Official working language is English, but most patients speak only Chichewa.

Malawians find greeting very important. Even if you meet a group of people, it will be appreciated if you greet every person separately. You are supposed to wait until the other person is level with you (preferably both persons sitting) before greeting. It is a sign of respect not to be higher than the person you are greeting.

Body language when greeting:

When greeting at a distance you can clap your hands or fold your hands while greeting as a sign of respect. If you give a hand, it is a sign of respect to support the fore-arm of your greeting hand with your other hand.

Malawians are very friendly people. They are reluctant to say “no” or to disagree, because they do not want to seem unfriendly. This sometimes causes confusion in communication with expatriates.

Malawians do not want to embarrass someone in front of others. If you have a comment to someone, try not to say it in front of others.

Basic greetings and commonly used words:

How are you? I am fine, and you?

Muli bwanji? Ndiri bwino, kaya inu?

Good morning, how are you? I am fine this morning and you?

Mwadzuka bwanji? Ndadzuka bwino, kaya inu?

Good afternoon, how are you? I am fine this afternoon and you?

Mwaswera bwanji? Ndaswera bwino, kaya inu?

Zikomo= thank you/ it’s a pleasure/ excuse me/ hello (when you have no time for greeting properly).

Zikomo kwa mbiri= thank you very much

Pepani= I am sorry

Chonde= please