# 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

* Vowel
Ii in Inja [Dog]
Ee in Enza [Do]
Aa in Akha [Build]
Oo in Oma [Get thirsty]
Uu in Ubaba [Father]

## Phrase list
### 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