Course Index:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
What does kunena mean in Chewa?
The verb kunena (verb stem: -nena) is the primary Chewa word for “to say,” “to tell,” or “to explain.” This versatile communication verb forms the foundation of reported speech and narrative discourse in Chichewa. The word appears constantly in everyday conversation, proverbs, biblical texts, and oral literature across Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
Chewa (also known as Chichewa in Malawi or Chinyanja in Zambia) belongs to the Bantu language family (Guthrie Zone N), spoken as an official language in Malawi and Zambia, and as a recognized minority language in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The name “Nyanja” means “language of the lake,” referring to Lake Malawi.
Like all Bantu languages, Chewa constructs verbs through agglutination—building meaning by attaching prefixes and suffixes to a verb root. The basic formula is:
Subject Prefix + Tense Marker + Verb Root = Complete Verb
For example: Ndi (I) + ku (now) + nena (say) = Ndikunena (I am saying)
This lesson teaches the verb kunena through 30 progressive examples demonstrating various tenses, persons, and contexts. English speakers will find the verb system logical once the pattern of prefixes becomes familiar.
Key Takeaways: -
The verb stem -nena means “to say, tell, explain” -
Chewa verbs combine subject markers, tense markers, and verb stems into single words -
Subject prefixes: ndi- (I), u- (you), a- (he/she/they), ti- (we), mu- (you plural) -
Tense markers: -ku- (now/continuous), -ma- (habitual), -na-/-da- (past), -dza- (future) -
The complementizer kuti (”that”) introduces reported speech clauses -
Tone is grammatically significant but not marked in standard orthography
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Chewa uses the Latin alphabet with mostly predictable pronunciation. Key points for English speakers:
Vowels (pure, not diphthongized): -
a as in “father” -
e as in “bed” -
i as in “see” -
o as in “go” (without glide) -
u as in “too”
Consonants: -
ch as in “church” -
ng’ represents the velar nasal as in “sing” (distinct from ng which is two sounds) -
ny as in “canyon” -
ph is aspirated p (not f sound) -
th is aspirated t (not as in “think”) -
bw, dw, gw, mw, pw, tw are labialized consonants (pronounced with rounded lips)
Tones: Chewa is a tonal language with high and low tones. Standard orthography does not mark tones, but they distinguish meaning and tense. Each tense has a characteristic tonal melody.
Key vocabulary pronunciation: -
kunena (koo-NEH-nah) — to say -
kuti (KOO-tee) — that (complementizer) -
mau (MAH-oo) — words -
bodza (BOH-dzah) — lie/falsehood
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Format: Each example shows the Chewa sentence on line (a) and word-by-word breakdown with glosses on line (b).
25.1a Ndikunena mau 25.1b Ndi-ku-nena (I-PROG-say) mau (words)
25.2a Ukunena chiyani? 25.2b U-ku-nena (you-PROG-say) chiyani (what)
25.3a Ananena kuti abwera 25.3b A-na-nena (he/she-PAST-say) kuti (that) a-bwera (he/she-come)
25.4a Timanena zoona 25.4b Ti-ma-nena (we-HAB-say) zoona (truth)
25.5a Mudzanena nkhani 25.5b Mu-dza-nena (you.PL-FUT-say) nkhani (story/news)
25.6a Sindikunena bodza 25.6b Si-ndi-ku-nena (NEG-I-PROG-say) bodza (lie)
25.7a Anena kuti ndibwino 25.7b A-nena (he/she-say.PERF) kuti (that) ndi-bwino (it.is-good)
25.8a Ndikanena choonadi 25.8b Ndi-ka-nena (I-COND-say) choonadi (truth)
25.9a Iye amanena kuti akonda 25.9b Iye (he/she) a-ma-nena (he/she-HAB-say) kuti (that) a-konda (he/she-love)
25.10a Tinanena naye dzulo 25.10b Ti-na-nena (we-PAST-say) naye (with.him/her) dzulo (yesterday)
25.11a Umanena chatsitsa dzaye 25.11b U-ma-nena (you-HAB-say) cha-tsitsa (what-caused.to.fall) dzaye (wild.fruit)
25.12a Mwana akunena mau oyamba 25.12b Mwana (child) a-ku-nena (he/she-PROG-say) mau (words) o-yamba (ADJ-first)
25.13a Kunena bodza ndi tchimo 25.13b Ku-nena (INF-say) bodza (lie) ndi (is) tchimo (sin)
25.14a Atate ananena ndi ife 25.14b A-tate (father) a-na-nena (he-PAST-say) ndi (with) ife (us)
25.15a Ndidzanena kwa iwo 25.15b Ndi-dza-nena (I-FUT-say) kwa (to) iwo (them)
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25.1 Ndikunena mau → “I am saying words”
25.2 Ukunena chiyani? → “What are you saying?”
25.3 Ananena kuti abwera → “He/She said that he/she would come”
25.4 Timanena zoona → “We (always) speak the truth”
25.5 Mudzanena nkhani → “You (plural) will tell the story”
25.6 Sindikunena bodza → “I am not telling a lie”
25.7 Anena kuti ndibwino → “He/She said that it is good”
25.8 Ndikanena choonadi → “If I were to tell the truth”
25.9 Iye amanena kuti akonda → “He/She always says that he/she loves”
25.10 Tinanena naye dzulo → “We spoke with him/her yesterday”
25.11 Umanena chatsitsa dzaye → “You explain what caused the wild fruit to fall”
25.12 Mwana akunena mau oyamba → “The child is saying his/her first words”
25.13 Kunena bodza ndi tchimo → “To tell a lie is a sin”
25.14 Atate ananena ndi ife → “Father spoke with us”
25.15 Ndidzanena kwa iwo → “I will tell them”
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25.1 Ndikunena mau
25.2 Ukunena chiyani?
25.3 Ananena kuti abwera
25.4 Timanena zoona
25.5 Mudzanena nkhani
25.6 Sindikunena bodza
25.7 Anena kuti ndibwino
25.8 Ndikanena choonadi
25.9 Iye amanena kuti akonda
25.10 Tinanena naye dzulo
25.11 Umanena chatsitsa dzaye
25.12 Mwana akunena mau oyamba
25.13 Kunena bodza ndi tchimo
25.14 Atate ananena ndi ife
25.15 Ndidzanena kwa iwo
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These are the grammar rules for kunena (to say) in Chewa:
1. Verb Structure
Chewa verbs are built by combining elements in a fixed order:
SUBJECT PREFIX + (TENSE MARKER) + VERB STEM + (EXTENSIONS) + FINAL VOWEL
For kunena: -
The infinitive prefix is ku- -
The verb stem is -nena -
When conjugated, ku- is replaced by subject and tense markers
2. Subject Prefixes
The subject prefix indicates who is performing the action: -
Ndi- = I -
U- = You (singular) -
A- = He/She/They (3rd person singular and plural are identical in most tenses) -
Ti- = We -
Mu- = You (plural)
3. Tense Markers
Tense markers appear between the subject prefix and the verb stem:
-ku- (Present Continuous): Action happening now -
Ndi-ku-nena = I am saying
-ma- (Habitual): Action that happens regularly/always -
Ti-ma-nena = We (always) say
-na- or -da- (Remote Perfect/Past): Completed action -
A-na-nena = He/she said -
Note: -da- is preferred in written standard Chichewa (Central Region), while -na- is common in the Southern Region and colloquial speech
-dza- (Future): Action that will happen -
Ndi-dza-nena = I will say
-a- (Recent Perfect): Just completed, with subject prefix shortening -
A-nena = He/she (has) said (recent)
-ka- (Conditional): Hypothetical action -
Ndi-ka-nena = If I were to say
4. Negation
Negation uses the prefix si- (or sa-) before the subject marker: -
Si-ndi-ku-nena = I am not saying -
Sa-ma-nena = He/she does not say (habitual negative)
In 3rd person, si- + a- often coalesces to sa-.
5. The Complementizer kuti
When reporting what someone said, Chewa uses kuti (”that”) to introduce the reported clause: -
Ananena kuti abwera = He said that he would come -
Timanena kuti ndibwino = We say that it is good
6. Tonal Patterns
Although not marked in standard orthography, each tense has a characteristic tonal melody. The Present Simple, for instance, has a high tone on the subject prefix (ndínena). In verbs of three or more syllables, this tone often spreads. Learners should listen carefully to native speakers to acquire natural tonal patterns.
7. Word Order
Chewa follows Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order: -
Mwana (S) akunena (V) mau (O) = The child is saying words
Common Mistakes to Avoid: -
Forgetting to change the subject prefix when switching persons -
Using -ku- when -ma- (habitual) is more appropriate for general statements -
Omitting kuti in reported speech constructions -
Confusing -na- (past) with -dza- (future) due to similar vowel sounds
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The Role of Speech in Chewa Culture
In Chewa society, the verb kunena carries significant cultural weight. Oral tradition forms the backbone of Chewa culture, and the ability to speak well—to tell stories, deliver proverbs, and articulate wisdom—is highly valued. Elders who amanena mwanzeru (speak wisely) command respect in community gatherings.
Proverbs Using kunena
The proverb “Umanena chatsitsa dzaye, kuti njobvu ithyoke mnyanga” (You explain what caused the wild fruit to fall, so that the elephant broke its tusk) teaches the importance of identifying root causes before assigning blame. This proverb exemplifies how kunena extends beyond simple speech to encompass explanation and reasoned discourse.
Regional Variation -
In Malawi, the language is officially called Chichewa (after President Hastings Kamuzu Banda standardized this name in 1968) -
In Zambia, it is called Chinyanja or Nyanja (”language of the lake”) -
The -da- past tense marker is standard in written Malawian Chichewa, while -na- predominates in Zambian Nyanja and colloquial speech throughout the region
Truth and Falsehood
The phrase kunena bodza (to tell a lie) and kunena zoona/choonadi (to tell the truth) reflect the moral dimension of speech in Chewa culture. The infinitive kunena combines with abstract nouns to create ethical concepts about the responsibility that comes with speaking.
Biblical and Religious Usage
Chewa translations of the Bible, dating from the late 19th century, extensively use kunena for divine speech and prophetic proclamation. Phrases like Yesu ananena (Jesus said) appear throughout Chinyanja scripture, making this verb familiar to the many Christians in the region.
Formality and Register
The verb kunena is appropriate in all registers—formal speeches, casual conversation, and written texts alike. For more emphatic or formal speaking, kulankhula (to speak, to converse) may be used, while kufotokoza (to explain in detail) specifies explanatory speech.
Reminder: This lesson is designed for English speakers learning Chichewa/Chinyanja.
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Source: Traditional Chewa Proverb, documented in Collection of a 1000 Chewa Proverbs by Toon van Kessel (FENZA Publication, 2015)
Part F-A: Interlinear Analysis
Umanena chatsitsa dzaye, kuti njobvu ithyoke mnyanga
U-ma-nena (you-HAB-say/explain) cha-tsitsa (what-caused.to.fall) dzaye (wild.fruit) kuti (so.that/in.order.that) njobvu (elephant) i-thyoke (it-break) mnyanga (tusk/ivory)
Part F-B: Text with Translation
Umanena chatsitsa dzaye, kuti njobvu ithyoke mnyanga → “You explain what caused the wild fruit to fall, so that the elephant broke its tusk”
Part F-C: Original Chewa Text
Umanena chatsitsa dzaye, kuti njobvu ithyoke mnyanga
Part F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Notes
Morphological Breakdown: -
Umanena = U (you, singular) + ma (habitual marker) + nena (say/explain) -
The habitual aspect indicates this is something done repeatedly or characteristically -
chatsitsa = cha (what, relative pronoun class 7) + tsitsa (causative form of “fall”) -
From kutsitsa (to cause to fall, to force down) -
dzaye = a large wild fruit that grows to the size of a soccer ball -
kuti = complementizer meaning “that” or “so that/in order that” depending on context -
njobvu = elephant (noun class 9/10) -
ithyoke = i (it, subject prefix class 9) + thyoke (subjunctive of “break”) -
Subjunctive used after kuti expressing purpose/result -
mnyanga = m- (locative prefix) + nyanga (horn/tusk/ivory) -
Can also be written as nyanga without the locative prefix
Cultural Interpretation:
This proverb teaches that one should understand the full context and root causes before making judgments. The scenario describes an elephant reaching for fruit by bending a branch. When released, the branch snaps back, hurling the fruit and breaking the elephant’s tusk. An observer might mock the elephant for being injured by a small fruit, not realizing the true cause was the force of the released branch.
The use of umanena (you explain) in habitual aspect suggests this is advice about how one should habitually approach situations—always seeking to explain underlying causes rather than jumping to superficial conclusions.
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Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
25.16a Bambo ananena mau akulu 25.16b Bambo (elder/father) a-na-nena (he-PAST-say) mau (words) a-kulu (ADJ-important)
25.17a Mkazi wina anena kuti tikambirana 25.17b Mkazi (woman) wina (one/a) a-nena (she-say.PERF) kuti (that) ti-kambir-an-a (we-discuss-RECIP-FV)
25.18a Ine sindikunena zomwe mukuganiza 25.18b Ine (I) si-ndi-ku-nena (NEG-I-PROG-say) zomwe (what) mu-ku-ganiza (you.PL-PROG-think)
25.19a Kodi munganene mowonekera? 25.19b Kodi (Q) mu-nga-nene (you.PL-POT-say) mo-wonekera (ADV-clearly)
25.20a Amayi amanena zoona nthawi zonse 25.20b Amayi (mother) a-ma-nena (she-HAB-say) zoona (truth) nthawi (time) zonse (all)
25.21a Tinanena za mavuto athu 25.21b Ti-na-nena (we-PAST-say) za (about) mavuto (problems) athu (our)
25.22a Mtsogoleri adzanena maganizo ake 25.22b Mtsogoleri (leader) a-dza-nena (he-FUT-say) maganizo (thoughts/ideas) ake (his)
25.23a Musananene mau oipa 25.23b Mu-sa-na-nene (you.PL-NEG-before-say) mau (words) o-ipa (ADJ-bad)
25.24a Ndakunenani choonadi 25.24b Nda-ku-nena-ni (I.PERF-you.PL-say-APPL) choonadi (truth)
25.25a Anthu onse ananena zomodzimodzi 25.25b Anthu (people) onse (all) a-na-nena (they-PAST-say) zo-modzi-modzi (same.things)
25.26a Mphunzitsi ananena ndi ophunzira 25.26b Mphunzitsi (teacher) a-na-nena (he/she-PAST-say) ndi (with) o-phunzira (learners/students)
25.27a Mwana sanenenso kanthu 25.27b Mwana (child) sa-nene-nso (he/she.NEG-say-again) kanthu (anything)
25.28a Muzinena mwaulemu 25.28b Mu-zi-nena (you.PL-HAB.IMP-say) mwa-ulemu (with-respect)
25.29a Anena kuti misonkhano ndi yofunika 25.29b A-nena (he-say.PERF) kuti (that) misonkhano (meetings) ndi (are) yo-funika (ADJ-necessary)
25.30a Tadzanena, tidzamvana 25.30b Ta-dza-nena (we-come-say) ti-dza-mvana (we-FUT-understand.each.other)
Part B: Natural Sentences
25.16 Bambo ananena mau akulu → “The elder said important words”
25.17 Mkazi wina anena kuti tikambirana → “A woman said that we should discuss together”
25.18 Ine sindikunena zomwe mukuganiza → “I am not saying what you (all) are thinking”
25.19 Kodi munganene mowonekera? → “Could you speak more clearly?”
25.20 Amayi amanena zoona nthawi zonse → “Mother always tells the truth”
25.21 Tinanena za mavuto athu → “We spoke about our problems”
25.22 Mtsogoleri adzanena maganizo ake → “The leader will share his thoughts”
25.23 Musananene mau oipa → “Do not say bad words”
25.24 Ndakunenani choonadi → “I have told you (all) the truth”
25.25 Anthu onse ananena zomodzimodzi → “All the people said the same things”
25.26 Mphunzitsi ananena ndi ophunzira → “The teacher spoke with the students”
25.27 Mwana sanenenso kanthu → “The child didn’t say anything more”
25.28 Muzinena mwaulemu → “You (all) should speak respectfully”
25.29 Anena kuti misonkhano ndi yofunika → “He said that meetings are necessary”
25.30 Tadzanena, tidzamvana → “Having spoken, we will understand each other”
Part C: Chewa Text Only
25.16 Bambo ananena mau akulu
25.17 Mkazi wina anena kuti tikambirana
25.18 Ine sindikunena zomwe mukuganiza
25.19 Kodi munganene mowonekera?
25.20 Amayi amanena zoona nthawi zonse
25.21 Tinanena za mavuto athu
25.22 Mtsogoleri adzanena maganizo ake
25.23 Musananene mau oipa
25.24 Ndakunenani choonadi
25.25 Anthu onse ananena zomodzimodzi
25.26 Mphunzitsi ananena ndi ophunzira
25.27 Mwana sanenenso kanthu
25.28 Muzinena mwaulemu
25.29 Anena kuti misonkhano ndi yofunika
25.30 Tadzanena, tidzamvana
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
Additional Grammatical Features in This Section:
1. Object Markers
In example 25.24, Ndakunenani, we see an object marker inserted between tense and verb: -
Nda- (I + perfect) + -ku- (you, object marker) + -nena- (say) + -ni (plural applicative) -
This structure means “I have told TO YOU (all)”
2. Potential Mood (-nga-)
Example 25.19 uses munganene (could you say): -
Mu- (you plural) + -nga- (potential/ability) + -nene (say, with final vowel change) -
The potential marker expresses ability or polite possibility
3. Negative Subjunctive/Prohibitive (musa-)
Example 25.23 shows Musananene (don’t say): -
Mu- (you plural) + -sa- (negative) + -na- (before/yet) + -nene (say) -
This construction creates a prohibition: “Do not say”
4. Habitual Imperative (-zi-)
Example 25.28 uses Muzinena (you should habitually say): -
Mu- (you plural) + -zi- (habitual imperative marker) + -nena (say) -
This expresses an ongoing obligation or expectation
5. Sequential/Consecutive (-dza-)
Example 25.30 shows Tadzanena in a consecutive construction: -
Ta- (we, shortened perfect prefix) + -dza- (come, used as sequential marker) + -nena (say) -
Literally “having come to say” but functions as “having spoken”
6. The Reciprocal Extension (-an-)
In tikambirana (25.17) and tidzamvana (25.30): -
The suffix -an- indicates reciprocal action (doing something to/with each other) -
Ti-kambir-an-a = we-discuss-RECIP-FV (we discuss with each other) -
Ti-dza-mv-an-a = we-FUT-hear-RECIP-FV (we will hear/understand each other)
7. Noun Class Agreement
Adjectives and relatives must agree with their noun class: -
mau akulu (important words): mau (class 6) + a- (class 6 prefix) + -kulu (big/important) -
mau oipa (bad words): mau + o- (class 6 relative prefix) + -ipa (bad)
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Spelling Conventions:
Standard Chichewa orthography does not mark tones. The language has two distinctive tones (High and Low), and different tense/aspect combinations have characteristic tonal melodies. Learners should supplement written study with audio resources.
Key Sound Patterns: -
Double vowels indicate length: zoona (truth) has a long [o:] -
Prenasalized consonants (mb, nd, ng, nj, etc.) function as single sounds -
Labialization (bw, pw, mw, etc.) involves lip rounding during the consonant
Stress: Chewa is not a stress-accent language. Rhythm comes from tone patterns and vowel length rather than stress.
Common Spelling Variations: -
-na- vs -da- for past tense (regional) -
ny may be written ñ in some older texts -
ng’ (velar nasal) vs ng (two sounds) — the apostrophe is significant
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This lesson is part of the Latinum Institute’s frequency-based vocabulary course for Chewa (Chichewa/Chinyanja). The Latinum Institute has been creating online language learning materials since 2006, providing rigorous instruction through the proven interlinear reading method.
The course follows a systematic progression through the 1000 most frequently used words in everyday communication, ensuring that learners acquire the vocabulary that accounts for approximately 80% of ordinary language use. Each lesson introduces one key word through 30 carefully constructed examples that demonstrate natural usage patterns.
Course Materials: -
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index -
More about the Latinum Institute: https://latinum.org.uk -
Reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
Sources Consulted for This Lesson: -
Wikipedia: Chichewa tenses, Chichewa tones -
Peace Corps Malawi: Pre-departure Chichewa Language Materials -
buildOn Malawi: Chichewa/Chitumbuka Phrasebook -
Van Kessel, Toon. Collection of a 1000 Chewa Proverbs (FENZA Publication, 2015) -
FENZA Chinyanja-English Dictionary -
Mchombo, Sam A. The Syntax of Chichewa (Cambridge University Press, 2004)
Note on Authenticity: This lesson draws on verified grammatical sources and authentic proverb collections. The dialogues are constructed pedagogically following attested patterns while the literary citation preserves traditional wisdom literature.
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End of Lesson 25
Next Lesson: Lesson 26 will cover pa (at, on, about) — exploring Chewa’s locative system
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