Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Ibomvu - it is red

The isiZulu Oxford Living Dictionary has various fun features including a word of the day, with fascinating examples (izibonelo) of its use.

Recently it gave me IBOMVU

ibomvu (v)
- they are red

Bekunemibalabala nje eminye iphuzi eminye iluhlaza eminye ibomvu.
There were different colours, some being yellow, some being green, some being red.

 ibomvu (v)
- it is red

Yathi memfu inhlamvu yeLanga ibomvu ifana negazi.
The ball of the Sun suddenly came out, red like blood.
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1 comment:

  1. mindbodymathsMay 6, 2017 at 5:21 AM

    My friend Mbali adds:
    imbokodo ibomvu - police,
    Uvuk' inja ebomvu = he/she got angry/mad
    (of which the direct tranlation seems he/she awoke the red dog!)
    Imbokodo ebomvu = the police or law enforcers

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