Letter of the alphabet pronounced as y in yes.

MEANING

‘Y’ is often used for the sake of euphony, especially before ‘a’ and ‘e’.

Example of use

Esheni ukulemba kalata BECOMES Yesheni ukulemba kalata, MEANING: Try to write a letter.

Y’ often gives way to J especially before n:

Example of use

Kanye BECOMES kanje MEANING: Let me go.

In the reflexive form, y is used instead of a vowel i:

Example of use

Kuiafwilisha BECOMES kuyafwilisha MEANING to help oneself

Aiuma pa cifuba BECOMES ayumapa cifuba MEANING he hit himself on the chest

Aionawila BECOMES ayonawila MEANING he destroyed it himself