Glossary

achaar – spicy pickle
amagwinya – doughnuts/fried dough
angithi – isn’t it
baba – father
bra – brother
buti – brother
hau – gosh
hayi – no
ja – yes
kaloku – remember
khanda – head
lana – here
lekker – nice/good
ligwinya – doughnut/fried dough
malume – uncle
mfana – young man/boy
moolas – money
mos – then
mtshana – friend
ndodana – young man
nê – isn’t it
ngiyabonga – I thank you
pap – mealie/corn porridge
pap – porridge
pondokis – hovels
s’true’s God – as true’s God
siyabonga – we thank you
skattie – lovey
sommer – just
toe – come on
tsotsis – thugs
vetkoek – fried dough/doughnut
vuka – get up
yo – oh no!

Phrases and sentences

Sengati awusa dingi amacustomer, kunini ndiku biza? – It seems you don’t need customers, how long have I been calling you?

Ta, my bra – Thanks, my brother

lezi ze zinc, mtshana – the ones made of zinc, my friend

Are vaye – Let’s go

Kunjani, Mfo – How are you, brother?

hayi, akuna ngxaki – No, there’s no problem

Reutlwile ka bana ba John le Lulu. Kanti ba etsang ma poyisa? – We heard about John and Lulu’s children. So, what are the police doing?

Yaz’ yini – Do you know what?