Xhosa

XHOSA

Lonely Planet Publications

pronunciation

isixhosa

Vowels
aa
aw
e
ee
u

father
law
bet
see
put

b
b
ch
d
dl
f
g
h
hl
j
k
k
l
m
n
ng
ny
p
p
r
s
sh
t
t
ts
v
w
y
z

as in rib-punch
strong b with air sucked in
as in let-show, but spat out
as in hard-times
like a voiced hl
fun
as in big-kick
hat
as in the Welsh llewellyn
jar
kit
strong k
lot
man
not
finger
canyon
pet
popping p
run (rolled)
sun
shot
top
spitting t
as in lets, but spat out
very
win
yes
zero

Each syllable is separated

by a dot, and the syllable stressed in
each word is italicised.

IS IX HO SA pr on un ci at i o n

For example:
Enkosi.

enkawsee

Xhosas glottalised consonants,

simplified as b, ch, k, p, t and ts
in our pronunciation guide,
are made by tightening and releasing
the space between the vocal cords
when you pronounce the sound,
a bit like combining it with the
sound in the middle of the word uhoh. The sound b has an extra twist
instead of breathing out to make
the sound, you breathe in.
For information on Xhosas distinctive
click sounds, see the box on page 184.
The term voiced used in relation to
the dl sound means that its produced
with the vocal cords vibrating.

Learn some Xhosa (Funda isiXhosa fundaa eeseekhawsaa) words and not only will
you be able to communicate with the Xhosa people in their own language, but youll
have something in common with one of Africas greatest heroes. Nelson Mandela is
arguably the worlds most famous Xhosa speaker incidentally, his Xhosa name is
the somewhat prophetic Rolihlahla rawleehlaahlaa (troublemaker). Xhosa is the
most widely distributed African language in South Africa (although most of its speakers live in the southeastern Cape Province) and one of the countrys official languages.
About 18 per cent of South Africans, or six and a half million people, speak Xhosa. It
belongs to the Nguni subfamily of the Bantu languages, along with Zulu, Swati and
Ndebele. The Bantu-speaking groups migrated south over the centuries along the
coast of East Africa and through Central Africa. In southern Africa, they encountered
Khoisan-speaking people and borrowed elements of their language in particular,
the click sounds, a distinctive feature of Xhosa and other South African languages.
xhosa (native language)
N A M IBIA

xhosa (generally understood)

Li

BOTSWANA

Windhoek
Gaborone

Tshwane
(Pretoria)

MOZAM BIQUE
Maputo

Mbabane
SWAZILAND

Bloemfontein

Maseru
LESOTHO

SO U TH AFRI C A
ATL A N TI C
O CEA N
Cape Town

INDIAN
OC EAN
0
0

400 km
200 mi

introduction XHOSA

English sound

po

Symbol

po

English sound

introduction

Symbol

In this chapter,
the Xhosa pronunciation
is given in teal after each phrase.

182

Consonants

183

language difficulties
Do you speak English?
Do you understand?
I (dont) understand.

Uyasithetha isingesi?
Uyaqonda?
(Andi)qondi.

uyaaseetetaa eeseengesee
uyaakawndaa
(aandee)kawndee

Could you please ?

repeat that
speak more
slowly
write it down

Unakho ukunceda ? unaakaw ukun!edaa

khawuphinde
kaawupeende
thetha ngoku
tetaa ngawku
cothisisa
k!awteeseesaa
yibhale phantsi
yeebaale paantsee

click sounds

184

front teeth
k!
kh!
g!
n!
gn!

roof of the mouth

k
kh
g
n
gn

side teeth
k
kh
g
n
gn

description
voiceless
aspirated (with a puff of air)
voiced
nasalized voiceless
nasalised voiced

time, dates & numbers

What time is it?
Its one oclock.
Its (two) oclock.
Quarter past (one).
Half past (one).
Quarter to (eight).
At what time ?
At
Its (15 December).

Ngubani ixesha?
Nguwani.
Ngu(thu).
Yikota pasti
(wani).
Yihaf pasti (wani).
Yikota thu(eyiti).
Ngobani ixesha ?
Ngo
Yi(fiftini
kaDisemba).

ngubaanee eek eshaa

nguwaanee
ngu(tu)
yeekawtaa paastee
(waanee)
yeehaaf paastee (waanee)
yeekawtaa tu(eyeetee)
ngawbaanee eek eshaa
ngaw
yee(feefteenee
kaadeesembaa)

izolo
namhlanje
ngomso

eezawlaw
naamhlaanje
ngawmsaw

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

mvulo
lwesibini
lwesithathu
lwesine
lwesihlanu
mgqibelo
cawa

mvulaw
lweseebeenee
lweseetaatu
lweseene
lweseehlaanu
mgeebelaw
k!aawaa

numbers
In Xhosa, numbers borrowed from English are commonly used and will be understood. Theyre also given in this chapter, rather than the more complex Xhosa
forms. Numbers one to 10 are given below.
1 wani
waanee
6
siksi
seeksee
2 thu
tu
7
seveni
sevenee
3 thri
tree
8
eyithi
eyeetee
4 fo
faw
9
nayini
naayeenee
5 fayifu
faayeefu
10 teni
tenee

border crossing
Im here
in transit
on business
on holiday

Ndilapha
ngothutho
shishina
eholideyini

ndeelaapaa
ngawtutaw
sheesheenaa
ehawleedeyeenee

Im here for
(10) days
(three) weeks
(two) months

Ndilapha ka
(teni) imini
(thri) iveki
(thu) inyanga

ndeelaapaa kaa
(tenee) eemeenee
(tree) eevekee
(tu) eenyaangaa

Im going to (Cintsa).
Ndiya kwidolophu (eCintsa).
Im staying at the (Buccaneers).
Ndihlala kwihotele
(eBuccaneers).

ndeeyaa kweedawlawpu (e!eentsaa)

ndeehlaalaa kweehawtele
(ebuk!aaners)

bor de r cr os s in g XHOS A

IS IXH OS A l an guage di f f i cult i es

Xhosa has a series of click sounds: some clicks are against the front teeth (like a tsk sound),
some are against the roof of the mouth at the front (like a tock sound) and some are against
the side teeth (like the chirrup you make to get a horse to start walking).

yesterday
today
tomorrow

185

tickets
A ticket
(to Mdantsane),
please.
one-way
return

Linye itikiti
(eliya eMdantsane),
nceda.
ndlelanye
buyela

leenye eeteekeetee
(eleeyaa emdaantsaane)
n!edaa
ndlelaanye
buyelaa

Id like to my
ticket, please.

Ndingathanda uku
itikiti lam,
ndiyacela.
rhoxisa
tshintsha
qokelela

ndeengaataandaa uku
eeteekeetee laam
ndeeyaa!elaa
khawkeesaa
cheentshaa
awkelelaa

Ndingathanda
esihlalweni,
ndiyacela.
ukutshaya
ukungatshayi

ndeengaataandaa
eseehlaalwenee
ndeeyaa!elaa
ukuchaayaa
ukungaachaayee

cancel
change
collect
Id like a
seat, please.

186

Is there a toilet/air conditioning?

Ikhona ithoyilethi/umoya
ogudileyo?
How long does the trip take?
Luthatha kangakanani
uhambo?
Is it a direct route?
Yindlela ethe tse?

eekawnaa eetawyeeletee/umawyaa
awgudeeleyaw
lutaataa kaangaakaanaanee
uhaambaw
yeendlelaa ete tse

transport
Where does flight (SAA59) arrive/depart?
Iflayithi (SAA fifti nayini)
eeflaayeetee (saaaa feeftee naayeenee)
ifika/ihamba phi?
eefeekaa/eehaambaa pee
How long will it be delayed?
Izakulibazisa
eezaakuleebaazeesaa
kangakanani?
kaangaakaanaanee

Yile eya
(eBhayi)?
iphenyane
ibhasi
inqwelomoya
uloliwe

yeele eyaa
(ebaayee)?
eepenyaane
eebaasee
eenwelawmawyaa
ulawleewe

How much is it to ?
Kuxabisa njani u ?
kuk aabeesaa njaanee u
Please take me to (this address).
Ndicela undise (kule dilesi).
ndeek!elaa undeese (kule deelesee)
Id like to hire a car/4WD (with air conditioning).
Ndifuna ukuhayarisha
ndeefunaa ukuhaayaareeshaa
imoto/4WD
eemawtaw/eefawweeldraayeevu
(ibe nomoya ogudileyo).
(eebe nawmawyaa awgudeeleyaw)
How much is it for (three) days/weeks?
Ixabisa kangakanani
eek aabeesaa kaangaakaanaanee
iintsuku (eziyithri)/iiveki?
eentsuku (ezeeyeetree)/eevekee

directions
Wheres the
(nearest) ?
internet caf
market

Iphi e(kufutshane) ?
ikhefi
yeintanethi
imakhethi

Is this the road to (Grahamstown)?

Ingaba lendlela iya (eRhini)?
Can you show me (on the map)?
Ungandibonisa (kwimaphu)?
Whats the address?
Ithini idilesi?
How far is it?
Kukude kangakanani?
How do I get there?
Ndifika njani apho?
Turn left/right.
Jika ekhohlo/ekunene.

eepee e(kufuchaane)
eekefee
yeeentaanetee
eemaaketee

eengaabaa lendlelaa eeyaa (ekheenee)

ungaandeebawneesaa (kweemaapu)
eeteenee eedeelesee
kukude kaangaakaanaanee
ndeefeekaa njaanee aapaw

d i re c t i o n s X H O S A

ISIXHOSA tickets

nonsmoking
smoking

Is this the to
(Port Elizabeth)?
boat
bus
plane
train

jeekaa ekawhlaw/ekunene

187

Its
behind
in front of
near (to )
next to
on the corner
opposite
straight ahead
there

I
emva
ngaphambi ko
kufutshane
landelayo
ekoneni
chaseneyo
nkqo-ngaphambili
apho

ee
emvaa
ngaapaambee kaw
kufuchaane
laandelaayaw
ekawnenee
kh!aaseneyaw
nkawngaapaambeelee
aapaw

accommodation

IS IXH OS A accom m oda ti on

188

Can you recommend somewhere cheap/good?

Ungancoma naphina
ungaank!awmaa naapeenaa
tshipu/kakuhle?
cheepu/kaakuhle
Id like to book a room, please.
Ndingathanda ukubhukisha
ndeengaataandaa ukubukeeshaa
igumbi, ndiyacela.
eegumbee ndeeyaak!elaa
I have a reservation.
Ndinamalungiselelo.
ndeenaamaalungeeselelaw
Do you have
a room?
single
double
twin

Unalo
igumbi ?
kanye
kabini
wele

How much is it per night/person?

Yimalini ubusuku/umntu?
Id like to stay for (two) nights.
Ndingathanda ukuhlala
ubusuku ka(bini).

unaalaw
eegumbee
kaanye
kaabeenee
wele
yeemaaleenee ubusuku/umntu
ndeengaataandaa ukuhlaalaa
ubusuku kaa(beenee)

ndeevumelekeele
ukukempeeshaa aapaa

banking & communications

Id like to
arrange a transfer

Iphi i ?
eepee ee
ibala
eebaalaa
lokukhempisha
lawkukempeeshaa
indlu yamandwendwe eendlu yaamaandwendwe
ihotele
eehawtele
ihostele yolutsha
eehawstele yawluchaa

leeteenee eek eshaa

lawkupawnawnawngaa paandle

cash a cheque
change a travellers
cheque
change money
withdraw money
I want to
buy a phonecard
call (Singapore)
reverse the
charges
use a printer
use the internet

Ndingathanda
cwangcisela
utshintsho
itsheki yemali
tshintsha itsheki
yabahambi
tshintsha imali
tsala imali

ndeengaataandaa
k!waang!eeselaa
ucheenchaw
eechekee yemaalee
cheenchaa eecheekee
yaabaahaambee
cheenchaa eemaalee
tsaalaa eemaalee

Ndifuna uku
thenga ikhadi
lokufowuna
fowuna e
(Singapore)
buyisela i
intlawulo
sebenzisa
iprinta
sebenzisa i
intanethi

ndeefunaa uku
tengaa eekaadee
lawkufawwunaa
fawwunaa e
(seengaapawre)
buyeeselaa ee
eentlaawulaw
sebenzeesaa
eepreentaa
sebenzeesaa ee
eentaanetee

How much is it per hour?

Ingaxabisa
eengaak aabeesaa
kangakanani ngeawari?
kaangaakaanaanee ngeaawaaree
How much does a (three-minute) call cost?
Ingaba ixabisa
eengaabaa eek aabeesaa
kangakanani (imizuzu
kaangaakaanaanee (eemeezuzu
eyithri) yocingo?
eyeetree) yawk!eengaw
(One rand) per minute/hour.
(Wani randi)
(waanee raandee)
umzuzu/ngeawari.
umzuzu/ngeaawaaree

ba n k i n g & com m uni cati on s X HOS A

Wheres a ?
camping
ground
guesthouse
hotel
youth hostel

What time is check-out?

Lithini ixesha
lokuphonononga phandle?
Am I allowed to camp here?
Ndivumelekile
ukukhempisha apha?

189

tours
Whens the
next ?
day trip
tour

Yeyiphi
landelayo ?
usuku lohamba
ukhenketho

yeyeepee
laandelaayaw
usuku lawhaambaa
ukenketaw

Is included?
accommodation

I idityanisiwe?
indawo
yokuhlala
ixabiso
elibizwayo
intlawulo
ukutya
isithuthi

ee deetyaaneeseewe
eendaawaw
yawkuhlaalaa
eekaabeesaw
eleebeezwaayaw
eentlaawulaw
ukutyaa
eeseetutee

the admission
charge
food
transport

lude kaangaakaanaanee ukenketaw

ngubaanee eekeshaa
eseenawkubuyaa ngaalaw

IS IXH OS A to urs
190

Im looking for
Ndifuna
I need film for this camera.
Ndifuna ifilimu yekhamera.
Can I listen to this?
Ndingamamela le?
Can I have my repaired?
Ndiyafuna ilungisiwe ?
When will it be ready?
Izakulunga nini?
How much is it?
Yimalini?
Can you write down the price?
Ungabhala phantsi ixabiso?

ndeezaakuneekaa (eefaayeefu) raandee

eekawnaa eempaazaamaw kweebeelee
eeyapaazaamaa
ndeengaataandaa eereeseetee/
eereefaandee ndeeyaak!elaa

Do you accept ?
credit cards
debit cards
travellers
cheques

Uyayamkela ?
ikhredithi khadi
idebhithi khadi
itsheki
zabahambi

uyaayaamkelaa
eekredeetee kaadee
eedebeetee kaadee
eechekee
zaabaahaambee

Could you ?
burn a CD from
my memory card

Ungakwazi uku ?
tshisa isidi
kweyam imemori
khadi
phucula le ifilimu

ungaakwaazee uku
cheesaa ee seedee
kweyam eememawree
kadee
puk!ulaa le eefeeleemu

develop this film

shopping

leeteenee eek aabeesaw eleengezaantsee

making conversation
ndeefunaa
Hello.
Good night.
Goodbye.

Molo.
Ubusuku benzolo.
Usale ngoxolo.

mawlaw
ubusuku benzawlaw
usaale ngawk awlaw

ndeeyaafunaa eelungeeswe

Mr
Mrs
Ms/Miss

Mhlekazi
Nkosazana
Nenekazi

mhlekaazee
nkawsaazaanaa
nenekaazee

eezaakulungaa neenee

How are you?

Fine, and you?

yeemaalinee

Whats your name?

ungaabaalaa paantsee eek aabeesaw

My names

Kunjani?
Ndiyaphila,
unjani wena?
Ngubani
igama lakho?
Igama lam ngu

kunjaanee
ndeeyaapeelaa
unjaanee wenaa
ngubaanee
eegaamaa laakaw
eegaamaa laam ngu

ndeefunaa eefeeleemu yekaameraa

ndeengaamaamelaa le

m ak i n g co n vers at io n X HO S A

How long is the tour?

Lude kangakanani ukhenketho?
What time should we be back?
Ngubani ixesha
esinokubuya ngalo?

Whats your lowest price?

Lithini ixabiso elingezantsi?
Ill give you (five) rand.
Ndizakunika (ifayifu) randi.
Theres a mistake in the bill.
Ikhona impazamo kwibhili.
Its faulty.
Iyaphazama.
Id like a receipt/refund, please.
Ndingathanda irisiti/
irifandi, ndiyacela.

191

IS IXH OS A ea ti ng o ut

Ndiyavuya
ukukwazi.

ndeeyaavuya
ukukwaazee

This is my
boyfriend
brother
daughter
father
friend
girlfriend
husband
mother
sister
son
wife

Yeyam le
inkwenkwe
mntakwethu
intombazana
utata
umhlobo
intokazi
umyeni
umama
udade
unyana
umfazi

yeyaam le
eenkwenkwe
mntaakwetu
eentawmbaazaanaa
utaataa
umhlawbaw
eentawkaazee
umyenee
umaamaa
udaade
unyaanaa
umfaazee

Heres my
Whats your ?
(email) address
phone number

Nantsi i
Ithini i ?
idilesi (yeimeyli)
inombolo
yefowni

Where are you from?

Ndiyafuna
inkcukacha
ngamaxabiso
isazisi
itafile
(yababini)
esasitya

ndeeyaafunaa
eenk!ukaa!haa
ngaamaakaabeesaw
esaazeesee
eetaafeele
(yaabaabeenee)
esaaseetyaa

Do you have
vegetarian food?

Unakho ukutya kwe

vejitheriyeni?

unaakaw ukutyaa kwe

vejeetereeyenee

Could you prepare

a meal without ?
eggs
meat stock

Ungalungiselela
isidlo ngaphandle ?
amaqanda
umhluzi

ungaalungeeselelaa
eeseedlaw ngaapaandle
aamaakaandaa
umhluzee

naantsee ee
eeteenee ee
eedeelesee (yeeemeylee)
eenawmbawlaw
yefawwunee

(cup of) coffee

(cup of) tea
with milk
without sugar

(ikopi) yekofu
(ikopi) yeti
nobisi
ngaphandle
kweswekile

(eekawpee) yekawfu
(eekawpee) yetee
nawbeesee
ngaapaandle
kweswekeele

Ungowaphi?

ungawwaapee

(boiled) water

amanzi (ashushu)

aamaanzee (aashushu)

Im from
Australia
Canada
New Zealand
the UK
the USA

Ndingowase
Ostreliya
Khanada
eNyuzilendi
eUK
eUSA

ndeengawwaase
awstreleeyaa
kaanaadaa
enyuzeelendee
euk
eusaa

emergencies

Im (not) married.
Can I take a photo
(of you)?

(Andi)tshatanga.
Ndingayithatha
ifoto (yakho)?

Ugakwazi
ukukhuthaza ?
ibhari
isitya
indawo yokutya

the menu
a table for (two)
that dish

Help!
Im lost.

Uncedo!
Ndilahlekile.

un!edaw
ndeelaahlekeele

(aandee)chaataangaa
ndeengaayeetaataa
eefawtaw (yaakaw)

Call !
an ambulance
a doctor
the police

Biza !
iambulensi
ugqirha
amapolisa

beezaa
eeaambulensee
ugeekhaa
aamaapawleesaa

ungaakwaazee
ukukutaazaa
eebaaree
eeseetyaa
eendaawaw yawkutyaa

Could you help me, please?

Ungandinceda, ndiyakucela?
Where are the toilets?
Ziphi itoylethi?
I want to report an offence.
Ndifuna ukuchaza iofensi.
I have insurance.
Ndine inshorensi.

eating out
Can you
recommend a ?
bar
dish
place to eat

Id like , please.
the bill

ungaandeenk!edaa ndeeyaakuk!elaa
zeepee eetawyeeletee
ndeefunaa ukukh!aazaa eeawfensee

e mergen ci es XH OSA

192

Im pleased to
meet you.

ndeene eenshawrensee

193

I want to contact my consulate/embassy.

Ndifuna ukhontaktha umzi/
ndeefunaa ukawntaaktaa umzee/
kamazakuzaku.
kaamaazaakuzaaku
Ive been assaulted.
Ive been raped.
Ive been robbed.

Ndibethiwe.
Ndidlwengulwe.
Ndirojiwe.

Ive lost my
Ndilahlekelwe
My was/were stolen. Eyam ibiwe.
bags
ibhegi
credit card
ikhadi lekhrediti
handbag
ibhegi yesandla
jewellery
ijuwelari
money
imali
passport
ipaspoti
travellers cheques
iitsheki
zabahambi
wallet
iwolethi

ndeebeteewe
ndeedlwengulwe
ndeerawjeewe
ndeelaahlekelwe
eyam eebeewe
eebegee
eekaadee lekredeetee
eebegee yesaandlaa
eejuwelaaree
eemaalee
eepaaspawtee
eechekee
zaabaahaambee
eewawletee

194

Wheres the
nearest ?
dentist
doctor
hospital
pharmacist

Yeyiphi
kufutshane ?
ugqirha
wamazinyo
ugqirha
isibhedlele
ifamasi

yeyeepee
kufuchaane
ugeekhaa
waamaazeenyaw
ugeekhaa
eeseebedlele
eefaamaasee

I need a doctor (who speaks English).

Ndifuna ugqirha
ndeefunaa ugeekhaa
(othetha isingesi).
(awtetaa eeseengesee)
Could I see a female doctor?
Ndinakho ukubona ugqirha
ndeenaakaw ukubawnaa ugeekhaa
obhinqileyo?
awbeeneeleyaw
It hurts here.
Kubuhlungu apha.
kubuhlungu aapaa
Im allergic to (penicillin).
Andidibani ne (penisilini).
aandeedeebaanee ne (peneeseeleenee)

In this dictionary, words are marked as Q (noun), D (adjective), Y (verb), VJ (singular), SO (plural), LQI (informal)
and SRO (polite) where necessary.

A
accommodation indawo yokuhlala
eendaawaw yawkuhlaalaa
adaptor iadaptha eeaadaaptaa
after emva emvaa
airport isitishi senqwelomoya
eeseeteeshee sen!welawmawyaa
alcohol utywala utywaalaa
all onke awnke
and na naa
ankle iqatha eeaataa
antibiotics iyeza lokubulala intsholongwane
eeyezaa lawkubulaalaa
eenchawlawngwaane
anti-inammatories amayeza okukrala
aamaayezaa awkukraalaa
arm ingalo eengaalaw
aspirin iyeza lokudambisa intlungu nefiva
eeyezaa lawkudaambeesaa eentlungu
nefeevaa
asthma umbefu umbefu
ATM umatshini wokugcina imali
umaacheenee wawkug!eenaa eemaalee

B
baby usana usaanaa
back (body) emva emvaa
backpack ingxowa oyithwala ngomqolo
eengkawwaa awyeetwaalaa ngawmawlaw
bad khohlakeleyo kawhlaakeleyaw
bank ibhanki eebaankee
bathroom igumbi lokuhlamba
eegumbee lawkuhlaambaa
battery ibhetri eebeetree
beautiful hle hle
bed ibhedi eebeedee
beer ibhiya eebeeyaa
bees iinyosi eenyawsee
before ngaphambili ngaapaambeelee
bicycle ibhayisikili eebaayeeseekeelee
big khulu kulu
blanket ingubo eengubaw
blood group udidi lwegazi udeedee lwegaazee
bottle ibhotile eebawteele

bottle opener isivuli bhotile eeseevulee bawteele

boy inkwenkwe eenkwenkwe
brakes (car) ibreki zemoto eebrekee zemawtaw
breakfast isidlo sakusasa eeseedlaw saakusaasaa
bronchitis isifo semibhobho yemiphunga
eeseefaw semeebawbaw yemeepungaa

C
caf ikhefi eekefee
cancel rhoxisa khawkeesaa
can opener isivuli kani eeseevulee kaanee
cash Q imali eemaalee
cell phone iselifowuni eeseleefawwunee
centre Q umbindi umbeendee
cheap tshipu cheepu
check (bill) ibhili eebeelee
check-in Q ikhawuntara yokuzazisa
eekaawuntaaraa yawkuzaazeesaa
chest isifuba eeseefubaa
child umntwana umntwaanaa
cigarette isigarethi eeseegaaretee
city isixeko eeseekekaw
clean D coca k!awk!aa
closed valiwe vaaleewe
codeine ikhowudhini eekawwudheenee
cold D banda baandaa
collect call irivesikholi eereeveseekawlee
condom ikhondom eekawndawm
constipation ukuqhina kwesisu
ukuheenaa kweseesu
cough Qukhohlokhohlo ukawhlawkawhlaw
customs (immigration) indawo yongenelelo
eendaawaw yawngenelelaw

D
dairy products imveliso yasederi
eemveleesaw yaasederee
dangerous ingozi eengawzee
date (time) ideyithi eedeyeetee
day usuku usuku
diaper isishuba eeseeshubaa
diarrhoea urhudo urudaw
dinner isidlo sangokuhlwa
eeseedlaw saangawkuhlwaa

en glis h x h o sa

IS IXH OS A me di ca l ne e ds

medical needs

englishxhosa dictionary

195

dirty mdaka mdaakaa

disabled olimazekileyo awleemaazekeeleyaw
double bed ibhedi eyenzelwe abantu ababini
eebedee eyenzelwe abantu ababeenee
drink Q isiselo eeseeselaw
drivers licence isazisi sokuqhuba
eesaazeesee sawkuhubaa
drug (illicit) isiyobisi eeseeyawbeesee

E E

ear indlebe eendlebe

east mpumalanga mpumaalaangaa
elevator ieliveyitha eeeleeveyeetaa
email Qi-imeyili eeeemeyeelee
English (language) ulwimi lwesingesi
ulweemee lweseengesee
exchange rate utshintsho mali ucheenchaw maalee
exit Q indawo yokuphuma
eendaawaw yawkupumaa
expensive duru duru
eye imehlo eemehlaw

F
fast khawuleza kawulezaa
fever ifiva eefeevaa
nger umnwe umnwe
rst-aid kit ikiti yoncedo lokuqala
eekeetee yawnk!edaw lawkukaalaa
rst class iklasi yokuqala eeklaasee yawkukaalaa
sh Q intlantsi eentlaantsee
food ukutya ukutyaa
foot unyawo unyaawaw
fork ifolokhwe eefawlawkwe
free (of charge) simahla seemaahlaa
fruit isiqhamo eeseekaamaw
funny hlekisayo hlekeesaayaw

DIC TIO NARY

196

game park indawo yokugcina izilwanyana

eendaawaw yawkug!eenaa
eezeelwaanyaanaa
gift isipho eeseepaw
girl intombi eentawmbee
glass (drinking) iglasi eeglaasee
glasses izipeki eezeepekee
gluten ncangathi n!aangaatee
good lungileyo lungeeleyaw
gram umlinganiso wobunzima
umleengaaneesaw wawbunzeemaa
guide Q inkokheli eenkawkelee

hand isandla eesaandlaa

happy vuya vuyaa
have ukuba na ukubaa naa
he u-(followed by name) u
head intloko eentlawkaw
headache intloko ebuhlungu
eentlawkaw ebuhlungu
heart intliziyo eentleezeeyaw
heart condition isifo sentliziyo
eeseefaw sentleezeeyaw
heat Q ubushushu ubushushu
here apha aapaa
high phezulu peezulu
highway indlela enkulu eendlelaa enkulu
hot shushu shushu
hungry lambile laambeele

man indoda eendawdaa

matches imatshisi eemaacheesee
meat inyama eenyaamaa
medicine iyeza eeyezaa
message umyalezo umyaalezaw
mobile phone ifowuni onokuhambanayo
eefawwunee awnawkuhaambaanaayaw
month inyanga eenyaangaa
morning kusasa kusaasaa
motorcycle isithuthuthu eeseetututu
mouth umlomo umlawmaw
MSG imsg eemsg
museum imuziyam eemuzeeyam
music umculo um!ulaw

name Q igama eegaamaa

napkin iseviyeti eeseveeyetee
nappy isishuba eeseeshubaa
nausea ubucaphucaphu ubu!aapu!aapu
neck intamo eentaamaw
new ntsha nchaa
news indaba eendaabaa
newspaper iphephandaba eepepaandaabaa
night ubusuku ubusuku
noisy ngxolayo ngawlaayaw
nonsmoking akutshaywa aakuchaaywaa
north entla entlaa
nose impumlo eempumlaw
now ngoku ngawku
number inani eenaanee
nuts amaqhele aamaakhele

I i ee
identication (card) ikhadi yeID eekaadee yeeed
ill gula gulaa
important baluleka baalulekaa
internet intanethi eentaanetee
interpreter itoliki eetawleekee

J
job umsebenzi umsebenzee

K
key isitshixo eeseetseeaw
kilogram ikhilogramu eekeelawgraamu
kitchen ikhitshi eekeechee
knife imela eemelaa

L
laundry (place) indawo yokuhlamba impahla
eendaawaw yawkuhlaambaa eempaahlaa
lawyer iqhwetha eekhwetaa
leg umlenze umlenze
less nganeno ngaanenaw
letter (mail) ileta eeletaa
like Y thanda taandaa
love Y uthando utaandaw
lunch isidlo sasemini eeseedlaw saasemeenee

O
oil (engine) ioyile eeawyeele
old ndala ndaalaa
open D vulekileyo vulekeeleyaw
outside ngaphandle ngaapaandle

P
package impahla eempaahlaa
pain intlungu eentlungu
palace ibhotwe eebawtwe
paper iphepha eepepaa
park (car) Y pakisha paakeeshaa
passport ipasipoti eepaaseepawtee
pay umvuzo umvuzaw

pen usiba useebaa

petrol ipetroli eepetrawlee
pharmacy ifamasi eefaamaasee
plate ipleyiti eepleyeetee
postcard iposikhadi eepawseekaadee
post oce iposi ofisi eepawsee awfeesee
pregnant khulelweyo kulelweyaw

R
rain Q imvula eemvulaa
razor ireyiza eereyeezaa
registered mail iposi ebhaliswayo
eepawsee ebaaleeswaayaw
rent Y irente eerente
repair Y lungisa lungeesaa
reservation isigcinelo eeseeg!eenelaw
restaurant irestyu eerestyu
return Y buyela buyelaa
road indlela eendlelaa
room igumbi eegumbee

S
sad lusizi luseezee
safe D gcinakeleyo g!eenaakeleyaw
sanitary napkin iphedi eepedee
seafood ukutya kwaselwandle
ukutyaa kwaaselwaandle
seat isihlalo eeseehlaalaw
send thumela tumelaa
sex isini eeseenee
shampoo ishampu eeshaampu
share (a dorm, etc) ukwabelana ngegumbi
ukwaabelaanaa ngegumbee
shaving cream ikhrimu yokusheva
eekreemu yawkushevaa
she uno (followed by name) unaw
sheet (bed) ishiti eesheetee
shirt ihempe eehempe
shoes izihlangu eezeehlaangu
shop Q ivenkile eevenkeele
shower Q ishawari eeshaawaaree
skin ulusu ulusu
skirt isiketi eeseeketee
sleep Y lala laalaa
small ncinci n!een!ee
smoke (cigarettes) Y tshaya tshaayaa
soap isepha eesepaa
some inxenye eenenye
soon kamsinya kaamseenyaa
sore throat umqala obuhlungu
umkaalaa awbuhlungu

e ngl i sh xh os a

197

 Lonely Planet Publications

south mzantsi mzaantsee

souvenir shop ivenkile ethengisa izikhumbuzo
eevenkeele etengeesaa ezeekumbuzaw
speak thetha tetaa
spoon icephe eek!epe
stamp Q isitampu eeseetaampu
stand-by ticket itikiti lokulinda
eeteekeetee lawkuleendaa
station (train) isitishi eeseeteeshee
stomach isisu eeseesu
stop Y ima eemaa
stop (bus) Q indawo yokumisa
eendaawaw yawkumeesaa
street isitalato eeseetaalaataw
student umfundi umfundee
sunscreen ikhrimu yokukhusela ilanga
eekreemu yawkukuselaa eelaangaa
swim Y ukuqubha ukukubaa

DIC TIO NARY

198

tampons iithamponi eetaampawnee

teeth amazinyo aamaazeenyaw
telephone Q ifowuni eefawwunee
television umabonakude umaabawnaakude
temperature (weather) iqondo lobushushu
eekawndaw lawbushushu
tent intente eentente
that (one) leya (inye) leyaa (enyee)
they bona bawnaa
thirsty nxaniwe naaneewe
this (one) le (kanye) le (kaanye)
throat umqala umkaalaa
ticket itikiti eeteekeetee
time ixesha eekeshaa
tired diniwe deeneewe
tissues ithishu eeteeshu
today namhlanje naamhlaanje
toilet ithoyilethi eetawyeeletee
tonight ngokuhlwa ngawkuhlwaa
toothache izinyo elibuhlungu
eezeenyaw eleebuhlungu
toothbrush ibrashi yokuxukuxa amazinyo
eebraashee yawkukukukaa aamaazeenyaw
toothpaste intlama yamazinyo
eentlaamaa yaamaazeenyaw
torch (ashlight) itotshi eetawchee
tourist oce iofisi yabacandi-zwe
eeawfeesee yaabaak!aandeezwe
towel itawuli eetaawulee
translate guqula gukulaa

travel agency umlungiseleli hambo

umlungeeselelee haambaw
travellers cheque itsheki yabahambi
eechekee yaabaahaambee
trousers iibhulukhwe eebulukwe
twin beds iibhedi ezimbini ezifanayo
eebedee ezeembeenee ezeefaanaayaw
tyre ithayara eetaayaaraa

U
underwear isinxibo sangaphantsi
eeseeneebaw saangaapaantsee
urgent ngxamiseka ngaameesekaa

V
vacant ngenanto ngenaantaw
vegetable Q umfuno umfunaw
vegetarian D utya izihluma utyaa eezeehlumaa
visa iviza eeveezaa

W
waiter iweyita eeweyeetaa
walk Y hamba haambaa
wallet isipaji eeseepaajee
warm D fudumeleyo fudumeleyaw
wash (something) vasa vaasaa
watch Q iwotshi eewawchee
water amanzi aamaanzee
we thina teenaa
weekend impelaveki eempelaavekee
west ntshona nchawnaa
wheelchair isitulo esinamavili
eeseetulaw eseenaamaaveelee
when nini neenee
where phi pee
who bani baanee
why kutheni kutenee
window ifestile eefesteele
wine iwayini eewaayeenee
with na naa
without ngaphandle ngaapaandle
woman umfazi umfaazee
write bhala baalaa

Y
you VJLQISRO wena/nawe wenaa/naawe
you SOLQISRO nina/thina neenaa/teenaa

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