IsiXhosa Greeting & Introductions Flashcards
To learn how to greet in IsiXhosa within the cultural context (in terms of nouns, prefixes and suffix applications). To know introductions in IsiXhosa
Molo. Unjani? (singular: one person)
Hello. How are you?
“u” = you - singular; “njani” = how
Molo. Ndiphilile, enkosi.
Hello. I am well, thank you.
(“Ndi” = “I am” and Philile = well/fine/good)
(enkosi = thank you)
Unjani wena?
and how are you?
(Wena means “you” for singular)
(“njani?” = how? ; “u” = are) Present tense
Molweni. Ninjani? or Molweni. Kunjani?
Hello. How are you or Hello. How’s it?
“ni” = you: refers to plural; “ku” = it is or is it?
Molweni. Siphilile, enkosi. Ninjani nina?
Hello. We are well, thank you. How are you?
“si” = we are ; “philile” = well/fine. “Nina” = you : plural form
IZIBIZO EZIBALULEKILEYO XA KUBULISWA
IMPORTANT NOUNS WHEN GREETING
Mama
Mother/Madam/Ma’am
Tata
Father/Dad/Sir
Sisi
Sister/Big Sister/Older woman than your age mates
Bhuti
Brother/older man than your age mates
Kwekwe (“K” pronounced as “Q” in S’qua’re)
Boy
Ntombi / Ntombazana
Young woman / girl
Bulisa usebenzisa izibizo zesiXhosa.
Greet using Xhosa nouns
Molo Mama.
Good morning/afternoon/evening mother/ma’am/madam
same rule and pattern applies with Tata, Bhuti, Sisi, kwekwe, ntombi…etc.
Molo mntanam.
Hello/morning/afternoon/evening my child.
mntana = child ; “m” is from wam = my
Unjani ntombi?
How are you lady/girl?
Ndiphilile bhuti. enkosi.
I am well brother. thank you.
UKUZAZISA NGESIXHOSA
INTRODUCING YOURSELF IN XHOSA
Ngubani Igama lakho?
What is your name?
Ngu = is ; bani = what ; igama = name ; lakho = your
Igama lam ngu Nolwazi.
My name is Nolwazi.
lam = my
elakho ngubani?
and yours?
elakho = yours
Mna ndingu Susan.
I am Susan.
Mna = I ; ndingu = am
Ndiyavuya ukwazi.
Kuhle ukwazana nawe.
I am pleased to meet you.
(Ndi = I am ; yavuya = pleased/glad ; ukwazi = to know you.;
or
It is good to know each other.
