Ndebele - The Easiest & Quickest Way

by Patrick James Matimba

Introduction

I reckon that those who want to learn Sindebele will find this booklet invaluable.

Originally, I wrote and published a similar booklet "Shona, the easiest & quickest
way." After several pleas and requests from friends and acquaintances who want to learn
Sindebele, I decided to have the booklet translated.

Initially, this booklet is published on its own, but it is hoped that if cassette tapes are
available, it will greatly help the learner. In the meantime I recommend you to get hold of a
Ndebele speaking friend who will read the Sindebele part, so that you learn the way the
Ndebele speaking people pronounce words.

Besides being of great value to Asians, Europeans and Euro-Africans residing in

Zimbabwe who are desirous of learning Sindebele, it can also be of great assistance to Shona
speaking people who want to learn Sindebele.

Incidentally, this booklet can also be used by a Ndebele speaking person or child who
wants to learn English the best and quickest way.

To those who have never learnt another language successfully, my advice is that from
the moment you decide to learn Sindebele, using this booklet, you must also start to be a
friendly and an inquisitive person. Make a habit of greeting strangers and try to ask questions
and make conversation. You may think you will be regarded as a nuisance, but my experience
have been that people are always willing to help when they know that you are trying to make
an effort to learn. Remember, if you learn two new words a day, you will have learnt over
sixty words in a month and in three months, you will be making interesting conversations.

When learning Shona, one immediately comes up against Shona dialects. One simply
has to learn to distinguish them through continuous practice. Fortunately, Sindebele has no
dialects as such.

It is imperative that, if Zimbabwe is going to have amicable race relations, Shona and
Sindebele should be seriously learnt, not only at school level but by every adult Zimbabwean.

My thanks go to Prisca Sibusiso Nyathi, my Ndebele speaking secretary, and her

mother who helped to translate the booklet.
Lesson 1: Useful Expressions
Good day Ilanga elihle
Good morning U/Livuke njani
Good afternoon U/Litshone njam
Good evening U/Litshone njam
Good night U/Lilale kuhle
Good bye U/Lisale kuhle
How are you? Linjani/Kunjani ukuphila?
I am very well. Ngiyaphila.
Excuse me. Uxolo.
It doesn't matter. Akulandaba.
Come m. NgenaNgenani.
You are very kind. Ulesihawu.
Do you speak English? Uyakhuluma yini ismgisi?
I do not speak Shona. Uyakhuluma isishona na?
Do you understand? Uyezwisisa/Liyezw1sisa na?
I don't understand. Angizwisisi.
What does it mean? Kutsho ukuthini?
At once. Khonamanje?
How much money do you have? Ule/Lilema1ini?
How many fingers do you have? Ule/Lileminwe emingaki?
What is this? Kuyini lokhu?
What is your name? Igama lakho ngubani?
How old are you? Ule/Lileminyaka emingaki?
What do you want? Ufunani/Lifunani?
Where do you live? Uhlala ngaphi?
Here it is. Nanku khona lapha.
Here they are. Nampa lapha.
There it is. Nankuyana laphayana.
What did you say? Utheni/Litheni?
Forgive me. Ngixolela.
Please speak slowly. Uxolo khuluma kancane.
I think so. Ngikhumbula njalo.
I don't think so. Kangikhumbuli njalo.
Yes. Yebo.
No. Hayi/Hatshi.
For sure. Ngempela.
I must go. Kumele ngihambe/Kufanele ngihambe.
Allow me. Ngivumela.
With pleasure. Kulungile.
I am short of money. Angisela mali.
Sit down. Hlala phansi.
I know that. Ngiyakwazi lokho.
I don't know. Angikwazi.
Do you know? Uyakwazi yini/Liyakwazi yini.
You are wrong. Wehlulekilewphambanisile.
You are right. Uqondilewqinisile.
Will you give me? 1 It Head
Come here. You We Hair
What is the matter? He You Eye(s)
She They Ear

2
Nose Him/Herse1f
Indlebe
Mouth(s) OurselvesAmakhala
Chin Yourselves
Umlomo/lmilomo
Cheek(s) Themselves
Isilevu
Tongue Isihlathi/lzihlathi
Tooth/Teeth Ulimi
Face Less Izinyo/Amazinyo
Neck on 2: Ubuso
Shoulder(s) The Intamo
Chest Hum Ihlombe Amahlombe
Backbone an Isifuba
Arm(s) Hand(s) Umhlane
Bod
Finger(s) Ingalo
Nail
y Isandla/lzandla
Elbow(s) Umunwe/lminwe
I
Stomach(s) Uzipho/lnzipho
k
Leg(s) h Indololwane
Knee(s) a Isisu/lzisu
FooffFeet n Umbala/lmbala
Toe(s) d Idolo Amadolo
Voice a Unyawo/lnyawo
Mina I Uzwane Amazwane
Wena n Ilizwi
Yena wMina ngedwa
Khona e Wena wedwa Yena yedwa
Thina l Thina sodwa
Lina e Lina lodwa
Bona Ungangipha I Bona bodwa
na/Lingangipha na? l
Hoza i
lapha/Buya h
lapha. l
Kwenzenjani o
na? /
A
Grammar (Personal m
Pronouns) e
h
Mysel l
f o
Yoursel
f

3
Grammar (Verbs - Present Tense)
T
o

h
a
v
e

(
U
k
u
b
a
)
I have Ngile
You have Ule
He/She has Ule
We have Sile
You have - Lile
They have - Bale

To be (Ukuba)
I am Ngiya
You are Uya
He She is Uya
We are Siya
You are Liya
They are - Baya

To eat (Ukudla)
I eat Ngiyadla
You eat Uyadla
He She eats Uyadla
We eat Siyadla
You eat Liyadla
They ear - Bayadla

To go (Ukuhamba)
I go Ngiyahamba
You go Uyahamba
He She goes Uyahamba
We go Siyahamba
You go Liyahamba
They go - Bayahamba
Lesson 3: Human Qualities &
Emotions
Character Ubuntu/lmbeko
Anger Ukuzonda
Dislike Inzondo
Goodness Ubuhle
Honesty Ukwethembeka
Intelligence Ingqondo
Knowledge Ulwazi
Patience Ukubekezela

Pleasure Ukuthatshiswa
Hearing Ukuzwa
Sight Ukubona
Smell Ukunuka
Speech Inkulumo
Strength Amandla
Thought Umcabango
Weakness Ukuswela amandla
Wisdom Ukuhlakanipha
Love Uthando
Hate Inzondo
Age Intanga
Laughter Uhleko

Grammar (Verbs - Past Tense)

To have

I had Ngangile
You had Wawule
He She had Way-ele
we had Sasile
You had - Lalile
They had - Babele

To be

I was Ngangi
You were Wawu
He She was Waye
We were Sasi
You were - Lali

5
They were - Babe

To eat

I ate Ngadla
You ate - Wadla
He She ate - Wadla
We ate Sadla
You ate - Ladla
They ate - Badla

To go
I went Ngahamba
You went Wahamba
He/She went Wahamba

We went Sahamba
You went - Lahamba
They went - Bahamba

Lesson 4: Adjectives

(Size)

big ubukhulu
broad, wide ububanzi
long ubude
narrow ukuncipa
short ubufitshane
small okuncane
thick ukunona

(Others)
bad ububi
beautiful ubuhle
bitter ukubaba
blind isiphofu
deaf isacuthe
dumb isimungulu
brave isibindi
bright ukukhanya
careful ngonanzelelo
cheap ukwehla
cheerful ukuthabela/ukukhululeka
clean okuhlanzeka

6
cold ukuqanda
complete ukuqeda
dangerous okungenisa engozini
dear sithandwa
dead ukufa
deep ukutshona
different ukutshiyana
dirty ingcekeza
dry ukoma
early ukuphangisa
easy ubulula
fast ukuphangisa
fat ukunona
free ukukhululeka
full ukugcwala
glad ukuthaba
good kulungile
happy ukuthaba
hot ukutshisa
important okuqakathekilo
interesting okuthabisayo
late ukuphuza
loose okuxhegayo
loud umkhosi
low okwehlileyo
many okunengi
necessary okufaneleyo
new okutsha
old okudala
open vula/ukukhamisa
perfect okuqondileyo
polite ukuthobeka
poor ubuyanga
possible okungenzeka
private imfihlo
probably engxenye
quick phangisa
quiet ukuthula
raw okuluhlaza
ready ukulungisela
rich ukunotha
ripe ukuvuthwa
sad ukudana
safe ukukhululeka
same okufananayo

7
simple ok-ulula
slow ukuphuza
sour okubabayo
strong ukuqina
sufficient okwaneleyo
sweet ubumnandi
true lcpmso
ugly ububi
urgent ukuphangisa
useful okusetshenziswayo
valuable okuqakathekileyo
young ubuncane
L
es
so
n
5:
T
he
R
ai
l
w
ay
l. Where is the station?
Singaphi isilindo sikaloliwe?
2. What time is the next train
amving?
Uzafika nini uloliwe
wesibili?
3. Where is the ticket office?
Ingaphi indlu yamatikiti?
4. What is the fare to Bulawayo?
Kuyimalini ukufika
eBulawayo?
5. When do we arrive?
Siyafika nini?
6. Must I change during the
journey?
Kumele ngintshintshe yini
kuhambo?
7. What is the name of this station?
Lithiwani igama lalesi
silindo?
8. How long do we stop here?

8
 Siyakuma ekwesikhathi
esinganani lapha?
9. Where is the lavatory?
Ingaphi indlu encane?
10. Go and take my luggage.
Hamba uyethatha umthwalo
wami.
I l. Where is the registered luggage?
Zingaphi impahla
ezibhalisiyeyo?
I be You will
will be
have They will be
You
will
have
He I will eat
She You will eat
will He She will eat
have We will eat
We You will
will eat They
will eat
have
You
will Grammar
have (Verbs -
The Future
y Tense)
will
have T
o

I h
will a
be v
You e
will
be
He N
She g
will i
be z
W a
e k
wi u
ll b
a

9
 b
U e
za
ku -
ba
L
U i
za z
ku a
ba b
e
Si
za B
ku a
ba z
- a
Li b
za e
ku
ba T
B o
az
ak e
ub a
a t

T
o N
g
b i
z
e
a
N k
gi u
za d
be l
a
U
za
be U
z
U a
za k
be u
d
Si l
za a

10
 d
U l
za a
ku
dl B
a a
Si z
za a
ku k
dl u
a- d
Li l
za a
ku
To go
I will go Ngizahamba
You will go Uzahamba
He She will go Uzahamba
We will go Sizahamba
You will go - Lizahamba
They will go - Bazahamba
Lesson
6:
Places,
People
&
Shops
Hospital Isibhedlela
Garage Okulengiselwa imota
Post Office Indlu ebona ngokuhamba kwezincwadi
Station Isilindo
Market Indawo yokuthengisela
Telephone booth Indlu yokutshayela ucingo
Cinema Okubonwa imfanekiso
Bank Okugcinwa imali
Police station Enkambeni yamapolisa
School Isikolo
Butchery Isilaha
Bakery Okuphekwa isinkwa
Grocery Ivinkili
Chemist Okuthengiswa imithi
Barber Ogela inwele
Optician Obona ngokwelatshwa kwamehlo
Watchmaker Olungisa okokubonisa isikhathi
l. What is the name of this town?

11
 Ibizo laleli dholobho
lithiwani?
2. What is the name of this city?
Ibizo lalumuzu lithiwani?
3. Where can I change some money?
Ngingantshintsha ngaphi
imali?
4. I would like to see some
interesting places?
Ngingathanda ukubona
indawo ezijabulisayo.
5. How much is this?
Kuyimalini lokhu?
6. Where can I buy a hat and a pair
of shoes?
Ngingathenga ngaphi
ingwane lizicathulo?
7. Which ones have the lowest
prices?
Yikuphi okulentengo
ephansi?
8. That is too dear.
Kuyadla kakhulu.
9. Where can I buy some sugar?
Ngingathenga ngaphi
itshukela?
Lesson 7: Tobacco

Give me twenty cigarettes and a

box of matches.
Ngipha imihlanga yegwayl
engamatshumi amabili
lesilumathiso.
2. Do you have any tobacco?
Ulegwayi na? / Lilegwayi
na?
3. Do you have any cigarettes?
Ulemihlanga yegwayi na? /
Lilemihlanga yegwayi na?
4. I am sorry, I have no cigarettes.
Ngilusizi angila mihlanga
yegwayi.
5. Would you like a cigarette?
Ufuna umhlanga wegwayi
na? / Lifuna umhlanga
wegwayi na?

12
6. I don't smoke.
Angibhemi.
7. But Farai smokes.
Kodwa UFarayi uyabhema.
8. I smoke twenty-five cigarettes a
day.
Ngibhema imihlanga
yegwayi engamatshumi
amabili lanhlanu ngelanga.
9. This house is full of cigarette
smoke.
Indlu le igcwele intuthu
yegwayl.
10. Can I have an ashtray?
Ngingazuza ucephe lokufaka
umlotha yegwayi na?

Grammar
(Verbs -
Continuin
g Present)
To eat

I am eatingNguiyadla
You
are
eatin
gUy
adla
He
She
is
eatin
gUy
adla
We
are
eatin
gSiy
adla
You
are
eatin
gLiy
adla
They are eating

13
 To go

I am gomgNgiyahamba
You are
goingU
yahamb
a He
She is
goingU
yahamb
a We
are
goingSi
yahamb
a You
are
gomgLi
yahamb
a
They are going

To cook (ukupheka)

I am cooking
You are
cooking

Uyapheka
He/She is
cooking

Uyapheka
We are
cooking

Siyapheka
You are
cooking

Liyapheka
They are cooking

To wash
(ukugeza)

I am washingNgiyageza
You
are

14
washi
ngUy
ageza
He
She is
washi
ngUy
ageza
We
are
washi
ngSiy
ageza
You
are
washi
ngLiy
ageza
They are washing

Lesson 8:
Relations &
Friends

Grandfather
Grandmother
Father
Mother
Uncle

Umalu
me
Aunt

Ubabak
azi
Son
Daughter

Indodakazi
Brother

Umneweth
u
Sister
Nephew
Niece

15
Cousin (t)
Cousin (m)
Husband
Wife
Father-in-law
Mother-in-law
Brother-in-
law

Usibale
Sister-in-law

Usibale
Son-in-law
Daughter-in-law
Man
Woman
Boy
Gi
rl
Fr
ie
nd

l. Can I see Mr. Gumbo?

Ngingabona UGumbo na?
2. I like being here.
Ngithanda ukuba lapha.
3. How is Mrs. Mugadza?
Unjani umama wako
Mugadza?
4. Give my compliments to Mrs.
Gondo.
Ungiphele Umama ka Gondo
ukubonga kwami.
5. I am very pleased to see you.
Ngiyajabula ukukubona.
6. The pleasure is mine.
Injabulo ngeyami.
7. Are you going already?
Usuhamba na?
8. When can I see him?
Ngingambona nini?
9. When will he be back?
Uyaphenduka nini?
10. Is Mr. Binga at home?
UBinga ungekhaya na?

16
 Lesson 8: Numerals
one kunye
two kubili
three kuthathu
four kune
five kuhlanu
SIX kuyisithupha
seven isikhombisa
eight kuyisitshiya ngalo mbili
mne kuyisitshiya ngalo lunye
ten itshumi
eleven itshumi lanye
twelve itshumi lambili
thirteen itshumi lantathu
fourteen itshumi lane
fifteen itshumi lanhlanu
sixteen itshumi lesithupa
seventeen itshumi lesikhombisa
eighteen itshumi letshiya ngalo mbili
nineteen itshumi letshiyangalo lunye
twenty amatshumi amabili
twenty one amatshumi amabili lanye
twenty two amatshumi amabili lambili
twenty three amatshumi amabili lanthatu
twenty four amatshumi amabili lane
twenty five amatshumi amabili lanhlanu
twenty six amatshumi amabili lesithupa
twenty seven amatshumi amabili lesikhombisa
twenty eight amatshumi amabili letshiya ngalo mbili
twenty nine amatshumi amabili letshiya ngalo lunye
f y
o
u s
r e
t v
y e
n
f t
i y
f
t e
y i
g
s h
i t
x y
t

17
n w
i e
n
e d
t o
y
Y
h o
u u
n
d d
r o
e They do
d
I am doing
t You are doing
h He she is doing
o We are doing
u You are doing
s They are doing
a
n 1 did
d You did
He She did
We did
You did
They did

1 do I Will do
Y You Will do
o He She Will do
u We Will do
You Will do
d They Will do
o
Lesson 20:
H
e a

S c
h o
u
e
p
l
d e
o
e a
s
d

18
o m
z i
e
n a
m
h a
a n
l e
f
a
a m
a
d t
o s
z h
e u
n m
i
t
h a
e m
a
l h
a l
s a
t n
u
a
m a
a m
t a
s t
h s
u h
m u
i m
i
a
m a
a y
t i
h s
a i
t t
u h
u
a p
m a
a
t a
s m
h a
u t

19
s s
h h
u u
m m
i i

a a
y y
i i
k t
h s
o h
m i
b y
i a
s n
a g
a
a l
m o
a
t l
s u
h n
u y
m e
i
i
a k
y h
i u
t l
s u
h
i i
y n
a k
n u
g l
a u
l n
o g
w
m a
b n
i e
l
i

a
m
a
t

20
Grammar
(Verbs) B
a
y
e
n
N z
g a
i
y
e N
n g
z i
a y
e
n
U z
y a
e
n
z U
a y
e
n
U z
y a
e
n
z U
a y
e
n
S z
i a
y
e
n S
z i
a y
e
n
L z
i a
y
e
n L
z i
a y

21
 e z
n a
z
a B
e
- n
z
B a
a
y
e N
n g
z i
a z
a
k
N w
g e
e n
n z
z a
a

W U
e z
n a
z k
a w
e
n
W z
e a
n
z
a U
z
a
S k
e w
n e
z n
a z
a
-

L S
e i
n z

22
 a i
k l
w i
e
n a
m
z a
a t
s
h
L u
i m
z i
a
k a
w m
a
e
b
n i
z l
a i

B l
a a
z m
a b
k i
l
w i
e
n i
z s
a i
t
Collective & h
Distributive u
p
Numbers a
a o
b k
a u
n k
t u
u q
e
a d
b i
a s
b a

23
each kunye-lakunye a pan-
okubili lakubili

l. Give me half a kilo of sugar.

Ngipha itshukela eneleyo
laphakathi kwekilo.
2. I have been in Zimbabwe twice.
Ngangise Zimbabwe kabili.
3. I want to buy a dozen of eggs.
Ngifuna ukuthenga
amatshumi amabili
amaqanda.
4. I was the last to see him.
Yimi engaqediselayo
ukumbona.
5. Give each of the children a sweet.
Phana umtwana munye
lamunye isiwi]i.

L
e
s
s
o
n
1
1
:
T
h
e
T
i
m
e
mormng ekuseni
afternoon emml
midday emini enkulu
evenmg ntambama
night ebusuku

How long? Okwesikhathi esingakanani?

A long time. Okwesikhathi eside.
How many times? Kangaki?
An hour ago. Ihola eledlulileyo.

24
Ngiyakwanisa Grammar (Verbs)
Uyakwanisa
Uyakwanisa To be able to
Liyakwanisa
Siyakwanisa Present
Bayakwanisa

P
a
s
t

Ngangikwanisa
Wawukwanisa
Way
ekw
anis
a
Sasi
kwa
nisa
Lalikwanisa
Babekwanisa
Futur
e
Nuzabe ngikwanisa Uzabe
ukwanisa
Uzabe ukwanisa
Sizabe sikwanisa
Lizabe likwanisa
Bazabe bekwanisa

Lesson 12: The Calendar

Sunday Insonto
Monday Umvulo
Tuesday Ulwesibili
Wednesday Ulwesithathu
Thursday Ulwesine
Friday Ulwesihlanu
Saturday Umqibelo

25
This week Ivhiki yonale
Last week Ivhiki ephelileyo
Next week Ivhiki ezayo
This month Kuyonale inyanga
Last month Inyanga ephelileyo
Next month Inyanga ezayo
This year Lonyaka
Last year Umnyaka ophelileyo
Next year Umnyaka ozayo

Fortnight Amavhiki amabili

everyday nsuku zonke
today namhla
Yesterday Izolo
Tomorrow Kusasa

January Uzibandlela
February Unhlolanja
March Umabasa
April Umbimbitho
May Unkwenkwezi
June Unhlangula
July Untulikazi
August Uncwabakazi
September Umpandula
October Umfufu
November Ulwezi
December Umpalakazi
S
p Wi
r nte
i r
n
g

S It is very
u hot.
m It is very
m cold.
e It is
r raming.
A It will rain
u tomorrow.
t It is
u windy.
m Sky
n Star

26
Moon Babefuna
Sun

Ngizafuna
Uzaf
una
Uzaf
una
Ngifun Sizaf
a una
Uy Lizaf
afu una
na Baza
Uy funa
afu Esili
na mo
Si Ehlobo
yaf E
un k
a w
Li i
yaf n
un d
a l
Bayafu a
na
E
b
u
Ngangi s
funa i
Wawuf k
una a
W
ay Lesson
ef 13: The
un
Weather
a
Sa Kuyats
sij hisa.
un Kuyaq
a anda.
La Izulu
lif liyana.
un Izulu
a lizaku
na

27
 kus d
asa.
Kul o
omo f
ya.
Isib P
hak
r
abh
aka
e
Inka s
nye e
zi n
I t
n
y
a
n
g
a

I
l P
a a
n s
g t
a

Gra
mm
ar
(Ve
rbs)
T
o

b
e

i
n

n
e
e

28
F u
u r
t e
Le
sso
n
14:
In
Th
e
Ho
use
comb ikama
mirror isibuko
needle usungulo
razor ileza
scissors isigelo
soap Isepa
thread umxeba
toothbrush okukugezisa amazinyo
button isikophela
coat Ijam
dress isiqgoko
hat mgwane
pocket isikwama
ramcoat ijazi lokuvikela izulu
shirt ihembe
shoes izicathulo
shoe laces intambo zezincathulo
trousers ibhulugwe
blanket ingubo
l. Call me at seven o'clock.
Ungibize ngehola
lesikhombisa.
2. I want a warm bath.
Ngifuna ukugeza amanzi
akhudumulayo.
3. Bring me some hot water.
Ngipathela amanzi atshisayo.
4. I want a haircut.
N
gifuna
ukuqun
wa

29
inwele.
5. I
want a
shave.
Ngifuna ukuqunwa indevu.
5. Will you please iron these
trousers for me?
Ungangelulela amabhulugwe
ami la na?

Useful
Verbs
to dress ukuqgoka
to undress ukukhulula
to iron ukwelula

Lesson 15: Correspondence &

Telephone
address ikheli
envelope imvulopu
letter incwadi
money order incwadi yemali
pen usiba lokubhalisa
parcel ipaseli
telephone ucmgo
telephone number inombolo zocmgo
no reply akulampendulo
telegram incwadi yocmgo
airmail letter incwadi ye ndizamtshina
telephone directory ugwalo lwenombolo zocingo
local call ucingo Iwakuyonale indawo
It is getting through.
Luyafika.
2. I will telephone you tomorrow.
Ngizakutshayela ucingo
kusasa.
3. What is the date?
Ilanga lithini namuhla?
4. I want to register this letter.
Ngifuna ukubhalisa incwadi
le.
5. I want some stamps.
Ngifuna izitampa.
6. Name and address of sender.
Ibizo lekheli yomthumezeli.
7. Are there any letters for me?

30
 Kulencwadi zami yini?
8. I want to send a telegram.
Ngifuna ukuthumezela
incwadi yocingo.
9. I want to telephone.
Ngifuna ukutshayo ucingo.
10. Will you post this letter for me?
Ungangipositela incwadi
yaml Yim?
I l. What is the postage on this
letter?
Kuyimalini ukuposita
incwadi le?

Gramm
ar
To
ha
ve
jus
t
I have just arrived Ngisanda kufika
She has just finished Usanda kuqeda

Useful Verbs

to finish ukuqeda
to wait ukumelela
to telephone ukutshaya ucingo
engaged ukusentshenziswa
Less
on
16:
Medi
cal
Atten
tion
doctor udokotela
nurse unesl
hospital isibhedlela
l. I want to see a doctor.
Ngifuna ukubona udokotela.
2. Send for a doctor.
Thumelani udokotela.

31
3. I have caught a cold.
Ngibanjwe nqumqando.
4. I have a headache.
Ikhanda lami Iibuhlungu.
5. I have a stomach ache.
Isisu sami sibuhlungu.
6. I want to see a dentist.
Ngifuna ukubona udokotela
wamazinyo.
7. I did not sleep well last night.
Bring me some water Ngiphathela amanzi
Carry this bag Thwala isikwama lesi
Drive fast Tshayela masinya / ngokuphangisa
Drive slowly Tshayela kancane
Drive me to Mutare Ngitshayela eMutare
Do your best Yenza konke ongakwenza okuhle
Angilalanga kuhle ubusuku
bayizolo.

Gramm
ar
Compar
isons

I have more money than you.

Ngilemali enengi kulawe.
You are
les
s
tall
tha
nI
am
.
U
mf
its
ha
ne
kul
am
i.
I can eat as fast as you.
Ngiyakwanisa ukuphangisa
ukudla njengawe.

32
 Useful
Verbs
to come ukubuya
to come (back) ukuphenduka
to amve ukufika
to sit/live ukuhlala
to fall ukuwa
Lesson
17:
Comma
nds &
Request
s
G Tell me
i Wait
v Show me the
e way
Open the door
m Find me
e another seat

G
o

a
w Open the
a window Close
y the windows
Hurry
up
Knoc
k to
Listen give
Look to
out wal
Leave k to
me go
alone up
Ring to
Send go
me dow
Show n to
me be
born
Take
to
it
die
away

33
m getab
e les
a tomat
t oes
omon
p sweet
o potat
r o
k pepp
er
b Ngipha
a Hamba
c katshana
o Phangisa
n Qoqoda
Lalela
m Qaphela /
u Khangela
t phandle
t Ngitshiya
o ngedwa
n Khalisa /
Tshaya
v Ngithume
e la
a Ngitsheng
l isa
Thatha
c uhambe
h lakho
i Ngitshela
c Mana
k Ngithseng
e isa indlela
n Vula
umnyang
d o
u Ngidingel
c a esinye
k isihlalo

f Gra
i
s
mma
h r
Definite
v
Article
e

34
V u
ul k
a u
if y
as a
it
el p
a h
V e
al z
a u
a l
m u
af
as o
it k
el w
a e
h
U l
s a
e
f /
u
l u
k
V u
e y
r a
b p
s h
a
u n
k s
u i
p
h u
a k
u
u z
k a
u l
h w
a a
m
b u
a k
u

35
 f a
a
y
Lesso e
n 18: n
Food g
& u
Drink l
u
m b
y e
a
m m
a y
a
i m
n a
y
a y
m e
a m
v
y u
e
n i
g n
u y
l a
u m
b a
e
y
y e
a n
m k
a o
t n
h y
a a
m n
b e
o
i
i n
n y
y a
a m
m a

36
 m
y a
e t
n i
k s
u i
k
h i
u h
a
i n
d y
a a
d n
a i
s
i i
n
h i
l m
a b
n a
z m
i b
a
i y
m i
i l
b a
h
i i
d b
a i
l
a e
m b
a i
t l
a e
mushrooms amakhowa
beans indumba
potatoes amagwili
rice ilayisi
sugar itshukela
salt itshwayi
milk uchago
cream ulaza
tea itiye

37
coffee ikhofi
water
bread isinkwa
beer utshwala
Gra
mm
ar
D
i
s
j
u
n
c
ti
v
e
p
r
o
n
o
u
n
s

I want to go there with you.

to hold ukubamba
to lead ukukhokhela
to drive ukutshayela
to know ukwazi
to See ukubona
to send ukuthumela / ukuthumezela
to receive ukwemukela
to call ukubiza
to throw ukuphosa
to buy ukuthenga
to run ukugijima

Lesson 19: Sports & Arms

ball ibhola
boxing inqindi

38
football ibhola lezinyawo
game umdlalo
song mgoma
Ngifuna ukuyakhona lawe.
I brought
a
loa
f
of
bre
ad
wit
h
me
.
Ng
ibu
ye
lel
ofy
yes
ink
wa
.
Can I speak to Fungai please?
Ngingakhuluma loFungayi
yini?

Us
efu
l
Ve
rbs
l. Where is the ball?
Ingaphi ibhola?
2. Shingai is the boxing champion in
Kambuzuma.
UShingai yinqwele yenqindi
eKambuzuma.
3. Kudakwashe plays football in the
second team of Dynamos Club.
UKudakwashe udlalela
iqembu lesibili ku Dynamos
Club.
4. Which game is this?
Ngumdlalo uphi 10?

39
5. I am going to sing a religious
song.
Ngizahlabela ingoma
yensonto.
6. We want two seats when the
performance starts.
Sifuna izihlalo ezembili nxa
umdlalo usuqalisa.

t m
o i
s
l e
i
v
e
Where is the
t garage?
o
2. Where is the
f service station?
o 3. What is the
l matter?
l 4. I have a front
o wheel puncture.
w
5. Where can I get
t some petrol?
o 6. I have a
breakdown.
b 7. The brakes are
r out of order.
e 8. Can you send
a
someone?
k
9. I want to wash
t the car.
o 10. Drive well.

a
l
l t
o o
w
f
t e
o a
r
p
r t
o o

40
 u
j k
o u
i p
n h
t i
o l
a
c
o u
m k
p u
l l
a a
i n
n
d
t e
o l
a
r
e u
a k
c w
h e
p
U
h
s
e u
f l
u a
l
u
V k
e u
r v
b u
s
m
u e
k l
u a
h
l u
a k
l u
a t
h
/ e
m
b

41
 i un
s a
a uk
ug
Lesson 20: ezi
Motoring sa
im
Kungaphi ota
lapho .
okulungisw Ts
a imota? ha
Kungaphi yel
okuthelwa a
amafutha ku
emota? hle
Kwenze .
njani?
Ivili Useful Verbs
laphambili

Lesson 21: Idiomatic Phrases

Who is knocking? Ngubani oqoqodayo?

Is Mr. Bhomba at home? Umnunuzana Bhomba ungekhanya na?
Your health is deteriorating. Umzimba yakho uyaphela kancane.
In a few words. Ngamazwl amafitshane.
He is drunk. Udakiwe.
seliphele
umoya. u
Ngizazuza k
ngaphi w
amafutha. e
Imota yami s
isifile. a
Amabhulek b
i a
kasasebenz
i. u
Ungathuma k
umuntu na? u
/ b
Lingathum a
a umuntu m
na? b
N a
g n
i i
f s

42
a I am ashamed.
I am sleepy.
u I am 26 years old.
k
u Thank you.
k
h
o
n to sew to
please to like
o
(something)
n to sleep
a Kuyakufanela
. Uqgoke
u kuhle.
k Kulungile.
u Utshiye okungaki?
f Ngasikhathi sonke.
i Ngasikhathi sinye.
k Ukudlalisa isikhathi.
a Ekuseni kakhulu.
It fits you Sokuyisikhathi
like a glove. sokuhamba.
She is well Isi
dressed. kh
It is alright. at
How much hi
have you siy
left? ag
At any iji
moment. m
At the same a.
time. So
To kill time. ku
Early in the kh
morning. an
It is time to ya.
go.
Time is Ngilambile.
flying. Ngomile.
It is clearing Ngiyatsha.
up. Ngiyagodolwa.
Ngiyesaba.
I am hungry. Ngiyahlonipha.
I am thirsty. Ngilobuthongo.
I am hot. Ngileminyaka
I am cold. engamatshumi
I am afraid. amabili lesithupa.

43
 ngiyabonga a

Useful u
Verbs k
u
u t
k h
u a
t n
h d
u a
n
g i
a n
t
u o
k
u u
t k
h u
a l
b a
i l
s a
Lesson 20: Adverbs,
Conjunctions & Prepositions
about sokuzakuba
above ngaphezulu
agam njalo / futhi
alike okufananayo
almost okuphose
already kudala
although loba / lobanje
always ngasikhati sonke
alone ngedwa / wedwa / yedwa / sodwa lodwa bodwa
anywhere ndaowyonke
at present okwakathesi
badly kubi / kabi
behind ngemuva
besides nhaphandle

44
between phakathi laphakathi
but kodwa

certainly ngempela
down phansi
enough okwaneleyo
except ngaphandle
far khatshana / kude
from ukuvela
here lapha
how njani / kungani
however kungaselani
if aluba
phakathi
instead of kulokuthi
less okulutshwane
near eduze
next to eduzane 10
now khathesi
only kuphela
or loba / kumbe noma
outside phandle
over phezulu / sokuphelile
quickly masinya / ngokuphangisa
seldom kalutshwana
suddenly khonokhonje
there khonale / ngale
therefore yikhoke
till kuzekube
together sonke
when mm
where ngaphi
why ngam
without kungela

45