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 |