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Learn isiXhosa: the words and phrases you'll use first

isiXhosa is spoken by millions of people across Southern Africa. Start with these 105 everyday phrases, each with a say-it-like guide, checked by native-speaking tutors. Tap Listen to hear 39 of them.

105 starter phrases
39 to listen to
919 in the full isiXhosa library

Practise: 20 phrases to know first

0 / 20 known

How do you say "Hello"?

Greetings & courtesy

MoloHelloMOH-loh›
BhotaHi / heyBHOH-tah›
Unjani?How are you?oon-JAH-nee›
NdiphilileI'm wellndee-pee-LEE-leh›
NdikhonaI'm fine / I'm herendee-KHOH-nah›
EnkosiThank youen-KOH-see›
Enkosi kakhuluThank you very muchen-KOH-see kah-KHOO-loo›
WamkelekileYou're welcomewahm-keh-leh-KEE-leh›
UxoloSorry / excuse meoo-[tchick]OH-loh›
Ewe / HayiYes / NoEH-weh / HAH-yee›
Ndicela uxoloI beg your pardon / I apologisendee-CEH-lah oo-[tchick]OH-loh›
Hamba kakuhleGo wellHAHM-bah kah-KOO-shleh›
Sala kakuhleStay wellSAH-lah kah-KOO-shleh›
Sala kakuhle / Hamba kakuhleGoodbyeSAH-lah kah-KOO-shleh / HAHM-bah kah-KOO-shleh›
Lala kakuhleGood nightLAH-lah kah-KOO-shleh›
SobonanaSee you latersoh-boh-NAH-nah›
UxoloSorryoo-[tchick]OH-loh›
UxoloExcuse meoo-[tchick]OH-loh›
NcedaPleasen-TSEH-dah (nc = a click)›

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Introducing yourself

Igama lam ngu…My name is …ee-GAH-mah lahm ngoo›
Ngubani igama lakho?What is your name?ngoo-BAH-nee ee-GAH-mah LAH-koh›
Ndivela e…I come from …ndee-VEH-lah eh›
Uvela phi?Where do you come from?oo-VEH-lah pee›
Ndihlala e…I live in …ndee-SHLAH-lah eh›
Uhlala phi?Where do you live?oo-SHLAH-lah pee›
Ndifunda isiXhosaI am learning isiXhosandee-FOON-dah ee-see-[tchick]OH-sah›
NdiyevaI understandndee-YEH-vah›
AndivaI don't understandahn-DEE-vah›
Uthetha isiNgesi?Do you speak English?oo-TEH-tah ee-see-NGEH-see›

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Speaking like a local

Ndicela uncedoHelp!ndee-CEH-lah oon-CEH-doh›
Aweh! / HowzitHi / hey . Mainstream SA slang greeting used by isiXhosa speakersAH-weh / HOW-zit›
Molo (one) / Molweni (group)Hello . Not slang; use this when unsureMAW-law / mawl-WEH-nee›
Unjani? / Kunjani?How are you? / How are things? . Casual add-on: pair with bhuti/sisioo-NJAH-nee / koo-NJAH-nee›
Ndiright / Sharp, enkosiI'm good / I'm alright, thanksndee-RIGHT / shaap, en-KAW-see›
EnkosiThanks / thank youen-KAW-see›
EweYes . Note: 'Yebo' is the Zulu 'yes', widely understood in SA but not isiXhosaEH-weh›
HayiNoHIGH›
Sharp / Sharp sharp!See you / later / all good / OKshaap / shaap-shaap›
Kushap / SharpCool / OK / sorted . 'Kushap' = 'it's sharp'koo-SHAAP / shaap›