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For the autodidact student, the English preposition “by” serves multiple functions: marking the agent in passive constructions (”The book was written by the author”), indicating proximity (”by the river”), expressing means (”by bus”), and specifying time limits (”by Monday”). In Chewa (Chichewa), the agent function of “by” is expressed using ndi, the same word that means “with” (covered in Lesson 17). This multifunctionality reflects a fundamental feature of Chewa grammar where accompaniment and agency share the same prepositional marker.
Chewa passive voice is formed by adding the suffix -idw- (or -edw- through vowel harmony) to the verb stem before the final vowel. The agent—the doer of the action—is then optionally introduced by the preposition ndi. This construction mirrors the English passive with “by” but integrates more organically into Chewa’s agglutinative morphology.
Link:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ Schema:
Q: What does “by” mean in Chewa when marking the agent in passive sentences?
A: In Chewa, “by” (marking who performs an action in a passive sentence) is expressed using “ndi.” For example, “Buku lidawerengeredwa ndi mwana” means “The book was read by the child.” The passive is formed with the suffix -idw-/-edw-, and ndi introduces the agent.
In this lesson’s 30 examples, you will see how ndi functions as the agent marker in passive constructions, showing who or what performs the action when the focus is on the recipient or result of that action.
Key Takeaways:
✦ The preposition ndi marks the agent (”by”) in Chewa passive constructions
✦ Chewa passive voice uses the suffix -idw- (or -edw- with vowel harmony)
✦ The agent phrase with ndi is optional and can be omitted when the doer is unknown or unimportant
✦ This extends ndi from Lesson 17 (”with”) to include agency (”by”)
✦ The passive construction demotes the original subject and promotes the object to subject position
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32.1a Buku lidawerengeredwa ndi mwana. 32.1b Buku (bu.ku) book li-da-we-re-nge-re-dw-a (li.da.we.ɾe.ŋge.ɾe.dwa) it.CL5-PAST-read-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by mwana (mwa.na) child
32.2a Chakudya chidaphikidwa ndi amayi. 32.2b Chakudya (tʃa.ku.dja) food chi-da-phi-ki-dw-a (tʃi.da.pʰi.ki.dwa) it.CL7-PAST-cook-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by a-mayi (a.ma.ji) mother
32.3a Nyumba idamangidwa ndi bambo. 32.3b Nyumba (ɲum.ba) house i-da-ma-ngi-dw-a (i.da.ma.ŋgi.dwa) it.CL9-PAST-build-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by bambo (bam.bo) father
32.4a Kalata idawerengeredwa ndi mphunzitsi. 32.4b Kalata (ka.la.ta) letter i-da-we-re-nge-re-dw-a (i.da.we.ɾe.ŋge.ɾe.dwa) it.CL9-PAST-read-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by m-phunzitsi (m.pʰu.ndzi.tsi) teacher
32.5a Mtengo udagwetsedwa ndi mphepo. 32.5b Mtengo (mte.ŋgo) tree u-da-gwe-tse-dw-a (u.da.gwe.tse.dwa) it.CL3-PAST-fell-CAUS-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by mphepo (mpʰe.pʰo) wind
32.6a Ana adapatsiridwa mphatso ndi agogo. 32.6b A-na (a.na) children a-da-pa-tsi-ri-dw-a (a.da.pa.tsi.ɾi.dwa) they-PAST-give-APPL-PASS-FV m-phatso (m.pʰa.tso) gift ndi (ndi) by a-gogo (a.go.go) grandparent
32.7a Nyama idaphedwa ndi kalulu. 32.7b Nyama (ɲa.ma) meat/animal i-da-phe-dw-a (i.da.pʰe.dwa) it.CL9-PAST-kill-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by kalulu (ka.lu.lu) hare
32.8a Galimoto idagulitsidwa ndi mwini wake. 32.8b Galimoto (ga.li.mo.to) car i-da-gu-li-tsi-dw-a (i.da.gu.li.tsi.dwa) it.CL9-PAST-sell-CAUS-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by mwini (mwi.ni) owner wake (wa.ke) his/her
32.9a Ndalama zidabedwa ndi wakuba. 32.9b Ndalama (nda.la.ma) money zi-da-be-dw-a (zi.da.be.dwa) it.CL10-PAST-steal-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by wa-kuba (wa.ku.ba) thief
32.10a Nkhani idafotokozeredwa ndi mkulu. 32.10b Nkhani (nkʰa.ni) story/news i-da-fo-to-ko-ze-re-dw-a (i.da.fo.to.ko.ze.ɾe.dwa) it.CL9-PAST-explain-APPL-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by m-kulu (m.ku.lu) elder
32.11a Munda udalimiridwa ndi alimi onse a m’mudzi. 32.11b Munda (mu.nda) field u-da-li-mi-ri-dw-a (u.da.li.mi.ɾi.dwa) it.CL3-PAST-cultivate-APPL-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by a-limi (a.li.mi) farmers onse (o.nse) all a (a) of m’mudzi (m.mu.dzi) in-village
32.12a Nyimbo idaimbidwa ndi gulu la ana. 32.12b Nyimbo (ɲi.mbo) song i-da-i-mbi-dw-a (i.da.i.mbi.dwa) it.CL9-PAST-sing-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by gulu (gu.lu) group la (la) of a-na (a.na) children
32.13a Nthaka idatayidwa ndi madzi amphamvu. 32.13b Nthaka (ntʰa.ka) soil i-da-ta-yi-dw-a (i.da.ta.ji.dwa) it.CL9-PAST-throw-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by madzi (ma.dzi) water a-mphamvu (a.mpʰa.mvu) powerful
32.14a Chigawo chidayendetsedwa ndi boma. 32.14b Chigawo (tʃi.ga.wo) district chi-da-ye-nde-tse-dw-a (tʃi.da.je.nde.tse.dwa) it.CL7-PAST-run-CAUS-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by boma (bo.ma) government
32.15a Odwala adathandizidwa ndi achipatala. 32.15b O-dwala (o.dwa.la) sick-ones a-da-tha-ndi-zi-dw-a (a.da.tʰa.ndi.zi.dwa) they-PAST-help-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by a-chipatala (a.tʃi.pa.ta.la) hospital-workers
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32.1 Buku lidawerengeredwa ndi mwana. “The book was read by the child.”
32.2 Chakudya chidaphikidwa ndi amayi. “The food was cooked by mother.”
32.3 Nyumba idamangidwa ndi bambo. “The house was built by father.”
32.4 Kalata idawerengeredwa ndi mphunzitsi. “The letter was read by the teacher.”
32.5 Mtengo udagwetsedwa ndi mphepo. “The tree was felled by the wind.”
32.6 Ana adapatsiridwa mphatso ndi agogo. “The children were given a gift by the grandparent.”
32.7 Nyama idaphedwa ndi kalulu. “The animal was killed by the hare.”
32.8 Galimoto idagulitsidwa ndi mwini wake. “The car was sold by its owner.”
32.9 Ndalama zidabedwa ndi wakuba. “The money was stolen by the thief.”
32.10 Nkhani idafotokozeredwa ndi mkulu. “The story was explained by the elder.”
32.11 Munda udalimiridwa ndi alimi onse a m’mudzi. “The field was cultivated by all the farmers in the village.”
32.12 Nyimbo idaimbidwa ndi gulu la ana. “The song was sung by a group of children.”
32.13 Nthaka idatayidwa ndi madzi amphamvu. “The soil was washed away by the powerful water.”
32.14 Chigawo chidayendetsedwa ndi boma. “The district was administered by the government.”
32.15 Odwala adathandizidwa ndi achipatala. “The sick ones were helped by the hospital workers.”
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32.1 Buku lidawerengeredwa ndi mwana.
32.2 Chakudya chidaphikidwa ndi amayi.
32.3 Nyumba idamangidwa ndi bambo.
32.4 Kalata idawerengeredwa ndi mphunzitsi.
32.5 Mtengo udagwetsedwa ndi mphepo.
32.6 Ana adapatsiridwa mphatso ndi agogo.
32.7 Nyama idaphedwa ndi kalulu.
32.8 Galimoto idagulitsidwa ndi mwini wake.
32.9 Ndalama zidabedwa ndi wakuba.
32.10 Nkhani idafotokozeredwa ndi mkulu.
32.11 Munda udalimiridwa ndi alimi onse a m’mudzi.
32.12 Nyimbo idaimbidwa ndi gulu la ana.
32.13 Nthaka idatayidwa ndi madzi amphamvu.
32.14 Chigawo chidayendetsedwa ndi boma.
32.15 Odwala adathandizidwa ndi achipatala.
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These are the grammar rules for ndi as the agent marker “by” in Chewa:
The Passive Voice in Chewa
Chewa forms the passive voice by inserting the suffix -idw- (or -edw- due to vowel harmony) before the final vowel of the verb. This suffix indicates that the subject of the sentence receives the action rather than performing it.
Active: Mwana adawerenga buku = “The child read the book”
Passive: Buku lidawerengeredwa (ndi mwana) = “The book was read (by the child)”
The Agent Phrase with Ndi
When you want to express who performed the action (the agent), you use ndi followed by the agent noun. This is directly parallel to English “by”:
Nyumba idamangidwa ndi bambo = “The house was built by father”
The agent phrase is optional. If the doer is unknown, unimportant, or obvious from context, it can be omitted:
Nyumba idamangidwa = “The house was built”
Passive Suffix Variations
The basic passive suffix is -idw-, but vowel harmony affects its form:
After stems with /e/ or /o/: -edw- may appear (e.g., -ph-edw-a from -pha “kill”)
With applicative -ir-: becomes -iridw- (e.g., adapatsiridwa “they were given to”)
With causative -ts-: becomes -tsidw- (e.g., idagulitsidwa “it was caused to be sold/it was sold”)
Subject Agreement in Passive
The verb agrees with the new subject (the original object) through the subject marker prefix:
Buku li-da-werengeredwa (class 5 prefix li-)
Nyumba i-da-mangidwa (class 9 prefix i-)
Ana a-da-thandizidwa (class 2 prefix a-)
Ndi: Connecting “With” and “By”
The word ndi serves multiple grammatical functions in Chewa:
(1) Preposition “with” (accompaniment): Ndikupita ndi iwe = “I am going with you”
(2) Copula “is/am/are”: Iye ndi mphunzitsi = “He/she is a teacher”
(3) First-person prefix “I”: Ndidapita = “I went”
(4) Agent marker “by” (passive): idamangidwa ndi bambo = “was built by father”
This multifunctionality is semantically connected: the person “with” whom an action occurs and the person “by” whom an action is done share an instrumental/accompaniment relationship.
Stative vs. Passive
Chewa distinguishes between the passive (suffix -idw-) and the stative (suffix -ik-):
Passive allows the agent with ndi: Maûngu a-ku-phík-ídw-a (ndí kálúlú) = “Pumpkins are being cooked (by hare)”
Stative does NOT allow an agent: *Maûngu a-ku-phík-ík-a (ndi kalulu) = “Pumpkins are getting cooked” (no agent possible)
The stative describes a state without implying any agent.
Common Mistakes
Using the stative suffix -ik- when you want to express an agent (stative cannot take ndi + agent).
Forgetting subject agreement changes when converting active to passive.
Confusing ndi “by/with” with ndiye “then/so” or ndiwe “it is you.”
Omitting the passive suffix entirely and expecting ndi alone to create passive meaning.
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Frequency and Register
The passive with ndi is common in both formal and informal Chewa. It appears frequently in:
News reports and radio broadcasts (formal): Nkhani idafotokozeredwa ndi wolankhula = “The news was announced by the spokesperson”
Storytelling and folktales: Kalulu adaphedwa ndi fulu = “The hare was killed by the tortoise”
Everyday conversation: Chakudya chidaphikidwa ndi ndani? = “The food was cooked by whom?”
Regional Variations
Malawian Chichewa: Uses ndi consistently for the agent marker
Zambian Nyanja (Eastern Province): Similar to Malawian usage
Town Nyanja (Lusaka): May use ni instead of ndi in some contexts
In written standard Chichewa (based on Central Region dialects following President Banda’s standardization), ndi is the accepted form.
Cultural Significance
The use of passive constructions with ndi serves important social functions in Chewa culture:
Politeness and indirectness: Passive allows speakers to de-emphasize agency when discussing sensitive topics. Saying Chuma chidabedwa (”The wealth was stolen”) is less accusatory than directly naming the thief.
Focus on results: In communal societies, the outcome of an action often matters more than individual credit. Munda udalimiridwa ndi anthu onse emphasizes the completed field rather than individual contributions.
Storytelling tradition: In nthano (folktales), the passive with agent allows for dramatic revelation: Nyama idaphedwa ndi ndani? Idaphedwa ndi kalulu! (”The animal was killed by whom? It was killed by the hare!”)
Connection to Bantu Language Family
The passive with an agent marked by a “with/by” preposition is a common Bantu feature. Related languages like Swahili (na), Zulu (ngu-/yi-), and Shona (na) have similar constructions, reflecting deep structural patterns across the language family.
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From Nthano za ku Malawi (Folktales from Malawi), traditional oral literature:
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
Nthawi (ntʰa.wi) time ina (i.na) certain kalulu (ka.lu.lu) hare anali (a.na.li) was wochenjera (wo.tʃe.nje.ɾa) clever kwambiri (kwam.bi.ɾi) very. Nyama (ɲa.ma) animals zonse (zo.nse) all zidapusitsidwa (zi.da.pu.si.tsi.dwa) were-deceived ndi (ndi) by iye (i.je) him. Fulu (fu.lu) tortoise adagwidwa (a.da.gwi.dwa) was-caught ndi (ndi) by kalulu (ka.lu.lu) hare. Koma (ko.ma) but pa (pa) at mapeto (ma.pe.to) end, kalulu (ka.lu.lu) hare adaphedwa (a.da.pʰe.dwa) was-killed ndi (ndi) by nyalugwe (ɲa.lu.gwe) leopard. Nkhani (nkʰa.ni) story iyi (i.ji) this idafotokozeredwa (i.da.fo.to.ko.ze.ɾe.dwa) was-told ndi (ndi) by agogo (a.go.go) grandparents kwa (kwa) to ana (a.na) children awo (a.wo) their.
F-B: Natural Text with Translation
Nthawi ina kalulu anali wochenjera kwambiri. Nyama zonse zidapusitsidwa ndi iye. Fulu adagwidwa ndi kalulu. Koma pa mapeto, kalulu adaphedwa ndi nyalugwe. Nkhani iyi idafotokozeredwa ndi agogo kwa ana awo.
“Once upon a time, the hare was very clever. All the animals were deceived by him. The tortoise was caught by the hare. But in the end, the hare was killed by the leopard. This story was told by the grandparents to their children.”
F-C: Chewa Text Only
Nthawi ina kalulu anali wochenjera kwambiri. Nyama zonse zidapusitsidwa ndi iye. Fulu adagwidwa ndi kalulu. Koma pa mapeto, kalulu adaphedwa ndi nyalugwe. Nkhani iyi idafotokozeredwa ndi agogo kwa ana awo.
F-D: Vocabulary and Grammar Notes
zidapusitsidwa = zi-da-pusi-ts-idw-a (they.CL10-PAST-deceive-CAUS-PASS-FV) “they were deceived”
adagwidwa = a-da-gw-idw-a (he-PAST-catch-PASS-FV) “he was caught”
adaphedwa = a-da-ph-edw-a (he-PAST-kill-PASS-FV) “he was killed”
idafotokozeredwa = i-da-fotokoz-er-edw-a (it.CL9-PAST-explain-APPL-PASS-FV) “it was explained/told”
Note: The passive with ndi appears four times in this short passage, showing its high frequency in narrative Chewa.
F-E: Literary Commentary
This excerpt demonstrates how Chewa folktales use passive constructions with ndi to create narrative tension and moral lessons. The repeated passive structure (zidapusitsidwa ndi iye, adagwidwa ndi kalulu, adaphedwa ndi nyalugwe) creates a chain of consequences: the deceiver becomes the deceived, the hunter becomes the hunted. The final sentence emphasizes the oral transmission tradition—the story itself idafotokozeredwa ndi agogo, preserving cultural wisdom through generations.
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Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
32.16a Nkhani yaikulu: Msika watsopano udatsegulidwa ndi nduna. 32.16b Nkhani (nkʰa.ni) news ya-i-kulu (ja.i.ku.lu) CL9.big msika (msi.ka) market wa-tsopano (wa.tso.pa.no) CL3.new u-da-tse-gu-li-dw-a (u.da.tse.gu.li.dwa) it.CL3-PAST-open-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by nduna (ndu.na) minister
32.17a Msewu udakonzedwa ndi akampani ochokera ku Lilongwe. 32.17b Msewu (mse.wu) road u-da-ko-nze-dw-a (u.da.ko.nze.dwa) it.CL3-PAST-repair-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by a-kampani (a.ka.mpa.ni) company o-chokera (o.tʃo.ke.ɾa) from ku (ku) at Lilongwe (li.lo.ŋgwe) Lilongwe
32.18a Mfumu idaikiridwa ndi anthu a m’mudzi. 32.18b Mfumu (mfu.mu) chief i-da-i-ki-ri-dw-a (i.da.i.ki.ɾi.dwa) he-PAST-install-APPL-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by anthu (a.ntʰu) people a (a) of m’mudzi (m.mu.dzi) in-village
32.19a Zitukuko zidapangidwa ndi boma latsopano. 32.19b Zi-tukuko (zi.tu.ku.ko) developments zi-da-pa-ngi-dw-a (zi.da.pa.ŋgi.dwa) they.CL8-PAST-make-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by boma (bo.ma) government la-tsopano (la.tso.pa.no) CL5.new
32.20a Sukulu idamangidwa ndi nthandizo kuchokera kunja. 32.20b Sukulu (su.ku.lu) school i-da-ma-ngi-dw-a (i.da.ma.ŋgi.dwa) it.CL9-PAST-build-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by n-thandizo (n.tʰa.ndi.zo) help ku-chokera (ku.tʃo.ke.ɾa) from ku-nja (ku.nja) outside/abroad
32.21a Chakudya chidagawiridwa ndi magulu othandiza. 32.21b Chakudya (tʃa.ku.dja) food chi-da-ga-wi-ri-dw-a (tʃi.da.ga.wi.ɾi.dwa) it.CL7-PAST-distribute-APPL-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by ma-gulu (ma.gu.lu) groups o-thandiza (o.tʰa.ndi.za) helping
32.22a Chitetezo chidaperekedwa ndi asilikali. 32.22b Chi-tetezo (tʃi.te.te.zo) security chi-da-pe-re-ke-dw-a (tʃi.da.pe.ɾe.ke.dwa) it.CL7-PAST-provide-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by a-silikali (a.si.li.ka.li) soldiers
32.23a Mlandu udaweluzidwa ndi khoti lalikulu. 32.23b M-landu (m.la.ndu) case/court-case u-da-we-lu-zi-dw-a (u.da.we.lu.zi.dwa) it.CL3-PAST-judge-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by khoti (kʰo.ti) court la-li-kulu (la.li.ku.lu) CL5.big
32.24a Wodwala adathandizidwa ndi dokotala wochokera ku Germany. 32.24b Wo-dwala (wo.dwa.la) sick-person a-da-tha-ndi-zi-dw-a (a.da.tʰa.ndi.zi.dwa) he-PAST-help-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by dokotala (do.ko.ta.la) doctor wo-chokera (wo.tʃo.ke.ɾa) from ku (ku) at Germany (dʒɛ.ma.ni) Germany
32.25a Nyimbo yatsopano idaimbidwa ndi gulu lodziwa bwino. 32.25b Nyimbo (ɲi.mbo) song ya-tsopano (ja.tso.pa.no) CL9.new i-da-i-mbi-dw-a (i.da.i.mbi.dwa) it.CL9-PAST-sing-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by gulu (gu.lu) group lo-dziwa (lo.dzi.wa) well-known bwino (bwi.no) well
32.26a Chigamulo chidapangidwa ndi bungwe la anthu. 32.26b Chi-gamulo (tʃi.ga.mu.lo) decision chi-da-pa-ngi-dw-a (tʃi.da.pa.ŋgi.dwa) it.CL7-PAST-make-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by bungwe (bu.ŋgwe) committee la (la) of anthu (a.ntʰu) people
32.27a Mtengo wa zinthu udakwezedwa ndi makampani. 32.27b Mtengo (mte.ŋgo) price wa (wa) of zinthu (zi.ntʰu) things u-da-kwe-ze-dw-a (u.da.kwe.ze.dwa) it.CL3-PAST-raise-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by ma-kampani (ma.ka.mpa.ni) companies
32.28a Madzi oyera adaperekedwa ndi bungwe la madzi. 32.28b Madzi (ma.dzi) water o-yera (o.je.ɾa) clean a-da-pe-re-ke-dw-a (a.da.pe.ɾe.ke.dwa) they.CL6-PAST-provide-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by bungwe (bu.ŋgwe) organization la (la) of madzi (ma.dzi) water
32.29a Maphunziro a ulele adaperekedwa ndi boma. 32.29b Ma-phunziro (ma.pʰu.nzi.ɾo) education a (a) of u-lele (u.le.le) free a-da-pe-re-ke-dw-a (a.da.pe.ɾe.ke.dwa) they.CL6-PAST-provide-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by boma (bo.ma) government
32.30a Nkhani iyi idafotokozedwa ndi wotumiza mau ku Blantyre. 32.30b Nkhani (nkʰa.ni) news iyi (i.ji) this i-da-fo-to-ko-ze-dw-a (i.da.fo.to.ko.ze.dwa) it.CL9-PAST-explain-PASS-FV ndi (ndi) by wo-tumiza (wo.tu.mi.za) one-who-sends mau (ma.u) words ku (ku) at Blantyre (bla.nta.jɾe) Blantyre
Part B: Natural Sentences
32.16 Nkhani yaikulu: Msika watsopano udatsegulidwa ndi nduna. “Big news: A new market was opened by the minister.”
32.17 Msewu udakonzedwa ndi akampani ochokera ku Lilongwe. “The road was repaired by a company from Lilongwe.”
32.18 Mfumu idaikiridwa ndi anthu a m’mudzi. “The chief was installed by the people of the village.”
32.19 Zitukuko zidapangidwa ndi boma latsopano. “Developments were made by the new government.”
32.20 Sukulu idamangidwa ndi nthandizo kuchokera kunja. “The school was built with help from abroad.”
32.21 Chakudya chidagawiridwa ndi magulu othandiza. “Food was distributed by aid groups.”
32.22 Chitetezo chidaperekedwa ndi asilikali. “Security was provided by the soldiers.”
32.23 Mlandu udaweluzidwa ndi khoti lalikulu. “The case was judged by the high court.”
32.24 Wodwala adathandizidwa ndi dokotala wochokera ku Germany. “The patient was helped by a doctor from Germany.”
32.25 Nyimbo yatsopano idaimbidwa ndi gulu lodziwa bwino. “A new song was sung by a well-known group.”
32.26 Chigamulo chidapangidwa ndi bungwe la anthu. “The decision was made by the people’s committee.”
32.27 Mtengo wa zinthu udakwezedwa ndi makampani. “The price of goods was raised by the companies.”
32.28 Madzi oyera adaperekedwa ndi bungwe la madzi. “Clean water was provided by the water organization.”
32.29 Maphunziro a ulele adaperekedwa ndi boma. “Free education was provided by the government.”
32.30 Nkhani iyi idafotokozedwa ndi wotumiza mau ku Blantyre. “This news was reported by the correspondent in Blantyre.”
Part C: Chewa Text Only
32.16 Nkhani yaikulu: Msika watsopano udatsegulidwa ndi nduna.
32.17 Msewu udakonzedwa ndi akampani ochokera ku Lilongwe.
32.18 Mfumu idaikiridwa ndi anthu a m’mudzi.
32.19 Zitukuko zidapangidwa ndi boma latsopano.
32.20 Sukulu idamangidwa ndi nthandizo kuchokera kunja.
32.21 Chakudya chidagawiridwa ndi magulu othandiza.
32.22 Chitetezo chidaperekedwa ndi asilikali.
32.23 Mlandu udaweluzidwa ndi khoti lalikulu.
32.24 Wodwala adathandizidwa ndi dokotala wochokera ku Germany.
32.25 Nyimbo yatsopano idaimbidwa ndi gulu lodziwa bwino.
32.26 Chigamulo chidapangidwa ndi bungwe la anthu.
32.27 Mtengo wa zinthu udakwezedwa ndi makampani.
32.28 Madzi oyera adaperekedwa ndi bungwe la madzi.
32.29 Maphunziro a ulele adaperekedwa ndi boma.
32.30 Nkhani iyi idafotokozedwa ndi wotumiza mau ku Blantyre.
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
This news report genre demonstrates several advanced passive constructions:
Complex Agent Phrases: The agent can include modifying phrases: ndi akampani ochokera ku Lilongwe (”by a company from Lilongwe”), ndi dokotala wochokera ku Germany (”by a doctor from Germany”).
Causative-Passive Combinations: udakwezedwa (u-da-kwez-edw-a) combines the causative meaning “caused to rise” with passive, yielding “was raised.”
Applicative-Passive: chidagawiridwa (chi-da-gaw-ir-idw-a) includes the applicative suffix -ir- indicating benefactive action, plus passive: “was distributed (for/to someone).”
Agentless Passives in News: Note that Sukulu idamangidwa ndi nthandizo uses ndi to mean “with” (instrumental) rather than “by” (agent), showing how context determines meaning.
Subject Agreement Variety: The genre section showcases multiple noun classes: CL3 (msewu, mtengo), CL7 (chakudya, chitetezo, chigamulo), CL8 (zitukuko), CL9 (nyumba, nyimbo, nkhani), CL6 (madzi, maphunziro).
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Key Sounds in This Lesson
ndi /ndi/: The nasal-dental cluster is pronounced as a single unit, with the tongue touching the upper teeth for both sounds in quick succession.
-idwa/-edwa: The passive suffix. The /dw/ cluster is pronounced as a labialized voiced alveolar stop—the /d/ is released directly into /w/.
ph, th, kh: These are aspirated stops (with a puff of air), not the English “f” or “th” sounds. phika = /pʰi.ka/ (cook), thandiza = /tʰa.ndi.za/ (help).
Common Pronunciation Errors for English Speakers
Pronouncing ndi as two separate syllables /en.di/ instead of the single-onset cluster /ndi/.
Saying the passive suffix as /-id.wa/ instead of the smooth /-i.dwa/.
Pronouncing ph as English /f/ instead of aspirated /pʰ/.
Stressing syllables inconsistently—Chewa has penultimate stress (stress on the second-to-last syllable).
Tonal Notes
Chewa is a tonal language, though tones are not marked in standard orthography. In passive constructions, tone patterns change from the active form. For example, adapha (he killed) has different tones than adaphedwa (he was killed). Learners should listen to native speakers and radio broadcasts to internalize these patterns.
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The Latinum Institute has been producing high-quality language learning materials since 2006, drawing on proven methodologies developed over decades of experience in classical and modern language instruction.
Link: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
This course uses a CSV-based progression system where each lesson focuses on one essential word from a carefully curated frequency list of the 1000 most important English words. Each word is then taught in the target language (Chewa) with:
(1) Interlinear construed text with word-by-word glossing and pronunciation
(2) Natural sentences with idiomatic translations
(3) Target language text for reading practice
(4) Comprehensive grammar explanations
(5) Cultural and historical context
(6) Authentic literary citations from native texts
The Autodidact Methodology
Traditional language courses often teach random vocabulary or grammar rules out of context. The Latinum Institute method ensures that every word you learn is high-frequency and immediately useful, and that you see words in authentic contexts rather than isolated examples.
The Construed Text Approach
By providing word-by-word glossing alongside natural sentences, learners can see exactly how Chewa constructs meaning—how verb morphology works, how noun class agreement operates, and how the passive voice transforms sentences. This transparency accelerates comprehension and builds genuine linguistic intuition.
Why Chewa?
Chewa (Chichewa, Chinyanja, Nyanja) is one of Africa’s major Bantu languages, serving as an official language of Malawi and a widely spoken lingua franca across Zambia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Learning Chewa opens doors to understanding Southern and East African cultures, literature, music, and daily life across multiple countries.
This Lesson’s Connection to the Course
Lesson 32 on “by” (agent marker ndi) builds directly on Lesson 17 (”with” as ndi) and Lesson 7 (”in” as mu). This systematic approach helps learners see how Chewa’s grammatical system interconnects—the same word ndi that expresses accompaniment also expresses agency, reflecting deep semantic relationships in the language.
Link:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
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