How to say “Hello” in Northern Ndebele
The most common way to say “hello” in Northern Ndebele. Tap to copy or hear it pronounced.
Sawubona
In a sentence
English
Hello, how are you?
Northern Ndebele
Sawubona, Unjani?
Frequently asked
How do you say "Hello" in Northern Ndebele?
"Hello" in Northern Ndebele is "Sawubona". This is the most common everyday rendering; depending on context, formal/informal or dialectal variants may apply.
How is "Sawubona" written in Northern Ndebele?
"Sawubona" is the standard written form in Northern Ndebele, rendered left-to-right.
How do you pronounce "Sawubona" in Northern Ndebele?
Tap the speaker icon on this page to hear "Sawubona" pronounced by a native-style synthetic voice. For practice, repeat the phrase out loud immediately after listening — the rhythm and stress are usually what trips learners up, not the individual sounds.
What does "Sawubona" mean in English?
"Sawubona" is the Northern Ndebele way of saying "Hello" in English. It's used in everyday conversation in roughly the same situations as the English original.
Are there formal or informal ways to say "Hello" in Northern Ndebele?
Many languages — including Northern Ndebele — distinguish formal and informal registers, and may also vary by speaker gender, plurality, or regional dialect. "Sawubona" is the most broadly understood form; for register-specific variants, use the full translator above with your exact sentence.
Where is Northern Ndebele spoken?
Northern Ndebele is spoken by an estimated 2 million people worldwide. Use the language page to translate full text and explore where the language is used.
Is there a free Northern Ndebele dictionary?
Yes — Polytranslator provides a free Northern Ndebele dictionary with word-by-word translations and example usage. Click the dictionary link on this page to look up individual words from "Sawubona" or any other Northern Ndebele text.