Language/Xhosa/Vocabulary/Family
Hi Xhosa learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about Xhosa family vocabulary. Family is an essential aspect of South African culture. We even have a saying "Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu," which means "a person is a person through other people." In other words, we are all connected and part of a larger community.
Don't hesitate to look into these other pages after completing this lesson: Greetings, Feelings and Emotions, Drinks & Count to 10.
Basic Family Vocabulary[edit | edit source]
In Xhosa, the word for family is "umzi." Here are some of the essential family vocabulary words:
| Xhosa | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| umntwana | umn-twa-na | Child |
| umama | u-ma-ma | Mother |
| uTata | u-Tata | Father |
| ubhuti | u-bhu-ti | Brother |
| usisi | u-si-si | Sister |
Example dialogue:
- Person 1: Molo, mama. (Hello, mother.)
- Person 2: Molo, ntombazana wam. Unjani na? (Hello, my dear daughter. How are you?)
It's essential to note that in the Xhosa culture, we don't limit our family to blood relations only. We also consider people who share our surname as family, and we call them "amasodolwa." It's a way of connecting with others and honouring our ancestors.
Here are some other Xhosa family-related words:
| Xhosa | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| umndeni | um-n-de-ni | Family |
| ubaba wam | u-ba-ba wam | My father |
| umama wam | u-ma-ma wam | My mother |
| umkhulu | u-m-khu-lu | Grandparent |
| umakoti | u-ma-ko-ti | Daughter-in-law |
| umfazi | u-m-fa-zi | Wife |
| igama | i-ga-ma | Name |
Example dialogue:
- Person 1: Molo mkhulu, unjani na? (Hello, grandpa, how are you?)
- Person 2: Ndiyaphila, enkosi sisi. (I'm fine, thank you sister.)
Extended Family[edit | edit source]
Xhosa culture places great emphasis on extended family. It is not uncommon for multiple generations to live in the same home or village. The word for extended family in Xhosa is "intsomi yomndeni."
Here are some extended family-related words in Xhosa:
| Xhosa | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| umkhaya | um-kha-ya | Family clan |
| umama nothando | u-ma-ma no-than-do | Aunt and godmother |
| ukhokho | u-kho-kho | Great-grandparent |
| unina nocawe | u-ni-na no-ca-we | Mother-in-law |
| ugogo | u-go-go | grandmother |
| ubhuti behlobo | u-bhu-ti be-hlo-bo | Best friend's brother |
Example dialogue:
- Person 1: Molo, ugogo. (Hello, grandmother.)
- Person 2: Molo ntombazana wam. (Hello, my dear granddaughter.)
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Learning Xhosa family-related vocabulary is essential to gain insight into South African culture. Family is an intricate part of our traditions, and we value it greatly. Don't hesitate to find native speakers on Polyglot Club and ask them any questions. Additionally, you can also improve your Xhosa Vocabulary by practicing regularly.
➡ 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. 😎
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Family words in Xhosa
- Xhosa Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com
- Xhosa: People and Family Flashcards | Quizlet
Now that you've completed this lesson, don't stop learning! Check out these related topics: Animals, Clothes, How to say Good Bye? & How to Say Hello and Greetings.
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Days of the week and time expressions
- Colors
- Food
- Weather
- How to say Good Bye?
- Education
- Feelings and Emotions
- Animals
- Main colors
- Clothes