Essential Xhosa Phrases

Sometimes you don't have time to learn long lists of words and phrases. All you want to know are the bare essentials for communicating to get what you need, or where you need to go.

Here are the bare minimum of Xhosa words and phrases you need to know to survive.

Learn the Top 10 Phrases if you only have time for the barest minimum. If you need or want more, then take a look at the Top 20 Phrases, Top 30 Phrases and the Extra Phrases.

If you need help with pronunciation,
please see the Pronunciation Guide below.

Here are ten easy phrases to get you started ...

The Top 10 ...

Molo.
Ewe. (reply)

Hello.
Usale kakuhle. (to the person staying)
Uhambe kakuhle. (to the person leaving)
Goodbye.
Uthetha isiNgesi?
Do you speak English?
Andiqondi.
I don't understand.
Kancinci.
A little.
Ewe. Hayi.
Yes. No.
Yimalini?

How much is it?
Idulu kakhulu. Kulungile.
Too expensive. OK.
Ndiyacela.
Please.
Enkosi (kakhulu).
Thank you (very much).

Here are ten more phrases that will help you make new friends and ask for directions ... The Top 20 ...
	Ngubani igama lakho? What is your name? Igama lam ngu... My name is ... Unjani? How are you? Ndiphilile. Wena? Fine. And you? Iphi ...? Where is ...? Iphi indlu langasese? Amadoda/Amakosikazi Where is the toilet? Men/Women Ndicela uxolo. Uxolo. Sorry. Excuse me. Akukho ngxaki. No problem. Ndifuna ... I want ... Andifuni ... I don't want ...

Here are another ten phrases to help you make a little more conversation and to get around ...

The Top 30 ...

Uvela phi?
Where are you from?
Ndivela e-Ostreliya.*
I am from Australia.
I-bili nceda.
The bill, please.
Ndilahlekile.
I'm lost.
Yima! Ndilindele!
Stop! Wait!
Apha, apho, phaya.
Here, there, over there.
Iteksi. Ihotele. Isitishi seenqwelo-moya. Isitishi.
Taxi. Hotel. Airport. Station.
Ndithanda ...
I like ...
Andithandi ...
I don't like ...

inye, zimbini, zintathu, zine, zintlanu.
one, two, three, four, five.
zintandathu, sixhenxe, sibhozo, sithoba, ishumi.
six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

*Or choose your country:
eMelika - from America
eCanada - from Canada
eNglani - from England
e-Ireland - from Ireland
eNew Zealand - from New Zealand

Here are some extra words and phrases you might find useful, especially if you have dietary needs or allergies ...

Useful Extras ...

Impilo!
Cheers!

ilungile / imbi
good / bad
inkulu / incinci
big / small
ifutshane / ikude
near / far
nganeno / yongeza
less / more
enye / ngokwaneleyo
another / enough

Ndingu-vegetarian.
I am vegetarian.
Andityi nyama.
I don't eat meat.
... nyama yenkukhu.
... chicken.
... ntlanzi.
... fish.

Ndinengxaki neenqoba.
I am allergic to nuts.
... namandongomane.
... to peanuts.
... nentlanzi.
... to fish.
... nokutya okuvela elwandle.
... to seafood.
... namaqanda.
... eggs.

Pronunciation Guide

Consonants:
c is a dental click, like tsk tsk, sucking the teeth (IPA ǀ)
x is a lateral click, like the sound for walking a horse, gee up
(IPA ǁ)
q is an alveolar click, like the sound of the pop of a bottle top
(IPA ǃ)
b is an implosive b (ɓ, like ʔb)
bh is pronounced as b
dl is pronounced as a voiced l that is a fricative, ie air still escapes (ɮ)
hh is pronounced as a voiced h (ɦ)
hl is pronounced as a voiceless l, like a Welsh ll, ie. air still escapes (ɬ)
kh is pronounced as k with a puff of air (kʰ)
ng is pronounced as ng as in finger (ŋg)
ph is pronounced as p with a puff of air (pʰ)
rx is pronounced as kh as in loch or Bach (x)
th is pronounced as t with a puff of air (tʰ