Utjwala
Alcohol
Usage
The general word for alcohol, used to decline a drink or ask if alcohol is served
Grammar Note
Spelled with tj in Southern Ndebele, unlike Zulu utshwala
Utjwala besikhuwa
Liquor (commercially sold alcohol)
Usage
The umbrella term for alcohol sold in shops, heard in talk of liquor licences
Grammar Note
Covers beer, wine and spirits (amaspiridi). Traditional beer is utjwala besintu
Utjwala besintu
Traditional beer
Usage
The way to refer to alcohol brewed in the traditional manner
Grammar Note
"Besintu" is "of tradition". It is also called utjwala bendabuko. This is a general term, not a brand name
Ibhiya
Beer
Usage
Used to ask for or refuse a beer
Grammar Note
A loanword from English beer
Igwayi
Tobacco
Usage
The word for tobacco in general, for talking about smoking
Grammar Note
It also appears in the form ligwayi
Isegerede
Cigarette
Usage
Used to refuse a cigarette or to buy a packet
Grammar Note
A loanword from English cigarette. To smoke is ukubhema
Angibhemi.
I don't smoke.
Usage
Used when offered a cigarette, or when choosing a non-smoking seat
Grammar Note
The negative present of ukubhema (to smoke). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended
Angiseli utjwala.
I don't drink alcohol.
Usage
Used to decline when offered a drink
Grammar Note
The negative present of ukusela (to drink) followed by utjwala (alcohol). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended
More Southern Ndebele phrases
- Basic Words
- Basic Nouns
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