Martial Arts

1. Ngibawa ungivumele ngibukele ibandulo.

   May I watch the training, please?

   Usage

   Used at a gym or dojo to ask to watch a training session

   Grammar Note

   "Ngibawa ungivumele" is "please allow me", "ngibukele" is "that I watch" and "ibandulo" is "training". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Kghani ngingathatha iinthombe lapha?

   May I take photos here?

   Usage

   Used at a training hall or contest to ask whether photos are allowed

   Grammar Note

   "Kghani" marks a question, "ngingathatha" is "may I take" and "iinthombe" is "pictures". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Ngisaqala ukufunda.

   I'm only just starting to learn.

   Usage

   Used to tell the instructor and others that you are a beginner

   Grammar Note

   "Ngisaqala" is "I am just starting" and "ukufunda" is "to learn". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Idolo lami libuhlungu, angikghoni ukukhahlela.

   My knee hurts, so I can't kick.

   Usage

   Used to say you must hold back in training because of a sore knee

   Grammar Note

   "Libuhlungu" is "painful" (agreeing with idolo), "angikghoni" is "I cannot" and "ukukhahlela" is "to kick". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Kubiza malini ngenyanga?

   How much is it per month?

   Usage

   Used to ask the monthly fee of a dojo or gym

   Grammar Note

   "Kubiza malini" is "how much does it cost" and "ngenyanga" is "per month". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Phumula imizuzu emihlanu, usele amanzi.

   Rest for five minutes and drink water.

   Usage

   An instruction a coach gives during a break in training

   Grammar Note

   "Phumula" is "rest", "imizuzu emihlanu" is "five minutes" and "usele" is "and drink". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Sekwanele namhlanjesi. Wenze kuhle!

   That's enough for today. Well done!

   Usage

   What a coach says at the end of a training session

   Grammar Note

   "Sekwanele" is "that is enough", "namhlanjesi" is "today" and "wenze kuhle" is "well done". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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