language

The local language is ChiNyanja (also called to ChiChewa) - which is spoken through most of Zambia and Malawi. Although English is Zambia’s “official” second language, most patients know only a few words. However, almost all of the hospital’s staff speak excellent English, and in clinics or on the wards they will translate for you. But learning a few words will earn you a lot of respect, and make ward rounds much quicker - especially in Paediatrics, where a few stock phrases get you a long way.

Handy words/phrases are...

• how are you? - Muli bwanji? (reply: Bwino; [Muli] Bwanji? - I’m fine; how are you?)
• thank you - zikomo
• I’m sorry/sad to hear that - Pepani
• hospital - chipatala
• doctor - dokotala

Clinical words/phrases...

• diarrhoea - tulula
• vomiting - sanza
• cough - kosamola
• breathless - befu
• fever - kupiya
• eating - kudya
• drinking - kumwa
• pain - chiwawa
• chest - chifuwa
• fit/seizure -
• medicine - mankhwala
• lie down - gonani
• sit up - okani