IsiXhosa Greeting & Introductions Flashcards
To learn how to greet in IsiXhosa within the cultural context (in terms of nouns, prefixes and suffix applications). To know introductions in IsiXhosa (23 cards)
Molo. Unjani? (singular: one person)
Hello. How are you?
“u” = you - singular; “njani” = how
Molo. Ndiphilile, enkosi.
Hello. I am well, thank you.
(“Ndi” = “I am” and Philile = well/fine/good)
(enkosi = thank you)
Unjani wena?
and how are you?
(Wena means “you” for singular)
(“njani?” = how? ; “u” = are) Present tense
Molweni. Ninjani? or Molweni. Kunjani?
Hello. How are you or Hello. How’s it?
“ni” = you: refers to plural; “ku” = it is or is it?
Molweni. Siphilile, enkosi. Ninjani nina?
Hello. We are well, thank you. How are you?
“si” = we are ; “philile” = well/fine. “Nina” = you : plural form
IZIBIZO EZIBALULEKILEYO XA KUBULISWA
IMPORTANT NOUNS WHEN GREETING
Mama
Mother/Madam/Ma’am
Tata
Father/Dad/Sir
Sisi
Sister/Big Sister/Older woman than your age mates
Bhuti
Brother/older man than your age mates
Kwekwe (“K” pronounced as “Q” in S’qua’re)
Boy
Ntombi / Ntombazana
Young woman / girl
Bulisa usebenzisa izibizo zesiXhosa.
Greet using Xhosa nouns
Molo Mama.
Good morning/afternoon/evening mother/ma’am/madam
same rule and pattern applies with Tata, Bhuti, Sisi, kwekwe, ntombi…etc.
Molo mntanam.
Hello/morning/afternoon/evening my child.
mntana = child ; “m” is from wam = my
Unjani ntombi?
How are you lady/girl?
Ndiphilile bhuti. enkosi.
I am well brother. thank you.
UKUZAZISA NGESIXHOSA
INTRODUCING YOURSELF IN XHOSA
Ngubani Igama lakho?
What is your name?
Ngu = is ; bani = what ; igama = name ; lakho = your
Igama lam ngu Nolwazi.
My name is Nolwazi.
lam = my
elakho ngubani?
and yours?
elakho = yours
Mna ndingu Susan.
I am Susan.
Mna = I ; ndingu = am
Ndiyavuya ukwazi.
Kuhle ukwazana nawe.
I am pleased to meet you.
(Ndi = I am ; yavuya = pleased/glad ; ukwazi = to know you.;
or
It is good to know each other.
