Relatives in Ndebele

Salibonani bakhithi (hello my people)

Sizakufunda amavocabulary lamhla ( we are going to learn some vocab today).

These are some isiNdebele words for your relatives:

My mother- umama
my father- ubaba
my brother- ubude
my sister- udadewethu or usisi
my grandfather- ubabamkhulu ( which translates directl as "father big")
my grandmother- ugogo
my younger brother/ guy cousin- umnawami (in Ndebele culture a cousin is like a brother/ sister)
my uncle- umalume
so  "Unjani udadewethu?means "How are you my sister?"

There is a difference between saying 'my father' and 'your/his father', and the same for mother. This is not commonly known by non-ndebele native speakers, but should be used.

Your/ his father- uyihlo

your/ his mother- unyoko

If you were to use a "your mama" joke, it is important that you don't end up insulting your own mama. These are some of the common relatives.

Sizakubona kusasa bangane

15 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. Please i want to learn ndebele,... Here is my emal address: forbestakwana@yahoo.com

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  3. I am a ndebele but grew up speaking and learned pedi at school. I would really like to learn and know my own ndebele language. I do sometimes google but not always helpful.: mbmsimango@gmail.com

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  4. First of all thanks a lot for this!! I have two questions (1) speaking about your fathers siblings, is there a distinction between those who are older and those who are younger? In Shona this would be babamukuru for older and babamudiki for younger. Or would it be some formulation like umalumemkhulu? (2) this one is rather irrelevant but I have heard people in Shona say musatanyoko, and i have never understood what they meant beyond that they are angry beyond all measure. Could this be some bastardization of a Ndebele curse on your subject's mother?

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  5. First of all thanks a lot for this!! I have two questions (1) speaking about your fathers siblings, is there a distinction between those who are older and those who are younger? In Shona this would be babamukuru for older and babamudiki for younger. Or would it be some formulation like umalumemkhulu? (2) this one is rather irrelevant but I have heard people in Shona say musatanyoko, and i have never understood what they meant beyond that they are angry beyond all measure. Could this be some bastardization of a Ndebele curse on your subject's mother?

    ReplyDelete
  6. First of all thanks a lot for this!! I have two questions (1) speaking about your fathers siblings, is there a distinction between those who are older and those who are younger? In Shona this would be babamukuru for older and babamudiki for younger. Or would it be some formulation like umalumemkhulu? (2) this one is rather irrelevant but I have heard people in Shona say musatanyoko, and i have never understood what they meant beyond that they are angry beyond all measure. Could this be some bastardization of a Ndebele curse on your subject's mother?

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    Replies
    1. What do you call
      -Your aunt?
      -mate
      -colleagues
      -competitors

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  7. Would a grandson ever call his grandfather `ubaba` directly in conversation.

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  8. Grandfather is called ubabamkhulu but usually some would say ukhulu.

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  9. What is aunty in isiNdebele .... In Shona we Tete

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  10. What is to say "I really appreciate that" in isiNdebele

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  11. What would an older sibling be called?

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  12. What would my nephew be called by me?

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Comment lapha please