Xhosa (isiXhosa) is one of South Africa's eleven official languages, spoken by about eight million native speakers. Famous for its click consonants, it was Nelson Mandela's mother tongue. With this kit, you have the bare essentials to greet, ask for directions and stay polite in Cape Town, Johannesburg or the Eastern Cape.
Xhosa, or isiXhosa, is a Bantu language of southeastern South Africa, spoken as a mother tongue by about eight million people, mainly in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces. It is one of the country's eleven official languages, alongside English, Afrikaans and Zulu. Xhosa developed through contact with Khoisan languages and integrated a unique set of click consonants, typically written with the letters c (dental click), q (palatal click) and x (lateral click). This phonetic feature makes it distinctive among Bantu languages. Grammatically, Xhosa works with noun classes and prefix agreement, a system very different from French or English. The language carries a rich oral tradition (folk tales, praise songs, izibongo poetry) and emblematic figures such as Nelson Mandela, whose mother tongue it was, and singer Miriam Makeba. This kit brings together the bare essentials to greet politely, find your way, order food and drink, signal an emergency and say goodbye properly. You will find core phrases, a glossary of everyday words and useful verbs, plus cultural tips to avoid faux pas. Greetings are a key moment of any Xhosa encounter: a simple Molo and a thoughtful Unjani will open many doors in the Eastern Cape, in townships or in rural areas where English is less widespread.
Here is how these phrases play out in real life. Each scene sets the stage and gathers the useful expressions.
You arrive in an Eastern Cape village and greet your host on the doorstep. You say Molo to the person welcoming you, then Molweni to the rest of the family, and you ask Unjani with a smile before introducing yourself.
You hop into a minibus taxi in Mthatha to reach a Xhosa family. You point out the home (indlu) or homestead (umzi) where you are expected, then identify the door (ucango) and window (ifestile) of the gate as you get off.
You sit down in a Grahamstown cafe after a long walk. You ask for water (amanzi) and a little milk (ubisi) for the tea, then order rice (irayisi) with bread (isonka) on the side.
You feel unwell and want to show where it hurts at the nearest clinic. You point to your head (intloko), eyes (iliso), ears (indlebe) or mouth (umlomo) to help the nurse identify the problem.
The visit ends and you say goodbye to the family. You answer Ndiyaphila when asked one last time how you are, thank them with Enkosi, receive a warm Ngxatsho in return and close with a sincere Ewe when invited to come back.
What you need to know before travelling to a xhosa-speaking country.
Xhosa has three series of click consonants (dental c, palatal q, lateral x) inherited from contact with Khoisan languages. Try them without hesitation: your hosts will appreciate the effort even if your sounds aren't perfect.
Greetings matter a lot. Replying briefly to Unjani with Ndiyaphila enkosi (I'm well, thank you) and asking back is part of the encounter; never skip this step.
The concept of ubuntu (umntu ngumntu ngabantu, a person is a person through others) shapes Xhosa social life. In conversation, value listening, humility and care for others.
Note the difference between Hamba kakuhle (go well, said to the one leaving) and Sala kakuhle (stay well, said to the one staying). Picking the right form shows respect.
In rural Eastern Cape, English is less common than in cities. Learning a few Xhosa phrases will radically change how you are welcomed in townships and villages.
Elders enjoy strong respect. Greet them first, lower your eyes slightly and avoid offering your hand before they extend theirs.
Accept a drink or meal offered to you graciously. Refusing without reason can offend, since hospitality is central to Xhosa identity.
Photographing traditional ceremonies (initiations, weddings) without permission is poorly received. Always ask before taking out a camera, especially in rural areas.
Preview. The full glossary (30 words) and all the phrases are in the PDF.
Hayi
no
Nceda
please, help
Uxolo
sorry, peace
Hamba kakuhle
goodbye (to one who leaves)
Sala kakuhle
goodbye (to one who stays)
Igama lam
my name is
ukuba
to be
ukuba na-
to have
ukuhamba
to go, to walk
ukuza
to come
A hundred words, thirty key phrases, as a printable PDF. Instant download, also sent by e-mail.
No credit card. One-click unsubscribe. GDPR compliant.
Every translation is cross-checked against at least two concordant sources among the references below.
All Targumi resources for this language.
Assess your CEFR level in 5 minutes.
Films, music, traditions. How well do you know?
Guides, methods and tips to progress.
Essential words and phrases organised by themes.
Films, series, podcasts and music to immerse yourself.
Live classes with a bilingual native teacher. First lessons free.
The kit is just the start. To really speak the language, join a live class with a native teacher. Small groups, real feedback, fast progress.
30-day money-back guarantee, native teachers