Phrases › Southern Ndebele
Phrases
Early draft: There was little reliable source material for this language, so some lines may be wrong. Check with a speaker before relying on them.
In Southern Ndebele, hello is Lotjhani and thank you is Ngiyathokoza. Here are 14 everyday Southern Ndebele phrases with pronunciation, for travel and a first conversation.
How to say hello in Southern Ndebele · How to say thank you in Southern Ndebele · How to say goodbye in Southern Ndebele · How to say please in Southern Ndebele · How to say sorry in Southern Ndebele
| English | Southern Ndebele |
|---|---|
| Hello | Lotjhani General greeting (Wikivoyage/Omniglot) |
| Goodbye | Sala kuhle said to the person staying; 'Khamba kuhle' (go well) is said to the person leaving (Wikivoyage) |
| Please | Ngiyabawa literally 'I am asking'; 'Ngibawa...' = 'I ask...' before a request (Omniglot) |
| Thank you | Ngiyathokoza literally 'I am thanking'; 'Ngithokoza khulu' = thank you very much (Omniglot/SAlanguages) |
| Yes | Iye |
| No | Awa |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Ngitjhidele 'excuse me' (to pass/interrupt); 'Ngiyancancabeza' = 'I'm sorry' (Wikivoyage/Omniglot) |
| Do you speak English? | Ukhuluma isiNgisi? (Wikivoyage) |
| I don't understand | Angizwisisi (Omniglot) |
| Please speak slowly | Ngibawa ukhulume kabuthaka (Omniglot) |
| How much is it? | Yimalini? (Wikivoyage/SAlanguages) |
| Where is …? | Ikuphi ...? fill the gap with the place name; pattern seen in 'Ikuphi indlu encani?' (Omniglot) |
| Help! | Rhelebha! (Wikivoyage/Omniglot/SAlanguages) |
| Call the police! | Ngibawa ubize amapholisa! (Omniglot/Wikivoyage) |
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