Click on the tab at the top "isiNdebele lamuhla" then scroll to the bottom to get started. Please start with the posts at the bottom as this is the beginning, and then work your way to the newest posts. The isiNdebele words, for the most part, are written in bold.
If you'd like more vocabulary, see the tab "vocabulary words". I hope you learn some of the Ndebele language so you can have at least a few words to say to your Ndebele friends or people you meet in Africa.
If you have anything you want to say or you want us to discuss, just comment to let us know or ask in the Community Questions tab. If you want to learn Ndebele more formally, there is the "Lessons" tab above, where we will put lessons up from pronunciation to tenses etc.
If you like what we are creating here, consider becoming a Patron on: https://www.patreon.com/NorthernNdebele or email us to get involved as a volunteer or sponsor northernndebeleblog@gmail.com.
This is good, sibongile
ReplyDeletePLEASE COULD YOU HELP? I HAVE A FRIEND WHO IS HAVING A TATTOO DONE,WITH THE PHRASE "MADE IN ZIMBABWE" IN NDEBELE, PLEASE COULD YOU SEND ME THE TRANSLATION TO ewan_zim@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Ewan
Salibonani Ewan, I would use "Ngivela eZimbabwe" - I come from Zimbabwe, or if he is from a certain area, e.g. Gwanda, he could write "Ngivela eGwanda". Hope it turns out well
Deletewahat doese mina ngiyasola ukuthi usukombe iNdebele mean in english
ReplyDeleteSalibonani, there are some spelling mistakes so I can't make out exactly what the phrase means but it looks like "Me, I am regretting that ... Ndebele". Maybe it was something like "Mina ngiyasola ukuthi awukhulumi siNdebele", which would be "Personally, I regret that you/ he can't speak Ndebele".
ReplyDeleteWhat that actually means is "I suspect you have court a Ndebele" meaning you are in love with a Ndebele.
ReplyDeleteSiyabonga mngane
DeleteThis blog looks great. I've just got back from three weeks in Bulawayo. I loved it. Want to impress my new family when I return next year. Keep up the good work, its appreciated. Theres not enough isiNdebele on the internet.
ReplyDeleteSharp sharp.
Hi, may you kindly explain this as it confuses readers. Is the language that you state on this blog as isi Ndebele, not actually isiZulu or a dialect of it? I am requesting clarity on the labeling because there is clear difference between the labels or names of the languages, their speakers customs and the spoken substance. My request is based on the blatant fact that, there are distinct differences between isi Ndebele spoken by amaNdebele from Kwa Ndebele in North Eastern part of present day South Africa and isi Zulu spoken by amaZulu from KwaZulu in South Eastern part of modern day South Africa, but yet there is little to minor difference between the said isiZulu and isi "Ndebele" of kwaBulawayo in modern day Zimbabwe. There is no similarity between that spoken in Kwa Ndebele and Kwa Bulawayo but there are identical speech words, phonetic right down speakers customs between that spoken in KwaZulu and Kwa Bulawayo. Your answer to this can actually guide those seeking to correctly learn the language your website seeks to teach and promote by what appears to be a case of deliberate mislabelling. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous, thank you for your questions. Yes, the language we are giving an introduction to is northern isiNdebele (hence the blog name). It is very similar to isiZulu, with some noticeable differences in, for instance, pronounciation. For example "tsh" as in umtshayeli is pronounced 'sh' in isiZulu but 'ch' in isiNdebele. You are definitely correct- Southern Ndebele and Northern Ndebele are very different, and this blog describes what you call 'kwaBulawayo'. It can be confusing hence we describe it as Northern Ndebele to try explain it further. Thanks again for the clear questions and we hope they were answered mngane
DeleteHi, I was wondering if you can help. I would like to write a birthday message for my friend in Ndebele. Can you please translate this part for me: I hope you have a blessed year and become a very very old man.
ReplyDeleteLots of Love.
Ukhule ukhokhobe. Grow old until you are ...ancient for lack of a better word. It is a term of endearment though. I suspect the birthday has passed though :)
DeleteFantastic site - will be forwarding to all my family the link
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, haha, that is great.
DeleteHy i love your blog i want to learn Ndebele so nuch bcz soon im going to be part of a ndebele family but i seem to be havin a problem mastering it may you please help me
ReplyDeleteI like it here to learn isiNdebele. Amandla!
ReplyDeleteSalibonani. Can you help me with the words for wind, breeze, air. I checked your list of vocab words and found the words for breathe and blow, but they are verbs. Am I missing a list of nouns? Siyabonga
ReplyDeleteIf I wanted a tattoo that says "remember your roots" how would i write that in ndebele
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the site very much.It has helped me a lot.You should also include grade one content.E.g Look at father, Look at mother etc
ReplyDeleteHelo
ReplyDeleteCan please assist me to translate this message in isiNdebele
You are the Love of my life and I look forward to every moment with you. We are two Hearts, once lost and stray but found our way back to each other. Home is whenever you are, and am so greatfull for everything
Thank you for being the cause of my Good days and for helping me get through my worst.
Being with you is the best feeling ever. I might be a crazy lover, but I promise I'll love you, care for you and hold you down till the end. You are really a special person to me. You have been so wonderful to me, you give me the joy, love and light in my life. I want to let you know knw that I appreciate you so much in my life.
Sending you ocean of love, kisses and hugs on your special day. May God keep shower his best wishes on you.
I celebrate you on this special day for everything you have done and more so for the amazing things you will do in future
The best gift I could offer you today is my presence and companionship for the rest of my life... I Love you Baeb Skhosana with the whole of heart
Happy birthday my Lala
I u wish I could shout out through the whole universe just to announcetthat a special person was born today. Thank you for being such a darling and God bless you I love you.
Good day.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the best way to phrase "My condolences for your loss" to an elder?