Photography

1. Ngingathatha isithombe?

   May I take a photo?

   Usage

   Asks permission before photographing a person or place

   Grammar Note

   ngi-nga- (I may) + thatha (take); "take a photo" is thatha isithombe, and the plural "photos" is iinthombe. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Ngibawa ungithathele isithombe.

   Please take a photo of me.

   Usage

   Asks a passer-by to take your photo at a sight

   Grammar Note

   ngibawa (please) is followed by the subjunctive ungithathele (take for me); -el- means "for someone". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Isithombe sihle khulu.

   The photo came out very well.

   Usage

   Compliments a photo after it has been taken

   Grammar Note

   sihle is -hle (good, beautiful) agreeing with isithombe. khulu means "very"; the form kakhulu is not used. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Ngibawa ungisize ngekhamera.

   Please help me with the camera.

   Usage

   Asks for help with camera settings or controls

   Grammar Note

   ngibawa (please) + the subjunctive ungisize (help me). nge- (with, about) plus ikhamera loses the initial i-, giving ngekhamera. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Ngibawa ungathathi iinthombe lapha.

   Please don't take photos here.

   Usage

   Politely asks someone not to take photos where you do not want them

   Grammar Note

   ungathathi is the prohibitive (unga- with final -i), "do not take". iinthombe is the plural of isithombe. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Ungabeki iinthombe ku-inthanethi ngaphandle kwemvumo.

   Please don't post photos online without permission.

   Usage

   Asks someone not to share photos without permission, out of respect for privacy

   Grammar Note

   ungabeki is the prohibitive, "do not put". ngaphandle kwemvumo is the set phrase for "without permission". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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