Directions

11 phrases · Siswati with romanization, English and audio

  1. Ngicela ungikhombise indlela.

    Please show me the way.

    Usage

    The first line when asking for directions

    Grammar Note

    Composed by regular grammar rather than a fixed set phrase. ngicela + u-ngi-khombise (you show me, subjunctive) + indlela (way, road; class 9)

  2. Hamba ngco.

    Go straight ahead.

    Usage

    Tells someone to keep going straight

    Grammar Note

    "hamba" = go (imperative), "ngco" = straight, directly.

  3. Ngesancele

    On the left

    Usage

    Marks a position or direction; also "on the left" of a picture

    Grammar Note

    "nge-sancele" = on the left; the right side is "ngesekudla".

  4. Ngesekudla

    On the right

    Usage

    Marks a position or direction

    Grammar Note

    "nge-sekudla" = on the right ("sekudla" is the eating side, right). The left is "ngesancele"

  5. Phindzela emuva.

    Go back.

    Usage

    Tells someone to turn back

    Grammar Note

    Composed by regular grammar rather than a fixed set phrase. phindzela (return) + emuva (back).

  6. eNyakatfo

    North

    Usage

    "To the north"; also found in place names

    Grammar Note

    "eNyakatfo" is the locative form, "in the north". The spelling differs from Zulu "enyakatho"

  7. eNingizimu

    South

    Usage

    "To the south"; also inside the name of South Africa

    Grammar Note

    "eNingizimu" is the locative form, "in the south"

  8. eMphumalanga

    East

    Usage

    "To the east"; also the province name Mpumalanga

    Grammar Note

    "eMphumalanga" is the locative form, "in the east"

  9. eNshonalanga

    West

    Usage

    "To the west"

    Grammar Note

    "eNshonalanga" is the locative form, "in the west"

  10. Ngetulu

    Up / upstairs

    Usage

    Marks "above" or the upper floor

    Grammar Note

    "nge-tulu" = above, up; The opposite is "ngaphasi"

  11. Ngaphasi

    Down / downstairs

    Usage

    Marks "below" or the lower floor

    Grammar Note

    "nga-phasi" = below, down; The opposite is "ngetulu"

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