English "when" → Chichewa "liti" and "pamene" – The Question Word and the Time Clause
What does "when" mean in Chichewa?
English "when" does two jobs, just as "who" did in Lesson 41. It asks a question: "When are you coming?" And it joins a time to an event: "I was at home when the rain fell." Chichewa uses different words for the two jobs:
- liti asks the question: Mukubwera liti?, "When are you coming?" - pamene joins a time to an event that is present or past: Pamene mvula inagwa, tinali kunyumba, "When the rain fell, we were at home" - the marker -ka- joins a time to an event that has not happened yet: Ukabwera mawa, ndidzakupatsa buku, "When you come tomorrow, I will give you the book"
Liti, the question word. Liti asks about time, and it never changes: it has no prefix and no ending. It stands at the end of the question, after the verb and everything that goes with the verb: Udzapita liti?, "When will you go?"; Mvula idzagwa liti?, "When will it rain?" The list of question words on the Chichewa learning site Mofeko gives Liti? for "When?" with the examples "When is George coming?" and "When will you travel?" An older Chichewa New Testament has the same word in the disciples' question in Matthew 24:3, zidzawoneka liti?, "when will it happen?", and the modern Bible has it in the psalms, where it makes the cry mpaka liti, "how long?", literally "until when?" (Masalimo 13:1, Section F).
Liti and nthawi yanji. You have met another way to ask about time: nthawi yanji, "what time?" (Msika utseka nthawi yanji?, "What time does the market close?", Lesson 1). Nthawi yanji asks for the hour or the moment. Liti is wider: the answer can be an hour, a day, a month or a year, lero ("today"), mawa ("tomorrow"), Lachisanu ("Friday").
Pamene, the word that joins. Pamene is built from pa-, the "place and time" prefix, and -mene, the relative word of Lesson 41 (amene, chimene). It means "at which time," and so "when." It comes right before the clause it introduces, and the verb in that clause has its own subject prefix: pamene ndili pa msautso, "when I am in trouble" (Masalimo 102:2). Wikipedia's article on Chichewa tenses gives Amavala pamene ndimalowa, "He was getting dressed when I entered," and teaches that the clause after pamene often uses the -ma- form for what was going on at the time.
The -ka- clause. In Lesson 40 you met ukamaliza, "when you finish." The marker -ka- between the subject prefix and the verb stem means "when" for something that is still to come, and the main verb is usually in the future with -dza-: Mukabwera mawa, mudzandipeza kunyumba, "When you come tomorrow, you will find me at home." For something already past, the word to use is pamene.
What does "when" mean in Chichewa? To ask "when?", say liti at the end of the question: Mukubwera liti? To say "at the time that" for the present or the past, say pamene before the clause. To say "when" about the future, put -ka- inside the verb.
- Liti asks "when?": it comes last and never changes: Udzapita liti?, Mvula idzagwa liti? - Mpaka liti = "how long?": mpaka, "until," with liti: Mpaka liti, Yehova? (Masalimo 13:1) - Pamene joins a present or past time: Pamene mvula inagwa, tinali kunyumba; pamene ndili pa msautso - -ka- joins a future time: Ukabwera mawa, ndidzakupatsa buku; Abambo akabwera, ndidzakondwa - A question inside a sentence keeps liti last: Ndikufuna kudziwa kuti mudzabwera liti, "I want to know when you will come"
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liti /ˈli.ti/: two syllables, LI-ti. The l is the l of English "lip," and both i sounds are the i of "machine."
pamene /pa.ˈme.ne/: three syllables, pa-ME-ne, with the e of English "bed" both times.
mpaka /ˈmpa.ka/: MPA-ka. The mp begins the first syllable together, as in the middle of English "camper," never "em-pa-ka."
Stress falls on the next-to-last syllable of the whole word:
- liti /ˈli.ti/: LI-ti, "when?" - pamene /pa.ˈme.ne/: pa-ME-ne, "when" - mudzabwera /mu.dza.ˈbwe.ɾa/: mu-dza-BWE-ra, "you will come" - ndikapuma /ndi.ka.ˈpu.ma/: ndi-ka-PU-ma, "when I have rested" - Lachisanu /la.tʃi.ˈsa.nu/: la-chi-SA-nu, "Friday"
Tone. Wikipedia's article on Chichewa tenses writes paméné, with high tones on the middle and last syllables, in Amavála paméné ndímálówa. The sources used for this lesson do not mark tone on liti, and the standard spelling does not mark it on any word. This lesson writes the words without tone marks, as Malawian books and newspapers do.
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Examples 43.11 and 43.12 are verses of the Chichewa Bible: Masalimo 35:17 and the end of Masalimo 102:2, in Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero (CCL). Example 43.13 is the sentence given in Wikipedia's article on Chichewa tenses, written here without tone marks. Example 43.2 follows the question "When will you travel?" on Mofeko's list of question words, but writes the future with -dza-, as in Lesson 40. The others are constructed for teaching, from verified patterns.
43.1a Mukubwera you-are-coming liti when
43.1b Mukubwera /mu.ku.ˈbwe.ɾa/ mu-ku-bwer-a: 2PL-PRES-come-FV (polite) liti /ˈli.ti/ when.INTERR
43.2a Udzapita you-will-go liti when
43.2b Udzapita /u.dza.ˈpi.ta/ u-dza-pit-a: 2SG-FUT-go-FV liti /ˈli.ti/ when.INTERR
43.3a Mvula rain idzagwa it-will-fall liti when
43.3b Mvula /ˈmvu.la/ rain.CL9 idzagwa /i.ˈdza.ɡwa/ i-dza-gw-a: CL9-FUT-fall-FV liti /ˈli.ti/ when.INTERR
43.4a Mphunzitsi teacher adzafika he-will-arrive liti when
43.4b Mphunzitsi /mpʰu.ˈnzi.tsi/ teacher.CL1 adzafika /a.dza.ˈfi.ka/ a-dza-fik-a: 3SG-FUT-arrive-FV liti /ˈli.ti/ when.INTERR
43.5a Mayeso exams adzakhala they-will-be liti when
43.5b Mayeso /ma.ˈje.so/ exam.CL6.PL adzakhala /a.dza.ˈkʰa.la/ a-dza-khal-a: CL6-FUT-be-FV liti /ˈli.ti/ when.INTERR
43.6a Mlendo guest wanu your anafika he-arrived liti when
43.6b Mlendo /m̩.ˈle.ndo/ guest.CL1 wanu /ˈwa.nu/ your.CL1.POSS anafika /a.na.ˈfi.ka/ a-na-fik-a: 3SG-PAST-arrive-FV liti /ˈli.ti/ when.INTERR
43.7a Mukufuna you-want kuyamba to-start ntchito work liti when
43.7b Mukufuna /mu.ku.ˈfu.na/ mu-ku-fun-a: 2PL-PRES-want-FV (polite) kuyamba /ku.ˈja.mba/ ku-yamb-a: INF-start-FV ntchito /ˈntʃi.to/ work.CL9 liti /ˈli.ti/ when.INTERR
43.8a Ndikufuna I-want kudziwa to-know kuti that mudzabwera you-will-come liti when
43.8b Ndikufuna /ndi.ku.ˈfu.na/ ndi-ku-fun-a: 1SG-PRES-want-FV kudziwa /ku.ˈdzi.wa/ ku-dziw-a: INF-know-FV kuti /ˈku.ti/ that (introduces the question) mudzabwera /mu.dza.ˈbwe.ɾa/ mu-dza-bwer-a: 2PL-FUT-come-FV (polite) liti /ˈli.ti/ when.INTERR
43.9a Mwana child wanu your anabadwa he-was-born liti when
43.9b Mwana /ˈmwa.na/ child.CL1 wanu /ˈwa.nu/ your.CL1.POSS anabadwa /a.na.ˈba.dwa/ a-na-badw-a: 3SG-PAST-be.born-FV liti /ˈli.ti/ when.INTERR
43.10a Sindikudziwa I-do-not-know kuti that abambo father adzabwera he-will-come liti when
43.10b Sindikudziwa /si.ndi.ku.ˈdzi.wa/ si-ndi-ku-dziw-a: NEG-1SG-PRES-know-FV kuti /ˈku.ti/ that (introduces the question) abambo /a.ˈba.mbo/ father.CL2 (honorific) adzabwera /a.dza.ˈbwe.ɾa/ a-dza-bwer-a: 3SG-FUT-come-FV liti /ˈli.ti/ when.INTERR
43.11a Ambuye Lord mpaka until liti when mudzakhala you-will-be mukungoyangʼana you-just-looking-on
43.11b Ambuye /a.ˈmbu.je/ lord.CL1 (vocative) mpaka /ˈmpa.ka/ until liti /ˈli.ti/ when.INTERR (mpaka liti = how long) mudzakhala /mu.dza.ˈkʰa.la/ mu-dza-khal-a: 2PL-FUT-be-FV (polite) mukungoyangʼana /mu.ku.ŋɡo.ja.ˈŋa.na/ mu-ku-ngo-yangʼan-a: 2PL-PRES-just-look-FV
43.12a Musandibisire do-not-hide-from-me nkhope face yanu your pamene when ndili I-am pa in msautso trouble
43.12b Musandibisire /mu.sa.ndi.bi.ˈsi.ɾe/ mu-sa-ndi-bis-ir-e: 2PL-NEG-1SG.OBJ-hide-APPL-SBJV (polite) nkhope /ˈŋkʰo.pe/ face.CL9 yanu /ˈja.nu/ your.CL9.POSS pamene /pa.ˈme.ne/ pa-mene: CL16-REL (= when) ndili /ˈndi.li/ ndi-li: 1SG-be pa /pa/ at.CL16 msautso /m̩.sa.ˈu.tso/ trouble, affliction.CL3
43.13a Amavala he-was-dressing pamene when ndimalowa I-was-entering
43.13b Amavala /a.ma.ˈva.la/ a-ma-val-a: 3SG-IMPF-dress-FV pamene /pa.ˈme.ne/ pa-mene: CL16-REL (= when) ndimalowa /ndi.ma.ˈlo.wa/ ndi-ma-low-a: 1SG-IMPF-enter-FV
43.14a Ukabwera when-you-come mawa tomorrow ndidzakupatsa I-will-give-you buku book
43.14b Ukabwera /u.ka.ˈbwe.ɾa/ u-ka-bwer-a: 2SG-WHEN-come-FV mawa /ˈma.wa/ tomorrow ndidzakupatsa /ndi.dza.ku.ˈpa.tsa/ ndi-dza-ku-pats-a: 1SG-FUT-2SG.OBJ-give-FV buku /ˈbu.ku/ book.CL5
43.15a Pamene when mvula rain inagwa it-fell tinali we-were kunyumba at-home
43.15b Pamene /pa.ˈme.ne/ pa-mene: CL16-REL (= when) mvula /ˈmvu.la/ rain.CL9 inagwa /i.na.ˈɡwa/ i-na-gw-a: CL9-PAST-fall-FV tinali /ti.ˈna.li/ ti-na-li: 1PL-PAST-be kunyumba /ku.ˈɲu.mba/ ku-nyumba: LOC17-house
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43.1 Mukubwera liti? → "When are you coming?"
43.2 Udzapita liti? → "When will you go?"
43.3 Mvula idzagwa liti? → "When will it rain?"
43.4 Mphunzitsi adzafika liti? → "When will the teacher arrive?"
43.5 Mayeso adzakhala liti? → "When will the exams be?"
43.6 Mlendo wanu anafika liti? → "When did your guest arrive?"
43.7 Mukufuna kuyamba ntchito liti? → "When do you want to start work?"
43.8 Ndikufuna kudziwa kuti mudzabwera liti. → "I want to know when you will come."
43.9 Mwana wanu anabadwa liti? → "When was your child born?"
43.10 Sindikudziwa kuti abambo adzabwera liti. → "I do not know when Father will come."
43.11 Ambuye, mpaka liti mudzakhala mukungoyangʼana? → "Lord, how long will you look on?" (Masalimo 35:17)
43.12 Musandibisire nkhope yanu pamene ndili pa msautso. → "Do not hide your face from me when I am in trouble." (Masalimo 102:2)
43.13 Amavala pamene ndimalowa. → "He was getting dressed when I entered."
43.14 Ukabwera mawa, ndidzakupatsa buku. → "When you come tomorrow, I will give you the book."
43.15 Pamene mvula inagwa, tinali kunyumba. → "When the rain fell, we were at home."
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43.1 Mukubwera liti?
43.2 Udzapita liti?
43.3 Mvula idzagwa liti?
43.4 Mphunzitsi adzafika liti?
43.5 Mayeso adzakhala liti?
43.6 Mlendo wanu anafika liti?
43.7 Mukufuna kuyamba ntchito liti?
43.8 Ndikufuna kudziwa kuti mudzabwera liti.
43.9 Mwana wanu anabadwa liti?
43.10 Sindikudziwa kuti abambo adzabwera liti.
43.11 Ambuye, mpaka liti mudzakhala mukungoyangʼana?
43.12 Musandibisire nkhope yanu pamene ndili pa msautso.
43.13 Amavala pamene ndimalowa.
43.14 Ukabwera mawa, ndidzakupatsa buku.
43.15 Pamene mvula inagwa, tinali kunyumba.
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These are the grammar rules for liti (when) in Chichewa:
1. Liti asks "when?" and stands last. It is a question word like ndani (Lesson 41) and chiyani (Lesson 42): it has no prefix, no ending and no agreement. The question is built as a statement, and liti is put after the verb and whatever else the verb has with it:
- after the verb: Mukubwera liti? (43.1), Udzapita liti? (43.2), Mvula idzagwa liti? (43.3) - after the verb and an object: Mukufuna kuyamba ntchito liti? (43.7) - after a verb whose subject is named in front of it: Mphunzitsi adzafika liti? (43.4)
The tense is the tense of the time you ask about: future with -dza- for what is to come (43.2 to 43.5), past with -na- for what is over (43.6, 43.9).
2. Liti and nthawi yanji. Nthawi yanji (Lesson 1, 1.24, and Lesson 12, 12.20) asks "what time?" and expects the hour. Liti asks "when?" and accepts any answer about time. The question Lero ndi tsiku lanji?, "What day is it today?" (narrative 43.20), uses lanji, "which," in the same way as yanji in nthawi yanji.
3. Answering liti. A time word is the whole answer: tsopano ("now," Lesson 2), lero ("today"), mawa ("tomorrow," Lesson 40), dzulo ("yesterday," Lesson 7), m'mawa ("in the morning"), madzulo ("in the evening"), sabata yamawa ("next week," 40.7), sabata yatha ("last week," Lesson 3), and the days of the week (Section E): Adzabwera Lachisanu, "He will come on Friday" (narrative 43.19).
4. Mpaka liti, "how long?" Mpaka means "until." With liti it asks "until when?", which English says "how long?": Mpaka liti, Yehova? (Masalimo 13:1) and 43.11. A verb in the future follows: mpaka liti mudzakhala…, "how long will you be…"
5. A question inside a sentence. A question can sit inside another sentence after a verb such as "know," "ask" or "want to know." Chichewa puts kuti, "that," before it, as in Lesson 42 (Abambo anandifunsa kuti Iwe ukupanga chiyani?), and liti stays at the end: Ndikufuna kudziwa kuti mudzabwera liti (43.8); Sindikudziwa kuti abambo adzabwera liti (43.10). The verb keeps the tense it would have as a direct question.
6. Pamene, "when" for a time that is present or past. Pamene is pa- (class 16, "place, time") plus -mene, "which," the same relative word as amene in Lesson 41. The clause after it is an ordinary clause, with its own subject prefix:
- present: pamene ndili pa msautso, "when I am in trouble" (43.12) - imperfective, for what was going on at the time: Amavala pamene ndimalowa, "He was getting dressed when I entered" (43.13) - past: Pamene mvula inagwa, tinali kunyumba, "When the rain fell, we were at home" (43.15)
The pamene clause may come first or second. Wikipedia's article on Chichewa tenses teaches that in a pamene clause the -ma- tense often marks what was going on when something else happened, as in 43.13, where both verbs have it: amavala, ndimalowa.
7. -ka-, "when" for a time that is still to come. The marker -ka- stands between the subject prefix and the stem: ukabwera ("when you come," 43.14), tikadikira ("when we wait," narrative 43.22), akabwera ("when he comes," 43.23), ndikapuma ("when I have rested," 43.30). The other verb in the sentence is normally future, with -dza-: ndidzakupatsa, adzafika, ndidzakondwa. Lesson 40 gave the same marker in ukamaliza and mukabwera, the second glossed "when / if": the sense follows from the sentence. The -ka- clause may come before or after the main clause: Ukabwera mawa, ndidzakupatsa buku (43.14) or Ndidzakondwa abambo akabwera (43.23).
8. Which word for "when"?
- asking: liti - joining, present or past: pamene - joining, future: -ka- in the verb
Common Mistakes
- Putting liti first, as English does. ✗ Liti mukubwera? ✓ Mukubwera liti? In every sentence this lesson draws on, liti follows the verb. - Using liti to join two clauses. ✗ Tinali kunyumba liti mvula inagwa. ✓ Tinali kunyumba pamene mvula inagwa. Liti only asks; to join, use pamene or -ka-. - Using -ka- for the past. -ka- looks forward. For a time that is already over, use pamene: ✓ Pamene mvula inagwa, tinali kunyumba. - Wrong subject prefix before liti. ✗ Mvula udzagwa liti? ✓ Mvula idzagwa liti? Liti does not change, but the verb agrees with its subject: mvula is class 9, so i-. - Confusing liti and kuti. Liti ("when?") and kuti ("that," and also the question word for "where?" on Mofeko's list) differ by one letter.
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Asking about time. In this lesson's examples the answer to liti is a day, not an hour: mawa, Lachisanu, sabata yamawa. The hour, when it matters, is asked for with nthawi yanji, as the child in the narrative does (43.24).
The days of the week. Wiktionary lists the Chichewa days: Lolemba (Monday), Lachiwiri (Tuesday), Lachitatu (Wednesday), Lachinayi (Thursday), Lachisanu (Friday) and Loweruka (Saturday). Wiktionary traces Lolemba to tsiku lolemba, "day of writing," from the days when workers' names were written down on Monday for the week's work. The names of Tuesday to Friday end in the numbers two, three, four and five, counted from Monday: Lachiwiri is "the second day," Lachitatu "the third," Lachinayi "the fourth" and Lachisanu "the fifth." The days are written with a capital letter, and the narrative uses two of them.
Mpaka liti in prayer. The question "how long?" is the cry of the psalms. The Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero (CCL) has it in the first line of Masalimo 13, Mpaka liti, Yehova?, and again in Masalimo 35:17, Ambuye, mpaka liti mudzakhala mukungoyangʼana? (43.11). An older Chichewa New Testament has the disciples' question of Matthew 24:3 as Mutiwuze ife zija zidzawoneka liti?, "tell us when it will happen." The same word serves the ordinary question and the prayer.
Varieties. This lesson follows the standard Chichewa of Malawi. Mofeko's list writes the verb "to come" as abwela (in "When is George coming?"), and this course and the Bible write it bwera: r and l are one sound in Chichewa (see the notes at the end), and the standard spelling is bwera. Whether the Nyanja of Zambia uses liti and pamene in just the same ways was not checked for this lesson.
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Source: Masalimo (Psalm) 13:1 in Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero (Biblica, CCL). Text checked on bible.com (CCL, Masalimo 13). The first verse of the psalm is given, in its three lines.
F-A: Interlinear Text
F-A.1a Mpaka until liti when Yehova Jehovah
F-A.1b Mpaka /ˈmpa.ka/ until liti /ˈli.ti/ when.INTERR (mpaka liti = how long) Yehova /je.ˈho.va/ Jehovah, the LORD (vocative)
F-A.2a Kodi is-it-that mudzandiyiwala you-will-forget-me mpaka until kalekale long-ago
F-A.2b Kodi /ˈko.di/ question particle mudzandiyiwala /mu.dza.ndi.ji.ˈwa.la/ mu-dza-ndi-iwal-a: 2PL-FUT-1SG.OBJ-forget-FV (polite) mpaka /ˈmpa.ka/ until kalekale /ka.le.ˈka.le/ long ago; with mpaka, for ever
F-A.3a Mpaka until liti when mudzandibisira you-will-hide-from-me nkhope face yanu your
F-A.3b Mpaka /ˈmpa.ka/ until liti /ˈli.ti/ when.INTERR (= how long) mudzandibisira /mu.dza.ndi.bi.si.ˈɾa/ mu-dza-ndi-bis-ir-a: 2PL-FUT-1SG.OBJ-hide-APPL-FV (polite) nkhope /ˈŋkʰo.pe/ face.CL9 yanu /ˈja.nu/ your.CL9.POSS
F-B: Original Text with Translation
F-B.1 Mpaka liti, Yehova? (Masalimo 13:1, CCL) → "How long, O LORD?"
F-B.2 Kodi mudzandiyiwala mpaka kalekale? (Masalimo 13:1, CCL) → "Will you forget me for ever?"
F-B.3 Mpaka liti mudzandibisira nkhope yanu? (Masalimo 13:1, CCL) → "How long will you hide your face from me?"
F-C: Original Text Only
Mpaka liti, Yehova?
Kodi mudzandiyiwala mpaka kalekale?
Mpaka liti mudzandibisira nkhope yanu?
F-D: Grammar and Literary Commentary
- Mpaka liti. Two words that together mean "how long?" (Section D, rule 4). The verse opens with them and repeats them in the third line: the repetition is the cry. - Yehova. The name of God in the CCL, set off from the question as a form of address. - Kodi. A particle that marks a question that can be answered "yes" or "no." The first and third lines ask how long; the second asks whether. - Mudzandiyiwala. Mu- is the polite "you" (the plural form used to address one person with respect, here to God), -dza- is the future, -ndi- is "me," and the stem is -iwala, "forget" (Lesson 40, sindidzaiwala). The i of the stem after -ndi- is pronounced with a glide, ndiyiwala, and is written that way. - Mudzandibisira. The stem -bisa, "hide," takes the applicative -ir- ("hide from someone"). Masalimo 102:2 has the same verb in the command musandibisire nkhope yanu (43.12): there it is a plea not to be hidden from; here it is the complaint. - Mpaka kalekale. Kalekale, "long ago," after mpaka, "until," gives "for ever," the opposite end of the question from liti: until when, or until the end of time. - Pamene in the next psalm. Section A has 43.12 from Masalimo 102:2, where pamene ndili pa msautso, "when I am in trouble," is the other face of the question: liti asks when God will answer, pamene names the time of need.
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A constructed narrative, in the order of one week. A child waits for her father to come home. She asks "when?" again and again, and the sentences use all three words for "when": liti to ask, pamene for the time of things that happen, and -ka- for what is still to come.
Part A: Interlinear Text
43.16a Chimwemwe Chimwemwe akudikira she-is-waiting-for abambo father
43.16b Chimwemwe /tʃi.ˈmwe.mwe/ Chimwemwe (name: "joy") akudikira /a.ku.di.ˈki.ɾa/ a-ku-dikir-a: 3SG-PRES-wait.for-FV abambo /a.ˈba.mbo/ father.CL2 (honorific)
43.17a Abambo father ali he-is ku at Mzuzu Mzuzu
43.17b Abambo /a.ˈba.mbo/ father.CL2 (honorific) ali /ˈa.li/ a-li: 3SG-be ku /ku/ at.LOC17 Mzuzu /m̩.ˈzu.zu/ Mzuzu (city in northern Malawi)
43.18a Chimwemwe Chimwemwe anafunsa she-asked amayi mother Abambo father adzabwera he-will-come liti when
43.18b Chimwemwe /tʃi.ˈmwe.mwe/ Chimwemwe (name: "joy") anafunsa /a.na.ˈfu.nsa/ a-na-funs-a: 3SG-PAST-ask-FV amayi /a.ˈma.ji/ mother.CL2 (honorific) Abambo /a.ˈba.mbo/ father.CL2 (honorific) adzabwera /a.dza.ˈbwe.ɾa/ a-dza-bwer-a: 3SG-FUT-come-FV liti /ˈli.ti/ when.INTERR
43.19a Amayi mother anati she-said Adzabwera he-will-come Lachisanu Friday
43.19b Amayi /a.ˈma.ji/ mother.CL2 (honorific) anati /a.ˈna.ti/ a-na-ti: 3SG-PAST-say Adzabwera /a.dza.ˈbwe.ɾa/ a-dza-bwer-a: 3SG-FUT-come-FV Lachisanu /la.tʃi.ˈsa.nu/ Friday (lit. of-the-fifth)
43.20a Chimwemwe Chimwemwe anafunsanso she-asked-again Lero today ndi is tsiku day lanji which
43.20b Chimwemwe /tʃi.ˈmwe.mwe/ Chimwemwe (name: "joy") anafunsanso /a.na.fu.ˈnsa.nso/ a-na-funs-a-nso: 3SG-PAST-ask-FV-again Lero /ˈle.ɾo/ today ndi /ndi/ is (COP) tsiku /ˈtsi.ku/ day.CL5 lanji /ˈla.ndʒi/ la-nji: of.CL5-which
43.21a Amayi mother anayankha she-answered Lero today ndi is Lachitatu Wednesday
43.21b Amayi /a.ˈma.ji/ mother.CL2 (honorific) anayankha /a.na.ˈja.ŋkʰa/ a-na-yankh-a: 3SG-PAST-answer-FV Lero /ˈle.ɾo/ today ndi /ndi/ is (COP) Lachitatu /la.tʃi.ˈta.tu/ Wednesday (lit. of-the-third)
43.22a Tikadikira when-we-wait masiku days awiri two abambo father adzafika he-will-arrive
43.22b Tikadikira /ti.ka.di.ˈki.ɾa/ ti-ka-dikir-a: 1PL-WHEN-wait.for-FV masiku /ma.ˈsi.ku/ day.CL6.PL awiri /a.ˈwi.ɾi/ two.CL6 abambo /a.ˈba.mbo/ father.CL2 (honorific) adzafika /a.dza.ˈfi.ka/ a-dza-fik-a: 3SG-FUT-arrive-FV
43.23a Chimwemwe Chimwemwe anati she-said Ndidzakondwa I-will-be-glad abambo father akabwera when-he-comes
43.23b Chimwemwe /tʃi.ˈmwe.mwe/ Chimwemwe (name: "joy") anati /a.ˈna.ti/ a-na-ti: 3SG-PAST-say Ndidzakondwa /ndi.dza.ˈko.ndwa/ ndi-dza-kondw-a: 1SG-FUT-be.glad-FV abambo /a.ˈba.mbo/ father.CL2 (honorific) akabwera /a.ka.ˈbwe.ɾa/ a-ka-bwer-a: 3SG-WHEN-come-FV
43.24a Koma but sakudziwa she-does-not-know kuti that galimoto car idzafika it-will-arrive nthawi time yanji which
43.24b Koma /ˈko.ma/ but sakudziwa /sa.ku.ˈdzi.wa/ s(i)-a-ku-dziw-a: NEG-3SG-PRES-know-FV kuti /ˈku.ti/ that (introduces the question) galimoto /ga.li.ˈmo.to/ car.CL9 idzafika /i.dza.ˈfi.ka/ i-dza-fik-a: CL9-FUT-arrive-FV nthawi /ˈntʰa.wi/ time.CL9 yanji /ˈja.ndʒi/ ya-nji: of.CL9-which (= what time)
43.25a Lachisanu Friday m’mawa in-the-morning Chimwemwe Chimwemwe anadzuka she-woke-up msanga early
43.25b Lachisanu /la.tʃi.ˈsa.nu/ Friday (lit. of-the-fifth) m’mawa /m̩.ˈma.wa/ m’-mawa: in-morning Chimwemwe /tʃi.ˈmwe.mwe/ Chimwemwe (name: "joy") anadzuka /a.na.ˈdzu.ka/ a-na-dzuk-a: 3SG-PAST-wake.up-FV msanga /m̩.ˈsa.ŋɡa/ early, quickly (ADV)
43.26a Pamene when amayi mother amaphika she-was-cooking nsima nsima Chimwemwe Chimwemwe amadikira she-was-waiting panja outside
43.26b Pamene /pa.ˈme.ne/ pa-mene: CL16-REL (= when) amayi /a.ˈma.ji/ mother.CL2 (honorific) amaphika /a.ma.ˈpʰi.ka/ a-ma-phik-a: 3SG-IMPF-cook-FV nsima /ˈnsi.ma/ maize porridge.CL9 Chimwemwe /tʃi.ˈmwe.mwe/ Chimwemwe (name: "joy") amadikira /a.ma.di.ˈki.ɾa/ a-ma-dikir-a: 3SG-IMPF-wait.for-FV panja /ˈpa.ndʒa/ outside (LOC16)
43.27a Galimoto car inafika it-arrived madzulo evening ndipo and Chimwemwe Chimwemwe anathamanga she-ran
43.27b Galimoto /ga.li.ˈmo.to/ car.CL9 inafika /i.na.ˈfi.ka/ i-na-fik-a: CL9-PAST-arrive-FV madzulo /ma.ˈdzu.lo/ evening (LOC) ndipo /ˈndi.po/ and (then) Chimwemwe /tʃi.ˈmwe.mwe/ Chimwemwe (name: "joy") anathamanga /a.na.tʰa.ˈma.ŋɡa/ a-na-thamang-a: 3SG-PAST-run-FV
43.28a Abambo father anatsika he-got-out ndipo and anati he-said Ndabwera I-have-come
43.28b Abambo /a.ˈba.mbo/ father.CL2 (honorific) anatsika /a.na.ˈtsi.ka/ a-na-tsik-a: 3SG-PAST-get.off-FV ndipo /ˈndi.po/ and (then) anati /a.ˈna.ti/ a-na-ti: 3SG-PAST-say Ndabwera /nda.ˈbwe.ɾa/ nd(i)-a-bwer-a: 1SG-PERF-come-FV
43.29a Chimwemwe Chimwemwe anafunsa she-asked Tidzapita we-will-go ku to Lilongwe Lilongwe liti when
43.29b Chimwemwe /tʃi.ˈmwe.mwe/ Chimwemwe (name: "joy") anafunsa /a.na.ˈfu.nsa/ a-na-funs-a: 3SG-PAST-ask-FV Tidzapita /ti.dza.ˈpi.ta/ ti-dza-pit-a: 1PL-FUT-go-FV ku /ku/ to.LOC17 Lilongwe /li.ˈlo.ŋɡwe/ Lilongwe (capital of Malawi) liti /ˈli.ti/ when.INTERR
43.30a Abambo father anaseka he-laughed ndipo and anati he-said Ndidzakuuza I-will-tell-you ndikapuma when-I-have-rested
43.30b Abambo /a.ˈba.mbo/ father.CL2 (honorific) anaseka /a.na.ˈse.ka/ a-na-sek-a: 3SG-PAST-laugh-FV ndipo /ˈndi.po/ and (then) anati /a.ˈna.ti/ a-na-ti: 3SG-PAST-say Ndidzakuuza /ndi.dza.ku.ˈu.za/ ndi-dza-ku-uz-a: 1SG-FUT-2SG.OBJ-tell-FV ndikapuma /ndi.ka.ˈpu.ma/ ndi-ka-pum-a: 1SG-WHEN-rest-FV
Part B: Natural Sentences
43.16 Chimwemwe akudikira abambo. → "Chimwemwe is waiting for Father."
43.17 Abambo ali ku Mzuzu. → "Father is in Mzuzu."
43.18 Chimwemwe anafunsa amayi, Abambo adzabwera liti? → "Chimwemwe asked Mother, 'When will Father come?'"
43.19 Amayi anati, Adzabwera Lachisanu. → "Mother said, 'He will come on Friday.'"
43.20 Chimwemwe anafunsanso, Lero ndi tsiku lanji? → "Chimwemwe asked again, 'What day is it today?'"
43.21 Amayi anayankha, Lero ndi Lachitatu. → "Mother answered, 'Today is Wednesday.'"
43.22 Tikadikira masiku awiri, abambo adzafika. → "When we have waited two days, Father will arrive."
43.23 Chimwemwe anati, Ndidzakondwa abambo akabwera. → "Chimwemwe said, 'I will be glad when Father comes.'"
43.24 Koma sakudziwa kuti galimoto idzafika nthawi yanji. → "But she does not know what time the car will arrive."
43.25 Lachisanu m’mawa Chimwemwe anadzuka msanga. → "On Friday morning Chimwemwe woke up early."
43.26 Pamene amayi amaphika nsima, Chimwemwe amadikira panja. → "While Mother was cooking the nsima, Chimwemwe waited outside."
43.27 Galimoto inafika madzulo, ndipo Chimwemwe anathamanga. → "The car arrived in the evening, and Chimwemwe ran."
43.28 Abambo anatsika, ndipo anati, Ndabwera! → "Father got out, and said, 'I have come!'"
43.29 Chimwemwe anafunsa, Tidzapita ku Lilongwe liti? → "Chimwemwe asked, 'When will we go to Lilongwe?'"
43.30 Abambo anaseka, ndipo anati, Ndidzakuuza ndikapuma. → "Father laughed and said, 'I will tell you when I have rested.'"
Part C: Target Language Only
43.16 Chimwemwe akudikira abambo.
43.17 Abambo ali ku Mzuzu.
43.18 Chimwemwe anafunsa amayi, Abambo adzabwera liti?
43.19 Amayi anati, Adzabwera Lachisanu.
43.20 Chimwemwe anafunsanso, Lero ndi tsiku lanji?
43.21 Amayi anayankha, Lero ndi Lachitatu.
43.22 Tikadikira masiku awiri, abambo adzafika.
43.23 Chimwemwe anati, Ndidzakondwa abambo akabwera.
43.24 Koma sakudziwa kuti galimoto idzafika nthawi yanji.
43.25 Lachisanu m’mawa Chimwemwe anadzuka msanga.
43.26 Pamene amayi amaphika nsima, Chimwemwe amadikira panja.
43.27 Galimoto inafika madzulo, ndipo Chimwemwe anathamanga.
43.28 Abambo anatsika, ndipo anati, Ndabwera!
43.29 Chimwemwe anafunsa, Tidzapita ku Lilongwe liti?
43.30 Abambo anaseka, ndipo anati, Ndidzakuuza ndikapuma.
Part D: Grammar Notes on the Narrative
- Liti. Last in the question each time: Abambo adzabwera liti? (43.18), Tidzapita ku Lilongwe liti? (43.29), where the place phrase ku Lilongwe stands before it with the rest of the verb phrase. - Liti and its answers. Mother answers 43.18 with a day, Lachisanu (43.19), and the child's next question is about the day itself, with lanji, "which" (43.20). Liti comes back only at the end, when the question is about a plan (43.29). - Nthawi yanji. The child does not know what time the car will come (43.24): this is the question of the hour, and it is asked with nthawi yanji (Lesson 1), not liti. It is also a question inside a sentence, introduced by kuti (Section D, rule 5). - -ka- for the future. Tikadikira (43.22), akabwera (43.23) and ndikapuma (43.30) all look ahead, and each is paired with a future verb with -dza-: adzafika, ndidzakondwa, ndidzakuuza. - Pamene with -ma-. In 43.26 both verbs have -ma-, amaphika and amadikira: two things going on together, as in Wikipedia's Amavala pamene ndimalowa. The English "while" fits as well as "when." - Lachisanu m’mawa. A day and a part of the day, side by side: "Friday morning" (43.25). M’mawa is mu-mawa, shortened, as in Lesson 2. - Ndabwera. The perfect -a- with ndi- gives nda-: "I have come," that is, "I am here" (43.28). Lesson 3 has the same form in Ndapita. - Anafunsanso. The repetitive ending -nso, "again," as in Lesson 42 (tipangenso): anafunsa + nso (43.20). - Earlier lessons. Kuti with a question is Lesson 42; -ka- and the -dza- future are Lesson 40; amene, the other half of pamene, is Lesson 41.
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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: msautso /m̩.sa.ˈu.tso/, Ndidzakuuza /ndi.dza.ku.ˈu.za/, awiri /a.ˈwi.ɾi/.
Stress. On the next-to-last syllable of the whole word: LI-ti, pa-ME-ne, mu-dza-BWE-ra, ndi-ka-PU-ma, la-chi-SA-nu.
Consonant spellings in this lesson:
- ng = /ŋɡ/, one sound: msanga, anathamanga, Lilongwe - ngʼ = /ŋ/, a nasal without the g: mukungoyangʼana /mu.ku.ŋɡo.ja.ˈŋa.na/ has both, -ngo- /ŋɡo/ and yangʼ- /ja.ŋ/. The CCL writes the apostrophe as ʼ - nd, mp, ns, nz at the start of a syllable begin it together: ndipo /ˈndi.po/, mpaka /ˈmpa.ka/, nsima /ˈnsi.ma/, Mphunzitsi /mpʰu.ˈnzi.tsi/ - nkh = /ŋkʰ/: nkhope /ˈŋkʰo.pe/, anayankha /a.na.ˈja.ŋkʰa/ - ph, th, kh = aspirated /pʰ tʰ kʰ/: amaphika, anathamanga, adzakhala - ch = /tʃ/: Chimwemwe, Lachisanu, ntchito - dz = /dz/, one sound: adzafika, madzulo, kudziwa, anadzuka - ts = /ts/, one sound: tsiku, anatsika, msautso, Mphunzitsi - nj = /ndʒ/: lanji, yanji, panja - r and l are one sound, written r after i and e and l elsewhere: mudzabwera, amadikira, awiri have r; liti, lanji, madzulo have l - m before a consonant at the start of a word is its own syllable: mlendo /m̩.ˈle.ndo/, msanga /m̩.ˈsa.ŋɡa/, m’mawa /m̩.ˈma.wa/ - the apostrophe in m’mawa is the shortened mu-, "in"
Orthography. The verb is written as one word with its prefixes: mudzandiyiwala, Musandibisire, ndidzakupatsa. Mpaka liti, pamene ndili and kuti mudzabwera liti are separate words. Pamene is one word. Days of the week are written with a capital letter: Lachisanu, Lachitatu. Tone is not written in standard spelling.
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Course Index: [latinum.substack.com/p/index](https://latinum.substack.com/p/index)