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<div class="pg_page_title">Xhosa Grammar - Negation</div>
<div class="pg_page_title">Xhosa Grammar - Negation</div>
Hi [https://polyglotclub.com/language/xhosa Xhosa] learners! 😊<br>In this lesson, we will be discussing the basics of negation in Xhosa. Negation is an important part of any language, and Xhosa is no exception. We will look at how to form negative sentences, as well as some common mistakes to avoid. Let's get started! __TOC__


== Basics of Negation ==
Hi [https://polyglotclub.com/language/xhosa Xhosa] learners! 😊<br>
Negation in Xhosa is fairly straightforward. To form a negative sentence, you simply add the word ''ayi'' before the verb. For example:  
In this lesson, we will focus on negation in Xhosa. Being able to use negative forms is essential for communication. It is also a rich aspect of Xhosa grammar as it involves a complex structure of particles and verbs. Don't worry, we will take it step-by-step and illustrate each point with cultural information and interesting facts.
 
__TOC__
 
== Negation particles ==
 
In Xhosa, negating a sentence involves particles that are placed before the verb. The negation particle depends on the tense and aspect of the verb. Here are the common negative particles:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Particle !! Example !! Translation
|-
| ang || Angiqali || I am not going
|-
|-
! Xhosa !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
| -i || Angiqali || I am not going
|-
|-
| Uyayazi || u-ya-ya-zi || He reads
| -azi || Andiqazi utshwala || I don't know beer
|-
|-
| Ayi uyayazi || a-yi u-ya-ya-zi || He does not read
| -angi || Andiqangi utshwala || I haven't had beer
|-
| -ingi || Andisingi utshwala || I don't like beer
|}
|}


It's that simple! However, there are a few things to keep in mind when forming negative sentences.  
For example, to negate the present tense verb "qala" (to start), we use "ang" or "-i":
 
* uMa qala ukudlala ibhola. (My mother starts to play soccer.)
* uMa angaqali ukudlala ibhola. (My mother doesn't start to play soccer.)
 
You can notice that "ang" also means "won't" or "will not" as in the following sentence:
 
* Andizange ndiqale. (I will never start.)
* Andiqali. (I won't start.)
 
== Negation of copular verbs ==
 
Copular verbs are the ones that link the subject to the complement, such as "to be" or "to seem". In Xhosa, to negate copular verbs, we use "anga" + subject + verb:


=== Common Mistakes ===
* Ndoda waziswa. (The man is known.)
One common mistake is to use the wrong form of the verb. For example, if you want to say "I do not understand", you would use the verb ''yazi'' (to understand). However, if you use the wrong form of the verb, such as ''yazela'' (to explain), then the sentence would be incorrect.
* Indoda ayikho. (The man is not here.)
* Uyazi impawu zeqhaza? (Do you know the cause of the fire?)
* Andiyazi. (I don't know.)


Another common mistake is to forget to add the word ''ayi''. If you forget to add this word, then the sentence will be incorrect. For example, if you want to say "He does not read", you must include the word ''ayi'' before the verb ''uyayazi'' (to read).
== Negative concords ==


Finally, it is important to remember that the word ''ayi'' must always come before the verb. If you put the word ''ayi'' after the verb, then the sentence will be incorrect.
Negative concord is a linguistic phenomenon where more than one negative element is used in a sentence, which does not necessarily imply a positive meaning. In Xhosa, negative concord is used to emphasize the negation of a verb or to express a stronger denial. Here are some examples:


== Examples ==
* Andikho ndiphumeleli kakhulu. (I am not not successful.)
Let's look at some examples of negative sentences in Xhosa.  
* Andiyi nto ndiyikhathazi. (I don't fear nothing.)
* Andisayi kufumana umsebenzi. (I will not not get a job.)


{| class="wikitable"
== Negative imperatives ==
|-
 
! Xhosa !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
To make a negative imperative (command), we use "m" + negative particle + verb:
|-
 
| Ayi uyayithanda || a-yi u-ya-yi-thanda || He does not like
* Mangingaphumeleli. (Don't be successful.)
|-
* Musayi kufumana umsebenzi. (Don't get a job.)
| Ayi uyayazi || a-yi u-ya-ya-zi || He does not read
 
|-
== Dialogue ==
| Ayi uyayifunda || a-yi u-ya-yi-funda || He does not study
 
|-
* Betty: Awu Phum, uthetha isiXhosa kanjani? (Hey Phum, how do you speak Xhosa?)
| Ayi uyayibona || a-yi u-ya-yi-bona || He does not see
* Phum: Ndisathetha isiXhosa kakuhle kodwa andiyazi ukulungisa ngokwengqondo. (I speak Xhosa well but I don't know how to correct grammatically.)
|-
* Betty: Hau, wena ungaphumi ngathi! (Wow, you're not hopeless like that!)
| Ayi uyayifundisa || a-yi u-ya-yi-fundisa || He does not teach
* Phum: Hayi, angaqali! (No, I'm not!)
|}


As you can see, forming negative sentences in Xhosa is quite simple. Just remember to add the word ''ayi'' before the verb, and to use the correct form of the verb.
== Conclusion ==


== Practice ==
Negation in Xhosa may seem complex at first sight, but with practice and cultural immersion, you will master it easily. Remember that grammar is just a means of communication, not an end in itself. You can improve your Xhosa grammar also using the [https://polyglotclub.com Polyglot Club] website. [https://polyglotclub.com/find-friends.php?search=send&d=0&f=36&offre1=143 Find native speakers] and ask them any [https://polyglotclub.com/language/xhosa/question questions]! For more Xhosa [[:Category:Language/Xhosa/Grammar|Grammar]] topics, check our page.
To improve your [[Language/Xhosa|Xhosa]] [[Language/Xhosa/Grammar|Grammar]], you can also use the [https://polyglotclub.com Polyglot Club] website. [https://polyglotclub.com/find-friends.php?search=send&d=0&f=36&offre1=143 Find native speakers] and ask them any [https://polyglotclub.com/language/xhosa/question questions]!


<hr>➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.<br>➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
<hr>➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.<br>➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
== Sources ==
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xhosa_language Xhosa language]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negation Negation]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammatical_aspect Grammatical aspect]




==Related Lessons==
{{#seo:
* [[Language/Xhosa/Grammar/Plurals|Plurals]]
|title=Xhosa Grammar - Negation
* [[Language/Xhosa/Grammar/Questions|Questions]]
|keywords=Xhosa grammar, negation in Xhosa, particles, copular verbs, negative concord, negative imperatives, language learning.
* [[Language/Xhosa/Grammar/Conditional-Mood|Conditional Mood]]
|description=In this lesson, you will learn how to use negation in Xhosa. Learn about particles, copular verbs, negative concord and negative imperatives with cultural and linguistic details. Improve your Xhosa grammar with native speakers.
* [[Language/Xhosa/Grammar/Future-Tense|Future Tense]]
}}
* [[Language/Xhosa/Grammar/Adjectives|Adjectives]]
* [[Language/Xhosa/Grammar/Pronouns|Pronouns]]


{{Xhosa-Page-Bottom}}
{{Xhosa-Page-Bottom}}

Revision as of 17:38, 5 March 2023

8C1C59A0-8C11-4BA7-98F3-BD0DE1BFD502.png
Xhosa Grammar - Negation

Hi Xhosa learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on negation in Xhosa. Being able to use negative forms is essential for communication. It is also a rich aspect of Xhosa grammar as it involves a complex structure of particles and verbs. Don't worry, we will take it step-by-step and illustrate each point with cultural information and interesting facts.

Negation particles

In Xhosa, negating a sentence involves particles that are placed before the verb. The negation particle depends on the tense and aspect of the verb. Here are the common negative particles:

Particle Example Translation
ang Angiqali I am not going
-i Angiqali I am not going
-azi Andiqazi utshwala I don't know beer
-angi Andiqangi utshwala I haven't had beer
-ingi Andisingi utshwala I don't like beer

For example, to negate the present tense verb "qala" (to start), we use "ang" or "-i":

  • uMa qala ukudlala ibhola. (My mother starts to play soccer.)
  • uMa angaqali ukudlala ibhola. (My mother doesn't start to play soccer.)

You can notice that "ang" also means "won't" or "will not" as in the following sentence:

  • Andizange ndiqale. (I will never start.)
  • Andiqali. (I won't start.)

Negation of copular verbs

Copular verbs are the ones that link the subject to the complement, such as "to be" or "to seem". In Xhosa, to negate copular verbs, we use "anga" + subject + verb:

  • Ndoda waziswa. (The man is known.)
  • Indoda ayikho. (The man is not here.)
  • Uyazi impawu zeqhaza? (Do you know the cause of the fire?)
  • Andiyazi. (I don't know.)

Negative concords

Negative concord is a linguistic phenomenon where more than one negative element is used in a sentence, which does not necessarily imply a positive meaning. In Xhosa, negative concord is used to emphasize the negation of a verb or to express a stronger denial. Here are some examples:

  • Andikho ndiphumeleli kakhulu. (I am not not successful.)
  • Andiyi nto ndiyikhathazi. (I don't fear nothing.)
  • Andisayi kufumana umsebenzi. (I will not not get a job.)

Negative imperatives

To make a negative imperative (command), we use "m" + negative particle + verb:

  • Mangingaphumeleli. (Don't be successful.)
  • Musayi kufumana umsebenzi. (Don't get a job.)

Dialogue

  • Betty: Awu Phum, uthetha isiXhosa kanjani? (Hey Phum, how do you speak Xhosa?)
  • Phum: Ndisathetha isiXhosa kakuhle kodwa andiyazi ukulungisa ngokwengqondo. (I speak Xhosa well but I don't know how to correct grammatically.)
  • Betty: Hau, wena ungaphumi ngathi! (Wow, you're not hopeless like that!)
  • Phum: Hayi, angaqali! (No, I'm not!)

Conclusion

Negation in Xhosa may seem complex at first sight, but with practice and cultural immersion, you will master it easily. Remember that grammar is just a means of communication, not an end in itself. You can improve your Xhosa grammar also using the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions! For more Xhosa Grammar topics, check our page.

➡ 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



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