Here is a basic Xitsonga vocabulary from Sho Madjozi’s verses from OKMalumKoolKat’s latest album;
TONGUE FOO ACTION VERSE
VOCABULARY
Delela is a borrowed from Nguni, hi Xitsonga i ku Yeyisa – disrespect
Ma Delela = Ya’ll disrespectful
Ku kwata is borrowed from Afrikaans, Kwaad, hi Xitsonga i ku Hlundzuka – to be angry
Ku helela – finished or complete
Mi ta ni endla ni kwata ni helela = you’ll make me lose my temper
Nkinga is borrowed from Nguni, hi Xitsonga i Xirhalanganyi kumbe Mhaka – problem
Ku sungula – to start
Ku lava = to want
Tiyindlu = houses
Basa = clean / white
Ku kukula = to sweep
eHansi = down
Ku gungula = complain
Mhani = Mother
Ku kuma = to find
Vulolo (Wulolo) = laziness
Ku tirha = to work
Ku tshama = to stay / sit
Ni hava = I dont have
Ku vona = to see
Ku xava = to buy
NGIYASHISA BHE! VERSE
VOCABULARY
Vona means look, and is also used to mean “check!” in slang
Vafana is borrowed from Nguni, hi Xitsonga i Majaha – boys
Ku xavela = to buy for
Sesi originates from English, Sis, hi Xitsonga i Tati – sister
Ku hlolela is derived from ku hlola – surprisingly shocking / taboo occurrence
Boti is borrowed from Afrikaans, hi Xitsonga i Hosi – brother
Ku tiva = to know
Ku cinca = to change
Ku chika = to get off
Ku yisa = to take / move (something to -)
Ku xisa = to mislead
Kwihi = where
Ku chicha = to bring down
Ku hisa = hot
Masiku = days
Ku khoma = to hold / touch
Ku penga = to be crazy
Ahee!
Featured Image: Photograph by Hanro Havenga for Bubblegum Club