| Chichewa | Sounds Like | In English Word |
|---|---|---|
| a | a | father |
| b | b | bed |
| c | ch | chip |
| ch | ch | chip |
| d | d | dog |
| di | d + zi | dot + zip |
| e | e | bed |
| f | ph | phone |
| g | g OR j | go OR jello |
| h | h | help |
| i | i | machine |
| j | dg | edge |
| k | c | scan |
| kh | c | cat |
| l | l | love |
| m | m | mother |
| n | n | nice |
| ng | ng + g | song + good |
| ng' | ng | song |
| ny | ny | canyon |
| o | o | vote |
| p | p | span |
| ph | p | pig |
| r | l | love |
| s | ss | kiss |
| si | she | sheet |
| t | t | stop |
| th | t | top |
| tch | ch | chip |
| u | oo | hoop |
| w | w | wheel |
| ŵ | w + f | wool + fun |
| z | z | maze |