Xhosa Level 1V12 A5Manual 2019

MASIFUNDE isiXHOSA KUNYE
LET’S LEARN XHOSA TOGETHER
LEVEL 1:
Confident Beginners
(V12)
This manual and accompanying Audio material

(CDs or mp3’s) can be used to teach oneself at
home or as part of an UBuntu Bridge facilitated
“Confident Beginners” Conversational
Language course.
Connecting Cultures * Learning together * Bridging gaps

bookings@learnxhosa.co.za * www.learnxhosa.co.za
This manual where possible is produced with the environment in

mind. Please reduce, re-use, recycle.
Let’s Learn Xhosa with UBuntu Bridge Level 1 Page 1
Table of Contents: Level 1

Masifunde isiXhosa / Let’s Learn Xhosa 1
Introduction and Intentions 4
Notes on so-called Cultural ‘insights’: 11

Some Basic History: 12
Origin: 12
Expansion of the Nguni: 13
Clicks: 13
Tribes: 14
Most Common Languages in SA: 14
Lesson 1: Pronunciation and Greeting 16
Hello [9] 16
Rhythm and Tempo [10] 16
Pronunciation [11] 17
Vowels [12] 17
Consonants [13] 18
The Clicks [14] 18
Writing the Clicks [15] 19
X ‘Sideways’ click [16] 20
C Click ‘Tongue in front’ [17] 20
Q Click ‘Tongue top middle’ [18] 21
Agglutination [19] 21
Greetings [20] 21
Excuse Me [22] 24
Vocab recap [23] 24
Lesson 1 Conversation - Greeting and Good-bye [24-25] 25
Lesson 1 Essentials and HW test: [26] 26
CULTURE Insight - Handshakes: [27] 28
Lesson 2: Introduction to Verbs and Prefixes 30
Verbs [29] 30
Speaking Commands to a Group [30] 31
Beginners Trick: Cheating with Nouns [31] 32
© UBuntu Bridge 2018

www.learnxhosa.co.za
Combination of prefix and verb [33] 33

The ‘ya’ rule [34] 34
Note: Ya does not translate as ‘am’/’are’/’is’. 34
The meaning of ya [35] 35
Extended Greetings with the Prefixes [38] 36
Distinguishing you, he, she [36] 36
Important combinations with pronouns [37] 37
Lesson 2 Convo - Greetings and basic sentences [40-41] 40
CULTURE Insight - Greetings: [42] 41
Lesson 3: Sentence Building Blocks 41
Still – ‘SA’ and to - ‘uku’ [44-45] 42

When ‘ya’ is dropped [46] 43
Verbs with uku-: [47] 44
First Important Sentences Context 45
Vocab for our first important sentences: [48] 45
Lesson 3 Essentials and Test: [50] 47
Lesson 4: Titles, Names and Identifying Xhosa people 52
Naming, Names and Titles [2] 52

Basic Titles [3] 53
When Greeting a group [4] 55
Some slang greetings: 56
Who are you? Who is he/she? [7] 57
Is someone a Xhosa person? [8] 58
Lesson 4 Convo Breakdown [10-11] 60
Ubuntu: 61
Lesson 5: Introductions 64
First name [14] 64

Surname [15] 65
My name is, what is yours? [16] 66
His name/her name [17] 66
Clan Names (isiduko): [18] 67
Other useful terms during introductions:[19] 68
Asking a person’s Xhosa name [20] 69
CULTURE INSIGHT - Names: 70

Lesson 5 Essentials and Oral 1 Preparation: [22] 71

Lesson 5 Convo - Intro and Xhosa name [23-24] 72
CULTURE BITE - Eye Contact: [21] 74
Lesson 6: How do you know Xhosa? 75
The Inevitable Xhosa Questions [26] 75

Extra Vocab in Greetings [29] 77
Lesson 6 Convo - Where are you learning Xhosa? 79
CULTURE BITE - Speaking Loudly: 81
iBonus Lesson: Clarification Phrases 82
The Escape Sentences: 83

Clarification Phrases: 83
Translations System: 85
*To be used in Class: 85
Further Clarification Phrases 86
Sample Clarification Conversation 87
Level 1 Assessment 90
Conclusion: 94
CD/Manual Credits 95

Introduction and Intentions

I should probably warn you now that I never officially
studied Xhosa or teaching and yet I have taught Xhosa
to many people. This is as much to excuse any
mistakes I make as it is to hopefully inspire you. I
learnt Xhosa as an adult, through a process of self-
study, chosen immersion and sustained effort. I have
had many misunderstandings along the way and learnt
tremendously from the process, which I’m sure will
continue for my whole life. However, it is this process
which I believe has equipped me to fully empathise
with third language learners and to break things down
in a way that makes it palatable and practical.
Ultimately I hope to take you to a place where you can
pick up any of the other amazing Xhosa books out
there and find them instantly accessible. In a sense I
am trying to provide a bridge to the work of the
teachers before me. (More on them later).
When I was 23, I felt called to find a rural village
in the Eastern Cape or KwaZulu where I could
simultaneously learn about the culture and ways of the
Xhosa people, a number of whom had so lovingly
cared for me throughout my life, and to offer myself as
a resource in their homes, to serve in whatever way life
and spirit felt appropriate.
It turned out that I would be invited to a
ceremony for a thwasa, which is an initiate and trainee
in the traditional healing tradition of amagqirha, also

know as Sangomas. At this ceremony my calling to serve

was acknowledged by the sangomas present and I was
advised to become a thwasa. I resonated with so much
of what they spoke of and the way they interpreted life,
spirit, the ancestors and human health.
I felt immediately that it was what I needed to
do, and so began an 8 month process of living in a
small village in Mpondo Land, where I literally served
my sangoma family and learnt to connect with the
Ancestors. I fetched wood and water at dawn, I
washed many dishes, I cleaned the homestead, I
prepared and served meals, amidst a whole host of
other tasks, duties, teachings and missions. It was a
challenging and fulfilling period of my life.
The story has many aspects, but essentially I one
day felt called by the Ancestors to leave the training
and return to Cape Town, where I became a volunteer
teacher in the Life Orientation and drama classes at a
Xhosa school. After another 8 months, I began to be
asked by people to teach them Xhosa, from individuals
to corporates. The CDs were made and the rest has
unfolded.
It is my passion to inspire people to make the
effort to honour the indigenous cultures from around
the world, where so much wisdom lies buried, and
whose people have recently endured such incredible
hardships in the name of progress.

The recent global history of oppression did a lot

of damage to those that were ‘victimised’ - socially,
economically, politically, psychologically. However,
the ‘oppressors’ were just as damaged, even if they did
or do not know it, for to hurt/abuse/exploit others is to
lose aspects of one’s own soul, one’s own humanity,
one’s own self. This is part of the nature of ubuntu, the
fundamental essence of inter-connectedness that
underlies all of life - we build ourselves, when we build
others. We destroy ourselves when we destroy others!
As the world picks up the economic and political
pieces of unsustainable, unconscious ‘development at
all costs’, one of the most crucial to heal wounds is that
of the psychological, especially here in South Africa,
where systematic attacks on education, the dignity and
human rights of many people led often to an
indoctrinated sense of inferiority and hopelessness,
which to some extent inspired the black consciousness
movement.
When learning the language of a previously
oppressed people, we are actually engaging on a
journey of potential healing for both sides. One can
reflect dignity and respect to people, and generate
humility and forgiveness for and within oneself.
In her book, “Learn Xhosa with Anne Munnik”,
Mama Nomvula (Anne) reminds us that when Nelson
Mandela became president, he urged the people of
South Africa to learn each others’ languages. This, he

said, would be “the best way to contribute to nation

building and reconciliation”.
Xhosa, like any language, is not easy, but it is in
essence a beautifully and intuitively structured
language. The effort alone will help you to cultivate
the attitudes of awareness, communication, empathy
and respect that Madiba was subtly referring to. There
are many delightful benefits to the learning of Xhosa
and I wish you and all of us the patience, persistence
and motivation to move forward quickly.
This journey will require you to be disciplined,
patient and to keep a sense of humour. Besides the
serious reasons above, the joys and benefits of learning
Xhosa are far reaching, and they will transform your
experience of visiting or living in South Africa for the
dramatically better. You will have many teachers
beside myself and I am honoured to help you start on
this endeavour.
It is important to remember that you won’t be
speaking flawless Xhosa after these few weeks. Nor will
you be professionals on Xhosa culture. Any language
and culture foreign to one’s own takes time to
understand the nuances and subtleties. Just have
patience and clarity will surely come. Even I continue
daily to learn and improve my Xhosa.
What you should be able to do by the end of this
first Level is feel confidently equipped to enter into
brief Xhosa conversations, particularly greetings and

introductions, use polite Xhosa expressions, tell a bit

about your Xhosa ability and have the knowledge and
vocabulary to leave a conversation when you feel out of
your depth. Even these simple interactions will prove
rewarding and are sure to inspire you and motivate you
to improve your Xhosa. The following levels and CDs
build on your grammatical knowledge in such a way as
to expand your practical speaking abilities.
I am grateful to the many teachers whose books
have helped me to learn Xhosa these last 8 years (see
the reference at the back, though there are many
more), I am grateful to the many people and friends
who have been so kind and helpful in real life situations
when I have stumbled along in broken Xhosa. Not
once have they made me feel like a fool, not once have
they ridiculed me (except when I was a thwasa, and
then it was good for me), but instead have encouraged
me and supported me with genuine warmth. Only my
own mind has made me feel like a fool, as I strive for
the perfection that is actually always in front of me.
I honour you for your efforts to learn Xhosa.
May you make the most of the tools provided, may you
keep a sustained effort, and most of all, may you have
fun as you learn to speak this beautiful language with
the beautiful people who speak it (or try to ;).
Masifunde kunye (Let’s learn together)
Craig Charnock (uMakhosimvelo),
Cape Town 2007 - 2011

How to Use these Materials

The accompanying Audio CDs correspond with these
printed manuals, and you will find the numbers in
square brackets [#] indicate the track number on the
CD where you can hear the content explained again.
You can download the track names from the Internet
when your CD is in your computers media player using
the Gracenote CDDB. In Itunes or Winamp, click
advanced -> get cd tracks names (look for the version
that matches your manual cover). Put on your ipod or
phone if you want and carry the tracks and their names
with you.
The CDs are also interactive in that they introduce an

English word, there is a gap and then the Xhosa word
is said out loud, followed by another gap where you
can repeat the word out loud. This is very important
to start getting yourself to hear yourself speaking
Xhosa. When you re-listen you will hopefully be able
to pre-empt the Xhosa word in the first gap, and then
hear if you were right when the Xhosa is said out loud.
Corresponding Conversations
Every lesson is followed by a sample conversation
which try to include lesson essentials as well as further
useful vocab that is heard in the everyday usage of
Xhosa These conversations are of great value as it
allows you to hear the content we have learnt in
conversational contexts, and each lesson will have at

least one conversation incorporating the essential
elements of the lesson content. It is also a way to
improve your ear for Xhosa. You should be able to
fully follow and reproduce each conversation before
moving on to the next lesson.
Further Resources
Sometimes we reference Xandi Bryant’s book as
XB, where you can study further on a topic. It is an
excellent and comprehensive book of grammar.
I have chosen sometimes to keep things simple for the

learner’s benefit and to exclude exceptions to rules or
sometimes even the long forms. This is partly because
my courses are designed for people who a) want to
learn Xhosa as quickly as possible and who b) are
wanting to learn conversational Xhosa rather then an
academic style. Too many exceptions and knowledge
can be counterproductive to effective learning. You
guys can always study further in time. For now we
want to get your confidence up and your
conversational ability flowing as quickly as possible.
Lesson Essentials and Homework

Each class usually covers one lesson in the manual.
“Homework” before moving onto the next lesson is to
know the section at the end of each lesson titled
“Lesson Essentials” and to know the corresponding

conversations.
I have done my best to make learning Xhosa as fun

and as convenient as possible for us learners who live in
such a busy, demanding and information over-loaded
world.
Notes on so-called Cultural ‘insights’:

Culture and language are two sides of the same coin,
and hopefully your learning is because of or will
facilitate your interaction with Xhosa culture. I have
also included little cultural tips and insights, which I
have learnt along the way and are useful to know. I
apologise if you have a different interpretation or a
different experience.
• Please note that none of these, which show up in
different places throughout the manual, mean that
you will not observe the opposite happening quite
naturally or commonly. Every circumstance and
context will yield a different manifestation of
behavioural dynamics. Don’t get stuck in dogma,
rules, limitations. We live in a changed and
changing world.
• Many Xhosa people have adapted their customs
and habits and accepted cultural differences and
practices after a long period of cross-cultural
exposure. Besides there is no such thing as pure

Xhosa culture or language. There are multitudes

of dialects and a wide spectrum of cultural beliefs.
Different families from different clans from
different heritage from different regions from
different degrees of exposure to western culture
over centuries and varying degrees of adaptation all
contribute to a dynamic melting pot of what some
might call “Xhosa culture”.
• Having said that, these that I have chosen are quite
common cultural traits or behaviours and can
provide insights to many of the other Southern
African peoples, not just the AmaXhosa.
Some Basic History1:
It’s important to realize that language and culture are

two sides of the same coin, so it helps bring context to
many things that usually seem so odd about other
cultures, but let’s start with some basic history.
Origin:
Xhosa falls into a group of languages known as the

Bantu languages. This is because all these languages
use a sound similar to ntu to describe a person or
1 Becker, Dr. Peter: Tribe To Township

people. Umntu - a person, abantu - people, then Zulu

(umuntu, abantu) and sotho (motho, batu) versions
and there are many others, including Swahili, Himba,
etc. The people from whom the Xhosa and most other
tribes inhabiting Southern Africa at this time descend
based on their linguistic ancestory, are believed to have
originally come from the Central African area of
modern day Congo.
Expansion of the Nguni:
The expansion southwards through Africa was as a

result of a gradual expansion due to population growth
and the accompanying need for more land. They split
into many groups, one of the most prominent being the
Nguni speakers, which also includes Zulu, Ndebele and
Swati. Along with the other languages of Southern
Africa, such Sotho, Pedi, Tswana, Venda and Tsonga
they make up what are known as the Bantu (people)
languages, those predominant south of the Sahara.
Clicks:
Clicks are thought to have been incorporated into the

language of Xhosa after contact with and incorporation
of Khoi communities. It is disputed as to whether the
name Xhosa is from an ancestor who separated the
modern day Xhosa from the Nguni nation in the 16th

Century, or whether it is taken from the Khoi word for

‘Angry men’.
Tribes:
The AmaXhosa of today actually consists of numerous

smaller tribes, including the AmaBhaca, AmaMpondo,
AmaMpondomise, AbaThembu, AmaBomvana,
AmaXesibe, as well as the AmaGcaleka and the
AmaRharhabe, from whom the “Xhosa proper”
language is derived. Thus, Xhosa has dialects in
different parts of the country, but it is inconsequential
to the early learning stages of the language.
Most Common Languages in SA:
There are approx 12 million mother tongue Zulu

speakers and 9 million mother tongue Xhosa speakers2.
Many more speak these languages and if you know one
of these, you can communicate in Swazi and Ndebele,
42% of the population’s home languages. Sotho,
Tswana and Sepedi are all very similar so knowing one
from that group will open up another world of
communication, as that’s another 25% of the
population’s home languages. By learning Xhosa, you
are opening yourself to a wide area of greater
communication.
2 According to 2011 Census

Diagram of Africa’s People Flow*:
*Map inspired by Peter Becker’s book: Tribe To

Township

Lesson 1: Pronunciation and Greeting

Goal:
To get a feel for pronunciations, and to learn to greet
and say good-bye.
Hello [9]
saying hello to one person: Molo
saying hello to more then one person: Molweni
Molo/Molweni, although deriving from the English

and Afrikaans greetings, “Morning and More”, can be
used any time of the day or night and is usually
followed by a name or title of the person being greeted,
variations of which we will learn later on.
Rhythm and Tempo [10]

Important to learning a language is rhythm. Here is a
basic tip. In Xhosa the accent falls on the second last
syllable. Notice, in a two syllable word like molo,
followed by another mama, the accent is thus on the mo
and the ma. The accent is like a slight lengthening:
Greetings, Mother - Molo, Mama

Whilst, molweni, a three syllable word, the accent is on
the lwe:
Greetings, Mother and others - Molweni, Mama

Pronunciation [11]
An important place to start is with pronunciation. This
will be learnt and re-learnt as your experience with the
language grows. It is important to make an effort from
the start as we all know how much an accent can affect
ability to communicate and early habits tend to stick.
English is a non-phonetic language, which means that

a letter can be pronounced in many different ways or
different letter can represent the same sound in
different words. The following example reveals four
such ways for A:
Ape Arm Apple Air
Xhosa is a phonetic language. The letters correspond
to the sounds consistently, so it is an easy language to
learn to read quickly.
Vowels [12]
Vowel: pronounced like: as in word for: in Xhosa:
A ah mother mama
E egg yourself wena
I igloo well philile
O or hello molo
U oo-la-la brother ubhuti

Consonants [13]
Are generally easy and may be learnt as one learns the
language. There are a few important exceptions:
Ph peanut not phone (alive - phila, well - philile)
Th talk not thought (talk - thetha)
Hl hlala not shlala (live,sit - hlala) (down - phantsi)

TIP: (keep front tip of tongue against palette whilst
making a sh sound) well/beautifully - kakuhle
Rh in Gauteng/goud - eRhawutini (as in Afrikaans)

AmaRharhabe – One of the main Xhosa proper tribes.
Now try this:

‘Nelson’ Mandela’s actual Xhosa first name –
Rholihlahla
The Clicks [14]

With the clicks it is important to remember that many
people struggle at first, purely because they are not
used to them. However, every human is capable of
making such sounds, many of us have made them in
different contexts and everyone we have taught has

gotten the clicks after some practice, whether that be

ten minutes of practice or three days. It depends on
ones attitude as well as effort.
Be patient with oneself. You may have to reprogram

certain muscles in your mouth. For such situations it is
best to practice often, but to rest whenever one starts to
feel strained by the effort. This may happen quickly in
the beginning, but this will change with time.
Patience and practice.
Writing the Clicks [15]
Interestingly, the letter k can be used to phonetically

represent the sound of the following three letters as
used in English.
X exam eksam / relaks

C clean klean / klever
Q quiet kwestion / rekwest
Which frees these three letters to represent the three

clicking sounds, as introduced below.

X ‘Sideways’ click [16]

(spurring a horse)
Press the side of the tongue against the upper side teeth and pull it
away rapidly.
Practice the isolated clicks with the five vowels:
xa xe xi xo xu
Xhosa language - isiXhosa

a Xhosa person - umXhosa
Xhosa people - amaXhosa
Peace - uxolo
C Click ‘Tongue in front’ [17]

(the ‘ag, shame’ tut-tut-tut/ticking clock, click)
Press the tip of the tongue against the upper front teeth and rapidly
pull it away.
Help a little bit request politely
Nceda kancinci cela

Q Click ‘Tongue top middle’ [18]

(cork popping/door knocking)
Press the front part of the tongue against the hard palate behind
the front teeth and rapidly pull it away.
Understand western doctor traditional doctor
Qonda Ugqirha igqirha

(isangoma)
Agglutination [19]
Xhosa is a ‘glutinous’ language, meaning that vowels at
the beginning and end of words are often swallowed,
words or syllables thus becoming ‘glued’ together.
Thank you, lady - Enkosi, nkosikazi

Becomes Enkos’ ‘nkosikazi (‘kos’kas’)
* * *
Greetings [20]
This is a basic greeting to get us through the first few
lessons. You may know some variations and we will
certainly cover them in time, but for now we are going
to stick to this simple formula.

Vocab for Greetings:
Hello (sing) - Molo Hello (plural) – Molweni

Brother - (u)bhuti Father - (u)tata
Sister - (u)sisi Mother - (u)mama
Teacher - (u)Titshala Students - (a)bafundi
(The vowels in brackets above are part of the full noun
when referring to a mother or the father, but is
dropped when speaking to someone directly.)
It - ku how? - njani? So... how’s it? - Kunjani?
Well - philile Thanks - enkosi
Yourself - wena Me too/also me - nam
Class Greeting: Greeting between

Class response in bold: individuals:
Molweni, Bafundi Molo, bhuti / tata
Molo, Titshala Molo, sisi / mama
kunjani? kunjani?
philile, enkosi philile, enkosi
kunjani, wena? kunjani, wena?
philile nam, enkos’ philile nam, enkos’

Good byes [21]
Person going says:

Stay - sala or salani (pl) well - kakuhle
Person staying says:

Go - hamba or hambani (pl) well - kakuhle*,
* kahle is also widely used, though strictly speaking it is

isiZulu
hamba/ni – go sala/ni – stay

ni - plural kakuhle – well
**Another word to use is sobonana – we will see each

other (again)
So - bona - na
we will see each other
Additonal words in good-bye:

From English: Sharp Bhayibhayi
It’s ok - Kulungile Yes - Ewe

Excuse Me [22]
Excuse me, sorry, pardon, peace are all the same word
- uxolo
sorry - uxolo excuse me - uxolo
beg your pardon - uxolo peace - uxolo
Excuse me, I don’t know Uxolo, andiyazi
Vocab recap [23]

how’s it? – kunjani? well – philile
yourself – wena me too – nam
sit down – hlala phantsi excuse me – uxolo
I’m sorry, teacher – uxolo, titshala
I don’t know – andiyazi
excuse me, I don’t know – uxolo, andiyazi
help – nceda
a little – kancinci a lot – kakhulu
well – kakuhle beautifully - kakuhle
yes – ewe no – hayi
thank you, enkos thanks a lot – enkos kakhulu
now – ngoku its good – kulungile
it is ok – kulungile its right – kulungile
its fine – kulungile Sharp!

Lesson 1 Conversation - Greeting and Good-

bye [24-25]
(The male teacher [Titshala] greets the students
[abafundi])
1. T: Hello (pl) Students T: Molweni, Bafundi
2. A: Hello Teacher A: Molo, Titshala
3. T: How’s it?? T: kunjani?
4. A: Well, thanks, A: philile, enkosi
5. How is it, yourself? kunjani, wena?
6. T: Fine also, thank you. T: philile nam, enkos’
7. Go well (plural) hambani kakuhle
8. A: Stay well, Titshala A: Sala kakuhle, titshala
9. T: We will see each other T: Sobonana
10. A: Yes, goodbye. A: Ewe, bhabhayi.

Notes:

Lesson 1 Essentials and HW test: [26]

Be able to:
• greet and do the handshake
• pronounce the clicks alone and in words
1. Excuse me, brother.

2. Hello to a group.
3. Hello to a girl. How’s it?
4. Fine, thanks. Yourself?
5. Fine me too.
6. Stay well to a group
7. Go well to one
8. Thanks a lot.
9. We will see each other again
10. Yes, alright.
Answers:
1. Uxolo, bhuti
2. Molweni.
3. Molo sisi. Kunjani?
4. Philile, enkosi. Wena?
5. Philile nam.
6. Salani kakuhle.
7. Hamba kakuhle
8. Enkosi kakhulu.
9. Sobonana.
10. Ewe, kulungile.

CULTURE Insight - Handshakes: [27]

- handshakes are common between genders, mostly
using the ‘African handshake’, consisting of the
standard western grip, followed by a loose gripping of
each others thumbs by the fingers, and then reverting
back to a western grip.
- Handshakes are usually soft, though it has slowly
adapted to the traditionally firmer western grip
(excluding the ‘wet fish’ handshake, which gives most
people the woobly woo’s). They are also often
accompanied by touching the right elbow with the left
hand, a sign of respect that will be explained further in
a later week.
- Handshakes between good friends can last for
minutes, often the whole conversation, with the action
(thumb clasp) repeating itself as a sign that the
conversation is ending.
- it is common for men to hold hands, even whilst
walking down the road. It speaks to the often far more
public displays of affection shown within the separate
gender groups, compared to across genders. You are
far more likely to see a man holding the hand of
another man then that of his wife. The other man is
likely to be a good friend and peer, and they may well
have passed through the manhood initiation ulwaluko
together.

- And also so for women. This is because the culture

generally separates out the groups, which each group
having their own place to hang out at public
gatherings, as well as expectations, taboos, roles
assigned to people not only dependent on their gender,
but on their age group. Of course, in a modern and
urban context, these dynamics do not always exist to
the same extent.

Lesson 2: Introduction to Verbs and

Prefixes
goal:
To be introduced to the verbs and the prefixes, and to
learn some basic vocab.
Verbs [29]
In Xhosa, we have basic verbs, what we know as ‘doing

words’. They are actions, and appropriately, they
always end with an ‘a’ in their basic present tense,
positive form. Below are examples:
Learn - funda Talk - thetha

Listen - mamela Try - zama
Go - hamba Stay - sala
Live - hlala Work - sebenza
Do/Make - enza* Repeat - phinda
Go home - goduka Ask - buza
Want/need - funa Look - jonga
See - bona Request - cela
Help - nceda Praise/be grateful - bulela
Like/love – thanda Remember - khumbula

Hear/perceive -– (i)va* Understand - qonda

Use - sebenzisa Greet - bulisa
Quiet - thula Hurry, be quick - khawuleza
* enza and (i)va work slightly differently from the rest,

due to them starting with a vowel, and it is
recommended that you not use them in the initial
exercises of this lesson. As the course progresses, you
will see how and when they are used.
* Three exceptions (Don’t end in-a):
Say – thi know – azi Exclaim - tsho
Don’t worry about these for now, and don’t use them
when making examples or practicing in class.
Speaking Commands to a Group [30]
When speaking to a group, add ‘ni’ e.g.

Such as: Go well (to a group) - hambani kakuhle
listen (to a group) - mamelani
Sit (to a group) - hlalani phantsi
Quiet (to a group) - thulani

Beginners Trick: Cheating with Nouns [31]

In the early stages of this course, we focus on verbs for
rapid conversational ability. We will cover the learning
intensive nouns in Level 3, so for now, for any thing
just add i- to the English or Afrikaans equivalent, for
plural add ama- to the front.
e.g. a computer - ikomputa computers - amakomputa
The six subject prefixes [32]

Next we have six prefixes, which allow us to say I learn,
you learn, he or she learns, we learn, etc.
Remember, they are prefixes. They always attach

themselves onto the front of a verb, forming a new
word.
Singular Plural
1st I– ndi- We – si-
2nd You – u- You – ni-

3rd He/she – u- They – ba-
For example: we learn/we are learning – sifunda

*You can remember that –ni is added (i.e. not as a

prefix) to molo, hamba, sala when speaking to a group
– a whole bunch of you’s - this is as a command, not as
the subject of an action, such as above, where it is a
prefix.
The difference: Hambani! - Go! (talking to you plural)
Nihamba - You (pl.) are going.
Interesting Fact: In Zulu, the prefixes are the same,

except that ndi- is replaced by ngi-
Combination of prefix and verb [33]
Example: learn – funda
I learn – ndifunda we learn - sifunda
you learn - ufunda you (pl) learn - nifunda
he/she learns – ufunda they learn - bafunda

The ‘ya’ rule [34]

When the above prefixes are added to a verb such as I
learn: ndi+funda = ndifunda, and it stands alone as a
sentence in itself, in other words there are no other
words in the sentence, a ya is placed inbetween:
Ndiyafunda
NB. The ya is only ever used when the action word is

in the present and positive. You know this because
they end in –a (see all above).
Examples:
learn - funda I am learning - ndiyafunda

praise - bulela I am praising - ndiyabulela
go home - goduka I am going home - ndiyagoduka
try - zama You are trying - uyazama

help - nceda He is helping - uyanceda
listen - mamela We are listening - siyamamela
Note: ‘ya’ does not translate as ‘am’/’are’/’is’,

although it sometimes fits in that place where
those are used in English.

The meaning of ya [35]
*** The ya serves the express purpose of lengthening

the word. It has no meaning!! So, if another word is
added into the sentence, the ya would fall away:
I learn is ndiyafunda but

I learn Xhosa is ndifunda isiXhosa (no ya)
you are trying - uyazama

you are trying a lot - uzama kakhulu
we are talking - siyathetha

we are talking Xhosa - sithetha isiXhosa
they’re going home – bayagoduka

they’re going home now – bagoduka ngoku
Use the CD, use all the prefixes, with as many verbs as you can
come up with. The sooner you have this down, the better.
Seriouuuss!

Extended Greetings with the Prefixes [38]

You can know also use these prefixes learnt to expand
your greeting capability by adding prefixes to what we
have already learnt as our greeting words:
How are YOU? - Unjani? I am well - Ndiphilile.
And when talking to a group:
How are you plural? Ninjani?

We are well Siphilile
We are well too Siphilile nathi*
See the culture section for when these would be used

other than the obvious, when talking to a group.
*Nathi is plural form of nam - we too, also us, and us!
Distinguishing you, he, she [36]

To differentiate between 2nd and 3rd persons, we would
probably use the person’s name if not talking to
someone direct:
Unjani? how are you?

Unjani uJustin? How is Justin?

But, we could also use pronouns:

yourself - wena him/herself - yena
e.g.
How are you? unjani wena?
How is he/she? unjani yena?
Important combinations with pronouns [37]
To add to this we learn myself – mna

Think of me – mna (mina - zulu)
Myself, I am trying Mna, ndiyazama

Yourself, you are trying Wena, uyazama
Himself, he is trying Yena, uyazama
which can also be said with the mna/wena/yena

afterwards, like this:
myself, I am trying ndiyazama, mna

you are trying, you uyazama, wena
He is tryin, as for him uyazama, yena

Notes:

Lesson 2 Essentials and Test: [39]
Be able to:
• Use the six subject prefixes with the verb stems
• Know at least 10 verbs off by heart
• Know how to use mna, wena, yena
• Greet a group of people
Questions (write out the Xhosa):

1. You guys are learning.
2. Yes, we are learning well.
3. No, he talks a little
4. Myself, I am trying
5. As for her, she is going home
6. Thanks, we are grateful
7. Hello, How are you all?
8. We are well, thanks, how are you?
Answers:
1. Niyafunda
2. Ewe, sifunda kakuhle
3. Hayi, uthetha kancinci (yena)
4. Mna, ndiyazama
5. Yena, uyagoduka (uyatshayisa - slang)
6. Enkosi, siyabulela
7. Molweni, ninjani?
8. Siphilile, enkosi, unjani wena?

Lesson 2 Convo - Greetings and basic sentences

[40-41]
(Two Xhosa students greet each other in a class)
1. B: Molo, sisi
2. S: Molo bhuti
3. B: Ninjani?
4. S: Siphilile enkosi. Unjani wena?
5. B: Ndiphilile nam enkosi.
6. S: Uyaqonda ititshala wena?
7. B: Ewe, mna ndiqonda kakuhle. UBrendon uyazama yena?
8. S: Ewe, ufunda kakuhle yena.
9. B: Kulungile. Sobonana ngomso sisi.
10. S: Ewe, bhuti. Hamba kakuhle.
11. B: Sharp!
English:
1. B: Hello, sister
2. S: Hello, brother
3. B: How are you all?
4. S: We are fine thanks. How are you?
5. B: I am also fine, thanks.
6. S: Do you understand the teacher?
7. B: Yes, I understand nicely. Does Brendon try himself?
8. S: Yes, he is studying well.
9. B: Ok. See ya tomorrow, sister.
10. S: Yes, brother. Go well.
11. B: Sharp!

CULTURE Insight - Greetings: [42]

- traditionally, a greeting from afar would be preceded
with the raising of both hands raised in the air, bent at
the elbow, with perhaps a shake of the hands, a gesture
of friendship and non-aggression. This is obviously not
appropriate in most formal western, urban settings, but
keep an eye open for it and you will still see it on the
streets. It is still common on the rural areas (ezilalini).
- it is usual for a younger person to greet an elder

person first, and to expect to at least exchange how do
you do’s and possibly a few other questions as well
around their origins. This does not mean you need to
wait to be greeted (if you are elder). See the first point
above.
- it is usual for an arriving person to greet first, rather
then those in a location greeting the person arriving.
- it is common, though not necessary, to use the plural

in greetings, including the person’s family, community
and ancestors, even when greeting a single person. It
implies the connectedness between the well-being of an
individual and that of their community, or family, and
wider levels, including spiritual beliefs. This takes the
form often of ‘ninjani?’ and ‘siphilile’, even though
there may be only one person.

Lesson 3: Sentence Building Blocks
goal: To introduce two more important building

blocks – ‘uku’ and ‘sa’ and the first important
sentences.
Still – ‘SA’ and to - ‘uku’ [44-45]

Last lesson we learnt how the six prefixes fit onto the
front of verbs, and how a ‘ya’ is placed between them,
when they form the only word of the sentence.
Today we learn two rules:
1. The first is that if you wish to say that you are still
doing something, you can replace the ‘ya’ with a
‘sa’
For example, I am learning - Ndiyafunda

I am still learning - Ndisafunda
You are working - uyasebenza

You are still working - usasebenza
We are looking - siyajonga

We are still looking - sisajonga
They want - bayafuna

They still want - basafuna (they are still looking for)

Note: Unlike the ya, the sa is retained regardless of

whether there are further words added to the sentence.
2. The second is that if you wish to say “to” do a

verb/action, you only need add an ‘uku’ onto the
front of the verb. For example,
like - thanda to like - ukuthanda,
try - zama to try - ukuzama
learn - funda to learn - ukufunda
talk - thetha to talk - ukuthetha
When ‘ya’ is dropped [46]
Notice that the ‘ya’ is dropped from the following

sentence because there are additional words.
We are learning - Siyafunda
We are learning to talk Xhosa

Sifunda ukuthetha isiXhosa

Verbs with uku-: [47]

learn or read or study - funda
to learn or to read or to study - ukufunda
talk - thetha to talk - ukuthetha
try - zama to try - ukuzama
go - hamba to go - ukuhamba
live - hlala to live - ukuhlala
like or love - thanda to like - ukuthanda
want or need - funa to want - ukufuna
ask - buza to ask - ukubuza
request politely - cela to request - ukucela
give thanks or be grateful - bulela*
to give thanks - ukubulela *(careful: kill - bulala)
help - nceda to help - ukunceda
see - bona to see - ukubona
listen - mamela to listen - ukumamela
work - sebenza to work - ukusebenza
to use - ukusebenzisa to greet - ukubulisa
So, it is easy, any word in the present, positive i.e.

ending with an –a, just add uku- to the front.

First Important Sentences Context

These sentences are crucial for the time when, after
impressing the socks off a Xhosa person with your
excellent greeting, introduction and pronunciation,
they start speaking to you as if you know the whole
language, at which point you make use of these
sentences instead of using English, or confused
silence…
Vocab for our first important sentences: [48]
excuse me - uxolo But - kodwa

it’s difficult - kunzima it’s nice, pleasant - kumnandi
serious - nyani! a little - kancinci
only, just - nje request - cela
or - okanye now - ngoku
English (language) - isiNgesi
Afrikaans - isiAfrikansi

First Important Sentences [49]
*Uxolo, kodwa ndisafunda ukuthetha isiXhosa.

Excuse me, but I am still learning to speak Xhosa
* Ndithetha kancinci nje.

I speak a little bit only
Ndithanda ukuthetha isiXhosa.

I like to speak Xhosa.
Kumnandi kodwa kunzima

It is nice but it is difficult
Truthfully or seriousssss! - Nyani!
*Ndicela ukuthetha isiNgesi okanye isiAfrikaansi ngoku

I request to speak English or Afrikaans now
A star * indicates you must learn these!


Be able to:
• Say the first important sentences off by heart
Questions:
1. I request peace or I am sorry
2. They request to enter
3. He requests to ask
4. We request to sit down
5. You (pl) request to go home
6. Excuse me teacher, I request to ask.
7. I’m still learning to speak Xhosa
8. I speak a little bit only
9. It is nice but difficult
10. I request to speak English now
Answers:
1. Ndicela uxolo
2. Bacela ukungena
3. Ucela ukubuza yena
4. Sicela ukuhlala phantsi
5. Nicela ukugoduka
6. Uxolo titshala, ndicela ukubuza (and use it in class)
7. Ndisafunda ukuthetha isiXhosa
8. Ndithetha kancinci
9. Kumnandi kodwa kunzima
10. Ndicela ukuthetha isiNgesi ngoku

Notes:

Lesson 3 Convo - The 3 NB Sentences [51-52]

(A young Xhosa student [sisi] greets an old Xhosa man [tata])
Vocab: And you or you too - nawe
1. S: Molo Tata
2. T: Molo sisi, kunjani?
3. S: Philile. Kunjani wena?
4. T: Ndiphilile nam. Usifundiswa ngubani?
5. S: Uxolo. Ndisafunda ukuthetha isiXhosa. Ndithetha kancinci
nje.
6. T: Ok, usafunda.
7. S: Ewe, ndiyazama. Ndicela ukuthetha isiNgesi ngoku.
8. T: Kulungile
9. S: Sala kakuhle tata
10. T: Sala kakuhle nawe sisi.
English:
1. S: Hello, Father
2. T: Hello, young lady, how are you?
3. S: Fine. How are you?
4. T: I am also fine. (A confusing line you don’t know)?
5. S: Excuse me. I am still learning to speak Xhosa. I speak a
little bit only.
6. T: Ok, you are still learning.
7. S: Yes, I am trying. But I request to speak English now.
8. T: Fine.
9. S: Stay well, father.
10. T: Stay well too, sister

CULTURE INSIGHT - In the home: [53]

- it is usual and considered polite by Xhosa people to
seat yourself quietly and unobtrusively, rather then wait
to be asked to sit – standing in someone’s home on
arrival is considered impolite, aggressive and implies
that you have come to pick a quarrel.
- This is interesting in its contrast to western culture,

where it is considered good manners to wait until you
are asked to be seated or offered a seat. So try to have
seating easily available for Xhosa guests, else you risk
making them feel uncomfortable. Of course, many
urban Xhosa people have long since adapted to
western ways, but showing awareness, respect, courtesy
is a great thing to all people.
- its polite to tell someone that you will be making tea

for them. They must then refuse you. To offer tea is to
put a guest in an uncomfortable position of choice.
Milk is usually cooked with the tea and then taken with
separate sugar to the guest.
Level 1 Part 1 disc is complete. Please insert Level

1 Part 2 Disc for continued audio lessons.

Notes:

Lesson 4: Titles, Names and Identifying

Xhosa people
Goal:
Learning the correct titles for people and a quick way
to introduce yourself, as well as to identify Xhosa
speakers as far as possible.
Naming, Names and Titles [2]

Naming has a deep and meaningful role in Xhosa
culture, let alone African culture. A name is often used
to give social identity or to convey a quality wished for
the child, and may often have subtle implications, not
understood other then by those close to the family3. A
child will often be named after person present or an
event or scenario occurring at the time of the child’s
birth, sometimes good and sometimes bad.
What is interesting is that Xhosa names are borrowed

from everyday words within the spoken language, and
thus contrast with the English language, where names
are not words in everyday use, except the odd
exception, such as Hope, Joy, Faith, Destiny, etc. This
allows you to recognize Xhosa people often by their
names as you recognize their name from your xhosa
3 pg.10, Mthembu-Salter, L. Call me by my name.

Kwela Books, 2001.
vocabulary. Xhosa people often took or were given

English names (Prudence, Patience, Mavis, etc), as
white people could not pronounce their real names (or
did not make the effort). There were not usually direct
translations of their names, with initial generations just
given them by the white folks, and later generations
actively giving their children English names as well.
This is where the creativity, humour and the culture of
the Xhosa people crept in, with interesting, inspiring
and sometimes ridiculous names being chosen.
Xhosa folk graciously accepted their names being

pronounced badly, or having new names thrust upon
them and it is my belief that we, as learners of Xhosa,
should be prepared to take on Xhosa names for
ourselves. More on this in lesson 5.
Basic Titles [3]

The biggest this thing to remember about titles, is that
the very act of using them is respectful and affectionate,
they establish a relationship between two people, or at
least the intention or possibility of forging one. Unless
it is specifically rude, it is almost irrelevant what title you
use. In other words, you could use bhuti for a boy and
bhuti for an older man, and either way it is more about
the respect and courtesy and friendliness with which
you greet, then the actual word that comes out.

Very occasionally people have a chip on their shoulder,

deal with it graciously and remember that you can’t
help it if people take offence, but you can do your best
to communicate respect.
However, it is common to address people with the

following titles, even when you do not necessarily
know them:
(u)Mama – mama anyone roughly the same age as

your mother
(u)tata – father, anyone roughly the same age as your
father (tata- affectionate/bawo - respectful to your own father)
(u)bhuti – brother, anyone roughly the same age as
you/r brother, or younger
(u)sisi – sister, anyone roughly the same age as you/r
sister, or younger
(u)makhulu – grandmother
(u)tatomkhulu – grandfather
All personal names in Xhosa start with u (just

like the above).
E.g. uCraig, uBongo, but when calling someone by a

name, you drop the initial vowel.
For example uBongo becomes “Molo, Bongo”.

When Greeting a group [4]

When greeting a group, you would use only the
name of the person you know the best, or who is
deserving of the most respect.
i.e. “Molweni, Makhulu” meaning “Greetings Grandma
and others”(molweni is the plural form of greeting)
It is usual to prefix bo- when greeting a group of

similar people. E.g. “Molweni bomama”, when
greeting a group of mamas. Again, “Molweni, bosisi”,
when greeting a group of
young women.
Other titles [5]

Remember the initial vowel (in brackets) is dropped
when addressing someone by the title.
Sir *(u)mhlekazi (‘mhlekaz’)

mister *(u)mnumzana (‘mnumzan’)
fellow (u)mfondini
man (i)ndoda
men (a)madoda
young man (u)mfana
our chap (u)mfowethu (‘mfethu’)
lady *(i)nkosikazi (‘kos’kas’)
miss *(i)nkosazana
the teacher* (u)titshala

the female teacher (u)titshalakazi

a teacher* (i)titshala
a female teacher (i)titshalakazi
child (u)mntwana
children (a)bantwana
my friend (u)mhlobo wam
all (ni-) onke
everyone, you all - *nonke
* titshala is one of the few nouns that has a different

noun prefix based on this distinction of the and a, and
is actually differentiated by whether one personalizes
the title ‘teacher’ as someone specific (u-) or refers to
some non-specific teacher (i). Most nouns, for instance
umntwana, can mean a child or the child.
Some slang greetings:
Note: Slang is not to be used with elders, or people

you don’t know! Best to ask Xhosa friends!
Baby/babe - (u)sana (used between girlfriends)

My buddy - (i)tshomi yam
My pal - (i)mpintsh ‘am
Hello (to one or group) - Heita / Hola
Young men - (a)majita

I am, you are, he/she is…. [6]
In English, we say “I am, you are, he/she is”, but in

Xhosa we need only use ngu after each of the singular
prefixes, e.g.
I am… ndingu…
you, are… u- ngu…
he or she is… u- ngu….
ngu… works for all nouns starting with u-
I am a student ndi..ngu..umfundi = ndingumfundi

You are a student ungumfundi (wena)
She is a student ungumfundi (yena)
Who are you? Who is he/she? [7]

Who? - Bani?
Who are you? Ungubani?
To differentiate we use wena and yena:

Who are you? ungubani, wena?
Me, I am Craig mna, ndinguCraig
Who is he? ungubani yena?
Him, he is Desmond Yena, unguDesmond

*Note: Be careful of including the question

(bani) with the answer (i.e. the name of the person or
yourself). For instance, ndingubaniCraig or
ungubaniDesmond yena. This is wrong – it is either
bani or the name? Unless your name is Barney.
Is someone a Xhosa person? [8]

This is an important consideration. Just because a
person is dark skinned, it does not mean they are
Xhosa and you can cause offence (occasionally) by
assuming so.
There are a couple of good ways of guessing if someone
is Xhosa:
a. you have been told by someone that they are
b. you recognise their name as Xhosa
c. you hear them speaking a language with clicks in it,
and you are in the Western Cape. If in Jozi, they
might be Zulu. In which case you can greet them too.
d. you will begin to recognise the way Xhosa mamas
dress
e. Otherwise, using the above grammar and
remembering that umXhosa is a Xhosa person, you
can ask:
Are you Xhosa ungumXhosa na?
Do you speak Xhosa? uthetha isiXhosa na?
Note: (‘na’ makes it a query - more on this in Level 2)

Questions:
1. Hello, sir
2. Hello, group of mamas
3. Hello, madam and others
4. How are you all?
5. As for me, I am Craig
6. As for you, who are you?
7. As for her, who is she?
8. Is she Xhosa?
9. Do you speak Xhosa?
10. Good bye, children.
Answers:
1. Molo, mhlekazi
2. Molweni, bomama
3. Molweni Nkosikazi
4. Ninjani?
5. Mna ndinguCraig
6. Wena, ungubani?
7. Yena, ungubani?
8. Ungumxhosa na?
9. Uthetha isiXhosa na?
10. Bhabhayini, bantwana

Lesson 4 Convo Breakdown [10-11]

(A young Xhosa male [Makhosi] greets a group of young ladies
and introduces himself to one lady [Zandile])
Vocab: With you - kuwe
1. M: Molweni bosisi
2. Z: Ewe, bhuti
3. M: Ninjani?
4. Z: Sisaphila, bhuti, enkosi, kunjani kuwe?
5. M: Hayi, ndiyaphila nam, enkosi. NdinguCraig,
mna. Wena ungubani?
6. Z: NdinguZandile, mna.
7. M: UngumXhosa na, sisi?
8. Z: Hayi, ndingumzulu, kodwa ndithetha isiXhosa.
9. M: Ok, kulungile. Yena ungubani?
10. Z: Yena unguZodwa.
11. M: ok, Ungumxhosa, yena?
12. Z: Eh eh, ungumxhosa!
13. M: Enkosi, sisi.
14. Z: Ok, bhuti Sobonana.
15. M: Sharp!
English:
1. M: Hello (pl) sisters.
2. Z: Yes (meaning ‘Hi’), brother
3. M: How are you (pl)?
4. Z: We are still fine, brother, thank you, how is it with you?

5. M: No I’m also fine thank you. My name is Craig.

Who are you?
6. Z: I am Zandile.
7. M: Are you Xhosa, sister?
8. Z: No, I am Zulu, but I speak Xhosa.
9. M: Ok, that’s fine. Who is she?
10. Z: She is Zodwa.
11. M: Ok, is she Xhosa?
12. Z: Yes, she is Xhosa.
13. M: Thanks, sister.
14. Z: Ok, brother, we will see each other.
15. M: Sharp!
CULTURE INSIGHT - Ubuntu: [12]
Ubuntu:
Umntu ngumntu ngabantu/(ngabanye) abantu
A person is a person because of (other) people.
Besides the Xhosa way of defining it above, this is how

I like to phrase it: "UBuntu is when people are aware
of the intricate and immense inter-connectedness on
many different levels between themselves, all other
people, their environment, nature, spirit and life, and
thus act accordingly in every moment".

Practically, it's similar in a way to the proverbs "What

goes around, comes around", or "Love your neighbour
as you would love yourself", in the sense that how you
treat others is ultimately how you will be treated, and if
you have the above understanding of Ubuntu i.e.
knowing that we are all connected, it makes sense that
you will treat people with kindness and generosity, and
ultimately that is what you will receive yourself. Those
people who you really fear, 'hate' or struggle to like are
wonderful opportunities for growth. Find compassion
for them and you begin to find it for yourself.
By learning Xhosa you are taking a step at not only

being more a part of the new SA, but you are including
all those Xhosa people in your vision of what you want
in this life and in this country: friendly, respectful,
considerate, caring humans working together without
fear. So keep it up. Sharp! Makhosi!

Notes:

Lesson 5: Introductions
Goal:
To learn how to introduce oneself and another by
name and surname, and ask about others. Also asking
a person’s Xhosa name.
First name [14]
Ngubani igama lakho – what is your name?
Q: Ngubani igama lakho

what is name your
A: Ngu…… igama lam

It is……. name my
NguCraig igama lam or

igama lam nguCraig Either way is fine.
*A useful trick to remember lam is that lammm ends in

mm, which is the letter that ‘my’ starts with, so my
name – igama lam.
Lakho on the other hand rhymes with your. Your

name – igama lakho.

Surname [15]
Ngubani ifani yakho – what is your surname?
(ifani – van/surname)
Q: Ngubani ifani yakho

What is surname your
A: Ngu….. ifani yam*

It is…… surname my
* Again, although the my or your comes after the noun,

which is the opposite to English or Afrikaans, where
you put the actual name does not matter, before or
after. If you are wondering why it is lam and lakho for
igama and yet yam and yakho for ifani, this is due to
different noun classes, which you do not need to worry
about now.
They seem terribly complicated, but are really rather

easy. In time they will make sense. The easiest way to
differentiate between these two at this time is that the
word funny in English ends in y, so ifani yam, ifani
yakho That leaves igama to use the l, igama lam, igama
lakho

My name is, what is yours? [16]

My name is Craig. What is your name?
nguCraig igama lam. ngubani igama lakho?
my surname is Charnock. what is your surname?

nguCharnock ifani yam. ngubani ifani yakho?
His name/her name [17]

If you want to ask what his or her name is, you ask
ngubani igama lakhe? Tip: akhe rhymes with his or her!
or what is his/her surname - ngubani ifani yakhe?
my name - igama lam

your name - igama lakho
his or her name - igama lakhe
my surname - ifani yam

your surname - ifani yakho
his or her surname - ifani yakhe
Although the letter to begin the word changes with the

noun group, which you will learn later, important to
remember is the endings
my - am your - akho his/her - akhe

Clan Names (isiduko): [18]

Every Xhosa person has a clan name. Clan names are
based on the idea that groups of people are descended
from a common male ancestor, and are thus part of the
same family. Men and woman may not marry each
other if they have the same clan name and the term
may be used to convey friendship, respect and praise
upon another4. It is a remarkable aspect of Xhosa
culture in that it recognizes the larger family one
belongs to other than one’s immediate family. Cousins
in our culture would call each other siblings in Xhosa
culture.
uMandela, Ngubani isiduko sakhe?
What is clan name his?
Ngu isiduko ……….

It is clan name his
4 Pg. 22, Kirsch, B and Skorge, S. Clicking with Xhosa.

Other useful terms during introductions:[19]

Ndiyavuya ukukwazi - I am pleased to meet (know) you
Ndiyavuya ukunazi - I am pleased to meet you (plural)
Vuya - glad/joyful
ukukwazi - to know you
Yena - As for him/her uNgu……. - He/she is….

Asking a person’s Xhosa name [20]

What is your Xhosa or English name?
Ngubani igama lakho lesiXhosa / lesiNgesi?

(You will understand the use of the l when you learn
noun groups.)
You may ask someone you know or encounter with an

English name what their Xhosa (real) name is. Of
course, for some people, their English name is their real
name, or they prefer to use it, but most of the time, you
will find that Xhosa people have a Xhosa name and
they appreciate your effort to know it and pronounce it
properly, as by now you surely can, though it does help
to ask for it to be spelt or written down.
As you are learning Xhosa, it makes sense (to help with

pronunciation) that you acquire and use a Xhosa
name, as most Xhosa people have acquired English
names for the same reason. You may choose one that
is special to you, or request one from someone who
knows you and whom you respect.
I request you to give me a Xhosa name - Ndicela wena

ukundinika igama lesiXhosa

CULTURE INSIGHT - Names:

It is not usual to be on first name terms with an older
person (unless they ask specifically, in which case they
are bridging into your culture) - close acquaintances
never sacrifice respect terms i.e. first names are not
used, no matter how well you know them, unless of
your own age (Sydney Zotwana – Xhosa in context).
This has relaxed in modern times and different people

will express different ways they wish to be called. But
consider all those mama’s and tata’s (in kitchens and
gardens) who were being called by first names that
were quite often not even their real name, and many
are used to it, and may even prefer it now (each to their
own after all). Here we see the humility and patience
of the people. We are repaying this kindness, tolerance
and acceptance when we make the effort to engage
people in their own language, especially pronouncing
their names correctly.

Lesson 5 Essentials and Oral 1 Preparation: [22]

The oral you will perform as a class is below with class
responses in BOLD. Perform it exactly. You will be
prompted in English if needs be.
Molweni Nonke (Hello, everyone)

Molo Mhlekazi / Nkosikazi (Hello, Sir / Madam)
Ninjani? (How are you plural?)
Siphilile, enkosi. (We are well, thanks)
Kunjani wena? (How’s it yourself?)
Ndiphilile nam. (I am also well)
Ndingu(first name) (surname) (I am …. ……)

Ngu(first name) igama lam (It is…. my first name)
Ngu(surname) ifani yam (It is…. my surname)
Ndiyavuya ukunazi. (Im pleased to know y'all)

Siyavuya ukukwazi (We are pleased to know you)
Yena, ungu...... (as for him/her, he/she is..)
Uxolo, ndisafunda ukuthetha isiXhosa.

Ndithetha kancinci nje.
(optional: Kumnandi ukufunda kodwa kunzima)
Enkosi. Ndiyabulela. Salani kakuhle.

Sala kakuhle nawe. (nawe - and you)
Titshala, ndicela ukuhlala phantsi / ukuthula ngoku.
(Teacher, I request to sit down/be quiet now)

Notes:

Lesson 5 Convo - Intro and Xhosa name [23-24]

(A young Xhosa man introduces himself to an old Xhosa woman)
1. B: Molo, Magogo.
2. T: Molo, ndoda.
3. B: Unjani?
4. T: Ndiphilile, enkosi, unjani wena?
5. B: Ndiphilile nam enkos. NdinguCraig, ngubani
igama lakho?
6. T: NdinguPatience, mna.
7. B: Makhulu, ngubani igama lakho lesiXhosa?
8. T: NguAndiswa igama lam lesixhosa. Wena?
9. B: NdinguMakhosimvelo, mna.
10. T: Kulungile, Makhosimvelo, ndiyavuya ukukwazi.
11. B: Nam ndiyavuya, Makhulu. Enkos.
English:
1. B: Hello, Granny.
2. T: Hello, man.
3. B: How are you?
4. T: I’m fine, thanks, how are you?
5. B: I am also well thanks. I am Craig, what is your
name?
6. T: I am Patience.
7. B: Grandmother, what is your Xhosa name?
8. T: My Xhosa name is Andiswa. Yours?
9. B: I am Makhosimvelo.
10. T: Alright Makhosimvelo, I am pleased to meet you.
11. B: I am also pleased, Granny, thank you.

CULTURE BITE - Eye Contact: [21]

- it is usual for Xhosa folk to be taught to not look
elders in the eyes, but rather to keep their eyes low, and
to only make occasional eye contact to show that
attention is there. In contrast, I was taught as a child
that this implied dishonesty and shiftiness, and that
direct eye contact was considered respectful in my
culture, so bear this in mind before judging others from
different cultures.

Lesson 6: How do you know Xhosa?

Goal:
To be aware of and answer these questions with new
vocab.
The Inevitable Xhosa Questions [26]

Once you have engaged in a Xhosa conversation,
people are always interested to know where you learnt
to speak Xhosa, or who taught you. No, this is not a
marketing gimmick. After all, Xhosa people are not
exactly my target market, haha. Often, people might
ask about your Xhosa with these three common
questions:
Usifundela phi isiXhosa?

Usazela phi isiXhosa?
Usifundiswa ngubani (isiXhosa)?
What do you notice about all three sentences? They all
end with Xhosa, and therein lies the secret to
recognizing them! (phi - where?; ngubani - it is who?)
Otherwise they are beyond your grammatical

understanding for now, but they are commonly asked
and very often quite early in a conversation, so
familiarize yourself with them and some of the
potential answers I have provided below.

Where are you learning Xhosa? [27]
- Usifundela phi isiXhosa? / usazela phi isiXhosa?
I learn - Ndifunda….. with UB - neUBuntu Bridge

At a school - esikolweni at night – ebusuku
In town - eDolophini at work – emsebenzini
In a book - encwadini at home - ekhaya
I listen to an audio Cd Ndimamela i-audio CD
In the car - emotweni in Newlands - eNewlands
I watch films - Ndibukela ifilim
Talking with people - Ukuthetha nabantu
Who is teaching you it (Xhosa)? [28]

- Usifundiswa ngubani (isiXhosa)?
I learn - Ndifunda
With a teacher - Netitshala He is… - ungu…
White person - umlungu (ungumlungu)
With a white guy - nomlungu
He is… - unguCraig Charnock
Combo Answer:
The best thing is to create an answer that is relevant to
you, which combines both questions.
e.g. I learn at …… with ….
Ndifunda e …… no….

Extra Vocab in Greetings [29]

Other common variations in greetings:
Present - khona (also meaning fine in this context)
There is nothing - akukho ‘nto (meaning wrong)

This gets shortened to akhonto and can be used after any
form of greeting.
For examples, study the following examples:
I am well, nothing is wrong - Ndikhona akhonto*
We are well, nothing’s wrong - Sikhona, akhonto
We are well, there is nothing wrong - siphilile akhonto
I am well, nothing’s wrong - ndiphilile, akhonto
*These are completely optional.

Questions:
1. Where are you learning Xhosa?

2. I am studying in…..
3. I learn with a teacher - he is Craig.
4. He is a white ou.
5. I listen to an audio Cd.
6. I learn in a book.
7. I like to speak with people.
8. We watch a film at work.
9. There is nothing wrong.
Answers:
1. Usifundela phi isiXhosa?

2. Ndifunda e…..
3. Ndifunda netitshala - unguCraig
4. Ungumlungu yena
5. Ndimamela i-Audio Cd
6. Ndifunda encwadini
7. Ndithanda ukuthetha nabantu
8. Sibukela ifilim emsebenzini
9. Akhonto

Lesson 6 Convo - Where are you learning Xhosa?

(A young Xhosa student speaks to an old Xhosa woman)
Vocab: [31]
For real/truthfully - nyani Like that - njalo
It’s like that / it is so - kunjalo Nicely - kamnandi
1. B: Molweni, Nkosikazi, [32-33]
2. T: Molo, mfondini,
3. B: Ninjani?
4. T: Sikhona, akhonto. unjani, wena?
5. B: Hayi, ndiphillile, enkosi, akhonto. Ndicela
ukungena, Mama.
6. T: Lungile. Ngena. Hlala phantsi. Usifundela phi isiXhosa?
7. B: Ndifunda netitshala eNewlands ebusuku.
Ndifunda encwadini ndimamela i-Audio Cd.
Ndithetha nabantu.
8. T: Hayi ndoda, uyazama wena!
9. B: Kunjalo, mama, ndiyazama nyhani!
10. T: Uthetha kamnandi, mfana. Sala kakuhle.
11. B: Enkosi, Hamba kakuhle, Mama.
English:
1. B: Hello, Madam (and others).

2. T: Hello, young man
3. B: How are you (pl)?
4. T: We are here, there is nothing. How are you?

5. B: No, I am well, thanks, there’s nothing wrong. I

request to come in, mother.
6. T: Alright, come in, sit down. Where are you learning
Xhosa?
7. B: I learn with a teacher in Newlands at night. I
read from a book and listen to an audio CD. I speak
with people.
8. T: No man, you are trying!
9. B: It is so, mother, I really am trying.
10. T: You speak well, young man. Stay well.
11. B: Thanks. Go well, mother.

CULTURE BITE - Speaking Loudly:

People often complain or cannot comprehend why
‘African’ people speak so loudly. Well, there were a
couple of insights I had whilst living in the rural
villages.
- firstly, for many centuries there have been no phones
in the rural villages and homesteads and therefore
neighbours are often separated by valleys, ridges, small
hills. It is often necessary for a mother to shout after
her child to call her home or give an additional
instruction. This would thus be done with a very loud
voice with no concern for what the neighbours might
think.
- secondly, when social gatherings occur there are
usually any number of people even beyond 100 sitting
in one round mudhut, with drums beating, people
singing, children shouting and everyone chatting.
Needless to say, a soft manner of speech is not going to
serve you in such a context.
- thirdly, it is considered impolite and suspicious if you
speak softly or whisper. You may be gossiping or
plotting, so the cultural practice is the louder the better.

Notes:

iBonus Lesson: Clarification Phrases

Goal: To use Xhosa to improve your Xhosa
The Escape Sentences:

You remember your first two important sentences from
Lesson 3:
I’m still learning Xhosa - ndisafunda isiXhosa.
I speak only a little bit - ndithetha kancinci nje
Then we would try escape “Xhosa” by asking:

I request to speak in English or Afrikaans now
Ndicela ukuthetha isiNgesi okanye isiBhulu ngoku
Clarification Phrases:
Well, now we add the following to the mix as an
alternative to the escape sentence above. These
phrases are vital to learn and use in class and in your
conversations as quickly as possible. These phrases
allow you to coach the Xhosa person in to how to
speak with you, and how to use them to help you
improve your Xhosa. These phrases will be explained
grammatically in later levels, but some explanations
follow briefly:

I do not understand you – andikuva

(a- on front of a prefix indicates negative in the present tense - to
be practiced in Level 2, ku - object conchord - level 3)
Please repeat – Khawuphinde

(-e on the end - Level 2)
Be quick/hurry - khawuleza
Write - bhala
Ask - buza
Do not talk so fast – Musa ukukhawuleza

Don’t talk so fast – Sukukhawuleza
(Musa uku.. means do not.. or desist to.. and can be
added on front of any verb ending with -a as we learnt in lesson 2
- in fact it must be followed by a verb and cannot be used alone).
Suku… is the abbreviated form - again, it can’t be
used alone!
What are you saying in English? – uthini ngesiNgesi

(nga + i = nge - it means ‘in’ or ‘by means of’ - Level 3)

Translations System:
To be used in class as often as possible, if it’s a
thing/word:
What is “hayibo” in English?
Yintoni “hayibo” ngesiNgesi?
What is “elephant” in Xhosa?
Yintoni “elephant” ngesiXhosa?
If a phrase or other, you can use:
You say what for ….. in English / in Xhosa?
Uthini ………….…… ngesiNgisi / NgesiXhosa?
*To be used in Class:

Sorry, I request to ask Uxolo, ndicela ukubuza
Please ask in Xhosa Khawubuze ngesiXhosa
You see? Uyabona?
Do you all understand ? Niyaqonda na?
Please write it down. Khawubhale phantsi.
On the board - ebhodini In the book - encwadini

Further Clarification Phrases

So you have learnt the above and you have coached
the person in to speaking slower with you, and even to
translate various words or phrases. These additional
constructs using grammar you know will help you to
learn from the other person.
Please repeat in Xhosa now.

Khawuphinde ngesiXhosa ngoku.
I would like to hear you in Xhosa.

Ndifuna ukukuva ngesiXhosa.
I’m trying to grow my Xhosa.

Ndizama ukukhulisa isiXhosa sam.
I request politely - ndiyacela

I am grateful - ndiyabulela

Notes:

Sample Clarification Conversation

You should know this conversation and its mechanics
backwards before moving on with your learning! And
use these constructs in class with the teachers!!
1. B: Molo, Sisi.
2. S: Molo, Tata
3. B: Unjani?
4. S: Ndikhona. Wena unjani?
5. B: Ndiyaphila nam akhonto. Unqabile wena.
6. S: Uxolo, tata, andikuva. Ndisafunda ukuthetha
isiXhosa. Sukukhawuleza. Ndithetha kancinci nje.
7. B: Ndiyabona sisi. Usifundela phi isiXhosa?
8. S: Andikuva, tata. Khawuphinde?
9. B: Usifundela phi isiXhosa?
10. S: Owu, ndifunda emsebenzini netitshala.
11. B: Ndawoni?
12. S: Uxolo, tata. Uthini ngesiNgesi?
13. B: Where about?
14. S: Ah, khawuphinde ngesiXhosa ngoku. Ndifuna
uku-improva isiXhosa sam.
15. B: Kulungile! N-d-a-w-o-n-i?
16. S: Ndiyabulela, tata
17. B: Uthetha kamnandi wena.
18. S: Eish! Yintoni “kamnandi” ngesiNgesi,tata?
19. B: Nicely!
20. S: Ah, enkosi, khawubhale encwadini yam.
21. B: Kulungile. Uyabona na?

22. S: Ndiyabona, tata. Siyabulela.

23. B: Ndiyavuya ukukwazi!
English (PTO):
1. B: Hello, young lady.

2. S: Hello, older man (respectfully)
3. B: How are you?
4. S: I am well, how are you?
5. B: I’m well too, there is nothing (as in wrong or to
complain about). You are scarce.
6. S: Excuse me father, I do not understand you. I
am still learning to speak Xhosa. Do not go fast. I
speak a little bit only.
7. B: I see, sister. Where are you learning Xhosa?
8. S: I don’t understand you, father, please repeat.
9. B: Where are you learning Xhosa?
10. S: Oh, I’m learning at work with a teacher.
11. B: Whereabouts?
12. S: Sorry, father. What are you saying in English?
13. B: Where about?
14. S: Ah, Please repeat it in Xhosa now. I want to
improve my Xhosa.
15. B: Ok, “Ndawoni?)
16. S: I am grateful, father.
17. B: You talk nicely!
18. S: Eish (embarrassed in this instance), what is
“kamnandi” in English, father?
19. B: Nicely!
20. S: Ah, thanks! I request you write it in my book.
21. B: Ok, Do you see?
22. S: I see, father. We are grateful
23. B: I am pleased to meet you!
Notes:

Level 1 Assessment
So in this last lesson of Level 1 we may just practice

conversationally with you and give you an opportunity
to really integrate and use your clarification phrases,
asking the teachers for everyday phrases relating to
weather, food, etc. Or you may have an assessment,
depending on the context of your learning. There is
little point moving onto Level 2 without spoken
confidence in Level 1. The oral and written assessment
is exactly as follow:
1. Greetings to a group of sisters. How are you

(plural)?
2. We are well, thanks.
3. How are you, yourself?
4. I am fine too, nothing is wrong.
5. My name is …..What is your name?
6. My surname is ………What is your surname?
7. Nice to meet you (I am pleased to know you)
8. I am also pleased to meet you
9. Who is he or she?
10. She is…., as for her.
11. Are you Xhosa?
12. Sorry, brother, I am still learning to speak Xhosa.
13. I speak only a little bit.
14. Where are you learning Xhosa? (Write your
response to this)

15. Who is teaching you? (Write your response to this)

16. Please repeat.
17. Don’t rush!
18. Eish, I don’t understand you well.
19. What are you saying in English?
20. Please write it down.
21. What is …… in English / in Xhosa?
22. You say what for ……. in English / in Xhosa?
23. Do you like Xhosa?
24. Yes, Its nice but it is hard.
25. I request to speak English now.
Xhosa Answers:
1. Molweni, bosisi. Ninjani?
2. Siphilile enkosi.
3. Unjani wena?
4. Ndiphilile nam, akhonto.
5. Ngu…..igama lam. Ngubani igama lakho?
6. Ngu…. Ifani yam. Ngubani ifani yakho?
7. Ndiyavuya ukukwazi.
8. Nam ndiyavuya ukukwazi.
9. Ungubani yena?
10. Ungu..... , yena.
11. Ungumxhosa na?
12. Uxolo, bhuti, ndisafunda ukuthetha isiXhosa
13. Ndithetha kancinci nje

14. Ndifunda emsebenzini edolophini e….

15. Ndifunda neUBuntu Bridge. Utitshala ungu ….
16. Khawuphinde.
17. Sukukhawuleza
18. Eish! Andikuva kakuhle.
19. Uthini ngesingesi?
20. Khawubhale phantsi.
21. Yintoni …… ngesiNgesi / ngesiXhosa?
22. Uthini …… ngesiNgesi / ngesiXhosa?
23. Uthanda isiXhosa na?
24. Ewe, kumnandi kodwa kunzima
25. Ndicela ukuthetha isiNgesi ngoku
Notes:

Conclusion:
I hope you have gained much from working with this
CD and manual. You should now be at a stage where
you can greet and engage a Xhosa person in polite
introductions, as well as excuse yourself from the
conversation. There is plenty of mileage to be gained
from this level of proficiency. I wish you the very best.
Work patiently and persistently – all languages take
effort, but remember to have fun. If you enjoy your
Xhosa, you will maintain motivation. Set yourself
small goals, practice the escape phrases in a safe place
and then venture out there and try it on a Xhosa
person that you encounter. Remember to congratulate
yourself - The effort alone is commendable. Don’t let
high expectations cut your efforts short. Indlela ’nhle –
may your path be beautiful! Ngenene. Makhosemvelo.
Let’s Learn Xhosa with

Level 2: Conversational Progression
will continue with further lessons to extend both your
conversations and your grammatical understanding.
We encourage volunteer opportunities and language / culture

immersions in the villages and townships, bringing sustainable,
sensitive development, where it’s needed most.

AUDIO/MANUAL Credits
Xhosa support courtesy of Deon Xhamela Nebulane,
ooMaDlamini, nabanye abantu besiXhosa abaninzi.
Xhosa voice: Zikhona Mda.
Recorded by Craig Makhosi Charnock & Def Empire.
References (Recommended books):

Becker, Dr. Peter: Tribe To Township. Granada
Publishing 1974.
Kirsch, B. & Skorge, S.: Clicking with Xhosa. David
Philip Publishers, 2003.
Munnik, A.: Learn Xhosa with Anne Munnik (New
Edition). Schuter & Schooter, 2004.
Pinnock, P.S.: Xhosa: a Cultural Grammar for Beginners.
African Sun Press, 1994.
All suggestions and comments, e-mail:

sales@learnxhosa.co.za


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MASIFUNDE isiXHOSA KUNYE

LET’S LEARN XHOSA TOGETHER

This manual and accompanying Audio material

Connecting Cultures * Learning together * Bridging gaps

This manual where possible is produced with the environment in

Table of Contents: Level 1

Introduction and Intentions 4

Notes on so-called Cultural ‘insights’: 11

Lesson 1: Pronunciation and Greeting 16

Lesson 2: Introduction to Verbs and Prefixes 30

© UBuntu Bridge 2018

Combination of prefix and verb [33] 33

Lesson 3: Sentence Building Blocks 41

Still – ‘SA’ and to - ‘uku’ [44-45] 42

Lesson 4: Titles, Names and Identifying Xhosa people 52

Naming, Names and Titles [2] 52

First name [14] 64

© UBuntu Bridge 2018

Lesson 5 Essentials and Oral 1 Preparation: [22] 71

Lesson 6: How do you know Xhosa? 75

The Inevitable Xhosa Questions [26] 75

iBonus Lesson: Clarification Phrases 82

The Escape Sentences: 83

© UBuntu Bridge 2018

Introduction and Intentions

© UBuntu Bridge 2018

know as Sangomas. At this ceremony my calling to serve

© UBuntu Bridge 2018

The recent global history of oppression did a lot

© UBuntu Bridge 2018

said, would be “the best way to contribute to nation

© UBuntu Bridge 2018

introductions, use polite Xhosa expressions, tell a bit

© UBuntu Bridge 2018

How to Use these Materials

The CDs are also interactive in that they introduce an

conversational contexts, and each lesson will have at

I have chosen sometimes to keep things simple for the

Lesson Essentials and Homework

“Lesson Essentials” and to know the corresponding

I have done my best to make learning Xhosa as fun

Notes on so-called Cultural ‘insights’:

© UBuntu Bridge 2018

Xhosa culture or language. There are multitudes

Some Basic History1:

It’s important to realize that language and culture are

Xhosa falls into a group of languages known as the

1 Becker, Dr. Peter: Tribe To Township

people. Umntu - a person, abantu - people, then Zulu

Expansion of the Nguni:

The expansion southwards through Africa was as a

Clicks are thought to have been incorporated into the

© UBuntu Bridge 2018

Century, or whether it is taken from the Khoi word for

The AmaXhosa of today actually consists of numerous

Most Common Languages in SA:

There are approx 12 million mother tongue Zulu

2 According to 2011 Census

Diagram of Africa’s People Flow*: