‖umtwana, noun

/ʊmˈtwana/
Forms:
mntwana, mtwanaShow more Also mntwana, mtwana, ntwana.
Origin:
IsiZulu, IsiXhosaShow more IsiZulu and isiXhosa umntwana, child, small child, offspring; (in isiZulu only) prince, member of the royal family; the diminutive form of isiZulu umuntu, isiXhosa umntu person.
1. A prince; a child of the royal house; also a form of address.
1949 O. Walker Proud Zulu (1951) 125Heralds ran to the wide-flung concord telling them that the umtwana was now veritably a man and king.
1967 O. Walker Hippo Poacher 4In those days of the eighteen-eighties John was at the zenith of his power, and u-Tom, along with many brothers and sisters, was addressed as Umtwana, child of the royal house.
1985 Fair Lady 6 Feb. 78The singers and dancers run before the Mtwana (Infanta or Prince) Buthelezi.
1987 New Nation 23 July 9It is because he (sc. Buthelezi) is a prince — he is addressed as ‘mntwana’ — and because his ancestors were prime ministers to Zulu kings that he says he should be leader of the Zulus, leader of the kwaZulu and president of Inkatha.
2. A young fellow; also an affectionate form of address, ‘kid’.
1961 T. Matshikiza Choc. for my Wife 58‘Hey, how is it, man? I hear you came running out?’ ‘Man, how are you, man? Agh Man.’ ‘Ntwana, man I’m okay, man.’
1980 C. Nkosi in M. Mutloatse Forced Landing 12This umtwana shall but revel in revealing off-beat, creative, original graffiti sugar-coated with sweet nothings.
1986 S. Sepamla Third Generation 40‘I don’t know the details but mom was brought home by the system.’ ‘Hey umtwana, this is serious business.’
1988 Pace Apr. 7The doctor took a liking to this lightie who became his great buddy. Senyaka takes it up: ‘GG liked this “ntwana” with his trendy bellbottomed trousers.’
A prince; a child of the royal house; also a form of address.
A young fellow; also an affectionate form of address, ‘kid’.
Entry Navigation

Visualise Quotations

Quotation summary

Senses

19491988

Browse Related Words

By Category

Titles and Modes of Address
Family and Social Relationships

By Origin

IsiZulu
IsiXhosa
umsobosobo, nounn.umvelinqangi, nounn.
Copyright © 2023 Dictionary Unit for South African English.