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[edit]

• Vowel

Ii in Inja [Dog]

Ee in Enza [Do]

Aa in Akha [Build]

Oo in Oma [Get thirsty]

Uu in Ubaba [Father]

Phrase list[edit]

Basics[edit]

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[edit]

Go away!

Khambela le!

Leave me alone!

Ngilise!

Help!

Rhelebha!

Fire!

Umlilo!

Stop!

Jama!

Call the police!

Ngibawa ubize amapholisa!

Numbers[edit]

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

Time[edit]

Clock time[edit]

Greetings[edit]

Good morning

Ngivukile

Good afternoon

Litjhingile

Good night

Lala kuhle

Days[edit]

Sunday

NguSondo

Monday

NguMvulo

Tuesday

NguLesibili

Wednesday

NguLesithathu

Thursday

NguLosine

Friday

NguLosihlanu

Saturday

NguMgqibelo

Months[edit]

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)[edit]

Mnyama

Black

Mhlope

White

Nsundu

Brown

Bomvu

Red

Lithanga

Yellow/Orange

Transportation[edit]

Part of the body[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Stiff pap Umratha Porridge Umdoko Bread Umgadango Beans Amabhonjisi Water Amazi Apple Iabhula

Learning more[edit]