Hello, thank you, sorry, please. Four words that carry more weight than anything else you will learn, because they are the ones that tell a stranger you are trying. The polite forms are here too, and they matter more than beginners expect. Press any line to hear it.
84words & phrases
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Greetings & Basics
SawubonaHello
NgiyabongaThank you
YeboYes
ChaNo
UxoloSorry / Excuse me
Unjani?How are you?
NgiyaphilaI'm fine
Hamba kahleGoodbye
AkunankingaNo worries
Ngiyajabula ukukwaziNice to meet you
Magic Little Words
Igama lenhlonipho (abesilisa)Polite word (men)
Igama lenhlonipho (abesifazane)Polite word (women)
Igama lombuzoQuestion word (yes/no)
KakadeAlready
Uzo- (esizayo)Will (future)
Uya- (manje)Right now (-ing)
Kunazo zonkeThe most (superlative)
KakhuluVery / a lot
KancinyaneA little bit
FuthiAlso / too
Formal & Polite
Wena (ngenhlonipho)You (very formal)
Sicela (ngokusemthethweni)Please (formal)
Ngicela imvume…May I… (permission)
Othandekayo… (incwadi)Dear… (formal letter)
NgenhloniphoWith respect
Ngiyabonga kakhulu (ngokuhlonipha)Thank you (very formal)
Ngiyaxolisa (ngokusemthethweni)Apologies (formal)
Sikujabulela ukukusizaHappy to serve you
Sicela ulinde kancanePlease wait a moment (formal)
Okuphuthuma kakhuluMost urgent
Compliments & Cheer
Unekhono kakhulu!Very talented!
Wenze kahleWell done
Ngiyaziqhenya ngaweProud of you
Ungalahli ithembaDon't give up
ZethembeBelieve in yourself
Qhubeka ulweKeep fighting
KuyamangalisaAmazing / impressive
Qhubeka njalo!Keep it up!
Okuhle kakhuluOutstanding
Ngiyabonga ngokungalahli ithembaThanks for not giving up