Essential greetings and salutations.

• SawubonaHello (to one person; lit. 'I see you')
• SanibonaniHello (to two or more people)
• YeboHi / Yes (informal greeting reply)
• Unjani?How are you? (to one person)
• Ninjani?How are you? (to many people)
• NgiyaphilaI am well / I am fine
• NgikhonaI'm here / I'm fine (reply to Unjani?)
• Usaphila?Are you still well? (How are you keeping?)
• Usale kahleStay well (said to one person remaining)
• Hamba kahleGoodbye (to the person leaving)
• Sala kahleGoodbye (to the person staying)
• SobonanaSee you / We'll see each other
• Sobonana kusasaSee you tomorrow
• Lala kahleGood night (sleep well)
• WamukelekileWelcome (to one person)
• NamukelekileWelcome (to many people)