A collection of useful phrases in Northern Ndebele, a Bantu language spoken in Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.
To see these phrases in many other languages click on the English versions.
Key to abbreviations: sg = singular (said to one person), pl = plural (said to more than one person).
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 |