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

Pronunciation guide

Phrase list

Basics

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

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

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

now

( nyalo )

later

( ngekuhamba kwelilanga )

before

(naphambilini )

morning

( ekuseni )

afternoon

(ntsambama)

evening

(kusihlwa)

night

(ebusuku)

Clock time

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

_____ 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

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

January

(Bhimbídvwane)

February

(iNdlóvana)

March

(íNdlovu)

April

(Mábasa)

May

(íNkhwekhwéti)

June

(íNhlaba)

July

(Khólwáne)

August

(íNgci)

September

(íNyoni)

October

(íMphala)

November

(Lweti)

December

(íNgongóni)

Colors

black

(mnyama)

white

(mhlophe)

gray

(mphunga)

red

(bomvu)

blue

(sibhakabhaka)

yellow

(mtfubi)

green

(luhlata)

orange

(sihlala)

purple

( )

brown

(ludzaka )

Transportation

Bus and train

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?( )

See also

• Basic words in Swati from SiSwati Wikipedia
• Multilingual word list from SiSwati Wiktionary