Below you will find Isindebele grammar and literature most common words and phrases used in class tests, exams, and assignments.
I-Akhronimi / Ibizo-Sirhunyezwa
isiNdebele: Ligama elakhiwa ngamaledere wokuthoma wegama, isib. AIDS.
English: Acronym – a word formed from the first letters of other words, e.g., AIDS.
Ilimi LokwEngeza
isiNdebele: Ilimi elifundwa ngaphandle kwelimi lekhaya, kodwa lisekelwa lilimi lekhaya.
English: Additional Language – a language learned in addition to one’s home language, supported by the home language.
Ubulimi-Nengi BokwEngeza
isiNdebele: Ukufunda ilimi elingaphezu kwelimi lekhaya ngaphandle kokulilahla.
English: Additive Multilingualism – acquiring additional languages without replacing the home language.
Thanda Ubuhle
isiNdebele:
- Ukuthokoza ubuhle belimi emitlolweni.
- Ukuba nomuzwa wokuhlonipha nokujabulela ubuhle belimi.
English: - Appreciating the beauty of language in texts.
- Having a sense of valuing and enjoying the richness of language.
Ifana-Tjhada
isiNdebele: Ukubuyelela itjhada elifanako phakathi kwamagama.
English: Alliteration – repetition of similar sounds, often at the start of words.
Ukungahlathululeki Kuhle
isiNdebele: Ukusetjenziswa kwamagama ngendlela edala ukungahlathululeki, isib. “Ubaba uthi ingahlatjwa ikomo emhlophe.”
English: Ambiguity – using words in a way that creates multiple interpretations.
I-Analoji
isiNdebele:
- Ukuthola okufanako ezintweni ezibonakala zihlukileko.
- Ukusebenzisa ukufaniswa kwezinto njengendlela yokuhlathulula.
English: - Analogy – identifying similarities between things that seem different.
- A method of explanation or illustration, but not evidence.
Ukuveza Umlingisi
isiNdebele: Ukukhuluma ngezihloko ezincani nanyana ngezehlakalo ukuze uveze umlingisi.
English: Character portrayal – narrating small events or actions to reveal a character.
Abopopayi
isiNdebele: Maqhinga wokusebenzisa umlandelande weenthombe ukwakha isithombe-ngqondo somnyakazo.
English: Animation – using sequences of images to create an illusion of movement.
Irhobho-Ndaba / Ibohlololo
isiNdebele: Ukungazaliseki kwesiphetho egade silindelwe, nanyana ukwenza isithombe sokulihla.
English: Anti-climax – an unexpected and less impactful ending or event.
Bunqopha
isiNdebele: Ukubonisa imibono emibili nanyana engafaniko, isib. “Ukuzonda khulu, ngebelo elincani.”
English: Contrast – presenting two opposing or different ideas.
Igama Eliphikisako
isiNdebele: Ligama elinencazelo ephikisanako neligama elithileko, isib. “thaba” kanye “notlhuwa.”
English: Antonym – a word with a meaning opposite to another, e.g., “happy” and “sad.”
Ngokufaneleko
isiNdebele: Lokha ilimi lisetjenziswa ngendlela ehambisana nesikhathi nendawo ethileko.
English: Appropriateness – the use of language that matches the time and context.
Ukubuyelela Abokamisa
isiNdebele: Ukubuyelela khulukhulu kwabokamisa, isib. “Khalakatjha.”
English: Assonance – repetition of vowel sounds, especially in poetry.
Abamukelilwazi
isiNdebele: Abantu abalalelako, abafundako, nanyana ababukela amatheksthi ngomnqopho wokufunda.
English: Audience – individuals who listen to, read, or observe texts to gain information.
Itheksthi Ephathekako
isiNdebele: Itheksthi enomsebenzi obonakalako, isib. amaphephandaba, iimagazini.
English: Authentic texts – texts with practical use, e.g., newspapers, magazines.
Ubuhlangothi
isiNdebele: Ukuthatha uhlangothi olulodwa ngendlela ephikisana nencazelo epheleleko.
English: Bias – taking a side or perspective that hinders fair judgment.
Okudosako
isiNdebele: Izihloko ezitlolwe phansi nanyana ezisezansi kwe-athikili, isithombe, njll.
English: Captions – titles or notes accompanying articles, images, etc.
Ikhathuni
isiNdebele: Ukudweba okukhombisa isimo somlingisi ngendlela ethusa umqondo wakhe nanyana ubuntu bakhe.
English: Cartoon – illustrations that exaggerate character traits or actions for effect.
Unobangela
isiNdebele: Into edala ukwenzeka kwesinye isenzeko.
English: Cause – the reason behind an action or event.
Hlathulula
isiNdebele: Ukwenza ihlathululo ezwakala kuhle kumfundi.
English: Explain – to clarify or make something understandable.
Isitlhori / Isiqongo
isiNdebele: Isimo esiphezulu khulu somlando; yinto eqakathekileko egade ilindelwe.
English: Climax – the most significant or exciting part of a story.
Ukukhambelana
isiNdebele: Ukusekela ukulandelana kwemibono nokwenza ukuba indinyana ibumbane.
English: Coherence – ensuring logical flow and connection in ideas or paragraphs.
Ukukhambisana
isiNdebele: Ukuhlanganisa imitjho, iindima, nezibizo ngendlela ehambelana ngenye indlela yokubuyela ezibuyiswaneni.
English: Agreement – aligning sentences, clauses, and pronouns to ensure logical and grammatical consistency.
Ukuhlanganisa
isiNdebele: Ukuhlanganisa imibono evela emithonjeni ehlukahlukeneko bewakha umbono oyedwa obonakalako.
English: Synthesizing – combining ideas from various sources to form a single, clear perspective.
Ikholokhyalizimu
isiNdebele: Ilimi elingaseseleliweko nelisetjenziselwa ingcoco evamileko nanyana engaziwa ngabantu abanengi.
English: Colloquialism – informal language or expressions used in everyday speech but not in formal writing.
Madanisako / Khulisako
isiNdebele: Amazinga wokumadanisa nokukhulisa, isib. omkhulu, omkhudlwana, omkhulu khulu.
English: Degrees of comparison – levels of comparison, such as large, larger, largest.
Irarano
isiNdebele: Ukuphikisana nanyana ukubambana hlangana kwabalingisi bodwa nanyana abalingisi nabujamo.
English: Conflict – opposition or struggle between characters or between characters and situations.
Isihlanganiso
isiNdebele: Ligama elihlanganisa amagama, imitjho, nanyana ibinzana, isib. “kodwana,” “begodu.”
English: Conjunction – a word that connects words, sentences, or clauses, e.g., “and,” “but.”
Ihlathululo Enqophileko
isiNdebele: Ukunqophisa ihlathululo ngokusebenzisa amagama avula umqondo ongaphezu komthombo ongathomileko.
English: Explicit explanation – a detailed interpretation that goes beyond surface meaning.
Ubujamo
isiNdebele: Ihlalakuhle nendawo ezokwenza itheksthi ifundeke kahle; kufaka isiko nesendlalelo sepilo namapolotiki.
English: Context – the background and environment that influence the interpretation of a text.
Okumumethweko
isiNdebele: Okuqukethweko okusemthelelweni wetheksthi, isib. okukhona ngaphakathi.
English: Content – what is included within a text or composition.
Amatshwayo Wobujamo
isiNdebele: Iindlela ezibonisa ubujamo betheksthi begodu ezinikele ekufundeni ngesikhala noma isikhathi.
English: Contextual cues – elements in a text that provide background or additional understanding.
Ukumadanisa
isiNdebele: Ukulinga indlela izinto ezifana ngayo nanyana ezihlukana ngayo ngokwetjhuguluko nelimi.
English: Comparing – examining similarities or differences between elements in language or context.
Imithetho Yokusetjenziswa Kwelimi
isiNdebele: Imigomo ehlelekileko yokusebenzisa ilimi ngendlela elungileko.
English: Language usage rules – structured guidelines for correct and effective language use.
Ukuhlola Okuragela Phambili
isiNdebele: Ikambiso yokuhlola umsebenzi womfundi ngonyaka woke.
English: Continuous assessment – a method of evaluating students’ work throughout the year.
Ikulumo-Pikiswano
isiNdebele: Iinqhema ezimbili eziphalisana ngomnqopho wokutjengisa ukujula kwemibono yazo.
English: Debate – a discussion between two teams aiming to prove their points persuasively.
Ihlathululo Ebhamba
isiNdebele: Ukuhlathulula amagama njengombana ayikho ngendlela esisekelo.
English: Literal interpretation – the basic and direct explanation of words.
Igama Elisuselwe Kelinye
isiNdebele: Igama elithathwe kelinye nanyana elimiswe ngokufaka izithomo.
English: Derived word – a word formed from another root or base word.
Ilimi Lesigodi
isiNdebele: Indlela yelimi elisetjenziselwa mphakathi othileko begodu elingavama ukuhluka kwamanye amaqembu.
English: Dialect – a form of language specific to a particular region or community.
Itshimo Lomdlalo
isiNdebele: Lokha abamukelilwazi bazi izinto ezinengi kunabalingisi emdlalweni.
English: Dramatic irony – when the audience knows more than the characters in a play.
Isakhiwo Somdlalo
isiNdebele: Ukuhleleka kweemvelele, iinkundla, kanye nokuphakamisa indlela isitjhaba esihlathululwako ngayo.
English: Dramatic structure – the organization of scenes, acts, and elements within a play.
Uku-Editha
isiNdebele: Ukulungisa imitjhapho yamagama, ukwakha nokuhlela itheksthi.
English: Editing – the process of refining and correcting a text for clarity and coherence.
Umphumela
isiNdebele: Isiphetho nanyana imiphumela yento ethileko.
English: Outcome – the result or consequence of an event or action.
Ilimi Elithinta Imizwa
isiNdebele: Ilimi elivusa imizwa embi nanyana emihle.
English: Emotive language – language that evokes strong feelings or emotions.
Isithombe-Ngqondo
isiNdebele: Amagama akha izithombe engqondweni yomfundi, isib. isifaniso nanyana isingathekiso.
English: Imagery – words or phrases that create mental pictures, e.g., similes or metaphors.
Ubukhulu / Umhlobo Weledere
isiNdebele: Umumo wamaledere nanyana ubukhulu bawo njengalokho okukhonjiswa ngetjhada, isib. 12pt.
English: Font size and style – the size and appearance of letters, e.g., 12pt Times New Roman.
Ubukhulu / Umhlobo Weledere
isiNdebele: Bungako bobukhulu nanyana umhlobo wamaledere asetjenziselwa ukutlola, isib. 12pt nanyana Times New Roman.
English: Font size and type – the dimensions and style of text used in writing, e.g., 12pt font size or Times New Roman font style.
Ingaphambili (Okungafani neNgemva)
isiNdebele: Kubonisa ukubekwa kwento eqadi nanyana ngaphambili kwefreyimu, kufanekisela ukubeka ukugandelela kwento ethile.
English: Foregrounding – placing an object or element in the forefront of a frame or context to emphasize its importance.
Iforamu
isiNdebele: Ukuhlanganisa abantu ngokwamaqembu amane nanyana ukulungiselela ikulumo-pikiswano, lapho iqembu ngalinye likhuluma ngombono ohlukileko ngesihloko esibekwe ngaphambili.
English: Forum – a group discussion or debate where multiple perspectives on a given topic are presented, with a decision made by a judge or panel.
Ijenri
isiNdebele: Imihlobo yamaliterethi asetjenziselwa ukuhlukanisa amatheksthi, isib. Inovela, umdlalo, iinkondlo, nencwadi yobungani.
English: Genre – categories of literature or text, such as novel, drama, poetry, or memoir.
Ukukhuluma Ngezitho Zomzimba
isiNdebele: Umsikinyeko wobuso nanyana womzimba ongaveza umqondo, isib. ukuvuma ngehloko.
English: Body language – facial expressions or physical movements that communicate meaning, e.g., nodding in agreement.
Amagrafu
isiNdebele: Iimveliso ebonwako, ezifana nokutlama nanyana ukudweba.
English: Graphics – visual and technical designs, such as illustrations and charts.
ILimi leKhaya / lokuBelethwa
isiNdebele: Ilimi umfundi afunda ngalo kumbelethi nanyana ekhaya, avamise ukucabanga nalo.
English: Home Language – the first language a learner acquires, often spoken at home and used for thinking and communication.
Abomafana-Peledwa
isiNdebele: Amagama apeledeka ngokufana kodwana anencazelo ehlukileko, isib. ithanga (‘umgade’) kanye nethanga (‘igoji’).
English: Homonyms – words that are spelled the same but have different meanings, e.g., bank (a financial institution) and bank (a river edge).
Umabizwa-Fana
isiNdebele: Amagama abizwa ngokufana kodwana apeledeka nanyana ahlathululeka ngokuhluka, isib. umkhumbi (ship) kanye ikhumbi (herd).
English: Homophones – words that sound alike but differ in spelling and meaning, e.g., flower and flour.
Irhwala
isiNdebele: Isimo sokukhulisa umqondo ngokwehlathululo, isib. wangipha intabakazi yokudla.
English: Hyperbole – deliberate exaggeration for effect, e.g., “They gave me a mountain of food.”
Isithombe
isiNdebele: Okubonwako nanyana isibonelo esiphakamisako.
English: Image – a visual representation or example.
Okungakanqophi
isiNdebele: Isimo esingaqinisekiswa kodwana esivumela umcabango nanyana ukuhlathululwa.
English: Implicit meaning – suggested meaning not directly expressed in the text.
Ukufaka Hlangana
isiNdebele: Ukwenza ifundo ifinyelele kibo boke abafundi ngaphandle kokuhlanganisa iminyanya nendlela yokufunda eyahlukileko.
English: Inclusivity – ensuring education is accessible to all learners, regardless of background or learning style.
Ngokupheleleko
isiNdebele: Ukukholelwa bona ifundo kufanele ifinyelele kibo boke abafundi ngaphandle kokucabangela iindlela zabo zokufunda nendawo yokuhlala.
English: Universality – the belief that education should be available to all learners, irrespective of their circumstances.
Ukuthatha Isiqunto
isiNdebele: Ukuthola isinqumo ngemva kokuhlaziya ihlathululo yesihloko esithileko.
English: Decision-making – reaching a conclusion after analyzing information.
I-Inuwendo
isiNdebele: Isitatimende esikhuluma okungasimnandi ngendlela engeqiwa ngamazwi atjengileko.
English: Innuendo – an indirect or subtle reference, often with a negative connotation.
Ukuhlunga
isiNdebele: Umsebenzi wokucoca nanyana wokutjhiya ilwazi ngemva kokuhlola ngokutjheja.
English: Filtering – the process of organizing or refining information for a specific purpose.
Ihluka Lizwi
isiNdebele: Ipateni yokuthomba nelizwi nanyana ukuphakamisa itjho ukugandelela ihlelo.
English: Intonation – the pattern or pitch of speech indicating structure or meaning.
Ijagoni
isiNdebele: Ilimi elisetjenziselwa imisebenzi ethileko, isib. “RAM” nanyana “ikhondlwana” ebujameni bekhompyutha.
English: Jargon – specialized language used in particular professions, e.g., “RAM” in computing.
Imalaphrophizimu
isiNdebele: Iphutha lokusebenzisa amagama ngendlela edidanako, kuvamise ukuhlekisa.
English: Malapropism – the humorous misuse of similar-sounding words.
Isingathekiso
isiNdebele: Ukusebenzisa isibonelo sokufanekisa ukuhlathulula okuthileko, isib. Ifundo silodlhelo esinqophe epumelelweni.
English: Metaphor – describing something by equating it with another, e.g., Education is the key to success.
Umebhe-Ngqondo
isiNdebele: Umfanekiso-ngqondo wamagama nezithombe ezilandelana ngokuhlelekileko.
English: Mind map – a visual representation of ideas connected logically.
Indlela
isiNdebele: Iindlela zokutjho izinto ezifana nokutlola, ukukhuluma, nanyana ukusebenzisa amagrafu.
English: Modality – different modes of communication, such as writing, speaking, or visual representation.
Indlela yobujamo
isiNdebele: Ukuzwa nanyana ukuthatheka kumatheksthi atlolwako; kutjengisa umuzwa nanyana ukwakheka kwengqondo yabalingisi.
English: Mood or tone – the emotional or intellectual atmosphere of a written text, reflecting characters’ feelings or a writer’s intention.
Iinsetjenziswa Ezivangileko
isiNdebele: Ihlanganisela yemihlobo yezinto ezingafaka amatheksthi atloliweko, amavidiyo, namatshwayo abukelwako.
English: Multimedia tools – a combination of resources such as written texts, visuals, and videos.
Ikulumiswano
isiNdebele: Zomlomo nanyana okutloliweko okumayelana nezehlakalo ezihlangeneko.
English: Dialogue – spoken or written conversation about shared events or topics.
Ilizwi lomcoci/lomdembi
isiNdebele: Ilizwi lomuntu ococa indaba; kungaba umuntu wokuthoma (Mina) nanyana umuntu wesithathu (lo/bona).
English: Narrator’s voice – the perspective or voice used to tell a story, whether first-person (“I”) or third-person (“he/she/they”).
Isenzukuthi
isiNdebele: Ukusebenzisa amagama ukwakha imidumo eyenziwa yilokho okukhuluma ngakho, isib. “uwe wathu bhu.”
English: Onomatopoeia – words that imitate sounds, e.g., “bang” or “buzz.”
I-Okzimoroni
isiNdebele: Ukusebenzisa amagama aneenhlathululo eziphikisanako, isib. “Ithlo epepenene” (blind clarity).
English: Oxymoron – a figure of speech combining contradictory terms for effect, e.g., “bittersweet.”
Ukucoca Ngeenqhema
isiNdebele: Ukwakha amaqhema ukukhuluma ngesihloko bese kuphendulwa imibuzo.
English: Group discussion – forming groups to discuss a topic and respond to questions collaboratively.
Pharadoksi
isiNdebele: Isitatimende esiziphikisako nanyana esiqala singakhambisani kodwana sizwakale ngemva kokuhlaziywa.
English: Paradox – a seemingly self-contradictory statement that reveals truth upon deeper reflection.
Umtjhwana Obuyelelwako
isiNdebele: Ukubuyisela umbono nanyana amagama umuntu asebenzisa ngendlela yakhe.
English: Restatement – expressing a previously mentioned idea in new words.
Ipharonimi
isiNdebele: Igama elisuselwe egameni langaphandle.
English: Loanword – a word borrowed from another language.
Ukwenza-Samuntu
isiNdebele: Ukunikela izinto ezingaphiliko amatshwayo wabantu, isib. “Ikufa kuyaziphakamisa.”
English: Personification – attributing human traits to non-human entities, e.g., “Death knocks at the door.”
Isakhiwo/Isizinda
isiNdebele: Indlela eveza indawo, umraro, nabalingisi emtlolweni.
English: Setting – the description of place, conflict, and characters in a story or drama.
Umbono
isiNdebele: Umbono womtloli nokuthi abalingisi nendawo kuvezwa njani.
English: Perspective – the viewpoint or stance of the writer in narrating the story.
Izindlekelo
isiNdebele: Ukwehlulela nanyana ukungabekezeli emntwini, isiqhema, nanyana umbuzo.
English: Prejudice – preconceived opinions about a person, group, or idea.
Ukuphakama Kwephimbo
isiNdebele: Ukuphakamisa ilizwi nawukhulumako ukuzwakala kuhle.
English: Voice projection – raising or modulating the voice for clarity and emphasis during speech.
Idlalo-Magama
isiNdebele: Ukudlala ngamagama afanako nanyana afana ngomdumo, isib. “Unomlandu anganamlandu.”
English: Wordplay – using similar-sounding or identical words humorously, e.g., “She stole my heart; he stole my wallet.”
Iridandensi
isiNdebele: Ukusebenzisa amagama nemitjhwana engatlhogekiko.
English: Redundancy – unnecessary repetition of words or phrases.
Irejista
isiNdebele: Ukusetjenziswa kwamagama ahlukahlukeneko ngokufaneleko endaweni ethileko.
English: Register – the appropriate use of language based on context, such as formal registers in legal documents.
Umbiko
isiNdebele: Ukunikela umbiko obuyako wobujamo obuthileko, isib. ingozi.
English: Report – a structured account of an event or situation.
Ukufunda Ngokubuyelela
isiNdebele: Iqhinga lokuphinda ukufunda ukuze umtlolo uzwakale kuhle.
English: Rereading – a strategy to enhance understanding by reading a text again.
Amaqhinga Wekulumo
isiNdebele: Ukusebenzisa amaqhinga afana nokubuyelela nanyana ukuphumula esikhulumako.
English: Speaking strategies – using techniques like pauses or repetition during speech for impact.
Umbuzo-Ziphendule
isiNdebele: Umbuzo obuzelwa ukugandelela umqondo, isib. “Uyazi ukuthi ulithamsanqa kangakanani?”
English: Rhetorical question – a question asked for emphasis, not to elicit an answer.
Irhara
isiNdebele: Kulumo eqiniseka ngokuqinisa into ngendlela ehloselwe ukungaphezu kweyokuzwakala.
English: Hyperbole – deliberate exaggeration for dramatic effect, e.g., “He’s strong as a lion.”
Ukuskima
isiNdebele: Ukufunda msinya ukwenza umqondo omkhulu womtlolo.
English: Skimming – reading quickly to grasp the main idea of a text.
Iteksi
isiNdebele: Iteksti etlolweko, ethiweleleko, nanyana ebonwako.
English: Text – any written, spoken, or visual communication.
Iinkhekhe zamagama (Parts of Speech)
Ithomo, Imirabhu, neenlungelelo (Formation, Roots, and Affixes)
- isiNdebele: Amabizo asuselwa kezinye iinkhekhe zekulumo, ezifana neenlungelelo zokwakha amagama amasha.
- English: Words formed from other parts of speech, using prefixes and suffixes to create new meanings.
Ibizo (Nouns)
Amabizo Alula (Simple Nouns)
- isiNdebele: Amabizo angelula ngaphandle kweenlungelelo, njenge “indoda.”
- English: Simple nouns without affixes, such as “man.”
Amabizo-Sinyefu (Proper Nouns)
- isiNdebele: Amagama akhethekileko athoma ngerhabo.
- English: Proper nouns starting with a capital letter.
Amabizo-Mbala (Abstract Nouns)
- isiNdebele: Amagama aveza imibono, imizwa, nanyana izenzo ezingabonakali ngokobujamo.
- English: Abstract nouns describing ideas, emotions, or intangible states, e.g., “ubuhle” (beauty).
Amabizo-Buthelela (Collective Nouns)
- isiNdebele: Amagama abumbene amela iqhema lezinto ezihlobene.
- English: Collective nouns representing a group, e.g., “iqembu” (team).
Amabizo-Senzo (Verbal Nouns)
- isiNdebele: Amabizo akhishwa ezikweni, njengokuthi “ukukhuluma.”
- English: Verbal nouns derived from verbs, such as “to speak.”
Izabizwana (Pronouns)
Izabizwana Zokukhomba (Demonstrative Pronouns)
- isiNdebele: Ukususa iphuzu ebesikanye nalo, isib. “le” (this) nanyana “labo” (those).
- English: Pronouns indicating proximity or distance, such as “this” and “those.”
Ubunikazi (Possessive Pronouns)
- isiNdebele: Amalunga aqinisekisa ukufaneleka, njenge “wami” (mine) kanye “yakho” (yours).
- English: Pronouns showing possession, like “mine” and “yours.”
Isabizwana Sokuzenza (Reflexive Pronouns)
- isiNdebele: Isabizwana esiveza isenzo esibuyele kumenzi, isib. “uzifundisa yena.”
- English: Reflexive pronouns, showing actions done back to the subject, e.g., “He teaches himself.”
Izenzo kanye Neendlela Zesenzo (Verbs and Verb Forms)
Iinkathi Zesenzo (Tenses)
- Sanje: Present tense, e.g., “Ngifunda” (I am reading).
- Esidlulileko: Past tense, subdivided into recent and distant past.
- Esizako: Future tense, e.g., “Ngizakufunda” (I will read).
Iimpambosi (Moods of Verbs)
- isiNdebele: Imbambosi ziveza umqondo womphakathi nendaba ethileko.
- English: Verb moods such as indicative, imperative, or subjunctive.
Imihlobo Yemibuzo (Types of Questions)
Ubujamo Obuvumako (Affirmative Statements)
- isiNdebele: Iindinyana ezivuma, njengokuthi, “Ngiyazwisisa.”
- English: Affirmative statements, e.g., “I understand.”
Ubujamo Obuphikako (Negative Statements)
- isiNdebele: Ukuqinisekisa ukuvuma kwekho, njenge “Akanalo ulwazi.”
- English: Negative statements, such as “He does not have knowledge.”
Imitjhwana Nemitjho (Clauses and Sentences)
Imitjho Epandepande (Simple Sentences)
- isiNdebele: Imitjho equkethe isenzo esisodwa, njenge “Indoda yathula.”
- English: Simple sentences with one verb, e.g., “The man was silent.”
Imitjho Ehlangahlangeneko (Complex Sentences)
- isiNdebele: Imitjho enemitjhwana engakhanjiswa ngeenhlanganiso.
- English: Complex sentences with clauses joined by conjunctions.
Amatshwayo (Punctuation)
- Ihayifeni/udwi: Hyphen, e.g., “indlela-emfishane” (short-cut).
- Ikholoni: Colon, used for explanations.
- I-Aphostrofi: Apostrophe, for possessives or contractions.
Ukuyeleliswa Kokusetjenziswa Kwelimi (Critical Language Awareness)
- Iqiniso Nombono: Differentiating fact from opinion.
- Ihlathululo ebhamba: Explicit meaning, e.g., “It is raining.”
- Ihlathululo ethakeleko: Implied meaning, e.g., “The streets are wet” (implying rain).