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Channel: isiNdebele for beginners. Northern Ndebele language in Africa
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Uhamba njani? (How is it going?)

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Salibonani tshomi, uhamba njani? (Hello buddy/pal, how is it going?) I hope you're enjoying using some of the isiNdebele words previously discussed.

*If you're new, please start at the bottom of the page and then work your way up to this newest post. The isiNdebele words appear in bold.

Today I'll talk a bit about modes of transport.
car- imota
train- isitimela
bus- ibhasi
bicycle- ibhayisikili
aeroplane- indizamtshina
walking- hamba lenyawo ( you know hamba= "go" lo means "with" and inyawo means "foot" so "to go by foot")
To ride= ukugada (just a side note, the part uku in front of a verb means "to do something" e.g. gada= ride (like you telling someone to ride) whereas ukugada means "to ride")

Sentences:Ngiyagada ibhayisikili- I am riding a bicycle
                 Ngitshayela imota- I drive a car

More vocab: inombolo= a number
(uku)xoxa= (to) chat
indaba= news so khuluma indaba= talk about the news, xoxa indaba= chat about news
phezulu= up/ lift up (for anything from faka phezulu- put it up to Nkhosi esezulwini- God in heaven)
phansi= down e.g. hlala phansi= sit down (e.g. you would say to children in class)

An example of a teacher greeting his students. Students stand as the teacher enters the room:
Teacher: Salibonani bantwana- hello children
Class (children): Salibonani mnumzana/ mbalisi - hello sir/ teacher
Teacher: Yebo, linjani?- yes, how are you (plural)
Class: Ngiyaphila ngingabuza wena?- I am fine and I ask about you?
Teacher: Ngiyaphila. Hlala phansi- I am fine, sit down
Class: All sit down

Yebo tshomi, sizakubona kusasa futhi. Hamba kuhle (yes buddy, we will see eachother tomorrow again. Go well/ goodbye)

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