Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Relating to Swaziland, its people, or their language: Describes something originating from, characteristic of, or connected to the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), its culture, or its inhabitants.

2. Noun:

   • A member of the Swazi people: Refers to an individual belonging to a Southeast African ethnic group primarily inhabiting Eswatini and adjacent regions of South Africa and Mozambique.
   • The Swati language: Refers to the Bantu language spoken by the Swazi people, which is closely related to languages like Zulu and Xhosa.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The Swazi king attended the ceremony. (The king from Eswatini attended the ceremony.)
  • She wore a beautiful Swazi textile. (She wore a beautiful textile characteristic of Eswatini.)

• Noun (Person):

  • He is a Swazi from the Ezulwini Valley. (He is a member of the Swazi people from the Ezulwini Valley.)
• Noun (Language):
  • They communicated in Swazi. (They communicated using the Swati language.)

Advanced Usage

• "Swazi nation": Refers to the collective community of the Swazi people, often in a cultural or political context.
  • The ceremony celebrated the unity of the Swazi nation.
• "Swazi customs": Refers to the traditional practices and social norms of the Swazi people.
  • Respecting Swazi customs is important when visiting.

Variants and Related Words

• Swati: An alternative name for the Swazi language and, sometimes, the people. This term is increasingly used, especially within Eswatini.
• siSwati: The precise, native term for the Swazi language.
• Eswatini: The official name of the country formerly known as the Kingdom of Swaziland. The demonym is EmaSwati (people) and the language is siSwati.

Synonyms

• EmaSwati (n.): The native term for the Swazi people (plural).
• siSwati (n.): The native term for the Swazi language.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "Swazi" can refer to the ethnicity, the citizen of Eswatini, or the language. The specific meaning is determined by context.
• Following the country's official name change to the Kingdom of Eswatini in 2018, the related terms EmaSwati (people) and siSwati (language) are becoming more prevalent, though Swazi remains widely used and understood in English.

Adjective

1. of or relating to or characteristic of Swaziland or its people or their language

Noun

1. a Bantu language closely related to Zulu
2. a member of a southeast African people living in Swaziland and adjacent areas