Xhosa Clicks

Question 1

X

Answer 1

horse riding click - click tongue downwards from upper side of mouth - like urging a horse on.
Example - uxolo - sorry, excuse me

Practice saying Xa, Xe, Xi, Xo, Xu
(exhale on the vowel and say slowly then fast)

Question 2

C

Answer 2

tsk tsk click - place tongue behind upper front teeth and suck in - like calling a puppy
Example - cela - please or kancinci - a little bit

Practice saying Ca, Ce, Ci, Co, Cu
(exhale on the vowel and say slowly and then fast)

Question 3

Q

Answer 3

loud doorknock click - tongue in roof of mouth, jaw down, pull tongue down sharply to make a loud tok noise
Example - qonda - understand

Practice saying Qa, Qe, Qi, Qo, Qu
(exhale on the vowel and say slowly and then fast)