Salibonani bakhithi (hello my people)
Sizakufunda amavocabulary lamhla ( we are going to learn some vocab today).
These are some isiNdebele words for your relatives:
My mother- umama
my father- ubaba
my brother- ubude
my sister- udadewethu or usisi
my grandfather- ubabamkhulu ( which translates directl as "father big")
my grandmother- ugogo
my younger brother/ guy cousin- umnawami (in Ndebele culture a cousin is like a brother/ sister)
my uncle- umalume
so "Unjani udadewethu?" means "How are you my sister?"
There is a difference between saying 'my father' and 'your/his father', and the same for mother. This is not commonly known by non-ndebele native speakers, but should be used.
Your/ his father- uyihlo
your/ his mother- unyoko
If you were to use a "your mama" joke, it is important that you don't end up insulting your own mama. These are some of the common relatives.
Sizakubona kusasa bangane
Sizakufunda amavocabulary lamhla ( we are going to learn some vocab today).
These are some isiNdebele words for your relatives:
My mother- umama
my father- ubaba
my brother- ubude
my sister- udadewethu or usisi
my grandfather- ubabamkhulu ( which translates directl as "father big")
my grandmother- ugogo
my younger brother/ guy cousin- umnawami (in Ndebele culture a cousin is like a brother/ sister)
my uncle- umalume
so "Unjani udadewethu?" means "How are you my sister?"
There is a difference between saying 'my father' and 'your/his father', and the same for mother. This is not commonly known by non-ndebele native speakers, but should be used.
Your/ his father- uyihlo
your/ his mother- unyoko
If you were to use a "your mama" joke, it is important that you don't end up insulting your own mama. These are some of the common relatives.
Sizakubona kusasa bangane
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ReplyDeletePlease i want to learn ndebele,... Here is my emal address: forbestakwana@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI am a ndebele but grew up speaking and learned pedi at school. I would really like to learn and know my own ndebele language. I do sometimes google but not always helpful.: mbmsimango@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteFirst of all thanks a lot for this!! I have two questions (1) speaking about your fathers siblings, is there a distinction between those who are older and those who are younger? In Shona this would be babamukuru for older and babamudiki for younger. Or would it be some formulation like umalumemkhulu? (2) this one is rather irrelevant but I have heard people in Shona say musatanyoko, and i have never understood what they meant beyond that they are angry beyond all measure. Could this be some bastardization of a Ndebele curse on your subject's mother?
ReplyDeleteFirst of all thanks a lot for this!! I have two questions (1) speaking about your fathers siblings, is there a distinction between those who are older and those who are younger? In Shona this would be babamukuru for older and babamudiki for younger. Or would it be some formulation like umalumemkhulu? (2) this one is rather irrelevant but I have heard people in Shona say musatanyoko, and i have never understood what they meant beyond that they are angry beyond all measure. Could this be some bastardization of a Ndebele curse on your subject's mother?
ReplyDeleteFirst of all thanks a lot for this!! I have two questions (1) speaking about your fathers siblings, is there a distinction between those who are older and those who are younger? In Shona this would be babamukuru for older and babamudiki for younger. Or would it be some formulation like umalumemkhulu? (2) this one is rather irrelevant but I have heard people in Shona say musatanyoko, and i have never understood what they meant beyond that they are angry beyond all measure. Could this be some bastardization of a Ndebele curse on your subject's mother?
ReplyDeleteWhat do you call
Delete-Your aunt?
-mate
-colleagues
-competitors
Would a grandson ever call his grandfather `ubaba` directly in conversation.
ReplyDeleteGrandfather is called ubabamkhulu but usually some would say ukhulu.
ReplyDeleteObviously
DeleteWhat is aunty in isiNdebele .... In Shona we Tete
ReplyDeleteUbabakazi
DeleteWhat is to say "I really appreciate that" in isiNdebele
ReplyDeleteWhat would an older sibling be called?
ReplyDeleteWhat would my nephew be called by me?
ReplyDelete