Food & Drinks

1. Nazali na nzala

   I am hungry

   Usage

   Says you are hungry; nzala means hunger.

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary- and corpus-verified words by regular grammar. Having is expressed with na.

2. Mayi ya peto

   Clean water

   Usage

   When you want safe drinking water; the same phrase appears in the Bible.

   Grammar Note

   Ya (of) links peto (clean) to the noun.

3. Nalingi mayi

   I want water

   Usage

   To ask for water; add Nabondeli yo to be polite.

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary- and corpus-verified words by regular grammar.

4. Nalingi kolia

   I want to eat

   Usage

   To ask for a meal.

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary- and corpus-verified words by regular grammar.

5. Ezali elengi mingi

   It is very delicious

   Usage

   A compliment to the cook.

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary- and corpus-verified words by regular grammar. Elengi describes pleasant food in the Bible.

6. Nasili kolia

   I have finished eating

   Usage

   After a meal, or to say you have had enough.

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary- and corpus-verified words by regular grammar. The Bible has the pattern nasili kobonza (I have finished offering).

7. Bilei bibongisami

   Food is ready

   Usage

   Calls people to the table; the phrase occurs in a corpus sentence.

   Grammar Note

   Bibongisami is the passive of bongisa (prepare), agreeing with bilei (bi- class).

8. Nakoki kolia mosuni te

   I cannot eat meat

   Usage

   States a dietary limit; mosuni is meat as food.

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary- and corpus-verified words by regular grammar. The Bible has the pattern nakoki kolia te.

9. Mbisi

   Fish

   Usage

   For ordering a fish dish.

   Grammar Note

   Mbisi is an n- class noun with the same singular and plural form.

10. Soso

    Chicken

    Usage

    The word for chicken; add mosuni to make clear you mean the meat.

    Grammar Note

    Soso is glossed chicken in Wiktionary.

11. Mosuni

    Meat

    Usage

    Meat in general; the Bible also uses it for cooked meat.

    Grammar Note

    Mosuni means meat or flesh.

12. Lipa

    Bread

    Usage

    For ordering bread; one of the commonest foods in the Bible.

    Grammar Note

    Lipa is a li- class noun; the plural is mapa.

13. Loso

    Rice

    Usage

    The word for rice, used in a corpus sentence about the rice harvest.

    Grammar Note

    Loso is a noun for rice.

14. Miliki

    Milk

    Usage

    For ordering milk, including milk for coffee or tea.

    Grammar Note

    Miliki means milk.

15. Mbuma

    Fruit

    Usage

    Fruit in general; the plural is bambuma.

    Grammar Note

    Mbuma means fruit, grain or produce.

16. Ndunda

    Vegetables

    Usage

    Vegetables or greens, for asking for them in a meal.

    Grammar Note

    Ndunda means vegetables or greens.

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