English "who" → Chichewa "ndani" and "amene" – The Question Word and the Relative Pronoun
What does "who" mean in Chichewa?
English uses one word, "who," for two different jobs. It asks a question: "Who came?" And it links a description to a person: "the teacher who came yesterday." Chichewa uses two different words for these two jobs:
- ndani asks the question: Ndani anabwera?, "Who came?" - amene links the description: mphunzitsi amene anabwera dzulo, "the teacher who came yesterday"
Ndani, the question word. Ndani asks about a person. It is not a verb, so it does not change for person or tense. It can stand alone (Ndani?, "Who is it?"), come after a noun as its predicate (Uyu ndani?, "Who is this?"), stand as the subject before a verb (Ndani anabwera?), or follow a verb as its object (Mukufuna ndani?, "Whom do you want?"). It also follows the small words you already know: kwa ndani, "to whom" (Lesson 14), ndi ndani, "with whom" or "by whom" (Lesson 32), and wa ndani, ya ndani, "whose." It is the partner of chiyani, "what," from Lesson 27: ndani for people, chiyani for things.
Amene, the relative pronoun. Amene stands right after the noun it describes and is followed by a verb: munthu amene amalankhula Chingerezi, "a person who speaks English." Wikipedia's account of Chichewa grammar notes that amene "use[s] the same prefixes as a verb": mwana amene, "the child who," and ana amene, "the children who." For people, singular and plural both give the form amene, so "who" is always amene for people. Without a noun in front of it, amene means "the one who" or "whoever": Amene anamuchitira chifundo, "The one who showed him mercy" (Luke 10:37, Section F).
One question asks about names. Where English asks "What is your name?", Chichewa asks "Who is your name?": Dzina lanu ndani?
Yani, the older form. After the verbs "to be" the older Bible uses yani for "who": Ndiwe yani?, "Who are you?" (Yohane 1:19, Buku Lopatulika). You will meet yani in books and hymns; in this lesson ndani is the form you use.
What does "who" mean in Chichewa? To ask "who?", say ndani: Ndani?, Uyu ndani?, Dzina lanu ndani? To describe a person with "who", say amene after the noun: munthu amene anabwera, "the person who came."
- Two words for "who": ndani asks a question; amene introduces a description (a relative clause) - Ndani does not change: Ndani anabwera? (subject), Mukufuna ndani? (object), kwa ndani? (to whom), ndi ndani? (with/by whom), ya ndani? (whose) - Amene follows its noun: mphunzitsi amene anabwera dzulo, "the teacher who came yesterday"; ana amene akusewera panja, "the children who are playing outside" - Amene alone = "the one who," "whoever": Amene adzabwera mochedwa sadzalowa, "Whoever comes late will not get in" - "Who is it that…?": Ndi ndani amene…?: Ndi ndani amene anayimba foni?, "Who was it that phoned?"
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ndani /ˈnda.ni/: two syllables, NDA-ni. The nd begins the first syllable together, as in the middle of English "sandal," never "en-da-ni."
amene /a.ˈme.ne/: three syllables, a-ME-ne, with the e of English "bed" both times.
yani /ˈja.ni/: YA-ni, the y of English "yes."
Stress falls on the next-to-last syllable of the whole word:
- ndani /ˈnda.ni/: NDA-ni, "who?" - amene /a.ˈme.ne/: a-ME-ne, "who" (relative) - anabwera /a.na.ˈbwe.ɾa/: a-na-BWE-ra, "he/she came" - mukufuna /mu.ku.ˈfu.na/: mu-ku-FU-na, "you want" - dzina /ˈdzi.na/: DZI-na, "name"
Tone. Wiktionary records ndaní with a high tone on the last syllable. Relative clauses also have their own melody: Wikipedia's article on Chichewa tones writes améné ánkathandíza, "who used to help," with a high tone on the first syllable of the verb after amene. The standard spelling does not mark tone, and this lesson writes the words without tone marks, as Malawian books and newspapers do.
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Example 41.3 is the sample phrase given in Wikipedia's article on the Chewa language. The others are constructed for teaching, from verified patterns.
41.1a Ndani who
41.1b Ndani /ˈnda.ni/ who.INTERR
41.2a Uyu this-one ndani who
41.2b Uyu /ˈu.ju/ this.CL1 ndani /ˈnda.ni/ who.INTERR
41.3a Dzina name lanu your ndani who
41.3b Dzina /ˈdzi.na/ name.CL5 lanu /ˈla.nu/ your.CL5.POSS (PL/polite) ndani /ˈnda.ni/ who.INTERR
41.4a Ndani who anabwera he-came
41.4b Ndani /ˈnda.ni/ who.INTERR anabwera /a.na.ˈbwe.ɾa/ a-na-bwer-a: 3SG-PAST-come-FV
41.5a Mukufuna you-want ndani whom
41.5b Mukufuna /mu.ku.ˈfu.na/ mu-ku-fun-a: 2PL-PRES-want-FV ndani /ˈnda.ni/ who.INTERR
41.6a Unapita you-went ndi with ndani whom kumsika to-market
41.6b Unapita /u.na.ˈpi.ta/ u-na-pit-a: 2SG-PAST-go-FV ndi /ndi/ with ndani /ˈnda.ni/ who.INTERR kumsika /ku.m̩.ˈsi.ka/ ku-msika: LOC17-market.CL3
41.7a Kalata letter iyi this ndi is ya of ndani whom
41.7b Kalata /ka.ˈla.ta/ letter.CL9 iyi /ˈi.ji/ this.CL9 ndi /ndi/ is (COP) ya /ja/ of.CL9 ndani /ˈnda.ni/ who.INTERR
41.8a Ndani who anaphika he-cooked nsima nsima iyi this
41.8b Ndani /ˈnda.ni/ who.INTERR anaphika /a.na.ˈpʰi.ka/ a-na-phik-a: 3SG-PAST-cook-FV nsima /ˈnsi.ma/ maize porridge.CL9 iyi /ˈi.ji/ this.CL9
41.9a Mphunzitsi teacher amene who anabwera he-came dzulo yesterday ndi is mnzanga my-friend
41.9b Mphunzitsi /mpʰu.ˈnzi.tsi/ teacher.CL1 amene /a.ˈme.ne/ REL.CL1 anabwera /a.na.ˈbwe.ɾa/ a-na-bwer-a: 3SG-PAST-come-FV dzulo /ˈdzu.lo/ yesterday ndi /ndi/ is (COP) mnzanga /m̩.ˈnza.ŋɡa/ mnzanga: friend.CL1-my
41.10a Ana children amene who akusewera they-are-playing panja outside ndi are anga mine
41.10b Ana /ˈa.na/ child.CL2.PL amene /a.ˈme.ne/ REL.CL2 akusewera /a.ku.se.ˈwe.ɾa/ a-ku-sewer-a: 3PL-PRES-play-FV panja /ˈpa.ndʒa/ outside.LOC16 ndi /ndi/ are (COP) anga /ˈa.ŋɡa/ my.CL2.POSS (= mine)
41.11a Ndi it-is ndani who amene who anayimba he-rang foni phone
41.11b Ndi /ndi/ it-is (COP) ndani /ˈnda.ni/ who.INTERR amene /a.ˈme.ne/ REL.CL1 anayimba /a.na.ˈji.mba/ a-na-yimb-a: 3SG-PAST-ring-FV foni /ˈfo.ni/ phone.CL9
41.12a Ndikufuna I-want munthu person amene who amalankhula he-speaks Chingerezi English
41.12b Ndikufuna /ndi.ku.ˈfu.na/ ndi-ku-fun-a: 1SG-PRES-want-FV munthu /ˈmu.ntʰu/ person.CL1 amene /a.ˈme.ne/ REL.CL1 amalankhula /a.ma.la.ˈŋkʰu.la/ a-ma-lankhul-a: 3SG-HAB-speak-FV Chingerezi /tʃi.ŋɡe.ˈɾe.zi/ English language.CL7
41.13a Amene whoever adzabwera he-will-come mochedwa late sadzalowa he-will-not-enter
41.13b Amene /a.ˈme.ne/ REL.CL1 (= the one who) adzabwera /a.dza.ˈbwe.ɾa/ a-dza-bwer-a: 3SG-FUT-come-FV mochedwa /mo.ˈtʃe.dwa/ late (ADV) sadzalowa /sa.dza.ˈlo.wa/ s(i)-a-dza-low-a: NEG-3SG-FUT-enter-FV
41.14a Agogo grandmother amene who anandilera she-raised-me amakhala she-lives ku at Zomba Zomba
41.14b Agogo /a.ˈɡo.ɡo/ grandparent.CL2 (honorific) amene /a.ˈme.ne/ REL.CL2 anandilera /a.na.ndi.ˈle.ɾa/ a-na-ndi-ler-a: 3-PAST-1SG.OBJ-raise-FV amakhala /a.ma.ˈkʰa.la/ a-ma-khal-a: 3-HAB-live-FV ku /ku/ at.LOC17 Zomba /ˈzo.mba/ Zomba (town)
41.15a Ndi it-is ndani who mwa among inu you amene who akudziwa he-knows yankho answer
41.15b Ndi /ndi/ it-is (COP) ndani /ˈnda.ni/ who.INTERR mwa /mwa/ among.LOC18 inu /ˈi.nu/ 2PL.PRON amene /a.ˈme.ne/ REL.CL1 akudziwa /a.ku.ˈdzi.wa/ a-ku-dziw-a: 3SG-PRES-know-FV yankho /ˈja.ŋkʰo/ answer.CL5
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41.1 Ndani? → "Who is it?"
41.2 Uyu ndani? → "Who is this?"
41.3 Dzina lanu ndani? → "What is your name?"
41.4 Ndani anabwera? → "Who came?"
41.5 Mukufuna ndani? → "Whom do you want?" / "Who are you looking for?"
41.6 Unapita ndi ndani kumsika? → "Who did you go to the market with?"
41.7 Kalata iyi ndi ya ndani? → "Whose letter is this?"
41.8 Ndani anaphika nsima iyi? → "Who cooked this nsima?"
41.9 Mphunzitsi amene anabwera dzulo ndi mnzanga. → "The teacher who came yesterday is my friend."
41.10 Ana amene akusewera panja ndi anga. → "The children who are playing outside are mine."
41.11 Ndi ndani amene anayimba foni? → "Who was it that phoned?"
41.12 Ndikufuna munthu amene amalankhula Chingerezi. → "I need someone who speaks English."
41.13 Amene adzabwera mochedwa sadzalowa. → "Whoever comes late will not get in."
41.14 Agogo amene anandilera amakhala ku Zomba. → "The grandmother who raised me lives in Zomba."
41.15 Ndi ndani mwa inu amene akudziwa yankho? → "Which of you knows the answer?"
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41.1 Ndani?
41.2 Uyu ndani?
41.3 Dzina lanu ndani?
41.4 Ndani anabwera?
41.5 Mukufuna ndani?
41.6 Unapita ndi ndani kumsika?
41.7 Kalata iyi ndi ya ndani?
41.8 Ndani anaphika nsima iyi?
41.9 Mphunzitsi amene anabwera dzulo ndi mnzanga.
41.10 Ana amene akusewera panja ndi anga.
41.11 Ndi ndani amene anayimba foni?
41.12 Ndikufuna munthu amene amalankhula Chingerezi.
41.13 Amene adzabwera mochedwa sadzalowa.
41.14 Agogo amene anandilera amakhala ku Zomba.
41.15 Ndi ndani mwa inu amene akudziwa yankho?
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These are the grammar rules for ndani and amene (who) in Chichewa:
1. Two words, two jobs. English "who" both asks and describes. Chichewa keeps them apart:
- question: ndani — Ndani anabwera?, "Who came?" (41.4) - description: amene — mphunzitsi amene anabwera dzulo, "the teacher who came yesterday" (41.9)
Ask yourself: is there a question mark? If yes, ndani. If "who" could be replaced by "that" ("the teacher that came"), amene.
2. Ndani in every position. Ndani never changes its form. Its place in the sentence shows its role:
- alone: Ndani?, "Who is it?" (41.1) - after a noun, as "is who?": Uyu ndani?, "Who is this?" (41.2); Kodi mnansi wanga ndani?, "Who is my neighbour?" (Section F) - as subject, before the verb: Ndani anabwera?, "Who came?" (41.4); Ndani anaphika nsima iyi? (41.8) - as object, after the verb: Mukufuna ndani?, "Whom do you want?" (41.5)
English moves "who" to the front of every question. Chichewa leaves the object ndani where an object noun would stand, after the verb: Mukufuna ndani?, literally "You want whom?"
3. Ndani after small words. Put the preposition or the "of" word in front, as in English "to whom," "with whom":
- kwa ndani: to whom, for whom — Mukufuna kwa ndani? (Lesson 14) - ndi ndani: with whom — Unapita ndi ndani kumsika? (41.6); by whom, after a passive — Chakudya chidaphikidwa ndi ndani?, "By whom was the food cooked?" (Lesson 32) - wa / ya / cha… ndani: whose — the "of" word agrees with the thing owned: kalata ya ndani (class 9), buku la ndani (class 5), mwana wa ndani (class 1). So Kalata iyi ndi ya ndani?, "Whose letter is this?" (41.7)
4. "Who is it that…?": ndi ndani amene. To stress the question, Chichewa says "it is who, who…": Ndi ndani amene anayimba foni?, "Who was it that phoned?" (41.11). The Chichewa Bible (CCL) asks in this way in Luke 10:36: Kodi ukuganiza ndi ndani mwa atatuwa, amene anali mnansi…?, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbour…?" Add mwa + a plural for "which of…": ndi ndani mwa inu, "which of you" (41.15).
5. Amene after its noun. Amene comes straight after the noun it describes; the verb that follows has its own subject prefix, agreeing with that noun:
- mphunzitsi amene a-na-bwera: "the teacher who came" (class 1) (41.9) - ana amene a-ku-sewera: "the children who are playing" (class 2) (41.10) - munthu amene a-ma-lankhula: "a person who speaks" (41.12) - agogo amene a-na-ndi-lera: "the grandmother who raised me" (honorific class 2) (41.14)
The relative verb can be in any tense: past -na- (41.9), present -ku- (41.10), habitual -ma- (41.12), future -dza- (41.13, from Lesson 40).
6. "Who" and "which" are the same word in Chichewa. Amene takes the prefix of its noun's class, as a verb does. Wikipedia's account of Chichewa grammar gives mwana amene, "the child who," ana amene, "the children who," and the demonstratives nyumba imeneyo, "that house," nyumba zimenezo, "those houses," with the same stem. For people (class 1 and class 2) the form is always amene; for things the prefix changes (class 9 imene, class 10 zimene, and so on). This lesson teaches amene, the "who" of people; the forms for things will come with "which" and "that."
7. Amene alone: "the one who," "whoever." With no noun in front, amene stands for a person: Amene adzabwera mochedwa sadzalowa, "Whoever comes late will not get in" (41.13); Amene anamuchitira chifundo, "The one who showed him mercy" (Section F).
8. Yani after "to be." The older Bible uses yani after the verb "to be": Ndiwe yani?, "Who are you?" (Yohane 1:19, BLP); Mwana ali yani, "who the Son is" (Luka 10:22, BLP). Recognise yani; use ndani.
Common Mistakes
- Using ndani for a description. ✗ mphunzitsi ndani anabwera dzulo. ✓ mphunzitsi amene anabwera dzulo: there is no question, so amene. - Using amene to ask. ✗ Amene anabwera? (this means "the one who came?"). ✓ Ndani anabwera?, "Who came?" - Moving the object to the front. "Whom do you want?" ✓ Mukufuna ndani? The object ndani follows the verb. - Translating "what" in "What is your name?" Do not reach for chiyani by reflex. ✓ Dzina lanu ndani?: a name is asked with "who." - Wrong agreement in "whose." ✗ kalata wa ndani. ✓ kalata ya ndani: kalata is class 9, so "of" is ya. - Forgetting the verb's own prefix after amene. ✗ ana amene kusewera. ✓ ana amene akusewera: the relative verb is a full verb with subject prefix and tense.
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"Who is your name?" To ask a stranger's name, Chichewa asks Dzina lanu ndani?, literally "Your name is who?" A name is treated as a person rather than a thing; Wikipedia's sample phrases for the Chewa language give Dzina lanu ndani? as "What's your name?" Many Malawian names carry a meaning in Chichewa: Chimwemwe, "joy," Chisomo, "grace," and Tiyamike, "let us give thanks," which is a whole sentence.
Ndani? at the door. A visitor in Malawi does not usually knock but calls Odi! from outside, and the household answers Lowani!, "Come in!" If the voice is not recognised, the answer is Ndani?, "Who is it?", and the visitor gives a name and a family: Ndine Tiyamike, mwana wa Chisomo, "I am Tiyamike, Chisomo's child." Saying whose child you are places you in the village: the Narrative below shows such a meeting.
Ndani in titles. Questions with ndani make memorable titles. The Malawian writer Steve Chimombo wrote a play in Chichewa called Wachiona Ndani? (1992), mentioned in Lesson 22.
Amene in public speech. Amene is everywhere in formal Chichewa: in speeches of thanks (tikuthokoza nonse amene mwabwera, "we thank all of you who have come," Lesson 21), in the Bible (Section F), and in rules and notices that begin Amene…, "Whoever…" (41.13).
Varieties. This lesson follows the standard Chichewa of Malawi. Alongside amene, speakers also use the relative yemwe for one person, as in the folktale of Lesson 1: Yemwe adzabweretse chinthu chabwino kwambiri adzakhala mfumu, "Whoever brings the best thing will be king." Ndani is used across Malawi and in the Nyanja of Zambia.
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Source: Luke 10:29, 10:36 and the first sentence of 10:37 (Luka 10), the parable of the Good Samaritan, in Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero (Biblica, CCL), a modern-language Chichewa translation. The lawyer asks Jesus "Who is my neighbour?"; Jesus answers with a story and returns the question; the lawyer answers with amene. Texts checked on bible.com (CCL, Luke 10:29, 10:36, 10:37), with the older Buku Lopatulika (BLP-2018, Luke 10) for comparison.
F-A: Interlinear Text
F-A.1a Koma but iye he anafuna he-wanted kudzilungamitsa to-justify-himself yekha himself ndipo and anamufunsanso he-asked-him-again Yesu Jesus kuti that Kodi Q mnansi neighbour wanga my ndani who
F-A.1b Koma /ˈko.ma/ but iye /ˈi.je/ 3SG.PRON anafuna /a.na.ˈfu.na/ a-na-fun-a: 3SG-PAST-want-FV kudzilungamitsa /ku.dzi.lu.ŋɡa.ˈmi.tsa/ ku-dzi-lungam-its-a: INF-REFL-righteous-CAUS-FV yekha /ˈje.kʰa/ alone.CL1 (= himself) ndipo /ˈndi.po/ and (then) anamufunsanso /a.na.mu.fu.ˈnsa.nso/ a-na-mu-funs-a-nso: 3SG-PAST-3SG.OBJ-ask-FV-again Yesu /ˈje.su/ Jesus kuti /ˈku.ti/ that (introduces speech) Kodi /ˈko.di/ Q (question particle) mnansi /m̩.ˈna.nsi/ neighbour.CL1 wanga /ˈwa.ŋɡa/ my.CL1.POSS ndani /ˈnda.ni/ who.INTERR
F-A.2a Kodi Q ukuganiza you-think ndi it-is ndani who mwa among atatuwa these-three amene who anali he-was mnansi neighbour wa of munthu person amene who anavulazidwa he-was-hurt ndi by achifwambawo those-robbers
F-A.2b Kodi /ˈko.di/ Q (question particle) ukuganiza /u.ku.ɡa.ˈni.za/ u-ku-ganiz-a: 2SG-PRES-think-FV ndi /ndi/ it-is (COP) ndani /ˈnda.ni/ who.INTERR mwa /mwa/ among.LOC18 atatuwa /a.ta.ˈtu.wa/ a-tatu-wa: CL2-three-these amene /a.ˈme.ne/ REL.CL1 anali /a.ˈna.li/ a-na-li: 3SG-PAST-be mnansi /m̩.ˈna.nsi/ neighbour.CL1 wa /wa/ of.CL1 munthu /ˈmu.ntʰu/ person.CL1 amene /a.ˈme.ne/ REL.CL1 anavulazidwa /a.na.vu.la.ˈzi.dwa/ a-na-vulaz-idw-a: 3SG-PAST-hurt-PASS-FV ndi /ndi/ by achifwambawo /a.tʃi.fwa.ˈmba.wo/ a-chifwamba-wo: CL2-robber-those
F-A.3a Katswiri expert wa of Malamulo Law uja that anayankha he-answered kuti that Amene the-one-who anamuchitira he-did-for-him chifundo mercy
F-A.3b Katswiri /ka.ˈtswi.ɾi/ expert.CL1a wa /wa/ of.CL1 Malamulo /ma.la.ˈmu.lo/ law.CL6.PL uja /ˈu.dʒa/ that (aforementioned).CL1 anayankha /a.na.ˈja.ŋkʰa/ a-na-yankh-a: 3SG-PAST-answer-FV kuti /ˈku.ti/ that (introduces speech) Amene /a.ˈme.ne/ REL.CL1 (= the one who) anamuchitira /a.na.mu.tʃi.ˈti.ɾa/ a-na-mu-chit-ir-a: 3SG-PAST-3SG.OBJ-do-APPL-FV chifundo /tʃi.ˈfu.ndo/ mercy.CL7
F-B: Original Text with Translation
F-B.1 Koma iye anafuna kudzilungamitsa yekha, ndipo anamufunsanso Yesu kuti, 'Kodi mnansi wanga ndani?' (Luka 10:29, CCL) → "But he wanted to justify himself, and he asked Jesus again, 'Who is my neighbour?'"
F-B.2 Kodi ukuganiza ndi ndani mwa atatuwa, amene anali mnansi wa munthu amene anavulazidwa ndi achifwambawo? (Luka 10:36, CCL) → "Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who was hurt by the robbers?"
F-B.3 Katswiri wa Malamulo uja anayankha kuti, 'Amene anamuchitira chifundo.' (Luka 10:37, CCL, first sentence) → "The expert in the Law answered, 'The one who showed him mercy.'"
F-C: Original Text Only
Koma iye anafuna kudzilungamitsa yekha, ndipo anamufunsanso Yesu kuti, 'Kodi mnansi wanga ndani?'
Kodi ukuganiza ndi ndani mwa atatuwa, amene anali mnansi wa munthu amene anavulazidwa ndi achifwambawo?
Katswiri wa Malamulo uja anayankha kuti, 'Amene anamuchitira chifundo.'
F-D: Grammar and Literary Commentary
- The question and its two answers. The parable is framed by "who." The lawyer asks with ndani (10:29). Jesus turns the question back with ndi ndani… amene (10:36). The lawyer answers with amene alone (10:37): he does not name the Samaritan, but describes him, "the one who showed him mercy." The three verses show the three uses of "who" in this lesson. - Mnansi wanga ndani? The question word stands at the end, after the noun, as in Uyu ndani? (41.2) and Dzina lanu ndani? (41.3). Kodi at the start only marks the sentence as a question. The older Buku Lopatulika has the same order without kodi: Ndipo mnansi wanga ndani? (Luka 10:29, BLP-2018). - Two amene in one verse. In 10:36 the first amene refers back to ndani mwa atatuwa, "which of these three"; the second describes munthu, "the man": munthu amene anavulazidwa, "the man who was hurt." Both are class 1, so both are amene. - Passive with ndi. anavulazidwa ndi achifwambawo, "was hurt by the robbers": the passive -idw- and ndi, "by," as in Chakudya chidaphikidwa ndi ndani? (Lesson 32). - -wo and uja, "those" and "that." achifwamba-wo, "those robbers" (already mentioned, in verse 30), and katswiri… uja, "that expert" (the one we have been talking about): both point back to people already in the story. - anamuchitira chifundo. chita, "do," + the applicative -ir-, "for," + the object mu-, "him": "did mercy for him," the Chichewa way of saying "showed him mercy." - kudzilungamitsa. The reflexive prefix dzi- ("oneself") and the causative -its- on lungama, "be righteous": "to make oneself righteous," "to justify oneself."
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A constructed dialogue. A boy, Tiyamike, comes to the house of Mayi Phiri with a letter. She does not recognise him at first, and the conversation is a chain of questions with ndani and answers with amene. The speaker is named in brackets in Part A and before the colon in Parts B and C.
Part A: Interlinear Text
41.16a (Mayi Phiri) Ndani who
41.16b Ndani /ˈnda.ni/ who.INTERR
41.17a (Tiyamike) Ndine it-is-I Tiyamike Tiyamike
41.17b Ndine /ˈndi.ne/ ndi-ine: COP-1SG.PRON Tiyamike /ti.ja.ˈmi.ke/ Tiyamike (name: "let us give thanks")
41.18a (Mayi Phiri) Tiyamike Tiyamike ndani who
41.18b Tiyamike /ti.ja.ˈmi.ke/ Tiyamike ndani /ˈnda.ni/ who.INTERR
41.19a (Tiyamike) Mwana child wa of Chisomo Chisomo amene who amaphunzitsa she-teaches ku at sukulu school
41.19b Mwana /ˈmwa.na/ child.CL1 wa /wa/ of.CL1 Chisomo /tʃi.ˈso.mo/ Chisomo (name: "grace") amene /a.ˈme.ne/ REL.CL1 amaphunzitsa /a.ma.pʰu.ˈnzi.tsa/ a-ma-phunzits-a: 3SG-HAB-teach-FV ku /ku/ at.LOC17 sukulu /su.ˈku.lu/ school.CL9
41.20a (Mayi Phiri) Lowani come-in mwana child wanga my
41.20b Lowani /lo.ˈwa.ni/ low-a-ni: enter-FV-PL (IMP, polite) mwana /ˈmwa.na/ child.CL1 wanga /ˈwa.ŋɡa/ my.CL1.POSS
41.21a (Mayi Phiri) Wabwera you-have-come ndi with ndani whom
41.21b Wabwera /wa.ˈbwe.ɾa/ w(u)-a-bwer-a: 2SG-PERF-come-FV ndi /ndi/ with ndani /ˈnda.ni/ who.INTERR
41.22a (Tiyamike) Ndabwera I-have-come ndekha alone
41.22b Ndabwera /nda.ˈbwe.ɾa/ nd(i)-a-bwer-a: 1SG-PERF-come-FV ndekha /ˈnde.kʰa/ alone.1SG (= by myself)
41.23a (Mayi Phiri) Ndani who anakutuma he-sent-you
41.23b Ndani /ˈnda.ni/ who.INTERR anakutuma /a.na.ku.ˈtu.ma/ a-na-ku-tum-a: 3SG-PAST-2SG.OBJ-send-FV
41.24a (Tiyamike) Amayi mother anga my anandipatsa she-gave-me kalata letter iyi this
41.24b Amayi /a.ˈma.ji/ mother.CL2 (honorific) anga /ˈa.ŋɡa/ my.CL2.POSS anandipatsa /a.na.ndi.ˈpa.tsa/ a-na-ndi-pats-a: 3-PAST-1SG.OBJ-give-FV kalata /ka.ˈla.ta/ letter.CL9 iyi /ˈi.ji/ this.CL9
41.25a (Mayi Phiri) Kalata letter ndi is ya of ndani whom
41.25b Kalata /ka.ˈla.ta/ letter.CL9 ndi /ndi/ is (COP) ya /ja/ of.CL9 ndani /ˈnda.ni/ who.INTERR
41.26a (Tiyamike) Ndi it-is ya of bambo man amene who amagulitsa he-sells nsomba fish
41.26b Ndi /ndi/ it-is (COP) ya /ja/ of.CL9 bambo /ˈba.mbo/ man, father.CL1a amene /a.ˈme.ne/ REL.CL1 amagulitsa /a.ma.ɡu.ˈli.tsa/ a-ma-gulits-a: 3SG-HAB-sell-FV nsomba /ˈnso.mba/ fish.CL10
41.27a (Mayi Phiri) Ndi it-is ndani who amene who amagulitsa he-sells nsomba fish Pali there-are ambiri many
41.27b Ndi /ndi/ it-is (COP) ndani /ˈnda.ni/ who.INTERR amene /a.ˈme.ne/ REL.CL1 amagulitsa /a.ma.ɡu.ˈli.tsa/ a-ma-gulits-a: 3SG-HAB-sell-FV nsomba /ˈnso.mba/ fish.CL10 Pali /ˈpa.li/ pa-li: LOC16-be (= there are) ambiri /a.ˈmbi.ɾi/ many.CL2
41.28a (Tiyamike) Bambo Mr Banda Banda amene who amakhala he-lives pafupi near ndi to tchalitchi church
41.28b Bambo /ˈba.mbo/ Mr, father.CL1a Banda /ˈba.nda/ Banda (surname) amene /a.ˈme.ne/ REL.CL1 amakhala /a.ma.ˈkʰa.la/ a-ma-khal-a: 3SG-HAB-live-FV pafupi /pa.ˈfu.pi/ near.LOC16 ndi /ndi/ with (pafupi ndi = near to) tchalitchi /tʃa.ˈli.tʃi/ church.CL5
41.29a (Mayi Phiri) Chabwino fine Amene whoever akudikira he-is-waiting kalata letter iyi this adzakondwa he-will-be-glad
41.29b Chabwino /tʃa.ˈbwi.no/ cha-bwino: CL7-good (= all right) Amene /a.ˈme.ne/ REL.CL1 (= the one who) akudikira /a.ku.di.ˈki.ɾa/ a-ku-dikir-a: 3SG-PRES-wait.for-FV kalata /ka.ˈla.ta/ letter.CL9 iyi /ˈi.ji/ this.CL9 adzakondwa /a.dza.ˈko.ndwa/ a-dza-kondw-a: 3SG-FUT-be.glad-FV
41.30a (Mayi Phiri) Koma but iwe you ndani who adzakuperekeza he-will-accompany-you kunyumba home
41.30b Koma /ˈko.ma/ but iwe /ˈi.we/ 2SG.PRON ndani /ˈnda.ni/ who.INTERR adzakuperekeza /a.dza.ku.pe.ɾe.ˈke.za/ a-dza-ku-perekez-a: 3SG-FUT-2SG.OBJ-accompany-FV kunyumba /ku.ˈɲu.mba/ ku-nyumba: LOC17-house
Part B: Natural Sentences
41.16 Mayi Phiri: Ndani? → "Who is it?"
41.17 Tiyamike: Ndine Tiyamike. → "It's me, Tiyamike."
41.18 Mayi Phiri: Tiyamike ndani? → "Tiyamike who?"
41.19 Tiyamike: Mwana wa Chisomo, amene amaphunzitsa ku sukulu. → "Chisomo's child — Chisomo who teaches at the school."
41.20 Mayi Phiri: Lowani, mwana wanga. → "Come in, my child."
41.21 Mayi Phiri: Wabwera ndi ndani? → "Who have you come with?"
41.22 Tiyamike: Ndabwera ndekha. → "I have come by myself."
41.23 Mayi Phiri: Ndani anakutuma? → "Who sent you?"
41.24 Tiyamike: Amayi anga anandipatsa kalata iyi. → "My mother gave me this letter."
41.25 Mayi Phiri: Kalata ndi ya ndani? → "Whose letter is it?"
41.26 Tiyamike: Ndi ya bambo amene amagulitsa nsomba. → "It's for the man who sells fish."
41.27 Mayi Phiri: Ndi ndani amene amagulitsa nsomba? Pali ambiri! → "Which one is it who sells fish? There are lots of them!"
41.28 Tiyamike: Bambo Banda, amene amakhala pafupi ndi tchalitchi. → "Mr Banda, who lives near the church."
41.29 Mayi Phiri: Chabwino. Amene akudikira kalata iyi adzakondwa. → "All right. Whoever is waiting for this letter will be glad."
41.30 Mayi Phiri: Koma iwe, ndani adzakuperekeza kunyumba? → "But you — who will take you home?"
Part C: Target Language Only
41.16 Mayi Phiri: Ndani?
41.17 Tiyamike: Ndine Tiyamike.
41.18 Mayi Phiri: Tiyamike ndani?
41.19 Tiyamike: Mwana wa Chisomo, amene amaphunzitsa ku sukulu.
41.20 Mayi Phiri: Lowani, mwana wanga.
41.21 Mayi Phiri: Wabwera ndi ndani?
41.22 Tiyamike: Ndabwera ndekha.
41.23 Mayi Phiri: Ndani anakutuma?
41.24 Tiyamike: Amayi anga anandipatsa kalata iyi.
41.25 Mayi Phiri: Kalata ndi ya ndani?
41.26 Tiyamike: Ndi ya bambo amene amagulitsa nsomba.
41.27 Mayi Phiri: Ndi ndani amene amagulitsa nsomba? Pali ambiri!
41.28 Tiyamike: Bambo Banda, amene amakhala pafupi ndi tchalitchi.
41.29 Mayi Phiri: Chabwino. Amene akudikira kalata iyi adzakondwa.
41.30 Mayi Phiri: Koma iwe, ndani adzakuperekeza kunyumba?
Part D: Grammar Notes on the Dialogue
- Every question is ndani. Alone (41.16), after a name (41.18), after ndi "with" (41.21), as subject (41.23, 41.30), after ya "of" (41.25), and in the cleft ndi ndani amene (41.27). It never changes form. - Every description is amene. Chisomo, amene amaphunzitsa (41.19), bambo amene amagulitsa (41.26), Bambo Banda, amene amakhala (41.28): each amene follows the person it describes, and each relative verb has its own prefix a-. - Amene without a noun. Amene akudikira kalata iyi, "whoever is waiting for this letter" (41.29), as in 41.13 and Luke 10:37. - Tiyamike ndani? (41.18) English says "Tiyamike who?"; Chichewa says the same, with the question word after the name, as in Mnansi wanga ndani? The answer gives a family, not a surname. - Ndine, "it is I." The copula ndi + ine, "I," gives ndine (41.17). The same copula with iwe, "you," gives ndiwe, as in the Bible's Ndiwe yani?, "Who are you?" - The perfect -a-. Wabwera, "you have come" (41.21), and ndabwera, "I have come" (41.22): u- + -a- → wa-, ndi- + -a- → nda-. The perfect describes a just-completed event, still relevant now. - Respect in address. Mayi Phiri says Lowani (41.20), the polite plural imperative, as a host welcomes any guest at the door, and then speaks to the boy in the singular: wabwera, iwe, -ku-. The boy calls his mother amayi anga, with the honorific plural (Lesson 40). - Earlier lessons. -dza- in adzakondwa and adzakuperekeza is the future of Lesson 40; pafupi ndi, "near," uses the locative pa-.
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Vowels. Five pure vowels: a /a/ (father), e /e/ (bed), i /i/ (machine), o /o/ (Spanish no), u /u/ (rule). Two vowels side by side are two syllables: Tiyamike /ti.ja.ˈmi.ke/, iye /ˈi.je/, iyi /ˈi.ji/.
Stress. On the next-to-last syllable of the whole word: NDA-ni, a-ME-ne, a-ma-gu-LI-tsa, a-dza-ku-pe-re-KE-za.
Consonant spellings in this lesson:
- nd at the start of a word begins the syllable: ndani /ˈnda.ni/, ndine /ˈndi.ne/, ndekha /ˈnde.kʰa/ - ph, th, kh = aspirated /pʰ tʰ kʰ/: anaphika, munthu, amalankhula, yankho - ch = /tʃ/; tch = /tʃ/ in borrowed words: chifundo, tchalitchi - dz = /dz/, one sound: dzina, dzulo, kudzilungamitsa - ts = /ts/, one sound: mphunzitsi, amagulitsa - y = /j/: yani, yankho, Tiyamike - r and l are one sound, written r after i and e and l elsewhere: bwera, dikira, lera, but lowa, Malamulo - m before a consonant at the start of a class 1 noun is its own syllable: mnzanga /m̩.ˈnza.ŋɡa/, mnansi /m̩.ˈna.nsi/; so is the m of msika in kumsika /ku.m̩.ˈsi.ka/ - nasal + consonant at the start of a class 9 or 10 noun begins the syllable: nsima /ˈnsi.ma/, nsomba /ˈnso.mba/
Orthography. Ndani and amene are always written as separate words: Ndi ndani amene anabwera?, never ndindani. Object and subject prefixes are joined to the verb: anakutuma, anandipatsa. Tone is not written in standard spelling. Older books may write Mau where modern spelling has Mawu; the question word is the same in old and new texts, while the old Bible also uses yani after "to be."
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