Thursday, February 15, 2007

Laura's Siswati Lesson

You can brush up on your SiSwati with a list of words! Remember that c's make a click sound, the accent is typically on the next to last syllable, and the vowels are like Spanish (ah, eh, ee, oh, oo) when you are attempting to pronounce these words. Enjoy! Greetings/ Farewells/ Important phrases Hi- Sawubona Response: Yebo How are you- Unjani I'm fine- Ngiyaphila Come here- Wofa Lapha Stop here- Mani Laph Sleep here- Lala Lapha Please- Ngiyacela Thank you- Ngiyabonga Excuse me- Ngiyacolisa My name is Laura- Ligama lami ngingu Laura I greet you in the name of Jesus Christ- Ngiyakubingelela egameni Jesu Christu Happy Birthday- Lusuku loluhle lwekutalwa Congratulations!- Siyakubongela Stay well/ Goodbye/ Goodnight- Sala kahle Go well- Hamba kahle Sit down- Hlala phansi Yes- Yebo No- Cha Give- Ngiphe Drinks Water- Emanti Cold water- Emanti labanzago Tea- Litiya Coffee- Likhofi Drink- Natsa Tin/can- Sikotela Bottle- Libhodlela I am drinking- Ngiyanatsa People Person- Umuntfu Jesus- Jesu Lord/God- Nkosi My friend- Mngani wami Woman- Make Man- Babe Girl- Sisi Boy- Umfana, Bhuti Wizard- Umtsakatsi Pastor/Reverend- Umfundisi Thishela- Teacher Body Parts, etc. Ears- Tindlebe Legs- Imibala Feet- Tinyawo Eyes- Emehlo Face- Buso Places/ Travel/ Weather Let's Go!- Asam beni (my all-time favorite) Go- Hamba Stop- Mani Quick- Sheshisa House- Indlu Home- Khaya Church- Lisontfo Hospital- Sibhedlela School- Sikolo Mountains- Tintsaba Car- Imoto Wheel- Lisondvo Stone- Litje Road- Umgwaco Bride gift- Lobola Sun- Lilanga It's raining- Liyana Wind/ Holy Spirit- Umoya Strength- Amandla Heart- Inhlitiyo Hand- Tandla Animals Chicken- Inkhukhu Cow- Inkhomo/ Tinkhomo (many cows) Dog- Inja Elephant- Indlovu Lizard- Umgololo Rhino- Bhejane Hippo- Invubu Giraffe- Indlulamutsi (means literally "above the trees") Antelope- Umzansi Miscellaneous/ Names We dance- Siyadansa hat- Sigcoko Wedding- Umshado Thembinkosi (meaning trust in God) Vuyo (means happiness in Cosa) Lavumisa Mkhonta Mhlanga

1 comment:

LarEdg said...

I have some corrections and additions that might be of interest. If so, you may contact me at ledge41@gmail.com and I will send you a list.