Salibonani, today we will go over about 8 basic isiNdebele phrases (of the amaNdebele people) to get you started:
Salibonani- hello (or literally "we have seen eachother")
Unjani (linjani)?- how are you (you plural)?
Ngiyaphila (siyaphila)- I am fine (we are fine)
Ngikhona (sikhona)- I am fine (we are fine) [literally means "I am here"]
Unjani wena?- How are you? (response)
Yebo, ye- yes, ya
Hayikhona/ hayi/ hayibo- no, nope, no way
Ngiyabonga (siyabonga)- I thank you (we thank you)
Hamba kahle- go well/ good bye (said by the person leaving the place)
Sahle kahle- stay well/ good bye (said by the person staying behind)
For more formal Ndebele lessons check out the free "Lessons" tab, or ask questions in the "Community Questions" tab, or you can pop us an email to get our little community-made booklet "Northern Ndebele Phrasebook".
Salibonani- hello (or literally "we have seen eachother")
Unjani (linjani)?- how are you (you plural)?
Ngiyaphila (siyaphila)- I am fine (we are fine)
Ngikhona (sikhona)- I am fine (we are fine) [literally means "I am here"]
Unjani wena?- How are you? (response)
Yebo, ye- yes, ya
Hayikhona/ hayi/ hayibo- no, nope, no way
Ngiyabonga (siyabonga)- I thank you (we thank you)
Hamba kahle- go well/ good bye (said by the person leaving the place)
Sahle kahle- stay well/ good bye (said by the person staying behind)
For more formal Ndebele lessons check out the free "Lessons" tab, or ask questions in the "Community Questions" tab, or you can pop us an email to get our little community-made booklet "Northern Ndebele Phrasebook".
