Greetings

1. Sawubona

   Hello (to one person)

   Usage

   The basic Siswati greeting (Eswatini), said to one person at any time of day. Reply "Yebo, sawubona"

   Grammar Note

   Use "Sanibonani" for several people. The spelling equals Zulu.

2. Sanibonani

   Hello (to several people)

   Usage

   Greeting for a group, or for one person you want to show respect to

   Grammar Note

   Plural of "Sawubona".

3. Unjani wena?

   How are you?

   Usage

   Asks one person how they are. Use "Ninjani?" for several people

   Grammar Note

   Reply "Ngiyaphila"

4. Ninjani?

   How are you? (to several people)

   Usage

   Asks several people how they are. For one person use "Unjani?"

   Grammar Note

   Plural of "Unjani" (u- becomes ni-).

5. Ngiyaphila, ngiyabonga.

   I am well, thank you.

   Usage

   A reply to "Unjani?"

   Grammar Note

   Composed by regular grammar rather than a fixed set phrase. ngi-ya-phila = I-present-be well. "Ngikhona" (I am here, i.e. fine) is another reply.

6. Ngikhona.

   I am fine (lit. I am here).

   Usage

   One of the replies to "How are you?"; used much like "Ngiyaphila"

   Grammar Note

   "khona" means "be there/here"; literally "I am present". "Sikhona" for "we".

7. Ngiyabonga kakhulu.

   Thank you very much.

   Usage

   For thanking someone warmly

   Grammar Note

   ngi-ya-bonga (I-present-thank) + kakhulu (very much). "Siyabonga kakhulu" for "we".

8. Ngiyacolisa.

   I am sorry.

   Usage

   Used to apologise or say sorry

   Grammar Note

   ngi-ya-colisa. Zulu is "Ngiyaxolisa"; Siswati uses c.

9. Sala kahle.

   Goodbye (to the person staying)

   Usage

   Said by the person leaving to the person staying. The one staying says "Hamba kahle" to the leaver

   Grammar Note

   Singular imperative.

10. Hamba kahle.

    Goodbye (to the person leaving)

    Usage

    Said by the person staying to someone leaving. The leaver answers "Sala kahle"

    Grammar Note

    Singular imperative; literally "go well".

Browse all TravelPhrases languages