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Swazi phrasebook Voyage Tips and guide

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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

    [edit]

    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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?( )
    This Swazi phrasebook is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!


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