Phrases › Swati
Phrases
In Swati, hello is Sawubona and thank you is Ngiyabonga. Here are 16 everyday Swati phrases with pronunciation, for travel and a first conversation.
How to say hello in Swati · How to say thank you in Swati · How to say goodbye in Swati · How to say please in Swati · How to say sorry in Swati
| English | Swati |
|---|---|
| Hello | Sawubona Said to one person; to a group say Sanibonani. The reply is Yebo. Always greet before anything else. |
| Goodbye | Sala kahle 'Stay well', said by the person leaving; to a group Salani kahle. The one staying says Hamba kahle ('go well') to the person leaving. |
| Please | Ngiyacela Also Ngicela + what you want ('I ask for ...'). |
| Thank you | Ngiyabonga Ngiyabonga kakhulu = thank you very much. Plural speaker: Siyabonga. |
| Yes | Yebo Also the standard reply to Sawubona. |
| No | Cha Also chake. |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Ncesi Ncesi (to more than one person Ncesini) for 'excuse me / sorry'. More formal apology: Ngiyacolisa. |
| Do you speak English? | Uyasikhuluma yini siNgisi? Yini makes it a yes/no question. Also Uyasati yini siNgisi? |
| I don't understand | Angiva Literally 'I do not hear/understand'. |
| Please speak slowly | Shano kancane, ngiyacela Also Ngicela uphindze 'please repeat'. |
| How much is it? | Kubita malini loku? Short form: Malini? |
| Where is the bathroom? | Iphi indlu lencane? Literally 'where is the small house'. Also Ungakuphi umthoyi? |
| Where is …? | Ikuphi …? Ikuphi … for things and places; Ukuphi … for people. Fill the gap with a place, for example Ikuphi sibhedlela? 'Where is the hospital?' |
| Help! | Ngicela lusito! Literally 'I ask for help'. Also Sita! 'Help!' |
| I need a doctor | Ngidzinga dokotela Dokotela = doctor (not inyanga, a traditional healer). |
| Call the police! | Bitani emaphoyisa! Bitani is the plural 'call!'; to one person: Bita emaphoyisa! |
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