Southern Ndebele phrasebook

Southern Ndebele also known as isiNdebele is a language spoken by people from Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces in South Africa. The native speakers are about 2.4 million in number.

Pronunciation guide

Vowel

Ii in Inja [Dog]

Ee in Enza [Do]

Aa in Akha [Build]

Oo in Oma [Get thirsty]

Uu in Ubaba [Father]

Phrase list

Basics

Welcome: Siyalemukela
Hello: Lotjhani
How are you?: Kunjani?
I am fine: Ngikhona ngiyathokoza
What's your name?: Ibizo lakho ngubani?
My name is ...: Ibizo lami ngu...
Where are you from?: Uvela ngaphi?
I'm from ...: Ngivela e...
Pleased to meet you: Ngiyathaba ukukwazi
Goodbye: Khamba kuhle
Stay well: Sala kuhle
Good luck!: Iba netjhudu
Cheers! Good Health!: Ye usale kuhle!
Have a nice day: Ube nelanga elimnandi
Have a nice meal: Uthokozele ukudla kwakho
Do you speak English?: Ukhuluma isiNgisi?
Do you speak Southern Ndebele: Ukhuluma isiNdebele?
Yes, a little: Iye, kancancani kwaphela
Do you speak a language other than Southern Ndebele: Likhona elinye ilimi olukhulumako ngaphandle kwesiNdebele?
Speak to me in Southern Ndebele: Khuluma nami ngesiNdebele
How do you say ... in Southern Ndebele?: Ukutjho njani lokhu ... ngesiNdebele?
Excuse me: Uxolo Ngitshidele
How much is this?: Yimalini?
Sorry: Ngiyancancabeza

Problem/Emergency

Go away!: Khambela le!
Leave me alone!: Ngilise!
Help!: Rhelebha!
Fire!: Umlilo!
Stop!: Jama!
Call the police!: Ngibawa ubize amapholisa!

Numbers

1: kunye
2: kubili
3: kuthathu
4: kune
5: kuhlanu
6: sithandathu
7: likhomba
8: bunane
9: lithoba
10: litjhumi
11: litjhumi nakunye
12: litjhumi nambili
13: litjhumi nanthathu
14: litjhumi nakune
15: nahlanu
20: matjhumi amabili
50: matjhumi amahlanu
100: likhulu
1000: ikulungwane

Time

Clock time

Greetings

Good morning: Ngivukile
Good afternoon: Litjhingile
Good night: Lala kuhle

Days

Sunday: NguSondo
Monday: NguMvulo
Tuesday: NguLesibili
Wednesday: NguLesithathu
Thursday: NguLosine
Friday: NguLosihlanu
Saturday: NguMgqibelo

Months

January: uTjhirhweni
February: uMhlolanja
March: uNtaka
April: uSihlabantangana
May: uMrhayili
June: uMgwengweni
July: uVelabahlinze
August: uRhoboyi
September: uKhukhulamungu
October: uSewula
November: uSinyikhaba
December: uNobayeni

Colors (Umbala)

Mnyama: Black
Mhlope: White
Nsundu: Brown
Bomvu: Red
Lithanga: Yellow/Orange

Transportation

Part of the body

Hand Isandla. Arm Umkhono Foot Inyawo Mouth Umlomo Nose Ipumulo Ears. Iindlebe Eyes Amehlo Head Ihloko Breasts Amabele Stomach Amathumbu Toes Abobhonzi Fingers Imino Nails Amazipho Knee Idolo Elbow Indololwane Forehead Isphongo Chin Islevu Cheeks Imihlathi Tongue Ilimu Teeth Amazinyo

Family

Mother Unina Father Uyise Sister Udade/udadwethu Brother Umnakwethu Aunt Rhari/ Mani/ Rhulu Uncle Malume / Songwana /Sorhulu Grandmother Gogo Grandfather Bamkhulu Niece /nephew Mtjhana

Food

Stiff pap Umratha Porridge Umdoko Bread Umgadango Beans Amabhonjisi Water Amazi Apple Iabhula

Learning more

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