Common Ndebele phrases

 

Northern Ndebele, also known as North Ndebele, Zimbabwean Ndebele, Sindebele, Matabele is one of the official languages of Zimbabwe. It is not similar to the Southern Ndebele spoken in South Africa. However, some words may be similar.

The language is also spoken in Botswana.

Vowels

There are five vowels in the Ndebele language.

  • a (ah) - like in farmer
  • e (e) - like in red
  • i (ee) - like in see
  • o (o) - like in horn
  • u (oo) - like in moon

Consonants

Click Sounds

There are three click sounds produced by three consonants in Ndebele.

The consonants are c,q and x.

C sound is made by placing the tip of the tongue against the front upper teeth and gums. The centre of the tongue is depressed and the tip of the tongue is drawn backwards. The resulting sound is similar to the sound used in English to express annoyance. E.g Cela - ask

Q sound is made by raising the back of the tongue to touch the soft palate and touching the gums with the sides and tip of the tongue. The centre of the tongue is depressed and the tip drawn quickly away from the gum. The resulting sound is like the "pop" . e.g qalisa - start

X sound is made by lacing the tongue so that the back of the tongue touches the soft palate and the sides and tip of the tongue touch the gums. One side of the tongue is quickly withdrawn from the gums. E.g ixoxo - frog

Non-click Sounds

Aspirated consonants

They are characterized by breathy sounds and are pronounced by adding “h” to the initial consonant.

For example: Ph - Lapha (here)

Kh - Khwela (climb)

Th - Eyethu(our)

You can test the sound by holding your hand in front of your mouth to feel that air is blown onto it.

Non-aspirated Consonants

These consonants do not have the “h” added.

Explosive B

The b sound has an 'h' added, but it is not aspirated. The “b” has a sharp sound. For example bhala - write

Implosive B

The “b” is pronounced by placing the lips together. You intake of air momentary and then a soft 'b' sound is produced. I.e ibizo - name

Greetings in Ndebele

English Ndebele
Good evening. litshonile
Good morning. livukile
Good afternoon. litshonile
How are you? unjani/linjani
How are you today? unjani namhlanje/linjani namhlanje
I am fine. ngiyaphila
Have a good day. ubelosukoluhle
I am doing great. ngiyaphila
Hi/Hello. sawubona/salibonani
Nice to meet you. kuhle ukulibona
See you soon. ngizakubona maduze
See you later. ngizakubona maduze

Ndebele Love Words and Phrases

English Ndebele
I love you. ngiyakuthanda
I miss you. ngiyakukhumbula
Love you so much ngiyakuthanda kakhulu
I want to see you. ngifuna ukukubona
I love you with all my heart. ngikuthanda ngenhliziyo yami yonke
I love you too. lami ngiyakuthanda
I want to see you. ngifuna ukukubona
I like you. ngiyakuthanda
You are beautiful. umuhle
My love. sithandwa sami
You look beautiful. ubukeka umuhle
My beautiful wife. nkosikazi wami omuhle
I miss you so much, darling. ngiyakukhumbula kakhulu, sthandwa
I need you. ngiyakufuna
You will miss me. uzangikhumbula
Goodbye, my love. salakahle, sthandwa
See you tomorrow. ngizakubona kusasa
I will marry you. ngizatshada nawe
I want some space. ngifuna ukubangedwa
I need your love. ngifuna uthando lwakho
You are mine. ungowami

Directions in Ndebele

English Ndebele
Where are you? ungaphi
Where did you go? uyengaphi
Where do you live? uhlala ngaphi
Where are you going? uhamba ngaphi
Where were you? kade ungaphi

Common Questions in Conversations in Ndebele

English Ndebele
How much? malini
How are you feeling? uzizwa njani
How have you been? unjani
What is your name? unjani
What are you doing? uyenza njani
What are you cooking/eating? uphekani/udlani
Are you okay, dear? ukahle
When are you coming? ubuya nini
How was your night/day? kade bunjani ubusuku bakho/kade linjani ilanga lakho
How are you doing? unjani
How is your family? injani imuli yakho
How was your day? belinjani ilanga lakho
What is wrong? yini inkinga
What do you mean? uthini/utshoni
How's the weather over there? unjani umkhathi ngapho
Have you gone to church? uhambile enkozweni
What is this? yini lokhu
What's going on? kwenzakalani
Are you listening? ulalele
Have you heard? uzwile
Can I go home? ngingahamba ekhaya
Can I ask something? ngingabuza okuthile
How is everything? kunjani konke
What’s your phone number? inombolo zakho zocingo zithini

Everyday Conversations in Ndebele

English Ndebele
Happy birthday ilanga lokuzalwa elihle
Thank you ngiyabonga
I am sorry ngiyaxolisa
You are welcome. siyakwamukela
Me too! lami
God bless you. inkosi ikubusise
May god protect you. inkosi ikugcine
She is happy. ujabulile
Please help me. ngicela ungingcede
I don't know. angazi
I will come tomorrow. ngibuya kusasa
Come here! woza ngapha
Feel at home. uzizwe usekhaya
Be blessed. ubusiseke
I am coming soon. ngiyabuya manje
Excuse me. uxolo
Leave me alone. hlukana lami
It is okay. kulungile
I am going home. ngihamba ekhaya
I don't want. angifuni
Love is a beautiful thing. uthando yinto enhle
Let me try. ngifuna ukuzama
Welcome home. siyakwamukela ekhaya
I reached home safely. ngifike kuhle ekhaya
God is good. unkulunkulu muhle
I don't understand. angizwisisi
We are happy to see you. siyajabula ukukubona
I have it. ngilakho/ngilayo
Rest in peace. ulale ngokuthula
I don't have money. angila mali
I am done. ngiqedile
I am going to the shop. ngiya ezitolo
Happy new year. umnyaka omutsha omuhle
Bad manners. imikhuba emibi
Stop using your phone. hlukana locingo
I need a favour, please. ungicela ungcedo
Haven’t seen you for ages. ngileskhathi ngingakuboni
Great to see you again. ngiyajabula ukukubona
I really appreciate it. ngiyabonga
You made my day. wenzile ilanga lami
No problem. akulankinga

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