Basic Words

1. Ina / E-e

   Yes / No

   Usage

   The basic yes and no answers. "E-e" is written with a hyphen

   Grammar Note

   Not Zulu "Yebo / Cha". "E-e" is the short negative answer

2. Ndzi kombela

   Please (I ask you...)

   Usage

   A polite opener before a request or a favour; the thing you ask for follows

   Grammar Note

   There is no attested one-word "please", so politeness comes from "I ask". Do not write "Pliz". It uses the verb "kombela", common for polite requests in the sources

3. Ndzi pfumelele

   Excuse me / Allow me

   Usage

   A polite way to get attention or ask permission; follow it with "ndzi" plus a verb

   Grammar Note

   The pattern "Ndzi pfumelele ndzi ..." (let me ...) as found in the Bible text; "pfumelele" is the imperative of "allow"

4. A ndzi swi twisisi

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Use when you cannot follow what was said, e.g. to ask the person to speak slowly

   Grammar Note

   Negation is "A" at the start plus "-i" at the verb end; subject, object and verb are written separately. The sentence is composed from dictionary-verified words and was not found verbatim in the sources

5. Ndza swi twisisa

   I understand

   Usage

   Tells the other person that you followed what was said

   Grammar Note

   The affirmative verb ends in "-a", the counterpart of the negative "-i". The sentence is composed from dictionary-verified words and was not found verbatim in the sources

6. U vulavula Xinghezi?

   Do you speak English?

   Usage

   Asks whether someone speaks English. To an elder or shop staff the plural "Mi vulavula Xinghezi?" is more polite

   Grammar Note

   A yes/no question is made by intonation alone. Language names start with "Xi-" and are capitalised. "Xilungu" means the language of white people, so "Xinghezi" is used for English. The sentence is composed from dictionary-verified words and was not found verbatim in the sources

7. Ndzi vulavula Xitsonga katsongo

   I speak a little Xitsonga

   Usage

   A traveller who has learned some Xitsonga says how much they can speak

   Grammar Note

   "ndzi" is a separate word before the verb; "katsongo" (a little) goes at the end. The sentence is composed from dictionary-verified words and was not found verbatim in the sources

8. Pfunani!

   Help!

   Usage

   A cry for help; the plural or polite imperative suits calling to people around you

   Grammar Note

   Imperative of "pfuna" (to help). Not Zulu "siza"

9. Laha

   Here

   Usage

   Points out a place nearby

   Grammar Note

   An adverb for a nearby place. A farther place is "kwalaho"

10. Kwalaho

    There

    Usage

    Points out a place a little further away

    Grammar Note

    An adverb for a place further away. A nearby place is "laha"

11. Mina

    Me / I

    Usage

    The pronoun for yourself, usable alone for emphasis or as an answer

    Grammar Note

    Distinct from "hina" (we) and "n'wina" (you plural). Not Zulu "thina" or "nina"

12. Wena

    You

    Usage

    The pronoun for the person you speak to (singular). For plural or polite use "n'wina"

    Grammar Note

    "n'wina", the plural, can be used to show respect

13. Hinkwaswo

    All / everything

    Usage

    Used to say "all" or "everything"

    Grammar Note

    The ending changes with the noun class ("hinkwavo" for people, "hinkwayo" for others). This is the form for "swi-" class things

14. Katsongo

    Just a little

    Usage

    Used when you want only a small amount

    Grammar Note

    Used as an adverb after a noun or verb

15. Hafu

    Half

    Usage

    Used for a half amount or half an hour

    Grammar Note

    For time it is used as in "awara na hafu" (an hour and a half)

16. Vanhu vambirhi

    Two people

    Usage

    Gives a number of people, for example for a seat or booking

    Grammar Note

    The plural of "munhu" is "vanhu". The numeral "mbirhi" takes the class prefix and becomes "vambirhi"

17. Nakambe

    Again / once more

    Usage

    Used to ask for a repeat or to mean "again"

    Grammar Note

    An adverb that can stand at the start or end of a sentence

Browse all TravelPhrases languages