isiXhosa Communication 379
Week 1 – 3 Notes:
In isiXhosa, There Are 5 Vowels:
NOTE:
1. ‘A’ as in Aluminum
abantu = people “u” when referring to person
amakwenkwe = boys “e” when referring to place
2. ‘E’ as in Egg
emlanjini = at the river
3. ‘I’ as in E-wallet (can be used when referring to an object)
4. ‘O’ as in Oxygen
5. ‘U’ as in Uber
NOTE: Can use ‘I’ when referring to an object, such as “i-apple, i-inja”
Letters Of The Alphabet:
A In isiXhosa the alphabet “a” is pronounced as “a”. This letter is pronounced like the “a”
in the English word “alcohol” for example, “Abantwana”, which means “Children”.
[Apile- Apple] [Amathe- Saliva] [ Amakhwenkwe- Boys]
B The letter “b” is pronounced as “b”, and it is pronounced like the second “b” in the word
“baby”. Example, “bala”, which is “the count”. Or “bamba”, which means “Hold”
[Basa- Make fire] [Banga- Claim]. uAphiwe uyabasa = Aphiwe is making a fire
C “C” isiXhosa is pronounced as ‘C” in the word “iCici” which is “earring” C is non-existent
in English [cela- request] [ceba- plan to]
D “D” is pronounced as “D” this letter is pronounced like the “D” in the English word
“Donkey Example, “Dokethi”, which means “Docket”.
[diba- refill] [dabi- struggle]
E The letter “e” is pronounced as “ai” in air, for example, “emlanjeni”, which means “at the
river” Egg which means “Iqanda”
F The letter “f” is pronounced as “f”, and it is pronounced exactly like the “f” in the word
“far”. For example, “fefa”, which means “sprinkle”.
G “G” is pronounced as “g” in Geyser” For example, “gama, which is “name”.
H “H” is pronounced as “hhh” in Horse, House For example, “hobe”, which means “dove”.
Or “hamba”, which means “go”.
I “I” is pronounced as “i”, in Economics, Ink for instance, “isibhanxa”, which means
“Idiot”. Isitya which mean “Dish”
J “J” is also pronounced like the “g” in the word “genre” , “Germany” For example, “jala”,
which means “disappointed”.
K “K” is pronounced as “k”, and it is pronounced like the “C” in the English word “cut”. For
example, “khomba”, which means “point”.
L “L” is pronounced as “lll” and it is pronounced like the “l” in the word “lion”. For example,
“lala”, which means “sleep”. Or “lima”, which means “plough”.
M “M” is pronounced as “mmm”, and this letter is pronounced like the “m” in the word
“many”. For instance, “mela”, which means “knife”.
N “N” is pronounced as “nnn”, and this letter is pronounced like the “n” in the word “need”.
For example, “nika”, which is “give”.
O The letter “o” is pronounced as “o”, and it is pronounced like the “o” in the word “ought”.
E.g, “oko”, which means “always”.
, P “P” is pronounced as “p”. This letter is pronounced like the “p” in the word “pineapple”.
For instance, “Pitoli”, which means “Pretoria”.
Q “Q” in English the sound “Q” is nonexistent.
[Qanda- Egg] [Qonda- understand]
R And then “r” is pronounced as “rrr”, and this letter is pronounced like the “r” in the word
“rain”. Example, “ragi”, which means “blanket”.
S “S” is pronounced as “sss”, and it is pronounced like the “s” in the word “sell”. Example,
“sela”, which means “drink”.
T “T” is pronounced as “d”, and it is pronounced like the “d” in the word “democracy”. For
instance, “temo”, which means “agriculture”.
U “U” is pronounced as “u”, and it is pronounced like the “u” in the English word “Uber”.
For instance, “umzi”, which means “home”.
V “V” is pronounced as “V” in English word “violence” for instance “volo-volo” which is
“gun” “Vuma” “accept”
W W is pronounced as “w” in English word “worms” example, “wena”, which means “you”
singular.
X “X” is pronounced as “x”, and this sound is non-existent in English.
[Xoxa- argue] [Xela- report] [Xuba- mix]
- We believe one can learn to pronounce words in isiXhosa by listening to those who speak the
language and practice after.
- It is understood some of people are unfamiliar with these clicks but with practice everything is
possible
The 3 Clicks In Xhosa:
1. C (Cela): produced by pressing the front of the tongue where the front palate and the front
teeth meet
2. Q (Qobo): produced by sucking the front of the tongue to the front of the palate and pulling it
away rapidly to produce a popping sound
3. X (Xolo): produced by sucking the front of the tongue to the front of the palate and pulling it
away quickly
Greetings: NOTE:
Molo – 1 person Molo Aphiwe (single)
Molweni – more than 1 person Molweni bafundi (plural)
Molweni John no James (plural)
Basic Conversation:
Speaker 1 Molo sisi Hello sister
Speaker 2 Molo bhuti Hello brother
Speaker 1 Unjani? How are you?
Speaker 2 Ndiphilile, wena? I am fine, yourself?
Speaker 1 Ndiphilile nam. I am fine as well.
Ngubani igama lakho? What is your name?
Speaker 2 Igama lam ngu Olivia, wena? My name is Olivia and you?
Speaker 1 Igama lam ngu John. My name is John.
Ndiyavuya ukwazi. Nice to meet you.
Use “ndi” when referring to yourself.
(no = and)
This is a pronoun.
, Basic Conversation – CONTINUED:
Speaker 1 Ngubani ifani yakho? What is your surname?
Speaker 2 iFani yam ngu Kleinhans My surname is Kleinhans
Speaker 1 Mingaphi iminyaka yakho? How are you?
Speaker 2 Iminyaka yam mine I am 4 years old
Speaker 1 Ifunda ntoni? What are you studying?
Speaker 2 Ndifundela ubuTitshala, wena? I am studying to be a teacher, and you?
Ndiyafunda ubuTitshala I am studying Education/Teaching
Speaker 1 Ibinjani imini yakho? (How + was + day) = How was your day?
Speaker 2 Imini yam ibimbi, eyakho? My day was bad, and yours?
Speaker 1 Eyam ibimandi My day was good
Singular VS Plural Greeting:
Singular Greeting Plural Greeting
Molo Mama Hello mommy Molweni Themba Hello Themba and others
Molo James Hello James Molweni bafundi Hello students
Molo Jack Hello Jack Molweni Mama no Makhulu Hello mom and grandmother
Molo Titshala Hello teacher Molweni bantwana Hello children
Ending The Conversation:
- Sala kakuhle, John (stay well, John) Singular
- Hamba kakuhle, John (go well, John)
- Salani kakuhle bafundi (stay well students)
- Hambani kakuhle bahlobo bam (go well my friends)
Plural ( add ni )
- Salani kakuhle Manene (stay well gentlemen)
- Hambani kakuhle Jack (go well Jack and others)
Hamba Kakuhle – Leaving:
Hamba kakuhle Themba Go well Themba
Hamba kakuhle Titshalakazi Go well teacher
Hamba kakuhle Qhawe Go well Hero
Hambani kakuhle bantwana (plural) Go well children
Hambani kakuhle Aphiwe Go well Aphiwe and others
Sala Kakuhle – Staying:
Stay well Gentlemen (plural – ni) Salani kakuhle Manene
Stay well Teacher (female) Sala kakuhle Titshalakazi
Stay well younger brother Sala kakuhle mninawa
Stay well my sister Sala kakuhle dade
Week 1 – 3 Notes:
In isiXhosa, There Are 5 Vowels:
NOTE:
1. ‘A’ as in Aluminum
abantu = people “u” when referring to person
amakwenkwe = boys “e” when referring to place
2. ‘E’ as in Egg
emlanjini = at the river
3. ‘I’ as in E-wallet (can be used when referring to an object)
4. ‘O’ as in Oxygen
5. ‘U’ as in Uber
NOTE: Can use ‘I’ when referring to an object, such as “i-apple, i-inja”
Letters Of The Alphabet:
A In isiXhosa the alphabet “a” is pronounced as “a”. This letter is pronounced like the “a”
in the English word “alcohol” for example, “Abantwana”, which means “Children”.
[Apile- Apple] [Amathe- Saliva] [ Amakhwenkwe- Boys]
B The letter “b” is pronounced as “b”, and it is pronounced like the second “b” in the word
“baby”. Example, “bala”, which is “the count”. Or “bamba”, which means “Hold”
[Basa- Make fire] [Banga- Claim]. uAphiwe uyabasa = Aphiwe is making a fire
C “C” isiXhosa is pronounced as ‘C” in the word “iCici” which is “earring” C is non-existent
in English [cela- request] [ceba- plan to]
D “D” is pronounced as “D” this letter is pronounced like the “D” in the English word
“Donkey Example, “Dokethi”, which means “Docket”.
[diba- refill] [dabi- struggle]
E The letter “e” is pronounced as “ai” in air, for example, “emlanjeni”, which means “at the
river” Egg which means “Iqanda”
F The letter “f” is pronounced as “f”, and it is pronounced exactly like the “f” in the word
“far”. For example, “fefa”, which means “sprinkle”.
G “G” is pronounced as “g” in Geyser” For example, “gama, which is “name”.
H “H” is pronounced as “hhh” in Horse, House For example, “hobe”, which means “dove”.
Or “hamba”, which means “go”.
I “I” is pronounced as “i”, in Economics, Ink for instance, “isibhanxa”, which means
“Idiot”. Isitya which mean “Dish”
J “J” is also pronounced like the “g” in the word “genre” , “Germany” For example, “jala”,
which means “disappointed”.
K “K” is pronounced as “k”, and it is pronounced like the “C” in the English word “cut”. For
example, “khomba”, which means “point”.
L “L” is pronounced as “lll” and it is pronounced like the “l” in the word “lion”. For example,
“lala”, which means “sleep”. Or “lima”, which means “plough”.
M “M” is pronounced as “mmm”, and this letter is pronounced like the “m” in the word
“many”. For instance, “mela”, which means “knife”.
N “N” is pronounced as “nnn”, and this letter is pronounced like the “n” in the word “need”.
For example, “nika”, which is “give”.
O The letter “o” is pronounced as “o”, and it is pronounced like the “o” in the word “ought”.
E.g, “oko”, which means “always”.
, P “P” is pronounced as “p”. This letter is pronounced like the “p” in the word “pineapple”.
For instance, “Pitoli”, which means “Pretoria”.
Q “Q” in English the sound “Q” is nonexistent.
[Qanda- Egg] [Qonda- understand]
R And then “r” is pronounced as “rrr”, and this letter is pronounced like the “r” in the word
“rain”. Example, “ragi”, which means “blanket”.
S “S” is pronounced as “sss”, and it is pronounced like the “s” in the word “sell”. Example,
“sela”, which means “drink”.
T “T” is pronounced as “d”, and it is pronounced like the “d” in the word “democracy”. For
instance, “temo”, which means “agriculture”.
U “U” is pronounced as “u”, and it is pronounced like the “u” in the English word “Uber”.
For instance, “umzi”, which means “home”.
V “V” is pronounced as “V” in English word “violence” for instance “volo-volo” which is
“gun” “Vuma” “accept”
W W is pronounced as “w” in English word “worms” example, “wena”, which means “you”
singular.
X “X” is pronounced as “x”, and this sound is non-existent in English.
[Xoxa- argue] [Xela- report] [Xuba- mix]
- We believe one can learn to pronounce words in isiXhosa by listening to those who speak the
language and practice after.
- It is understood some of people are unfamiliar with these clicks but with practice everything is
possible
The 3 Clicks In Xhosa:
1. C (Cela): produced by pressing the front of the tongue where the front palate and the front
teeth meet
2. Q (Qobo): produced by sucking the front of the tongue to the front of the palate and pulling it
away rapidly to produce a popping sound
3. X (Xolo): produced by sucking the front of the tongue to the front of the palate and pulling it
away quickly
Greetings: NOTE:
Molo – 1 person Molo Aphiwe (single)
Molweni – more than 1 person Molweni bafundi (plural)
Molweni John no James (plural)
Basic Conversation:
Speaker 1 Molo sisi Hello sister
Speaker 2 Molo bhuti Hello brother
Speaker 1 Unjani? How are you?
Speaker 2 Ndiphilile, wena? I am fine, yourself?
Speaker 1 Ndiphilile nam. I am fine as well.
Ngubani igama lakho? What is your name?
Speaker 2 Igama lam ngu Olivia, wena? My name is Olivia and you?
Speaker 1 Igama lam ngu John. My name is John.
Ndiyavuya ukwazi. Nice to meet you.
Use “ndi” when referring to yourself.
(no = and)
This is a pronoun.
, Basic Conversation – CONTINUED:
Speaker 1 Ngubani ifani yakho? What is your surname?
Speaker 2 iFani yam ngu Kleinhans My surname is Kleinhans
Speaker 1 Mingaphi iminyaka yakho? How are you?
Speaker 2 Iminyaka yam mine I am 4 years old
Speaker 1 Ifunda ntoni? What are you studying?
Speaker 2 Ndifundela ubuTitshala, wena? I am studying to be a teacher, and you?
Ndiyafunda ubuTitshala I am studying Education/Teaching
Speaker 1 Ibinjani imini yakho? (How + was + day) = How was your day?
Speaker 2 Imini yam ibimbi, eyakho? My day was bad, and yours?
Speaker 1 Eyam ibimandi My day was good
Singular VS Plural Greeting:
Singular Greeting Plural Greeting
Molo Mama Hello mommy Molweni Themba Hello Themba and others
Molo James Hello James Molweni bafundi Hello students
Molo Jack Hello Jack Molweni Mama no Makhulu Hello mom and grandmother
Molo Titshala Hello teacher Molweni bantwana Hello children
Ending The Conversation:
- Sala kakuhle, John (stay well, John) Singular
- Hamba kakuhle, John (go well, John)
- Salani kakuhle bafundi (stay well students)
- Hambani kakuhle bahlobo bam (go well my friends)
Plural ( add ni )
- Salani kakuhle Manene (stay well gentlemen)
- Hambani kakuhle Jack (go well Jack and others)
Hamba Kakuhle – Leaving:
Hamba kakuhle Themba Go well Themba
Hamba kakuhle Titshalakazi Go well teacher
Hamba kakuhle Qhawe Go well Hero
Hambani kakuhle bantwana (plural) Go well children
Hambani kakuhle Aphiwe Go well Aphiwe and others
Sala Kakuhle – Staying:
Stay well Gentlemen (plural – ni) Salani kakuhle Manene
Stay well Teacher (female) Sala kakuhle Titshalakazi
Stay well younger brother Sala kakuhle mninawa
Stay well my sister Sala kakuhle dade
