wena, pronoun

/ˈwe(ː)nə//ˈweːna/
Origin:
Second person singular pronoun common to the Nguni and Sotho-Tswana groups of languages.
Especially among speakers of Nguni and Sotho languages: ‘you’.
c1928 R.R.R. Dhlomo Afr. Tragedy 14A cool voice addressed him, from the shadows. ‘Hey — wena. Special!’ Robert turned round and faced two stalwart Zulu policemen.
1979 F. Dike First S. African 7Hey listen wena, if I want to see Rooi I know where to find him.
1982 M. Mzamane Children of Soweto 114‘Hey, wena,’ his mother shouted after him, ‘don’t forget what I just told you...’
1987 Pace Aug. 4The people can share, but not wives sbali. Or wena, what do you say?
1987 M. Melamu Children of Twilight 291‘Wena, Oupa and your big mouth,’ Boy-boy warned.
‘you’.
Entry Navigation

Visualise Quotations

Quotation summary

Senses

19281987
weeskindertjies, nounn.wendy house, noun phrasen. phr.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Unit for South African English