Language/Xhosa/Vocabulary/Colors
Hi Xhosa learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will explore the colors in Xhosa language. Knowing how to name colors is essential for basic communication. In addition, it will enable you to appreciate the colorful culture of South Africa. The Xhosa language is one of the official languages of South Africa, and it is spoken by several ethnic groups, mainly in the Eastern Cape province.
Don't hesitate to look into these other pages after completing this lesson: Greetings, Feelings and Emotions, Family & Geography.
Colors[edit | edit source]
The following table illustrates the most common colors in Xhosa.
| Xhosa | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mhlophe | (m͡ɬɔːpʰɛ) | White |
| Bovu | (ɓɔːvu) | Black |
| Busuku | (buːsukʼu) | Night |
| Luhlaza | (ɬuɬɑza) | Green |
| Lusapho | (ɬusaphɔ) | Grey |
| Mhango | (m͡ɬaŋɔ) | Purple |
| Mhlophe | (m͡ɬɔːpʰɛ) | White |
| Mnyama | (mnjaːma) | Dark |
| Mpafa | (mpʼaːfa) | Brown |
| Ndlela | (ndlɛla) | Red |
| Ndlovu | (ndlɔvu) | Elephant color |
Please note that some colors have more than one meaning, depending on the context.
Examples[edit | edit source]
Here are some examples of how to use colors in Xhosa:
- Person 1: Uyayenza ntoni namhlanje? (What are you doing today?)
- Person 2: Ndiyanenza imisebenzi yamhlophe. (I am doing my white work.)
- Person 1: Ufuna iBovu? (Do you want to buy black one?)
- Person 2: Hayibo, ndiyaba ngabovu. (No, I prefer brown ones.)
About the Xhosa Language[edit | edit source]
The Xhosa language is a Bantu language and the second most spoken language in South Africa after Zulu. It is one of the official languages of South Africa and the Eastern Cape province. Nelson Mandela, the first president of democratic South Africa, was a native Xhosa speaker. The language has several dialects, including Mpondomise, Mpondo, and Thembu.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Knowing the colors in Xhosa will enhance your communication and understanding of the Xhosa culture in South Africa. Feel free to practice with other Xhosa speakers, and don't forget to use the Polyglot Club to connect with native speakers through its language exchange platform. Find native speakers and ask them any questions! You can also improve your Xhosa vocabulary by visiting the Vocabulary page on our website.
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- How to Say Hello and Greetings
- Languages
- Days of the Week
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Geography
- Count to 10
- Family
- Fruits
- Greetings
- Main colors
Sources[edit | edit source]