to come) → abwere (that s/he should come) -
kugona (to sleep) → agone (that s/he should sleep) -
kuphunzira (to study) → tiphunzire (that we should study)
3. The Optionality of Kuti: In some constructions, particularly with verbs of telling or commanding, kuti can be omitted: -
With kuti: Tinawauza kuti agone → “We told them that they should sleep” -
Without kuti: Tinawauza agone → “We told them to sleep”
Both forms are grammatically correct, though the version with kuti is often clearer.
4. Kuti for Purpose (”so that”): Kuti also expresses purpose, translatable as “so that” or “in order that”: -
Ndinabwereka njinga kuti afike msanga → “I lent the bicycle so that s/he would arrive quickly”
5. Kuti for Cause (”because”): In some contexts, kuti can have a causal meaning similar to “because”: -
Mwana akulira kuti afuna chakudya → “The child is crying because s/he wants food”
6. Complex Embedding: Chewa allows multiple levels of clause embedding with kuti: -
Mkango ukudziwa kuti njovu ikufuna kuti authamangitse anyani -
“The lion knows that the elephant wants it to chase the baboons”
7. Future Subjunctive: When expressing future purpose, the future tense marker -dza- combines with the subjunctive: -
kuti ndidzamuone → “so that I will see him/her (later)”
Common Errors to Avoid: -
Do not confuse kuti (conjunction “that”) with -ti (verb “to say”) -
Remember to change the final vowel to -e in subjunctive clauses -
Do not omit kuti when the sentence would become ambiguous -
Note that kuti as a question word means “where” (directional), not “that”
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The Importance of Kuti in Malawian Communication:
Chewa (also known as Chichewa or Nyanja) is the national language of Malawi and is widely spoken in Zambia, Mozambique, and parts of Zimbabwe. As a Bantu language, Chewa has a rich system of noun classes, verbal morphology, and complex sentence structures—all of which interact with kuti in important ways.
Formal vs. Informal Usage: In formal speech and writing, kuti is consistently used to introduce subordinate clauses. In casual conversation, it may be omitted where the meaning is clear, though retaining it is never incorrect.
Regional Variations: While kuti is standard across Chewa-speaking regions, slight variations exist: -
In Malawian Chichewa, kuti is pronounced with even stress -
In Zambian Nyanja, the pronunciation may slightly differ in tone -
In Mozambican varieties, contact with Portuguese has introduced some alternative expressions
Polite Requests and Indirect Speech: Using kuti with subjunctive forms is the polite way to make requests and give instructions in Chewa. Rather than giving direct commands, Chewa speakers often phrase requests as wishes or purposes: -
Ndikufuna kuti mubwere → “I want that you should come” (polite request)
Proverbs and Idiomatic Expressions: Kuti appears in many Chewa proverbs and sayings. Its use in reported speech and attributed statements makes it essential for oral traditions and storytelling.
The Subjunctive in Daily Life: The subjunctive mood triggered by kuti is used constantly in everyday Chewa—for expressing hopes, making polite requests, giving instructions, and discussing purposes and intentions. Mastering this construction is essential for natural-sounding Chewa.
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From Malawian Oral Tradition:
The following passage reflects traditional Chewa storytelling, which relies heavily on kuti for reported speech and purpose clauses. This example is constructed in the style of Malawian folk narratives (nthano), drawing on patterns documented in Steve Chimombo’s scholarly work on Malawian oral literature (1988).
F-A: Interlinear Text
Kalekale kuli kuti padali mwamuna wina wanzeru. Iye anauza anthu kuti azimvera nzeru. Anthu anayankha kuti adzamvera, koma sanamvere.
Kalekale (ka.lɛ.ˈka.lɛ) long.ago kuli (ˈku.li) there.being kuti (ˈku.ti) QUOT pa-da-li (pa.ˈda.li) LOC-PAST-be mwamuna (mwa.ˈmu.na) man wina (ˈwi.na) certain wa-nzeru (wa.ˈnzɛ.ɾu) of-wisdom
Iye (ˈi.jɛ) he a-na-uz-a (a.na.ˈu.za) he-PAST-tell-FV anthu (ˈa.ntʰu) people kuti (ˈku.ti) that a-zi-mver-a (a.zi.ˈmvɛ.ɾa) they-HAB-hear-FV nzeru (ˈnzɛ.ɾu) wisdom
Anthu (ˈa.ntʰu) people a-na-yankh-a (a.na.ˈja.nkʰa) they-PAST-answer-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that a-dza-mver-a (a.dza.ˈmvɛ.ɾa) they-FUT-hear-FV koma (ˈko.ma) but sa-na-mver-e (sa.na.ˈmvɛ.ɾɛ) NEG-PAST-hear-SUBJ
F-B: Natural Text with Translation
Kalekale kuli kuti padali mwamuna wina wanzeru. Iye anauza anthu kuti azimvera nzeru. Anthu anayankha kuti adzamvera, koma sanamvere.
→ “Long ago, there was a certain wise man. He told the people that they should heed wisdom. The people answered that they would listen, but they did not listen.”
F-C: Chewa Text Only
Kalekale kuli kuti padali mwamuna wina wanzeru. Iye anauza anthu kuti azimvera nzeru. Anthu anayankha kuti adzamvera, koma sanamvere.
F-D: Grammar Commentary
This passage demonstrates several key uses of kuti:
First, kuli kuti is a common opening formula in Chewa folktales, literally meaning “there being that” and serving as “once upon a time.”
The phrase anauza anthu kuti azimvera shows kuti introducing an indirect command—”told the people that they should heed.” Note the habitual marker -zi- in azimvera.
The reply kuti adzamvera shows kuti introducing reported speech with the future tense marker -dza-, meaning “that they would listen.”
The final clause sanamvere uses the negative past subjunctive (sa- = negation, -na- = past, -mver- = listen, -e = subjunctive ending), showing the contrast between promise and action—a common moral theme in Chewa folklore.
F-E: Literary Context
Steve Bernard Miles Chimombo (1945-2015) was Malawi’s foremost literary figure—a poet, playwright, novelist, and scholar who documented and celebrated Chewa oral traditions. His scholarly work Malawian Oral Literature: The Aesthetics of Indigenous Arts (1988) analyzed the narrative structures and linguistic patterns of Chewa storytelling, including the central role of kuti in reported speech and narrative framing.
Chimombo’s creative works, including the play Wachiona Ndani? (1992) written in Chichewa and the poetry collection Napolo and the Python (1994), drew extensively on Chewa linguistic and cultural patterns. His work demonstrates how traditional Chewa narrative techniques—including the extensive use of kuti for embedded speech—continue to enrich modern African literature.
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The following dialogue takes place at a village meeting (msonkhano) where community members discuss plans for building a new school.
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
22.16a Mtsogoleri anati kuti tiyenera kumanga sukulu yatsopano 22.16b Mtsogoleri (mtso.ˈgo.lɛ.ɾi) leader a-na-ti (a.ˈna.ti) s/he-PAST-say kuti (ˈku.ti) that ti-yener-a (ti.jɛ.ˈnɛ.ɾa) we-should-FV ku-mang-a (ku.ˈma.ŋga) INF-build-FV sukulu (su.ˈku.lu) school ya-tsopano (ja.tso.ˈpa.no) of-new
22.17a Wina anafunsa kuti tipeze ndalama kuti? 22.17b Wina (ˈwi.na) someone a-na-funs-a (a.na.ˈfu.nsa) s/he-PAST-ask-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that ti-pez-e (ti.ˈpɛ.zɛ) we-find-SUBJ ndalama (nda.ˈla.ma) money kuti (ˈku.ti) where
22.18a Mtsogoleri anayankha kuti titumize makalata kwa boma 22.18b Mtsogoleri (mtso.ˈgo.lɛ.ɾi) leader a-na-yankh-a (a.na.ˈja.nkʰa) s/he-PAST-answer-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that ti-tumiz-e (ti.tu.ˈmi.zɛ) we-send-SUBJ makalata (ma.ka.ˈla.ta) letters kwa (kwa) to boma (ˈbo.ma) government
22.19a Anthu anagwirizana kuti ndi lingaliro labwino 22.19b Anthu (ˈa.ntʰu) people a-na-gwirizana (a.na.gwi.ɾi.ˈza.na) they-PAST-agree kuti (ˈku.ti) that ndi (ndi) it.is lingaliro (li.ŋga.ˈli.ɾo) idea la-bwino (la.ˈbwi.no) of-good
22.20a Mayi wina anati kuti akufuna kuti ana aphunzire bwino 22.20b Mayi (ˈma.ji) mother wina (ˈwi.na) certain a-na-ti (a.ˈna.ti) s/he-PAST-say kuti (ˈku.ti) that a-ku-fun-a (a.ku.ˈfu.na) s/he-PRES-want-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that ana (ˈa.na) children a-phunzir-e (a.pʰu.ˈndzi.ɾɛ) they-study-SUBJ bwino (ˈbwi.no) well
22.21a Bambo anayankha kuti tonse tikufuna chimodzimodzi 22.21b Bambo (ˈba.mbo) father a-na-yankh-a (a.na.ˈja.nkʰa) s/he-PAST-answer-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that tonse (ˈto.nsɛ) all.of.us ti-ku-fun-a (ti.ku.ˈfu.na) we-PRES-want-FV chimodzimodzi (tʃi.mo.dzi.ˈmo.dzi) same.thing
22.22a Ndikukhulupirira kuti tigwirizane 22.22b Ndi-ku-khulupir-ir-a (ndi.ku.xu.lu.pi.ˈɾi.ɾa) I-PRES-believe-APPL-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that ti-gwirizane (ti.gwi.ɾi.ˈza.nɛ) we-agree-SUBJ
22.23a Mtsogoleri anati kuti tisonkhane mawa kuti tikambirane zambiri 22.23b Mtsogoleri (mtso.ˈgo.lɛ.ɾi) leader a-na-ti (a.ˈna.ti) s/he-PAST-say kuti (ˈku.ti) that ti-sonkhan-e (ti.so.ˈnkʰa.nɛ) we-meet-SUBJ mawa (ˈma.wa) tomorrow kuti (ˈku.ti) so.that ti-kambiran-e (ti.kam.bi.ˈɾa.nɛ) we-discuss-SUBJ zambiri (za.ˈmbi.ɾi) more
22.24a Anthu anasangalala kuti mtsogoleri akumvetsera 22.24b Anthu (ˈa.ntʰu) people a-na-sangalal-a (a.na.sa.ŋga.ˈla.la) they-PAST-rejoice-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that mtsogoleri (mtso.ˈgo.lɛ.ɾi) leader a-ku-mvetsera (a.ku.mvɛ.ˈtsɛ.ɾa) s/he-PRES-listen
22.25a Mayi anati kuti akuyamika Mulungu kuti anthu agwirizana 22.25b Mayi (ˈma.ji) mother a-na-ti (a.ˈna.ti) s/he-PAST-say kuti (ˈku.ti) that a-ku-yamik-a (a.ku.ja.ˈmi.ka) s/he-PRES-thank-FV Mulungu (mu.ˈlu.ŋgu) God kuti (ˈku.ti) that anthu (ˈa.ntʰu) people a-gwirizana (a.gwi.ɾi.ˈza.na) they-agree
22.26a Ndikudziwa kuti ntchito idzakhala yaikulu 22.26b Ndi-ku-dziw-a (ndi.ku.ˈdzi.wa) I-PRES-know-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that ntchito (ˈntʃi.to) work i-dza-khal-a (i.dza.ˈxa.la) it-FUT-be-FV ya-i-kulu (ja.i.ˈku.lu) of-big
22.27a Koma tikukhulupirira kuti tipambane 22.27b Koma (ˈko.ma) but ti-ku-khulupir-ir-a (ti.ku.xu.lu.pi.ˈɾi.ɾa) we-PRES-believe-APPL-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that ti-pamban-e (ti.pam.ˈba.nɛ) we-win-SUBJ
22.28a Anati kuti aliyense abweretse zomanga 22.28b A-na-ti (a.ˈna.ti) s/he-PAST-say kuti (ˈku.ti) that aliyense (a.li.ˈjɛ.nsɛ) everyone a-bwerets-e (a.bwɛ.ˈɾɛ.tsɛ) s/he-bring-SUBJ zomanga (zo.ˈma.ŋga) building.materials
22.29a Tikufuna kuti ana adzakhale olemba ndi kuwerenga 22.29b Ti-ku-fun-a (ti.ku.ˈfu.na) we-PRES-want-FV kuti (ˈku.ti) that ana (ˈa.na) children a-dza-khal-e (a.dza.ˈxa.lɛ) they-FUT-be-SUBJ o-lemb-a (o.ˈlɛ.mba) able.to.write ndi (ndi) and ku-wereng-a (ku.wɛ.ˈɾɛ.ŋga) INF-read-FV
22.30a Msonkhano unatha ndipo anthu anagwirizana kuti adzagwira ntchito pamodzi 22.30b Msonkhano (mso.ˈnkʰa.no) meeting u-na-th-a (u.na.ˈtʰa) it-PAST-finish-FV ndipo (ˈndi.po) and anthu (ˈa.ntʰu) people a-na-gwirizana (a.na.gwi.ɾi.ˈza.na) they-PAST-agree kuti (ˈku.ti) that a-dza-gwir-a (a.dza.ˈgwi.ɾa) they-FUT-do-FV ntchito (ˈntʃi.to) work pamodzi (pa.ˈmo.dzi) together
Part B: Natural Sentences
22.16 Mtsogoleri anati kuti tiyenera kumanga sukulu yatsopano → “The leader said that we should build a new school”
22.17 Wina anafunsa kuti tipeze ndalama kuti? → “Someone asked where we would find money”
22.18 Mtsogoleri anayankha kuti titumize makalata kwa boma → “The leader answered that we should send letters to the government”
22.19 Anthu anagwirizana kuti ndi lingaliro labwino → “The people agreed that it is a good idea”
22.20 Mayi wina anati kuti akufuna kuti ana aphunzire bwino → “A certain mother said that she wants the children to study well”
22.21 Bambo anayankha kuti tonse tikufuna chimodzimodzi → “The father answered that we all want the same thing”
22.22 Ndikukhulupirira kuti tigwirizane → “I believe that we will agree”
22.23 Mtsogoleri anati kuti tisonkhane mawa kuti tikambirane zambiri → “The leader said that we should meet tomorrow to discuss more”
22.24 Anthu anasangalala kuti mtsogoleri akumvetsera → “The people were happy that the leader is listening”
22.25 Mayi anati kuti akuyamika Mulungu kuti anthu agwirizana → “The mother said that she thanks God that the people are agreeing”
22.26 Ndikudziwa kuti ntchito idzakhala yaikulu → “I know that the work will be great”
22.27 Koma tikukhulupirira kuti tipambane → “But we believe that we will succeed”
22.28 Anati kuti aliyense abweretse zomanga → “S/he said that everyone should bring building materials”
22.29 Tikufuna kuti ana adzakhale olemba ndi kuwerenga → “We want the children to become able to read and write”
22.30 Msonkhano unatha ndipo anthu anagwirizana kuti adzagwira ntchito pamodzi → “The meeting ended and the people agreed that they would work together”
Part C: Chewa Text Only
22.16 Mtsogoleri anati kuti tiyenera kumanga sukulu yatsopano
22.17 Wina anafunsa kuti tipeze ndalama kuti?
22.18 Mtsogoleri anayankha kuti titumize makalata kwa boma
22.19 Anthu anagwirizana kuti ndi lingaliro labwino
22.20 Mayi wina anati kuti akufuna kuti ana aphunzire bwino
22.21 Bambo anayankha kuti tonse tikufuna chimodzimodzi
22.22 Ndikukhulupirira kuti tigwirizane
22.23 Mtsogoleri anati kuti tisonkhane mawa kuti tikambirane zambiri
22.24 Anthu anasangalala kuti mtsogoleri akumvetsera
22.25 Mayi anati kuti akuyamika Mulungu kuti anthu agwirizana
22.26 Ndikudziwa kuti ntchito idzakhala yaikulu
22.27 Koma tikukhulupirira kuti tipambane
22.28 Anati kuti aliyense abweretse zomanga
22.29 Tikufuna kuti ana adzakhale olemba ndi kuwerenga
22.30 Msonkhano unatha ndipo anthu anagwirizana kuti adzagwira ntchito pamodzi
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
This dialogue demonstrates several advanced uses of kuti:
Multiple kuti in one sentence: Example 22.20 shows kuti appearing twice: anati kuti akufuna kuti ana aphunzire bwino (”she said that she wants that the children should study well”). This is natural in Chewa and represents nested subordination.
Purpose chains: Example 22.23 uses kuti twice—first for reported speech, then for purpose: tisonkhane mawa kuti tikambirane (”we should meet tomorrow so that we discuss”).
Gratitude constructions: Example 22.25 shows kuyamika Mulungu kuti (”to thank God that”), a common pattern for expressing gratitude for circumstances.
The question word kuti: In example 22.17, the final kuti means “where” (directional), not “that”—a homonym that students should distinguish from the conjunction.
Future subjunctive: Example 22.29 combines future -dza- with subjunctive -e: adzakhale (”they will/should be”).
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The Sounds of Kuti: The word kuti consists of two syllables: ku + ti. Both vowels are short and pure. The k is unaspirated (no puff of air follows it), and the t is dental (tongue touches upper teeth, not the alveolar ridge as in English).
Tone Considerations: Chewa is a tonal language, and kuti interacts with tone in complex ways: -
In isolation or as a subordinating conjunction, kuti is typically low-toned or toneless -
As an interrogative (”where”), it may carry higher pitch -
The subjunctive verbs following kuti have specific tonal patterns (the final -e typically carries a high tone when there is nothing else in the VP)
Writing Conventions: Standard Chewa orthography does not mark tone, though scholarly works sometimes use diacritics. The spelling kuti is standard across Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique, though historical texts may show variants like kuti vs. kutí.
Vowel Quality: Chewa has five vowels: a, e, i, o, u. All appear in their “pure” forms without the diphthongization common in English. When pronouncing subordinate clauses with kuti, maintain clear vowel quality throughout.
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This lesson is part of the Latinum Institute African Language Series, following the proven construed reading methodology that has helped language learners since 2006. Our approach emphasizes: -
Frequency-based vocabulary: Learning the most common words first (based on linguistic corpus research) to achieve communicative competence efficiently -
Interlinear construed text: The Duplex Method presents target language with immediate glossing, allowing the brain to form direct associations -
Authentic cultural context: Every lesson includes genuine literary and cultural references -
Progressive complexity: Examples move from simple to complex within each lesson
The Latinum Institute has been creating language learning materials since 2006, with a focus on classical languages and now expanding to include African languages. For more information, visit https://latinum.org.uk or see our reviews at https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk.
Chewa (Chichewa/Nyanja) is spoken by approximately 12-15 million people across Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. As the national language of Malawi, it serves as a vital medium for education, government, and daily communication throughout the region. This course aims to give English speakers a solid foundation in this important Bantu language.
For the complete course index, visit: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
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Lesson 22 Complete
Tikuyembekezera kuti mupitirize kuphunzira Chichewa! (We hope that you will continue learning Chichewa!)
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