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Common Ndebele South to NKo phrases

100 practical Ndebele South to NKo phrases for travel, study, work, and daily conversation.

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Looking for practical Ndebele South to NKo phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the Ndebele South phrase first, then the NKo translation (NKo) — so you can scan quickly before a trip, class, or video call.

The phrases are grouped into eight topics: greetings and pleasantries, useful phrases for travellers, everyday conversation, directions and getting around, shopping and dining, emergencies and health, work and business, and time, days and numbers. Use the table of contents to jump straight to greetings, directions, dining, emergencies, or numbers. You do not need perfect grammar to start — short, clear sentences often work better than silence when you are learning NKo.

Tip: focus on one section per day (travel Monday, dining Tuesday, and so on) if you are preparing for a NKo-speaking trip in a few weeks.

Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the Ndebele South to NKo translator to paste your own messages and get an instant translation.

Greetings and pleasantries

Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and polite introductions for meeting new people.

  1. Sawubona

    ᎣᏍᏆ (Oscha)

  2. Ngiyabonga

    ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ (Ascadodi)

  3. Ubusuku obuhle

    ᎣᏍᏆ ᎡᏚᏙᏗ (Oscha Edodhi)

  4. Imini emnandi

    ᎣᏍᏆ ᎠᏧᏍᏆᏗ (Oscha Atsachadi)

  5. Ubusuku obuhle

    ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏚᏗ (Oscha Dagadudi)

  6. Lalani kahle

    ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ (Oscha Datsicha)

  7. Sizobonana

    ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏙᏗ (Oscha Dagadodi)

  8. Hamba kahle

    ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏁᏙᏗ (Oscha Danodi)

  9. Ubani igama lakho?

    ᎯᏍᏆ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎢᏳᏍᏆ? (Hisch Ascadodi Iyuscha?)

  10. Igama lami ngingu John

    ᎠᏓ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎠᏍᏆ ᏥᏍᏆ (Ada Ascadodi Ascha Tischa)

  11. Unjani?

    ᎯᏍᏆ ᎯᏍᏆ? (Hisch Hisch?)

  12. Kuhle ukukwazi

    ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ (Ascadodi Tischa)

Useful phrases for travellers

Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.

  1. Ukhuluma isiNgisi?

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  2. Angikhulumi isiHindi kahle

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  3. Angiqondi

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߓߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  4. Ngiyacela, khuluma kancane

    ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  5. Ungakuphinda lokho?

    ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  6. Iphi indlu yokugezela?

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  7. Ngiyawufinyelela kanjani emaphakathi?

    ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  8. Jikela kwesobunxele

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  9. Jikela kwesokudla

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  10. Hamba phambili

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  11. Ingabe imali yokuhamba ingakanani?

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  12. Ithikithi elilodwa, ngiyacela

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  13. Ingabe kukude lapha?

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  14. Ngilahlekile

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  15. Ngiphi lapho ngingathenga khona ikhadikhadi le-SIM?

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

Everyday conversation

Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.

  1. Yebo

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢

  2. Cha

    𞤈𞤢𞤣

  3. Mhlawumbe

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢

  4. Ngiyavuma

    𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢

  5. Angivumi

    𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

  6. Lokho kuhle

    𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

  7. Ucabanga ukuthini?

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

  8. Ungangisiza?

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢

  9. Ngidinga usizo

    𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

  10. Linda umzuzu

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

  11. Ngiyaxolisa

    𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

  12. Akukho inkinga

    𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

  13. Halala

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

  14. Jabulela usuku lokuzalwa

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

  15. Ube nohambo oluphumelelayo

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

Directions and getting around

Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.

  1. Kuphi isiteshi sesitimela?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  2. Kuphi indawo yokuma kwe-bhasi?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  3. Iphi iphothifoliyo?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  4. Ithini isikhathi sokuhamba?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  5. Inguquko efanele le?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  6. Ikhaya lapha

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  7. Kude lapha

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  8. Ungangikhombisa emmaphweni?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  9. Misa lapha, ngiyacela

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  10. Kuthatha isikhathi esingakanani?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

Shopping and dining

Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.

  1. Kubiza malini lokhu?

    ߊߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌߟߌ? (aɡa fɔtɔ?)

  2. Lokhu kubiza kakhulu.

    ߉ߠߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ)

  3. Unayo into ethengiswa kancane?

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  4. Ngingakhokha ngekhadi?

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  5. Ngithanda itafula labantu ababili.

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  6. Ibhili, ngiyacela.

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  7. Inkonzo ifakiwe?

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  8. Ngiyisiv vegetarian.

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  9. Akukho ukudla okushisayo, ngiyacela.

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  10. Lokhu kuhle.

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  11. Ngingathola imenyu?

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  12. Ingilazi yamanzi, ngiyacela.

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

Emergencies and health

Help, police, doctor, pharmacy, and urgent situations when you need assistance fast.

  1. Shayela amaphoyisa

    ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߍ߬ߟߌ߬ (Kâkâ lîsî)

  2. Shayela i-ambulensi

    ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߟߌ߬ߞߌ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ (Kâkâ ambûlâns)

  3. Ngidinga udokotela

    ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ (Dî nîdâ dâktôr)

  4. Ngizizwa ngigula

    ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ (Dî fîl sîk)

  5. Ngine-allergy kumakhukhu

    ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߍ߬ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬ (Dî âmâ lêrjîk tû pînâts)

  6. Iphi i-hospital eseduze?

    ߞߍ߬ ߝߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߞߌ߬? (Kô wâhâ nîrâst hôspîtâl)

  7. Kubuhlungu lapha

    ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ (Dî hûrts hîr)

  8. Ngilahlekelwe ipasipoti yami

    ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߓߊ߬ (Dî lôst mî pâspôrt)

  9. Ungangishayela ihhotela lami?

    ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߚߊ߬? (Kâ nû kâl mî hôtêl)

  10. Usizo!

    ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ߡߊ߬! (Kâ hâlp!)

Work and business

Meetings, email tone, schedules, and professional phrases for the workplace.

  1. Ngiyajabula ukukwazi

    መይ ወይ ደሊ እንደ ወይ (mey wey deli ende wey)

  2. Masihlele umhlangano

    ንደ ወርክ ወን ወይ (nda werk wen wey)

  3. Yisiphi isikhathi esikufanele?

    ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ (nda wey wey wey)

  4. Ngizothumela umbiko namuhla

    እኔ ወይ ወርክ ወይ ወይ (eñe wey werk wey wey)

  5. Singakhuluma kusasa?

    ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ (nda wey wey wey)

  6. Sicela uthole ifayela elixhunyiwe

    ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ (nda wey wey wey)

  7. Ngiyabonga ngalesi sikhathi

    መይ ወይ ወይ ወይ (mey wey wey wey)

  8. Ngilindele ukusebenza nawe

    እኔ ወይ ወይ ወይ (eñe wey wey wey)

  9. Ungacacisa le ndaba?

    ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ (nda wey wey wey)

  10. Ngizobuyela kuwe

    ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ (nda wey wey wey)

  11. Usuku lokugcina nguLwesihlanu

    ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ (nda wey wey wey)

Time, days and numbers

Clock times, days of the week, months, quantities, and counting for appointments and plans.

  1. Kuyini isikhathi?

    ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬? (Kâkâ tî?)

  2. Kuyisithathu

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî sâbâ?)

  3. Namuhla

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî)

  4. Kusasa

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî fâ)

  5. Izolo

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî dâ)

  6. uMsombuluko

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî lô)

  7. uLwesibili

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî tî)

  8. uLwesithathu

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî wâ)

  9. Kunye

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ)

  10. Kubili

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ nâ)

  11. Kuthathu

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ sâ)

  12. Ishumi

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ fâ)

  13. Ishumi leminyaka

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ sâbâ)

  14. Iphakathi

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ fâ)

  15. Okuningi

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî)

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