ngitshele
The English phrase "tell me" is translated into Zulu as ngitshele.
ngitshele is used as a request for someone to provide information or to explain something to the speaker.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ngitshele is in the imperative mood, which means it is used to issue a command or a direct request.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, asking someone to 'tell' you something using tshela can imply a transfer of secret or ancestral knowledge, rather than just a mundane fact.
- The word ngitshele is built from a root that also forms the word for 'to tell a story' or 'to narrate', linking the act of giving information to the rich oral tradition of storytelling.
- In Zulu culture, a direct request like ngitshele can be softened by adding the particle ke to the end, which transforms the command into a more gentle 'well, tell me then'.
Examples in context
- Ngitshele iqiniso.Tell me the truth.
- Ngitshele ukuthi kwenzekeni.Tell me what happened.
Example conversation
Mlungisi is asking Zanele about a secret.
- MlungisiZanele, ngitshele okuhle.Zanele, tell me the good news.
- ZaneleAngikwazi ukukutshela manje, Mlungisi.I cannot tell you now, Mlungisi.
- MlungisiNgicela ungitshele nje kancane.Please just tell me a little bit.
- ZaneleNgizokutshela kusasa.I will tell you tomorrow.
