Language/Xhosa/Vocabulary/Greetings
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Xhosa is a Bantu language spoken by the Xhosa people in South Africa. Greetings are an important part of Xhosa culture and society, and it is considered polite and respectful to greet someone appropriately. In this lesson, we will learn some common Xhosa greetings.
Basic Greetings[edit | edit source]
- Hello - Molo (singular), Molweni (plural)
- Pronounced: MOH-loh (singular), mohl-WEN-ee (plural)
- How are you? - Unjani?
- Pronounced: oon-JAH-nee
- I am fine, thank you - Ndiphilile, Enkosi
- Pronounced: n-dee-PEE-lee-leh, en-KOH-see
- Good morning - Mhle mihla ngokwesandla
- Pronounced: MHLAY mee-LAH ngoh-kweh-SAHN-dlah
- Good afternoon - Mhle ngonyaka omdala
- Pronounced: MHLAY ngoh-nyah-kah ohm-DAH-lah
- Good evening - Mhle usuku oluhle
- Pronounced: MHLAY oo-SOO-koo oh-loo-HLAY
- Goodbye - Hamba kakuhle
- Pronounced: hahm-bah kah-koo-HLAY
- See you later - Ndiyavuya ukukubona
- Pronounced: n-dee-yah-VOO-yah oo-koo-koo-BOH-nah
- Thank you - Enkosi
- Pronounced: en-KOH-see
- You're welcome - Ungalibali
- Pronounced: oon-gah-lee-BAH-lee
- What's your name? - Ngubani igama lakho?
- Pronounced: ngoo-BAH-nee ee-GAH-mah lah-koh
- My name is... - Igama lam ngu...
- Pronounced: ee-GAH-mah lahm ngoo
Practice saying these greetings out loud and try using them in conversations. It is always appreciated when people make the effort to learn and use greetings in the local language.
Phrases[edit | edit source]
| English | Xhosa |
|---|---|
| Hello! (to one person) | Molo! |
| Good night! | Ulale kamnandi! |
| Goodbye! Go well! (to more than one person) | Hambani kakuhle! |
| Goodbye! Go well! (to one person) | Hamba kakuhle! |
| Goodbye! Stay well! (to more than one person) | Salani kakuhle! |
| Goodbye! Stay well! (to one person) | Sala kakuhle! |
| Hello! (to more than one person) | Molweni! |
| How are you? (to more than one person) | Ninjani? |
| How are you? (to one person) | Unjani? |
| I am well. | Ndiphilile, Ndiyaphila. |
| See you later. | Sobonana emva kwexeshana. |
| See you soon. | Sizobonana msinya. |
| We are well. | Siphilile. Siyaphila. |
Videos[edit | edit source]
How to Greet in Xhosa - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Easy isiXhosa - Learn How to Greet (Xhosa for Beginners) - YouTube[edit | edit source]
A Basic Xhosa Greeting - Xhosa for beginners - YouTube[edit | edit source]
How to greet in Xhosa by Mama Tofu - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Days of the Week
- Days of the week and time expressions
- Count to 10
- Fruits
- Family
- Clothes
- Feelings and Emotions
- Education
- Languages