Community questions

Here you can ask and answer questions in the community. Just comment to ask a question, or, if you're happy to help with an answer, that would be great. We upkeep this isiNdebele resource as volunteers and input from community members like you, so thank you for contributing to the community. Please answer and ask questions about Ndebele below here. If you would like to contribute or get involved as a volunteer, or if you have suggestions, please email us at northernndebeleblog@gmail.com.

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From Wikipedia:
The Northern Ndebele language, also called isiNdebele, Sindebele, Ndebele, or North Ndebele, and formerly known as Matabele, is an African language belonging to the Nguni group of Bantu languages, and spoken by the Ndebele or Matabele people of Zimbabwe. IsiNdebele is related to the Zulu language spoken in South Africa. 

84 comments:

  1. Hi! Please can you help with translation of the holy trinity to isindebele.
    '' In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy spirit.''
    Thank you in advance

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    1. isn't it Egameni leNkosi, eleNdodana loMoya Ongcwele

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    2. isn't it Egameni leNkosi, eleNdodana loMoya Ongcwele

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  2. Egameni likayise, elendodana lelika Moya Oyingcwele.

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  3. Egameni likayise, elendodana lelika Moya Oyingcwele.

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  4. Hi, I am enjoying the lessons. Thanks to you who know Ndebele for us to learn. I like the animals more please.

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    1. Siyajabula uyakhuluma lamandebele. We have added some animals for you http://northernndebele.blogspot.com/2017/03/some-animals-in-isindebele.html

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  5. How do you say the word for God in isiNdebele please?

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  6. I like this blog very much. Can someone here please help. I was wondering if there is a word in Ndebele for government or is it just iGovernment?

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  7. Hie, the word in Ndebs for government is u-hulumende.

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  8. My son has been blessed to attend a school and qualified for Grade 6 in Bulawayo. We find Isindebele at Grade 6 level which doesnt make sense as he was born in Botswana with no background to the Ndebele language. I cant seem to find help online to try and understand what is required to do his homework. where can i find help with the foundations especially adjectives etc. This site helps a bit but i am lost in a maze!

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    1. Samukele (welcome) to the community, we are glad to assist with the basics for him (and you) to get started. Check out the basic ndebele phrases tab, then the Lessons tab, and you can look on the other pages for more. If you are feeling like getting a book with a lot of useful beginner phrases, check out our Northern Ndebele Phrasebook on Amazon (it's not too pricey at all). Links are below for everything. Some useful phrases he may need early on are "Khuluma futhi" - say it again, "khuluma kancane kancane" - speak slowly, "ngiyabonga" - I thank you, but like with any language, practice makes perfect.

      http://northernndebele.blogspot.com/p/basic-isindebele-phrases.html

      http://northernndebele.blogspot.com/p/lessons.html

      https://www.amazon.com/Northern-Ndebele-Phrasebook-isiNdebele-Language-ebook/dp/B07D1QD1D5


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  9. ngiyanthaba kakhulu kufunda sindebele. is it possible that we can get one or two paragraphs first ubhala in english and then translate to sindebele. maybe if its done once a week

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    1. Siyajabula. That is a great idea, thank you for your comment, Darlington. Meanwhile, check the Lessons tab and the Vocab tab. There is also our little book of common Ndebele phrases on Amazon.
      https://www.amazon.com/Northern-Ndebele-Phrasebook-isiNdebele-Language-ebook/dp/B07D1QD1D5
      http://northernndebele.blogspot.com/p/lessons.html
      http://northernndebele.blogspot.com/p/vocab-list.html
      https://www.amazon.com/Northern-Ndebele-Beginners-Introduction-Isindebele-ebook/dp/B07CWFCQSL

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  10. what does likhokhobe mean

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    1. Hello. I think it can be from ukukhokhoba, which is what an elderly person does while they use a walking stick. Think of like the suburb Makokoba.

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  11. Please can you tell me the word for "puff adder". Ngiyabonga, Mike

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    Replies
    1. The snake is iBululu in isindebele whereas iHobosha is isiZulu .

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  12. how do I say you are welcome in isiNdebele..that replies a thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ubongani (if one person is thanking you)
      libongani (if multiple people are thanking you)

      In this context the words literally translate to "what are you thanking for" which implies that it was my pleasure :)

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    2. Yes, I use kulungile, which is sort of saying "all good".

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  13. Please help me know what taking shoes in isiNdebele mean

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    1. Isicathulo or izicathulo, with the c click sound, for shoe and shoes respectively. I like amanyathelo in warmer weather as they are sandals or slip slops.

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  14. Hi may I know what the IsiNdebele word for "community" is.

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  15. may you translate
    How was the weekend
    Mine was good
    This week I am planning to visit the clinics
    which is the best time to visit this place

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  16. HIE
    How do I say these three words in isiNdebele
    1) training
    2)communicate
    3) environment

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  17. HI
    How do I say these three words in isindibele
    1) training
    2)communicated
    3) environment

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  18. how do i say "I would like to" or my pleasure in ndebele

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  19. How can I say I miss you in ndebele?

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    Replies
    1. I miss you can be "Ngiyakukhumbula" or "ngiyakukhanuka".

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  20. Hi! Please can you help with translation of the following
    "on the right side just add the top and bottom numbers write the answer on
    the right side of the answer box then move the number on the left side down
    to the left side of the answer box"

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  21. inkomokazi iyabhonsa. indlovu iyenzani

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  22. Salibonani, I'm Zimbabwe-born (khudaaaala), returning to visit my home town Bulawayo early next year. I'm looking for small talk to pass the time at police roadblocks. Please translate the following:
    I live in ...
    I was born in ...
    This is my son .....
    This is my daughter-in-law ....
    These are my granddaughters ....
    We are going to ....
    My father farmed at ....
    My grandfather worked for ...

    Ngiyabonga Madoda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eish, let me try some, others can add, even if you went already Lionel.
      Ngihlala ngo..Bulawayo.
      Zalelwa is to be born at so ngazalelwa for was born.
      Nansi is here they are. Nansi indodana/ umfana'ami (son/ boy). Nansi indodakazi (daughter). I know umkhwenyana is so-in-law, but not sure for daughter. Umzumkulu (um/aba, check the lessons but plural is aba) for grandchild. Like ubaba ukhona means my father is here.
      Siyahamba ko..Bulawayo.
      Ubaba, umlimi is a farmer and ipulazi is a farm.
      Ubabamkhulu is grandad.

      Lisale.

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  23. Can anyone tell me how a daughter would affectionately refer to her father as 'Dad', or 'Daddy'?

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    1. It is ubaba for father, so Baba.

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  24. Saniboani kusho ukuthi ukuthi Nrazi?

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  25. How do you say 'my son has a baby girl" in ndebele?

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    1. Umntanami ulendodakazi for my child has a daughter. Otherwise maybe Indodana ilenkazana for my son has a girl.

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  26. My son has a baby girl in ndebele

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    Replies
    1. Umntanami ulendodakazi for my child has a daughter. Otherwise maybe Indodana ilenkazana for my son has a girl.

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  27. Please give a lesson on conjunctions/ isihlanganiso

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    Replies
    1. Sure, good idea, we will do that.

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  28. Thanks for the platform im now able to learn and improve my spoken isiNdebele.

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    Replies
    1. Sure sure :)

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    2. Providence Ngulube NNJuly 2, 2022 at 5:40 AM

      Number 1! We have a Northern Ndebele Phrasebook which we are giving free for anyone in the community who is keen, northernndebeleblog@gmail.com. Enjoy learning isiNdebele!

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  29. what is the meaning of ithambo in English

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  30. how do I say..l know it hurts but u will be okay/?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Use -buhlungu, painful. Like explained in the lessons tab, umunwe ubuhlungu, the finger hurts painfully.

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    2. Shadreck UmbalisiJuly 2, 2022 at 5:36 AM

      Manje kulungile is ok, kungcono. Umkhuhlane is the fever from the flu, or maybe it is a heartburn, isilungulela, but it is good to show umusa, kindness. Use ukusilisa or ukuphola for "to heal".

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  31. what is the child of pig in Isindebele

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    1. A pig is at least ingulube, maybe ingulube incane, for a small one. Check the post called "Some Animals in isiNdebele". http://northernndebele.blogspot.com/2017/03/some-animals-in-isindebele.html

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  32. Hi. How do you say in Isindebele....It's my time to move on?

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    Replies
    1. Mayibabo! That sounds dark. Sengidiniwe, kuyahlupha, ngifuna ukuhamba katshana, haha. I'm tired, it is unpleasant, I want to go far away.

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  33. Replies
    1. Hi, sibili means "a lot" (very much).

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  34. Hi There! I'm brand new and know nothing at all, but have made good friends with people that speak Ndebele and Zulu. I am very eager to learn. Just stopping by to say hi, and to ask what is the best way to go about learning for someone who is an absolute beginner?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. NorthernNdebeleBlogApril 19, 2020 at 2:06 PM

      Hi and welcome to the Northern isiNdebele blog. This is the right place to be, and there are many similarities with isiZulu. Maybe start at the Lessons tab here at Lesson 1. The main page has blog posts so start from the oldest at the bottom too. Besides that, we have 2 simple little books on Amazon, one with the very basics and one with useful everyday phrases that will be helpful beginning. Feel free to ask questions of the community and ask your friends to contribute in answering too. Enjoy your journey!

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  35. hi what is an arrow in isNdebele

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    1. That one is umtshoko or imitshoko for arrows to shoot (not sure if it is for arrows in a presentation document for work).

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  36. What does God is heard or listener of God or Told by God in Zulu or ndebele mean

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  37. What is the young one of a cat in Ndebele

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    1. Umangoye is a cat, and insimba is a civet cat. I'm not sure for a kitten, maybe someone else here knows?

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  38. this is a good platform for learning but could we have printable information or booklets on pdf format?

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  39. Reposting a question:

    Please help me with the names for these animals:
    Buffalo
    Sable
    Eland
    Owl
    Impala
    Warthog
    Eagle
    Meerkat
    Pangolin

    Thank you very much.

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    Replies
    1. Sure, you are welcome to ask here in the Community Questions tab, some I know of your question:

      Warthog - ingulungundu,
      Pangolin - inkakha,
      Owl - umandukulu/ isikhova,
      Meercat - iduha,
      Eagle - ukhozi,
      bateleur eagle is ingqungqulu I think that one,
      Eland of course can be impofu,
      Buffalo is inyathi (and is my family name).

      and ones for good luck iguana - imbulu/ uxamu (the one clumbing in trees or the one swimming in the river waters),
      a bulbul small bird is igigo,
      hippo (very dangerous can kill even) - imvubu,
      a bull version of inkomo is inkunzi.

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  40. How do you say these in ndebele?
    I worked
    I was working
    I have worked
    I have been working
    I had worked
    I had been working

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please check the "Lessons" tab, look up to Lesson 40.

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  41. How would you say these in ndebele?
    I worked
    I was working
    I have worked
    I have been working
    I had worked
    I had been working

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  42. Is there a sentence in isiNdebele of "Icena lizehlela"? Somebody talking about his body or something.

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  43. What is deer in isiNdebele

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  44. What is isigodo in english

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  45. Linjani

    Ngicela ukubuza amabizo abantwana balezi inyamazane ngesiNdebele?

    Intundla
    Isilwane
    IDube
    Ingulungundu
    Ikhanka
    Umvundla
    Indlovu
    Ibhalabhala
    Impala
    Ubhejane

    Ngiyabonga.

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  46. Use umntwana, young of animal, or ncinyane small one. Ingane, usane, baby.

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Comment lapha please