Nyamwezi is a major Bantu language of central Tanzania. It forms a dialect continuum with Sukuma, but is more distinct from it.

Konongo and Ruwila are sometimes considered dialects.

Phonology

Consonants

BilabialLabio- dentalAlveolarPost- alveolarPalatalVelarGlottal
Plosiveplainp bt dɟk ɡ
prenasalᵐbⁿdᶮɟᵑɡ
Affricateplainc͡ʃ
prenasalᶮc͡ʃ
Fricativeplainβf vs zʃh
prenasalᶬf ᶬvⁿs ⁿzᶮʃ
Nasalm̥ mn̥ nɲ̊ ɲŋ̊ ŋ
Approximantljw
  • Prenasalized voiceless stops [ᵐp ⁿt] may also frequently occur, as a result of loan words.
  • Nasal sounds /m ŋ/ may also occur as labialized [mʷ ŋʷ].

Vowels

FrontCentralBack
Highi iːu uː
ɪ ɪːʊ ʊː
Midɛ ɛːɔ ɔː
Lowa aː

Tones

Tones present in Nyamwezi are high /v́/, low /v̀/, and rising /v̌/.

Sample text

Banhu bose bubyalagwa biyagalulile, n'ikujo haki zilenganelile. Banhu bose bina masala na wiganiki, hu kuyomba ihayilwe bitogwe giti bana ba mbyazi bumo.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.