Xhosa Phrasebook
You can download this handy printable 9-page Xhosa phrasebook here: www.wildcoast.co.za/files/XhosaPhrasebook.pdf
The booklet contains the following hints on pronunciation, commonly used phrases, and useful English to Xhosa word translations:
Also see the NEW: Xhosa Live Dictionary Best online Xhosa - English dictionary. Translates individual words from/to English or Xhosa.
Pronunciation guide
|
Vowels |
|
|
a |
like a in hard |
|
e |
like e in red |
|
i |
like ee in seen |
|
o |
like a in all |
|
u |
like oo in moon |
|
Consonants |
|
|
d, f, h, j, l, m, n |
Pronounced as in English |
|
s, sh, v, w, y, z |
Pronounced as in English |
|
dl |
Similar in sound to hl (see below) |
|
g |
always like g in go |
|
hl |
Place your tongue to the side of your mouth and expel the air (like Welsh ll sound) |
|
ts |
A hissing sound made by placing your tongue just above your teeth and ejecting air. |
|
tsh |
similar to dge in judge |
|
ty |
similar to dge in judge |
|
r |
pronounced like "ch" in Reich |
|
Common diphthongs |
|
|
Clicks |
|
|
c |
Place your tongue at the back of the teeth and suck in, like when expressing annoyance. |
|
q |
Place your tongue on the roof of the mouth and suck in, like imitating a clock's ticking. |
|
x |
Place your tongue on your upper right jaw and pull it down, as if urging on a horse. |
|
Phrase list |
|
|
Basics |
|
|
Hello |
Molo |
|
Hello (to more than 1) |
Molweni |
|
How are you? |
Kunjani? |
|
Fine, thank you |
Ndiyaphila, enkosi |
|
And how are you? |
Kunjani kuwe? |
|
What is your name? |
Ngubani igama lakho? |
|
My name is ______ |
Igama lam ngu ______ |
|
Nice to meet you |
Ndiyavuya ukukwazi |
|
Please |
Ndicela ('Ndiyacela' ) |
|
Thank you |
Enkosi or ('Ndiyabulela') |
|
You're welcome |
('wamkelekile') |
|
Yes |
Ewe |
|
No |
Hayi |
|
Excuse me (getting attention) |
('ndicela uxolo ) or ('uxolo ) |
|
Excuse me (begging pardon) |
Uxolo andivanga. |
|
I'm sorry |
Xolo ('ndixolele' ) |
|
Goodbye |
Uhambe/Usale kakuhle. |
|
I can't speak Xhosa |
Andisithethi isiXhosa |
|
Do you speak English? |
Uyasithetha isingesi na? |
|
Is there someone here who speaks English? |
('Ukhona apha umntu othetha isiNgesi' ?) |
|
Good morning |
Molo |
|
Good evening |
('Molo' ) |
|
Good night |
Ulale kakuhle |
|
I don't understand |
Andiqondi |
|
I don't know |
Andazi |
|
Where is the toilet? |
('Iphi indlu yangasese' ?) |
|
Problems |
|
My ... have been stolen |
I ... yam intshontshiwe. or ('I ... yam ibiwe' ) |
|
I've lost my ... |
Ndilahlekelwe yi ... |
|
handbag |
isingxobo or ibhegi |
|
passport |
pasipoti ('incwadi yokundwendwela' ) |
|
luggage |
mpahla |
|
wallet |
spaji |
|
Numbers |
|
0 |
unothi |
|
1 |
enye |
|
2 |
zimbini |
|
3 |
zintathu |
|
4 |
zine |
|
5 |
zintlanu |
|
6 |
zinthandathu |
|
7 |
zisixhenxe |
|
8 |
zisibhozo |
|
9 |
zisithoba |
|
10 |
lishumi |
|
Time |
|
English expressions for telling the time are commonly used by Xhosa speakers |
|
Duration |
|
in the morning |
kusasa |
|
during the day |
emini |
|
in the evening |
ngokuhlwa |
|
in the afternoon |
emvakwemini |
|
at night |
ebsuku |
|
yesterday |
izolo |
|
today |
namhlanje |
|
tomorrow |
ngomso |
|
Days |
|
Sunday |
Cawe |
|
Monday |
mvulo |
|
Tuesday |
sibini |
|
Wednesday |
sithathu |
|
Thursday |
sine |
|
Friday |
sihlanu |
|
Saturday |
mgqibelo |
|
Months |
|
January |
uMdumba (Janyuwari) |
|
February |
uMthupha (Februwari) |
|
March |
ukwindla (Matshi) |
|
April |
uThazimpunzi (Epril) |
|
May |
uCanzibe (Meyi) |
|
June |
uSilimela (Juni) |
|
July |
uNtulikazi (Julayi) |
|
August |
eyeKhala (Agasti) |
|
September |
eyoMsintsi (Septemba) |
|
October |
eyeDwarha (Oktoba) |
|
November |
eyeNkanga (Novemba) |
|
December |
eyoMnga (Disemba) |
|
Seasons |
|
Summer |
iHlobo |
|
Autumn |
uKwindla |
|
Winter |
uBusika |
|
Spring |
iNtwasahlobo |
|
Compass Points |
|
North |
uMntla (Node) |
|
East |
eMpuma (eMpumalanga) |
|
South |
uMzantsi (Sude) |
|
West |
eNtshona (eNtshonalanga) |
|
Colors |
|
black |
mnyama |
|
blue |
luhlaza |
|
brown |
ntsundu |
|
green |
luhlaza |
|
orange |
orenji |
|
red |
bomvu |
|
white |
mhlophe |
|
yellow |
mthubi |
|
Taxi |
|
How much is it to...? |
Yimalini ukuya e...? |
|
Take me to this address |
Ndise kule dilesi |
|
Please stop here |
Yima apha |
|
Lodging |
|
I need a room |
Ndifuna igumbi |
|
One room |
Igumbi elinye |
|
Two rooms |
Amagumbi amabini |
|
Single room |
Igumbi lomntu omnye |
|
Double room |
Igumbi labantu ababini |
|
Per person |
Umntu eminye |
|
Bed and Breakfast |
|
A meal |
Isidlo |
|
Beverages or Drinks |
Isiselo |
|
Supper |
Isidlo sangokuhlwa |
|
Lunch |
Isidlo sasemini |
|
Dinner |
Isidlo sasemvakwemini |
|
Kitchen |
Igumbi lokuphekela ('Ekhitshini') |
|
Sharing |
Kunye ('ukwabelana')? |
|
Money |
|
Money |
Imali |
|
In cash |
eziinkozo |
|
Cheque |
itsheke ? |
|
Coins |
imali eziinkozo |
|
Notes |
imali engamaphepa |
|
Expensive |
ixabisa kakhulu or iyabiza |
|
Driving |
|
Turn |
jika |
|
Left |
ekhohlo |
|
Right |
ekunene |
|
Stop('stop the car' ) |
misa or ('yima') |
|
Go |
hamba |
|
Forward |
phambili |
|
Go forward |
bheka phambili |
|
Straight ahead |
phambili |
|
Gravel road |
indlela yomhlaba |
|
Emergency |
|
Help! |
Nceda! |
|
Look out! |
Qaphela! |
|
Call the police! |
Biza amapolisa! |
|
Get a doctor! |
Biza ugqirha! |
|
Go away! |
Hamba |
|
I'm ill |
Ndiyagula. |
|
I'm lost |
Ndilahlekile. |
|
Leave me alone! |
Ndiyeke! |
|
Stop thief! |
Yima sela! |
Communication
|
Telephone |
Umnxeba |
|
Telegram |
Ucingo |
|
Mobile or Cellphone |
ifoni |
|
Make a call |
tsala umnxeba |
|
Give So&So a call |
tsalela u So&So umnxeba |
|
|
Iposi |
|
By post |
ngeposi |
|
Fast mail |
iposi engxamisekileyo |
|
English Words |
Amagama esiXhosa |
|
1st born/ |
indla-lifa |
|
a fly |
impukane |
|
air plane |
ibalona |
|
an ant |
imbovane |
|
army |
impi |
|
baby animal (chicken, piglet, ..) |
intshontsho |
|
baby goat/sheep/deer |
itakane |
|
bean/s |
imbotyi/ii-- |
|
beg/ask (depends on situation) |
-cela |
|
beginning |
isiqalo |
|
bird |
intaka |
|
blood |
igazi |
|
book |
incwadi |
|
boy |
inkwenkwe |
|
breasts |
amabele |
|
bring about peace |
xolisa |
|
bus |
uduladula |
|
car |
inqwelo-mafutha |
|
champion |
intshatsheli |
|
cheek |
isidlele |
|
child/baby |
umntwana/usana |
|
circumcision |
ulwaluko |
|
clan name |
isiduko |
|
cliff |
iliwa |
|
close by |
kufutshane |
|
conspiracy |
iyelenqe |
|
country |
ilizwe |
|
danger |
ingozi |
|
day/date |
usuku |
|
dirty person (dwellings and personal) |
ixelegu |
|
doctor |
ugqirha |
|
dog |
inja |
|
ears |
indlebe |
|
earth |
umhlaba |
|
East |
eMpuma |
|
eel |
umlenga |
|
elephant |
indlovu |
|
eyes |
amehlo |
|
fable/tale |
intsomi |
|
face |
ubuso |
|
far |
kude |
|
farm |
intsimi |
|
Father |
Tata |
|
feet |
inyawo |
|
feminine gender |
imazi |
|
fight |
umlo |
|
fingers |
iminwe |
|
fish |
intlanzi |
|
Food |
ukutya |
|
forehead |
ibunzi |
|
forgiveness/peel |
uxolo/ixolo |
|
frog |
ixoxo |
|
gift/talent |
isipho |
|
God |
uThixo/uQamata |
|
government minister |
umphathiswa |
|
grand-child |
umzukulwane |
|
greet/to greet |
-bulisa/ukubulisa |
|
group/organization |
umbutho |
|
gum/laughter |
intsini |
|
hair |
inwele |
|
hand |
isandla |
|
hard worker/busy bee |
ikhuthala |
|
head/ |
intloko |
|
health |
impilo |
|
Hello |
Molo (s) Molweni (pl) |
|
help |
uncedo |
|
hero |
igokra |
|
hill |
ummango |
|
him/her |
yena |
|
house |
umzi |
|
How are you/How are things? |
Kunjani |
|
humanity/he is humane/ |
ubuntu/unobuntu |
|
in laws (parent) |
umkhwe/...kazi |
|
inheritance |
ilifa |
|
insult |
isithuko |
|
it |
kona |
|
kindness/generosity |
ububele |
|
knee |
idolo |
|
kraal |
ubuhlanti |
|
laughing stock |
intlekisa |
|
lazy person |
inqenerha |
|
lesson |
isifundo |
|
liar |
ixoki |
|
look/search |
khangela |
|
Love |
-thanda |
|
mad/dumb person |
isidenge |
|
madness |
impambano |
|
man |
indoda |
|
marriage/common law marriage |
ukutshata/ukwenda |
|
married woman |
umfazi |
|
masculine gender |
induna |
|
me |
mna |
|
meat |
inyama |
|
meeting |
imbizo |
|
mielies/corn |
umbona |
|
milk |
ubisi |
|
mine |
Lam |
|
mountain |
intaba |
|
mouth |
umlomo |
|
music |
umculo |
|
my brother |
mfowethu |
|
my sister |
dadewethu |
|
mystery |
intsumantsumane |
|
nail |
uzipho |
|
name |
igama |
|
neck |
intamo |
|
neighbour |
ummelwane |
|
North |
uMntla |
|
nose |
impumlo |
|
old man/old woman |
ixhego/ixhegwazana |
|
opportunity |
inxaxheba |
|
outside |
phandle |
|
parent |
umzali |
|
person |
umntu |
|
pig |
ihagu |
|
pillar/headman/ to stir |
isibonda/uSibonda/ukubonda |
|
place |
indawo |
|
question |
Umbuzo |
|
radio |
unomathotholo |
|
reason |
isizathu |
|
reporter |
intatheli |
|
respect |
intlonipho |
|
respond to a call |
sabela |
|
reward/salary |
umvuzo |
|
road/way (direction/law){constitution} |
indlela (umgaqo){umgaqo-sisekelo} |
|
rope |
intambo |
|
rope/phoneline |
umnxeba |
|
sack |
ingxowa |
|
sea |
ulwandle |
|
shadow/shade |
isithunzi/umthunzi |
|
sheep |
igusha |
|
short person/San |
umthwa |
|
shoulders/ |
amagxa |
|
show |
-veza |
|
sin |
isono |
|
site |
isiza |
|
situation/circumstance |
ubume/isimo |
|
snake |
inyoka |
|
son-in-law |
umkhwenyana |
|
sour milk |
amasi |
|
tail |
umsila |
|
talent/career/call (as in becoming a priest) |
ubizo |
|
tallness |
ubude |
|
teacher/priest |
umfundisi |
|
television/binoculars |
umabona-kude |
|
the answer |
impendulo |
|
the end |
isiphelo |
|
the one |
eyona |
|
the South |
uMzantsi |
|
theirs |
Yabo |
|
them |
bona |
|
them |
bona |
|
thigh/pumkin |
ithanga |
|
time |
ixesha |
|
to be pregnant |
ukukhulelwa |
|
to bury/hide |
ukufihla |
|
to cause a fight while not fighting |
thelekisa |
|
to clean |
ukucoca |
|
to close |
ukuvala |
|
to cook |
ukupheka |
|
to cry |
ukulila |
|
to die |
ukufa |
|
to fall |
ukuwa |
|
to get mad/angry |
ukucaphuka |
|
to give birth |
ukuzala |
|
to kill |
ukubulala |
|
to laugh |
ukuhleka |
|
to open |
ukuvula |
|
to play |
ukudlala |
|
to rape |
ukudlwengula |
|
to show/reveal |
ukuveza |
|
to swim/duck |
ukudada/idada |
|
to write |
ukubhala |
|
tongue/language/gossip |
ulwimi |
|
tornado |
inkanyamba |
|
train |
uloliwe |
|
tree |
umthi |
|
unmarried woman/girl |
intombi/intombazane |
|
ups and downs |
amahlandenyuka |
|
visitor |
undwendwe |
|
voice |
ilizwi |
|
wake/to wake |
vusa/ukuvusa |
|
wall |
udonga |
|
water |
amanzi |
|
We are fine/We are here |
Sikhona |
|
West |
eNtshona |
|
whistle |
umlozi |
|
white meat |
umkhwepha |
|
white person |
umlungu |
|
wing |
iphiko |
|
wish |
umnqweno |
|
witch/witchcraft |
igqwirha/ubugqwirha |
|
wood |
inkuni |
|
wound |
inxeba |
|
xhin |
isilevu |
|
you |
wena |
|
yours |
Yakho |
|
Phrases to warm your heart |
|
|
birds of a feather |
amaphuth' ahlathinye |
|
Greetings to you listeners |
Molweni baphulaphuli |
|
H/She is excited |
uphethwe yimincili |
|
He/She is full of him/herself |
uyazithanda |
|
I LOVE YOU |
Ndiyakuthanda |
|
please write home |
nceda bhalela ekhaya |
|
Thank you very much |
Enkosi kakhuli |
|
to take part/to participate |
ukuthatha inxaxheba |
|
you are a man amongst men |
uyindoda emadodeni |
|
Daily Conversation |
|
|
and so on |
njalo-njalo |
|
beef |
inyama yenkomo |
|
bend over |
dunusa |
|
Beware of the dog |
Lumkela inja |
|
blow your nose |
finya |
|
Day and night |
Imini nobususku |
|
Do not sleep again |
musa ukulala kwakhona |
|
Dogs out! |
Inja phandle |
|
fat as a pig |
utyebe okwehagu |
|
fisherman |
abalobi bentlanzi |
|
He/She has a broken heart |
Waphukelwe yintliziyo |
|
he/she wants to pee |
utshiswa ngumchamo |
|
human mistake |
impazamo eyenziwe ngumntu |
|
I am busy |
ndixakekile |
|
I am tired now |
ndidiniwe ngoku |
|
I saw a white man |
ndibone umlungu |
|
I want food |
Ndifuna ukudla |
|
I want food with nourishment |
Ndifuna ukutya okunesondlo |
|
I want to ride in/on a bus |
Ndifuna ukukhwela uduladula |
|
I want to sleep |
ndifuna ukulala |
|
it is raining |
imvula iyana |
|
kneel |
guqa ngamadolo |
|
Men inside |
Amadoda endlini |
|
mielie meal |
umgubo wombona |
|
move forward |
hambela phambili |
|
mutton |
inyama yegusha |
|
One who appears last |
Uvelemva |
|
play the music |
ndlala/khalisa umculo |
|
Please show me the house of ... |
Ndicela undibonise umzi ka... |
|
pork |
inyama yehagu |
|
quiet music |
umculo opholileyo |
|
red coal |
amalahle abomvu |
|
see you |
izakubonana |
|
serve food |
phaka ukudla |
|
sit down |
hlala phantsi |
|
stand up |
yima ngenyawo |
|
stay well |
sala kakuhle |
|
sweetened water |
amanzi aneswekile |
|
thank you very much |
ndiyabulela kakhulu |
|
The winter is here |
ubusika bufikile |
|
undress |
khulula impahla |
|
wash your face |
hlamba ubuso |
|
weather forecast |
uqikelelo lwemozulu |
|
what do you want? |
ufuna ntoni? |
|
where are the girls |
aphi amantombi? |
|
Where are the older people of the house |
Baphi abantu abadala/abakhulu |
|
where do you go to school? |
ufunda phi? |
|
where is my girl friend? |
iphi intokazi yam? |
|
Where is the meeting? |
Iphi imbizo? |
|
where is the sea? |
luphi ulwandle? |
|
who do you want? |
ufuna bani? |
|
wipe your tears |
sula inyembezi |
|
you smell |
uyanuka |