Phrases |
'Useful' phrases |
Idioms |
Tongue twisters |
Language-related proverbs
A collection of useful phrases in Xhosa. Click on the English phrases to see them in many other languages.
Key to abbreviations: frm = formal, inf = informal, sg = singular (said to one person), pl = plural (said to more than one person).
| English | isiXhosa (Xhosa) |
|---|---|
| Welcome | Siya namkela nonke |
| Hello | Molo (sg) Molweni (pl) |
| How are you? I'm fine, thanks. And you? |
Unjani? (sg) Kunjani? (pl) |
| Ndiphilile | |
| Long time no see | Kudala ndakugqibela |
| What's your name? My name is ... |
Ngubani igama lakho? Igama lakho? |
| Igama lam ngu ... | |
| Where are you from? I'm from ... |
Uvela phi? |
| Ndivela e... | |
| Pleased to meet you | Ndiyavuya ukukwazi |
| Good afternoon | Uben' emva kwemini entle / Ube nemini emnandi |
| Good evening | Ubusuku obuhle |
| Good night | Rhonanai / Ulale kakuhle |
| Goodbye | Hamba kakuhle (go well) Sala kakuhle (stay well) |
| Good luck | Amathamsanqa |
| Cheers/Good health! | Impilo! |
| Have a nice day | Ubenemini emnandi |
| Enjoy your meal | Ukonwabele ukutya kwakho |
| Have a good journey | Uhambe kakuhle |
| I don't understand | Andiva |
| Please speak more slowly | Khawucothise |
| Please say that again | Ndicela uphinde / Khawuphinde utsho / Yitsho kaphinda |
| Please write it down | Cela uyibhale phantsi |
| Do you speak Xhosa? Yes |
Uyakwazi ukuthetha isiXhosa? |
| Ewe | |
| Do you speak English? | Uyakwazi ukuthetha isiNgesi? |
| How do you say ... in Xhosa? | Uthini …ngesiXhosa? |
| Excuse me | Uxolo! Ndixolele! |
| How much is this? | Yimalini? |
| Sorry | Ndicela uxolo |
| Thank you Response (You're welcome) |
Ndiyabulela / Enkosi |
| Wamkelekile | |
| Where's the toilet? | Liphi igumbi langasese? |
| This gentleman/lady will pay for everything |
uMfana uzakubhatala yonke into / uBhuti uzakubhatala yonke into Inenekazi lizokubhatala yonke into / Ilady lokubhatala yonke into |
| Would you like to dance with me? |
Ungathanda ukudansa? |
| I love you | Ndiya kuthanda |
| Get well soon | Uphile ngokukhawuleza |
| Leave me alone! | Ndiyeke! |
| Help! | Nceda! |
| Call the police! | Biza amapolisa! |
| Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year |
Siniqwenelela Ikrisimesi Emnandi Nonyaka Omtsha Ozele Iintsikelelo |
| Happy Birthday | Imini emnandi kuwe |
| One language is never enough |
Ulwimi olunye zange lonela |
If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, please contact me.
Information about the Xhosa language
Other collections of Xhosa phrases
http://www.salanguages.com/isixhosa/xhowrd.htm
http://www.fundani.uct.ac.za/phrasebook/
http://www.southafricalogue.com/travel-tips/south-african-phrases-xhosa.html
http://www.phrasebase.com/forum/read.php?TID=9682
http://kadri10.pri.ee/africa/files/dictionary.html
Copyright 1998- Simon Ager