intombazana
The Ndebele word for girl is intombazana.
The word intombazana is a noun used to refer to a young female person.
Meaning: young female person (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form, girls, use izintombazana.
Did you know?
- In Ndebele culture, the transition from a 'girl' to a woman is often marked by specific rites of passage rather than just age.
- While intombazana means 'girl', using it to refer to a grown woman can be seen as either a playful term of endearment or a condescending remark depending on the context.
- Ndebele is closely related to Zulu, and the word intombazana is shared between these two languages, reflecting their common linguistic heritage.
Examples in context
- Intombazana iyakhula.The girl is growing.
- Ngifuna intombazana emhle.I want a beautiful girl.
Example conversation
Thulani and Sibusisiwe are talking about a neighbor's child.
- SibusisiweSibone intombazana emnyama kuleli?Did you see the dark-skinned girl in this area?
- ThulaniYebo, ngimbonile intombazana.Yes, I saw the girl.
- SibusisiweUyamhle leyo ntombazana.That girl is beautiful.
- ThulaniYebo, ukhula kahle.Yes, she is growing well.
