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Swazi (siSwati) is a language spoken in Eswatini (Swaziland) and South Africa.

Pronunciation guide

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Vowels

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Consonants

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Common diphthongs

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Phrase list

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Basics

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Common signs
OPEN
Vula
CLOSED
Kuvaliwe
ENTRANCE
Umnyango
EXIT
Phuma
PUSH
Fuca
PULL
Dvonsa
TOILET
Umthoyi
MEN
Emadvodza
WOMEN
Bafati
FORBIDDEN
Akukavumeleki
Hello.
Sawubona. (literally, do I see you?) Plural: Sanibonani (do i see you all?)( )
Response to hello
Yebo (literally: yes)
Hello. (informal)
. ( )
How are you?
Unjani? Plural: Ninjani? ( ?)
I am fine.
Ngiyaphila. Plural: Siyaphila (we are fine)( )
And how are you?
Unjani wena? ( )
I am also fine.
Ngiyaphila nami ( )
What is your name?
Ngubani ligama lakho
My name is ______ .
Ligama lami ngu______ . ( _____ .):Or: Mine ngingu (I am ____)
Nice to meet you.
Ngiyajabula kukwati. ( )
Please.
Ngiyacela. ( )
Thank you.
Ngiyabonga. (Singular):Siyabonga (plural)
You're welcome.
Wamukelekile. ( )
Yes.
. (Yebo)
No.
. (cha or chake)
Excuse me. (Ncesi or Ncesini pural)
. ( )
Excuse me. (begging pardon)
. (ngicela uphindze angikeva)
I'm sorry.
. (ngiyacolisa)
Goodbye
Sala Kahle (Stay well):Salani Kahle (Stay well) (Plural)
Hamba Kahle (Go well): Nihambeni Kahle (Go Well) (Plural)
Goodbye (informal)
bye bye (yes, that's what they say)
I can't speak Swazi [well].
[ angikwati kukhuluma [kahle] siswati]. ( [ ])
Do you speak English?
 ? (uyasati yini singisi/uyasikhuluma yini siNgisi)
Is there someone here who speaks English?
 ? (ingabe ukhona yini lokhuluma singisi lana)
Is there anyone amongst you who can speak English?
 ? (ingabe ukhona yini lapha kini lokwati kukhuluma singisi)
Help!
 ! (ngicela lusito/inyandzaleyo)
Look out!
 ! (caphela or bona)
Good morning.
. (kusile sihlobo sami)
Good evening.
. (lishonile sihlobo sami)
Good night.
. (busuku lobuhle)
Good night (to sleep)
. (ulalekahle or nilalekahle plural )
I don't understand.
. (angiva)
Where is the toilet?
 ? (ungakuphi umthoyi)

Problems

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Leave me alone.
Ngiyekele. ( .)
Don't touch me!
Ungangitsintsi! ( !)
I'll call the police.
Ngitoshayela emaphoyisa. ( .)
Police!
Phoyisa! ( !)
Stop! Thief!
Vimbani! Sigebengu! ( ! !)
I need your help.
Ngidzinga lusito lwakho. ( .)
It's an emergency.
Kuyaphutfuma. ( .)
I'm lost.
Ngilahlekile. ( .)
I lost my bag.
Ngilahle sikhwama sami or Ngilahlekelwe sikhwama sami. ( .)
I lost my wallet.
Ngilahle sipatji sami or ngilahlekelwe sipatji sami. ( .)
I'm sick.
Ngiyagula/ Ngiphatsekile. ( .)
I've been injured.
. (Ngilimele.)
I need a doctor.
Ngidzinga dokotela. ( .)
Can I use your phone?
Ngingalisebentisa licingo lakho? ( ?)

Numbers

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1
(kunye)
2
(kubili)
3
(kutsatfu)
4
(kune)
5
(sihlanu)
6
(sitfupha)
7
(sikhombisa)
8
( siphohlongo )
9
( yimfica )
10
( lishumi )
11
(lishumi nakunye )
12
(lishumi nakubili )
13
(lishumi nakutsatfu )
14
( lishumi nakune )
15
( lishumi nesihlanu )
16
(lishumi nesitfupha)
17
( lishumi nesikhombisa)
18
( lishumi nesiphohlongo )
19
(lishumi nemfica )
20
(emashumi lamabili )
21
(emashumi lamabili nakunye)
22
(emashumi lamabili nakubili )
23
(emashumi lamabili nakutsatfu)
30
(emashumi lamatsatfu )
40
( emashumi lamane )
50
(emashumi lasihlanu )
60
(emashumi lasitfupha )
70
( emashumi lasikhombisa )
80
(emashumi lasiphohlongo )
90
(emashumi layimfica )
100
(likhulu )
200
(emakhulu lamabili )
300
( emakhulu lamatsatfu)
1,000
(inkhulungwane )
2,000
(tinkhulungwane letimbili )
1,000,000
(sigidzi )
1,000,000,000
( sigidzigidzi )
1,000,000,000,000
( tigidzigidzi )
number _____ (train, bus, etc.)
( )
half
( incenye/ihhamfu )
less
( ngephansi or kuncane )
more
( ngetulu or kunyenti)

Time

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now
( nyalo )
later
( ngekuhamba kwelilanga )
before
(naphambilini )
morning
( ekuseni )
afternoon
(ntsambama)
evening
(kusihlwa)
night
(ebusuku)

Clock time

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one o'clock AM
(insimbi yekucala ekuseni)
two o'clock AM
(insimbi yesibili ekuseni)
noon
( emini )
one o'clock PM
(insimbi yekucala emini)
two o'clock PM
(insimbi yekucala ntsambama )
midnight
( kulamabili ebusuku )

Duration

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_____ minute(s)
( umzuzu or imizuzu plural )
_____ hour(s)
( liawa )
_____ day(s)
(lilanga or emalanga plural)
_____ week(s)
( liviki or emaviki plural )
_____ month(s)
(inyanga or tinyanga pural)
_____ year(s)
(umnyaka or iminyaka plural )

Days

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today
(namuhla)
yesterday
(itolo)
tomorrow
(kusasa)
this week
( kuleliviki )
last week
(liviki leliphelile)
next week
( liviki lelitako)
Sunday
(Lisontfo)
Monday
(uMsombuluko)
Tuesday
(Lesibili )
Wednesday
(Lesitfatfu )
Thursday
(Lwesine )
Friday
(Lwesihlanu )
Saturday
(UMgcibelo )

Months

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January
(Bhimbídvwane)
February
(iNdlóvana)
March
(íNdlovu)
April
(Mábasa)
May
(íNkhwekhwéti)
June
(íNhlaba)
July
(Khólwáne)
August
(íNgci)
September
(íNyoni)
October
(íMphala)
November
(Lweti)
December
(íNgongóni)

Writing time and date

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Colors

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black
(mnyama)
white
(mhlophe)
gray
(mphunga)
red
(bomvu)
blue
(sibhakabhaka)
yellow
(mtfubi)
green
(luhlata)
orange
(sihlala)
purple
( )
brown
(ludzaka )

Transportation

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Bus and train

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How much is a ticket to _____?
Lingumalini lithikithi lekuya _____ ( )
One ticket to _____, please.
(Ngicela linye lithikithi)
Where does this train/bus go?
(ihambaphi lebhasi? )
Where is the train/bus to _____?
(iyakuphi lebhasi? )
Does this train/bus stop in _____?
(ngabe iyemayili lebhansi e.... ?)
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?
(Ihamba/isuka nini lebhasi )
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?
(itofika ngabani/nini lebhasi e..?.)

Directions

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How do I get to _____ ?
Nginga fika njani____? ( )
...the train station?
....Esiteshi sesitimela( )
...the bus station?
.... Esiteshi semabhasi( )
...the airport?
(Esikhumulweni setindiza)
...downtown?
(edolobheni )
...the youth hostel?
( )
...the _____ hotel?
(ehhotela )
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?
( )
Where are there a lot of...
(maningi kuphi ema... )
...hotels?
(...hhotela? )
...restaurants?
( ...restaurants?)
...bars?
(...bhara? )
...sites to see?
(tindzwo tekutichaza)
Can you show me on the map?
( ngicela ungikhombise imap)
street
Sitaladi( )
Turn left.
Jika ngesencele( )
Turn right.
Jika Ngesekudla( )
left
Sencele( )
right
Sekudla( )
straight ahead
Condza embili( )
towards the _____
( nawubheka e...)
past the _____
(nawendlula e.. )
before the _____
(ungakefiki e )
Watch for the _____.
(Chaphela ... )
intersection
( )
north
(eNyakatfo )
south
( eNingizimu)
east
(eMpumalanga )
west
(eNshonalanga )
uphill
( )
downhill
( )

Taxi

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Taxi!
Tekisi! ( )
Take me to _____, please.
Ngicela ungimikise_____ ( )
How much does it cost to get to _____?
Kubita malini kufika_____? ( )
Take me there, please.
Ngicela ungimikise khona.( )

Lodging

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Do you have any rooms available?
Nisenawo emakamelo lavulekile? ( )
How much is a room for one person/two people?
(Malini likamelo lamunye umuntfu/ bantfu lababili )
Does the room come with...
Lelikamelo lita nayo yini.... ( )
...bedsheets?
...emashidi?( )
...a bathroom?
...iBathroom/indlu yekugezela?( )
...a telephone?
...Lucingo?( )
...a TV?
...Mabona kudze?( )
May I see the room first?
Ngingalibona lelikamelo kucala?( )
Do you have anything quieter?
Ninalo lekhashane nemsindvo? (A quieter room) ( )
...bigger?
...lamakhulu?( )
...cleaner?
...lahlobile?( )
...cheaper?
...lukungakaduli/langakaduli?( )
OK, I'll take it.
ngitalitsatsa ( )
I will stay for _____ night(s).
Ngitohlala busuku (lobu)____ (lobu for plural) ( )
Can you suggest another hotel?
Ungangikhomba yini lelinye lihhotela?( )
Do you have a safe?
( )
...lockers?
( )
Is breakfast/supper included?
kufaka ekhatsi imali yesidlo sasekuseni /yesidlo sasebusuku?( )
What time is breakfast/supper?
singabani sikhatsi sidlo sasekuseni/sidlo sasebusuku?( )
Breakfast
sidlo sasekuseni
Supper
sidlo sasebusuku
Please clean my room.
Ngicela uCleane likamelo lami? ( )
Can you wake me at _____?
Ungangivusa nga_____? ( )
I want to check out...
Ngifuna kuvakasha/kubona e... ( )

Money

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Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?
Niyawatsatsa emaAmerican/Australian/Canadian dollars?( )
Do you accept British pounds?
Niyawatsatsa emaBritish Pounds( )
Do you accept euros?
Niyawatsatsa emaEuros?( )
Do you accept credit cards?
Niyawatsatsa emaCredit Cards?( )
Can you change money for me?
Ungangishintjela imali yami?( )
Where can I get money changed?
Ngingayishintja kuphi imali?( )
Can you change a traveler's check for me?
(Ungakhona kungishintjela itraver's check )
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?
(Ngangayishintja kuphi itravelr's check )
What is the exchange rate?
( )
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?
Ingakuphi iATM( )

Eating

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A table for one person/two people, please.
(Ngicela litafula lamunye umuntfu/lababili bantfu )
Can I look at the menu, please?
Ngicela kubona imenu? ( )
Can I look in the kitchen?
Ngingabuka likhishi?( )
Is there a house specialty?
( )
Is there a local specialty?
( )
I'm a vegetarian.
Angikudli kudla lokunenyama( )
I don't eat pork.
Angiyidli inyama yengulube( )
I don't eat beef.
Angiyidli inyama yenkhomo( )
I only eat kosher food.
Ngidla kudla lokuthandazelwe kuphela( )
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)
( )
fixed-price meal
( )
a la carte
( )
breakfast
( )
lunch
( )
tea (meal)
(litiya )
supper
( )
I want _____.
Ngifuna____( )
I want a dish containing _____.
Ngifuna kudla lokune____ ( )
chicken
nyama enkhukhu( )
beef
nyama yenkhomo( )
fish
nyama yenhlanti( )
ham
( )
sausage
( )
cheese
( )
eggs
emacandza( )
salad
( )
(fresh) vegetables
( )
(fresh) fruit
( )
bread
sinkhwa( )
toast
sinkhwa lesishisiwe( )
noodles
( )
rice
lilayisi( )
beans
emabhontjisi( )
May I have a glass of _____?
Ngingayitfola ingilazi ye____? ( )
May I have a cup of _____?
Ngingayitfola inkomishi ye_____( )
May I have a bottle of _____?
Ngingalitfola libhodlela le____ ( )
coffee
likhofi( )
tea (drink)
litiya( )
juice
( )
(bubbly) water
( )
(still) water
( )
beer
tjwala( )
red/white wine
( )
May I have some _____?
( )
salt
swayi( )
black pepper
( )
butter
( )
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)
Ncesi, waiter?( )
I'm finished.
Sengicedzile( )
It was delicious.
Bekumunandzi( )
Please clear the plates.
Ngicela utsatse emaplete( )
The check, please.
( )

Bars

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Do you serve alcohol?
Niyabutsengisa tjwala( )
Is there table service?
( )
A beer/two beers, please.
( )
A glass of red/white wine, please.
( )
A pint, please.
( )
A bottle, please.
Ngicela libhodlela( )
_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.
( )
whiskey
( )
vodka
( )
rum
( )
water
Emanti ( )
club soda
( )
tonic water
( )
orange juice
( )
Coke (soda)
( )
Do you have any bar snacks?
( )
One more, please.
( )
Another round, please.
( )
When is closing time?
Kuvalwa ngabani skhatsi lana( )
Cheers!
( )

Shopping

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Do you have this in my size?
(Ninaku kwaloku lokulingana mine )
How much is this?
Malini loku?( )
That's too expensive.
Kudulile loko( )
Would you take _____?
(Niyatsatsa )
expensive
Kudulile( )
cheap
( )
I can't afford it.
( )
I don't want it.
Angikufuni( )
You're cheating me.
Uyangilobha wena( )
I'm not interested.
(..)
OK, I'll take it.
( )
Can I have a bag?
( )
Do you ship (overseas)?
( )
I need...
Ngidzinga...( )
...toothpaste.
( )
...a toothbrush.
...Sicubho( )
...tampons.
...sishukelo. ( )
...soap.
....Insipho( )
...shampoo.
( )
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)
...emaphilisi ebuhlungu ( )
...cold medicine.
...emaphilisi emkhuhlane ( )
...stomach medicine.
...umutsi wesisu ( )
...a razor.
( )
...an umbrella.
...sambulelo( )
...sunblock lotion.
( )
...a postcard.
( )
...postage stamps.
( )
...batteries.
( )
...writing paper.
( )
...a pen.
( )
...English-language books.
...tincwadzi tesingisi ( )
...English-language magazines.
( )
...an English-language newspaper.
( )
...an English-English dictionary.
( )

Driving

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I want to rent a car.
Ngifuna kuboleka imoto ( )
Can I get insurance?
( )
stop (on a street sign)
( )
one way
( )
yield
( )
no parking
Akumiwa la ( )
speed limit
( )
gas (petrol) station
( )
petrol
( )
diesel
( )

Authority

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I haven't done anything wrong.
Angikenti lutfo( )
It was a misunderstanding.
Bekungevani( )
Where are you taking me?
Ningimikisaphi?( )
Am I under arrest?
Ngiboshiwe?( )
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.
( )
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.
( )
I want to talk to a lawyer.
Ngifuna kukhuluma nemumeli( )
Can I just pay a fine now?
Ngingabhalala ifine?( )
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See also

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