xitsonga language

How to speak South African Languages 

GREETING AND COURTERSIES

Hello (to one person) – Kunjhani

Hello (to more than one person) – Minjhani

Good evening – Avuxeni

Good afternoon – Inhlikanhi

Good evening – Ri perile

Brief history of Xitsonga language

The Tsonga tribe inhibits the Southern Mozambique coastal plain, parts of Zimbabwe and Swaziland, as well as the Limpopo and Mpumalanga province of South Africa. During the apartheid era, the Shangaan and Tsonga people were concentrated in the ‘homeland' of Gazankulu, to the west of Kruger national park. Since the first democratic elections in 1994 however, Gazankulu has been integrated into Limpopo province and their population has boomed over the years. Their present count is around 4.6 million as per count which were prepared in the year 2000.

ASKING FOR HELP

Thank you – Ndza khensa

Thank you very much – Ndza khensa swinene

Please – Ndza kombela

I'm asking for forgiveness – Ndzi kombela ku rivaleriwa

Can you please – Ndzi kombela u

I'm asking for water – Ndzi kombela mati

EMERGENCIES

Emergency – xihatla

Run – tsutsuma

Hurry – hatlisa

NUMBERS

One – n'we

Two – mbirhi

Three – nharhu

Four – mune

Five – ntlhanu

SEASONS

Summer – ximumu

Autumn – xixikana

Winter – xixika

Spring – Ximun'wana

DAYS

Monday - musumbhunuku

Tuesday - ravumbirhi

Wednesday - ravunharhu

Thursday - ravumune

Friday- ravuntlhanu

Saturday - mugqivela

Sunday – sonto