Nature & Outdoors

1. Ilanga litjhisa.

   The sun is hot.

   Usage

   Remark on how strong the sun is on a hot day

   Grammar Note

   ilanga (sun, class 5) takes the subject prefix li- on the verb -tjhisa (be hot). Southern Ndebele writes tj where Zulu writes sh

2. Izulu liyana.

   It is raining.

   Usage

   Say that it is raining right now

   Grammar Note

   izulu (weather, class 5) + li-ya-na (it rains). The rainy season is described with izulu elina, where -na is the stem for raining. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Izulu liyaduma.

   It is thundering.

   Usage

   Say that thunder is sounding during a storm

   Grammar Note

   izulu (weather, class 5) + li-ya-duma (it thunders). A short weather phrase whose subject prefix is li-. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Ingabe ukhona umlambo?

   Is there a river?

   Usage

   Ask whether there is a river nearby before a walk or hike

   Grammar Note

   Ingabe opens a yes-or-no question. ukhona means that it is there. umlambo (river) is a class 3 noun, so the agreement is u-

5. Ngifuna ukukhwela intaba.

   I want to climb the mountain.

   Usage

   Say that you want to climb a mountain or hill

   Grammar Note

   ngifuna (I want) + the infinitive ukukhwela (to climb, to ride) + intaba (mountain). Ukukhwela is also used for boarding vehicles. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Ngithanda ukubukela iinyoni.

   I like watching birds.

   Usage

   Share that you enjoy watching birds and wildlife

   Grammar Note

   ngithanda (I like) + the infinitive ukubukela (to watch) + iinyoni (birds, plural of inyoni). The plural is spelled with ii-. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Ngibona iindlovu zisela amanzi.

   I can see elephants drinking water.

   Usage

   Say it when you spot animals at a waterhole on safari

   Grammar Note

   ngibona (I see) + iindlovu (elephants, plural of indlovu) + zisela (drinking) + amanzi (water). Note the form zisela, which shows an action in progress. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. Ngifuna ukuya elwandle.

   I want to go to the sea.

   Usage

   Say that you want to go to the sea or the coast

   Grammar Note

   ngifuna (I want) + ukuya (to go) + elwandle. The locative e- is added to ilwandle (sea) and the initial i drops. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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