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

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

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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