Language/Xhosa/Vocabulary/Drinks
Hi Xhosa learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to talk about drinks in Xhosa. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to order your favorite drinks in Xhosa. This vocabulary is useful when you visit South Africa or when you meet Xhosa speaking people. Don't forget to practice with native speakers on Polyglot Club. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Useful Phrases[edit | edit source]
Before we dive into the vocabulary, let's look at some useful phrases you can use when you are ordering drinks.
| Xhosa | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ndiyathanda amanzi | N-d-EE-ya-taa-nda a-maa-nzi | I like water. |
| Ndiyathanda ilwimi elimnandi. | N-d-EE-ya-taa-nda EE-lwi-mi EE-li-mna-ndi | I like delicious fruit. |
| Ngicela ungamnaki. | Ngci-tshe-laa uu-ngaam-na-ki | Give me some milk. |
| Ke nako ya phompo. | Ke Naa-k-oo ya Pom-po | It's time for beer. |
Vocabulary[edit | edit source]
Here are some words and phrases that you can use when ordering drinks in Xhosa.
Non-alcoholic Drinks[edit | edit source]
The table below shows some non-alcoholic drinks in Xhosa:
| Xhosa | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| amanzi | aa-maa-nzi | water |
| iwayini yom-sedare | ee-waa-yi-ni yo-m-she-daa-re | lemonade |
| ikhofi | ee-kho-fi | coffee |
| ithunzi | ee-thun-zi | tea |
| isithelo sokuqala | ee-see-the-lo soh-koo-qa-laa | appetizer |
| itywala yimintlawu | ee-ti-waa-la yi-min-tla-wu | cranberry juice |
| Ikolwa | ee-kol-wa | Cola (soda) |
Alcoholic Drinks[edit | edit source]
Here are some alcoholic drinks in Xhosa:
| Xhosa | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| amaqamza | aa-maa-qam-za | sorghum beer |
| unanki | u-nyanki | fermented milk |
| ithaphu | ee-tha-pu | whiskey |
| emlanjeni | ee-m-lan-jeni | brandy |
| umqombothi | u-m-ko-m-bothi | traditional Xhosa beer |
Dialogue[edit | edit source]
Here's a dialogue between two friends ordering drinks at a restaurant:
- Person 1: "Ndicela amanzi." (I want water.)
- Waiter: "Ewe, zithathe ngokuncitwa kwakho." (Yes, take it according to your taste.)
- Person 2: "Ewe, ndicela iwayini yom-sedare." (Yes, I want lemonade.)
- Waiter: "Ndicela ubulili obuphezulu nanye." (I want a high cold one too.)
Fun Facts[edit | edit source]
- Umqombothi is a traditional Xhosa beer made from maize, malt, sorghum, and water. It is usually enjoyed during special occasions like weddings and cultural festivals. - South Africa is one of the largest producers of rooibos tea, a naturally sweet tea that is high in antioxidants. - In Xhosa culture, milk is an important drink that is considered to be sacred. It is believed to have healing properties and is used in traditional medicine for various ailments.
Practice Exercise[edit | edit source]
Test your knowledge with this practice exercise! Translate the following sentences from English to Xhosa. 1. I want coffee. 2. Give me some water. 3. It's time for whiskey. 4. Ndiyathanda unanki.
Related Pages (from Wikipedia)[edit | edit source]
➡ 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]
- Days of the Week
- Languages
- Clothes
- Express Surprise
- Main colors
- Greetings
- Family
- Feelings and Emotions
- How to say Good Bye?
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Xhosa: Food and Drinks – Resources for Self-Instructional Learners ...
- Culture, Practice, and the Semantics of Xhosa Beer-Drinking
- English to Xhosa Meaning of drink - nomnikelo