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
Ii in Inja [Dog]
 * Vowel

Ee in Enza [Do]

Aa in Akha [Build] Oo in Oma [Get thirsty]

Uu in Ubaba [Father]

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