| English | Sindebele isiNdebele (Northern Ndebele) |
|---|---|
| Welcome | Siyalemukela |
| Hello (General greeting) |
Salibonani |
| How are you? | Unjani? (sg) Linjani? (pl) |
| Reply to 'How are you?' | Ngiyaphila (sg) Siyaphila (pl) Ngikhona (sg) Sikhona (pl) Unjani wena? (response) |
| Long time no see | Kudala ngakucina |
| What's your name? | Ibizo lakho ngubani? |
| My name is ... | Mina ngingu ... |
| Where are you from? | Uvela ngaphi? |
| I'm from ... | Ngivela e ... |
| Pleased to meet you | Kuhle ukukubona |
| Good morning (Morning greeting) |
Livukile |
| Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting) |
Litshonile |
| Good evening (Evening greeting) |
Litshonile |
| Good night | Lilale kuhle |
| Goodbye (Parting phrases) |
Lisale kuhle |
| Good luck | Ngikufisela inhlanhla enhle! |
| Cheers! (Toasts used when drinking) |
Impilo enhle |
| Have a nice day | Ube lelanga elihle |
| Bon appetit / Have a nice meal |
Udle kuhle |
| Bon voyage / Have a good journey |
Hamba kahle |
| I understand | Ngiyezwa |
| I don't understand | Angizwa |
| I don't know | Angazi |
| Please speak more slowly | Khuluma kancene |
| Please say that again | Phinda futhi |
| Please write it down | Bhala phansi |
| Do you speak English? | Uyakhuluma isikhiwa? |
| Do you speak Northern Ndebele? | Uyakhuluma isiNdebele? |
| Yes, a little (reply to 'Do you speak ...?') |
Ye. Kancance |
| How do you say ... in Northern Ndebele? | Kuthwani ... ngeSiNdebele? |
| Excuse me | Uxolo |
| How much is this? | Yimalini? |
| Sorry | Uxolo |
| Please | Ngiyacela |
| Thank you | Ngiyabonga |
| Reply to thank you | Kulungile |
| Where's the toilet? | Ingaphi ithwelethi? |
| This gentleman/lady will pay for everything | Uzabhadala konke lo |
| Would you like to dance with me? | Uyafuna ukugida lami? |
| I miss you | Ngiyakukhumbula |
| I love you | Ngiyakuthanda |
| Get well soon | Usile masinya |
| Go away! | Suka! Hamba! |
| Leave me alone! | Akungitshiye! |
| Help! | Nceda! |
| Fire! | Umlilo! |
| Stop! | Mana! |
| Call the police! | Biza ama pholisa! |
| Christmas and New Year greetings | Khisimusi enhle Umnyaka omuhle |
| Easter greetings | Ista enhle |
| Birthday greetings | Ube lelanga lokuzalwa elihle |
| One language is never enough | Ulimi olulodwa lulutshwana |
| My hovercraft is full of eels Why this phrase? |
Isikepe sami sigcwele umzowa |
