Welcome

Siyaliyamukela

Hello (General greeting)

Mushade!

Lotjhani!

How are you?

U(n)jani? (sg)

Li(n)jani? (pl / to an elder)

Reply to 'How are you?'

Diyaphila (sg)

Siyaphila (pl)

Dikhona (sg)

Sikhona (pl)

Nkhona (sg)

Sikhona (pl)

U(n)jani wena? (response)

Long time no see

Nkade dakubona

Nkade ngakuboni

What's your name?

Libito lakho (n)gubani?

Litinyo lakho (n)gubani?

My name is ...

Libito / Litinyo lami gu ...

Mina digu ...

Where are you from?

Uvela kuphi?

Uphuma kuphi?

I'm from ...

Divela e ...

Pleased to meet you

Nthabele kukubona

Good morning (Morning greeting)

Mushade/Lotjhani, livukile?

Mushade/Lotjhani, lithobele jani?

Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting)

Mushade

Lotjhani

Good evening (Evening greeting)

Mushade/Lotjhani, lihlwe (n)jani? (sg)

lihlwe (n)jani? (pl / to an elder)

Good night

Uthobale kuhle (sg)

Lithobale kuhle (pl / to an elder)

Goodbye (Parting phrases)

Usale kuhle (sg)

Lisale kuhle (pl / to an elder)

Good luck!

Mahlate amahle!

Cheers! Good Health!(Toasts used when drinking)

Buphilo bobuhle!

Have a nice day

Ube nella(n)ga lelihle (sg)

Ube nella(n)ga lelihle (pl / to an elder)

Bon appetit/Have a nice meal

Udle kamuna(n)di! (sg)

Udle kamuna(n)di! (pl / to an elder)

Bon voyage/Have a good journey

Ukha(m)bhe kuhle (sg)

Ube neliyedo lelihle (sg)

Likha(m)bhe kuhle (pl / to an elder)

Libe neliyedo lelihle (pl / to an elder)

I don't know

Adiyati

Adiwati

I understand

Ndiyavisisa

I don't understand

Adivisisi

Please speak more slowly

Sumela kanghatanyana

Sumela kanghane

Sumayela kanghatanyana

Sumayela kanghane

Please say that again

Nku(m)bhela usumele leso ka(m)bhe

Nkhu(m)bhela lisumayele leso ka(m)bhe

Please write it down

Gwala pha(n)si

Do you speak English?

Usumela sikxhuwa?

Usumayela sikxhuwa?

Do you speakNorthern Ndebele?

Usumela siNdebele saseNyakatho?

Usumayela siNdebele saseNyakatho?

Yes, a little (reply to 'Do you speak ...?')

Yebo. Kanghane

Speak to me inNorthern Ndebele

Sumela nami geSiNdebele (saseNyakatho)

Sumayela nami geSiNdebele (saseNyakatho)

How do you say ... inNorthern Ndebele?

Kuthwani ... ngeSiNdebele?

Excuse me

Kahle!

Jama bhili!

Nkhubhela ku(n)dlula! (when you want to pass)

Andlule! (when you want to pass)

How much is this?

Mbugagi?

Sorry

Mphathele

Nkhu(m)bhela mphathelo

Please

Dikhu(m)bhela

Thank you

Diyalebuka

Reply to thank you

Kulu(n)gile

Where's the toilet?

Ikuphi ndlwana?

This gentleman will pay for everything

Lisokana leli litabhadelela tokxe

This lady will pay for everything

Muthembana lo utabhadelela tokxe

Nkxosatana le itabhadelela tokxe

Would you like to dance with me?

Ufuna kubina nami?

Ufuna kuthagela nami?

Ufuna kurida nami?

Do you come here often?

Uta la kanyeti?

I miss you

Diyakukhu(m)bhula

I love you

Diyakutha(n)da

Get well soon

Uphole ga(m)bhila

Go away!

Suka!

Kha(m)bha!

Leave me alone!

Nsukele! (sg)

Nsukeleni! (reply to an elder or more than one person)

Help!

Sita!

Thusha!

Fire!

Mullo!

Stop!

Jama!

Call the police!

Bita maphodisa!

Christmas and New Year greetings

Nkhresimusi ehle neMunyaka omutjha omuhle

Easter greetings

Mukhosi weMbhasinga omuhle

Birthday greetings

Ube nelilla(n)ga lelihle lemabeletho (sg)

Libe nelilla(n)ga lelihle lemabeletho (pl)

One language is never enough

Lilimi linye ligasivuki ligayanele

How was your day?

Uhlwe jani (sg)

Lihlwe jani? (pl)

What time is it?

Nnago bani?

When will you see us again?

Uto sibona nini ka(m)bhe?

When will we see you again?

Sito kubona nini ka(m)bhe?

Pass my greetings

Umulotjhise (sg)

Ubalotjhise (pl)

Where do you work?

Uberega kuphi?

Usebenta kuphi?

Where are you going?

Uyakuphi? (sg) (Uya'phi?)

Liyakuphi? (pl) (Liya'phi?)

We are going to ...

Diya e ... (sg)

Siya e ...(pl)

Where do you live?

Uhlala kuphi? (Uhlala'phi?)

I am looking for ...

Nfuna ....

How do I get to ...

Diyajani e ...

Where is the road to ...

Ndlela yekuya e ... ikuphi?

Where do I board a bus/taxi?

Nkhwela kuphi mbhese/nteksi?

How do I stop a taxi to town?

Njamisa jani nteksi yekuya etirojeni?

Where is the nearest shop/store?

Libengela leli likudute likuphi?

Libengela lakudute likuphi?

Where do I buy ...

Nthe(n)ga kuphi ...

How much is this?

Mbugagi?

Where can I sleep?

Ngathobala kuphi?

Where is the nearest hotel?

Nhotele yakudute ikuphi?

Where is the nearest bank?

Mbhanka yakudute ikuphi?

Where is the nearest ATM?

Mutjhini wentjhelede osedute ukuphi?

Where is the nearest hospital?

Sibhedlela sikuphi?

How is the place?

Ndawo yakhona i(n)jani?

Where is the hospital?

Sibhedlela sikuphi?

Where can I find a doctor?

Ngafumana kuphi nnyaga (yesikxhuwa)?

Can I have water please?

Nkhu(m)bhela mma(n)ti.

Where can I see wild animals?

Ngabona kuphi tinyamatana?

Where can I see wild animals?

Ngabona kuphi tinyamatana?

Is it safe here?

Kubulugekile lapho?