Emergency

1. Ndzi pfune!

   Help me!

   Usage

   A cry for help to anyone nearby in danger or sudden illness

   Grammar Note

   The object "ndzi" goes before the verb. To several people or more politely say "Pfunani!"

2. Vitanani maphorisa!

   Call the police!

   Usage

   Asks bystanders to call the police after a crime or accident

   Grammar Note

   Composed from verified words (composed). "-ni" marks a plural or polite imperative. "maphorisa" is used in the plural

3. Vitanani dokodela!

   Call a doctor!

   Usage

   Asks bystanders to call a doctor when someone is ill or hurt

   Grammar Note

   Composed from verified words (composed). "dokodela" is a loanword from English "doctor"

4. Ndzi lava dokodela hi ku hatlisa

   I need a doctor urgently

   Usage

   For a medical emergency. In South Africa 112 also works from a mobile

   Grammar Note

   Composed from verified words (composed). "hi ku hatlisa" is an adverbial phrase meaning "quickly / at once"

5. Ndzi lahlekile

   I am lost

   Usage

   A first sentence to say when lost and asking someone for help

   Grammar Note

   Composed from verified words (composed). "lahlekile" is the perfect of "lahleka" (to get lost)

6. Ndzilo!

   Fire!

   Usage

   A shout to warn people around you when you see a fire

   Grammar Note

   "ndzilo" is the plain word for fire and is also used for a fire outbreak

7. Ndzilo! Humani!

   Fire! Get out!

   Usage

   Warns of a fire and tells people to leave the building

   Grammar Note

   Composed from verified words (composed). "huma" means "go out"; "-ni" makes it a plural imperative

8. Ndzi yiseni exibedlhele

   Please take me to a hospital

   Usage

   Asks people nearby or a driver to take you to hospital when hurt or ill

   Grammar Note

   Composed from verified words (composed). The prefix "e-" marks place, so "xibedlhele" becomes "exibedlhele"

9. Ku na ngozi ya movha

   There has been a traffic accident

   Usage

   Used to report an accident you have seen before asking for help

   Grammar Note

   Composed from verified words (composed). "Ku na" means "there is"; "ya" is the linker agreeing with "ngozi"

10. Mali ya mina yi yiviwile

    My money has been stolen

    Usage

    Reports a theft to the police or people nearby

    Grammar Note

    Composed from verified words (composed). "yiva" means "steal"; the passive is "-iwa" and the perfect "-ile". The passive form is constructed and worth native review

11. Tivoneleni!

    Watch out!

    Usage

    Warns people nearby of a danger

    Grammar Note

    "tivonela" means "to be careful"; "-ni" makes it a plural or polite imperative

12. Hatlisani

    Please hurry

    Usage

    Used when you need someone to hurry in an emergency

    Grammar Note

    "hatlisa" means "to hurry"; "-ni" makes it a plural or polite imperative

13. Tanani sweswi

    Please come right away

    Usage

    Calls someone over urgently

    Grammar Note

    Composed from verified words (composed). "ta" means "to come"

14. Xitichi xa maphorisa xi kwihi?

    Where is the police station?

    Usage

    Asks where the police station is to report a theft or accident

    Grammar Note

    Composed from verified words (composed). "xitichi" is a loanword for station; "xa" is the linker agreeing with class 7

15. U nga ndzi khumbi!

    Do not touch me!

    Usage

    A firm refusal when someone touches you

    Grammar Note

    Composed from verified words (composed). "u nga" plus a verb in "-i" means "do not"

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