Learn Chichewa (Nyanja)
Learn Chichewa fast with an app that gets you speaking in minutes. Build the confidence to chat with family, friends or colleagues across Malawi, or get by easily on your travels through the region.
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Learn to speak Chichewa like a local
Many people want to learn Chichewa to connect with family in Malawi, support aid or development work in the region, or simply explore a major Bantu language. But finding structured lessons beyond a few scattered videos can be surprisingly difficult.
uTalk is the solution. We’ll help you avoid:
- Relying on scattered videos and basic word lists instead of structured lessons
- Missing out on conversations because many resources focus on writing over speaking
- Losing confidence because nobody explains the basics in a way that works for complete beginners
Learn Chichewa online today and start making real connections across Malawi.
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Three steps to learn Chichewa (Nyanja) fast
No classes to schedule. No confusing jargon. Just a clear path to learning Chichewa.
Start in minutes
Subscribe now, download the app or open the web app. Choose Chichewa and select your first category.
Get StartedPractise real phrases
Work through short lessons with native speaker audio and memory-boosting games. Reviews focus on the words you find hardest, so you learn faster.
Speak like a local
Try your Chichewa in real life. Beginners and more experienced learners can build practical spoken language and start enjoying real conversations across Malawi.
Why uTalk is the best Chichewa (Nyanja) learning app
uTalk helps you learn how to speak and recognise a wide variety of Chichewa words and phrases. It's app-based, online and ready when you are.
Speak first
Practical content covering greetings, travel, family and everyday life. Everything you need to start speaking from day one.
Authentic speakers
Learn from real Chichewa speakers, not computer voices. Hear the language exactly as it's spoken across Malawi.
Beginner friendly, fun and effective
Game-like practice builds your confidence. Lessons are short, focused and based on real-life situations.
Learn Chichewa (Nyanja) online (common phrases and audio)
uTalk helps you learn how to speak and recognise key words and phrases. It's app-based, online and ready when you are.
Ndikanakonda khofi.
I’d like a coffee, please.
Moni.
Hello.
Inde.
Yes.
Eee zikomo.
Yes please.
Iyayi.
No.
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Iyayi, zikomo.
No thanks.
Chonde.
Please.
Zikomo.
Thank you.
Zikomo kwambiri.
Thank you very much.
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Palibe vuto.
You’re welcome.
Mungatipatseko mowa uwiri?
Two beers, please.
basi
bus
galimoto
car
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takisii
taxi
sitima ya njanje
train
kokwelera sitima
railway station
bwalo la ndege
airport
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hotela
hotel
pasipoti
passport
telefoni
telephone
Odi.
Excuse me.
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Nthawi iri bwanji?
What time is it?
Chonde tabwerezaninso.
Can you repeat that please?
Chonde talankhulani pang'onopang'ono.
Please speak more slowly.
Sindikumvetsetsa.
I don’t understand.
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Pepani.
Sorry.
Zimbuzi ziri kuti?
Where are the toilets?
Chimbuzi cha azimayi
Ladies’ Toilet
Chimbuzi cha amuna
Gents’ Toilet
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Kodi beach liri kuti?
Where is the beach?
Banki liri kuti?
Where is the bank?
Mtengo wache ndi bwanji?
How much does this cost?
credit card
credit card
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auto teller
cash machine
Ndapita.
Goodbye.
panadol
paracetamol
makiyi
keys
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mapu
map
kumanzere
left
kumanja
right
chimodzi
one
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ziwiri
two
zitatu
three
Fun facts | Chichewa (Nyanja)
- The Chichewa word for shoe polish means 'medicine of shoes'.
- In Malawi, the language is called 'the language of the Chewa people' and in Zambia it is known as 'the language of the lake'.
- Like all Bantu languages, nouns are divided into various classes recognisable by the prefix at the beginning of words. Languages belong to the 'chi-' class. This is related to the 'ki-' in Kiswahili and the 'isi-' in IsiXhosa and IsiZulu.
How our Chichewa lessons work
Learning the Chichewa language should feel simple and straightforward. Begin with greetings and high-frequency words, then move on to practical categories covering family, travel and everyday phrases spoken across Malawi and parts of southern Africa. Lessons cover the basics first and build steadily, so you improve with every session. Native speaker audio and memory-boosting tests reinforce what you learn, and reviews adapt to focus more on the words you find trickiest.
Get started and the app organises the content so you get quick wins early. Follow our guided learning path or choose what to learn based on your needs. You can work at your own pace to build your Chichewa skills, and game-like exercises will give you feedback on your progress. uTalk gives you the flexibility to learn online or offline, on mobile or desktop, whenever suits your schedule. If you have questions, contact support. We're a friendly UK-based team and we're here to help.
Key points
- Chichewa and Nyanja are names for the same language, known as Chichewa in Malawi and more often as Nyanja in Zambia and Mozambique.
- The spoken language is largely mutually intelligible across these regions, with some regional variation.
- In uTalk, you'll find the language listed as Chichewa (Nyanja), so it's easy to find whichever name you're used to using.
“We help make learning Chichewa (Nyanja) easy”
“We understand how frustrating it can be to search for Chichewa resources and find nothing but scattered word lists. At uTalk, we believe every language matters, which is why we recorded native Chichewa speakers so you can learn the language exactly as it's spoken across Malawi.”
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Richard Howeson
uTalk Founder
Why learners trust uTalk for Chichewa (Nyanja)
At uTalk, we are passionate about supporting African languages that other apps often overlook. Our Chichewa content is recorded by native speakers, so every lesson gives you audio you can trust. The app works for English speakers and for speakers of more than 140 other languages. Check our reviews and see how learners are turning daily practice into real progress.
Your Chichewa (Nyanja) language learning journey
Maybe you have family in Malawi, you're preparing for aid or development work in the region, or you're simply drawn to one of southern Africa's major Bantu languages. Chichewa is Malawi's national language, and finding lessons that focus on how it's actually spoken can be a real challenge.
Get StarteduTalk can help. Take your first proper look at Chichewa with First Words like moni and zikomo, then build everyday phrases you can use in real situations. You'll listen to native Chichewa speakers, record yourself copying them and compare the two. Game-like practice makes it fun for beginners, while practical content helps more experienced learners fill gaps in their knowledge. Learn online or offline, follow a guided path or choose what to work on and when.
The outcome is simple. You'll speak Chichewa with confidence and understand more of what people say around you. You'll use your new skills with family, friends and new connections across Malawi. You'll enjoy more meaningful experiences.
Learn real-life categories in Chichewa
Explore the Bantu language family
Chichewa belongs to the Bantu language family, one of the largest language families in Africa. If you're curious to compare words, sounds or everyday phrases across the family, check out: Bemba, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Lingala, Luganda, Shona, Swahili, Tswana, Tumbuka, Xhosa and Zulu.
These languages share deep historical roots and often recognisable vocabulary, so learning one Bantu language can give you a head start with the others.
Get StartedYour Chichewa (Nyanja) questions, answered
Do you offer live online classes or is it just an app?
uTalk is an app and online language learning software. Lessons are digital, short and practical. If you want a tutor, the app still helps you prepare for class and review between sessions.
Can I start as a beginner?
Yes. The course begins with basic greetings and everyday words and phrases and takes you to an A1–A2 level on the CEFR scale. Some of our topics even cover material you’d learn as you grow your skills to B1 or B2.
What application languages do you support? Can I learn without English?
Yes. uTalk works for speakers of more than 140 languages. Choose the one that suits you in Settings.
How is content selected and ordered?
Topics are based on real-life situations. You can select any category and the app suggests a smart learning order for beginners. You can change it at any time.
How does uTalk compare with YouTube lessons?
YouTube can be useful, but it’s hard to check pronunciation or get structured reviews. uTalk gives you native speaker audio, games that test tricky words more often and a clear path from basic to practical use.
Is Chichewa the same as Nyanja?
Yes. Chichewa and Nyanja are names for the same language. Chichewa is the more common name in Malawi, while Nyanja is used more often in Zambia and Mozambique. In uTalk, you'll find it listed as Chichewa (Nyanja).
Is Chichewa on Duolingo?
No, Chichewa is not available on Duolingo. But it is available on uTalk, which features 150+ languages and helps support language learning around the world.
How fast can I learn to speak Chichewa?
Short, regular sessions work best. Many learners can handle simple conversations after a few weeks of steady practice. Your progress depends on how often you use the app and how much you review.
Can I learn Chichewa for free with uTalk?
Yes. Getting started with uTalk is easy, and you can cancel whenever you want. We want you to love uTalk, so we even offer a 28-Day Money Back Guarantee if you are not satisfied.
Where can I learn Chichewa with uTalk?
We’re available on iOS, Android, web, Mac and PC. Get started now and you’ll be directed to download uTalk for your device.
Topics
- First Words
- Transport
- Restaurant
- Food and Drink
- Cooking
- Places
- Directions
- Illness
- Doctor
- Body
- Emergencies
- Social Phrases
- Leisure
- Likes and Dislikes
- Football Match Abroad
- Football Commentary
- Sports
- Shopping Words
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Clothes
- Ingredients
- Home
- Bathroom
- Kitchen
- Tools
- Family
- Occupations
- Animals
- Animals' Bodies
- Farming
- Technology
- School
- Business
- Numbers up to Twenty
- Numbers up to Ten Million
- Essential Phrases
- Adjectives
- Prepositions
- Colours
- Countries
- Calendar
- Time
- Timetable
- Outdoors
- Holiday
- Skiing
- Camping
- Golf
- Sailing
- Driving
- Olympics
- Summer Olympics
- Winter Olympics
- Military Commands
- Military Peace Keeping
- Military Intelligence
- Accommodation
- Shopping Phrases
- Travelling
- Free Starter Words
- Disaster Relief - Volunteers
- Natural Disasters
Get by with basic greetings, words and phrases including 'hello', 'thank you' and 'I'd like a coffee please'.