Xhosa Vocabulary

The Xhosa vocabulary is the backbone for learning. Below we picked 70% of the most commonly used words. Therefore memorizing them will give you a 70% boost in the language. This is the smarter way of online learning. Learn only what you need. We start with commonly used numbers.

One: inye	Two: zimbini	Three: zintathu
Four: zine	Five: zintlanu	Six: zintandathu
Seven: isixhenxe	Eight: sisibhozo	Nine: lithoba
Ten: lishumi	First: okokuqala	Second: okwesibini

Time Expressions

Days of the week and time expressions:

Monday: umvulo	Tuesday: ulwesibini	Wednesday: ulwesithathu
Thursday: ulwesine	Friday: ulwesihlanu	Saturday: umgqibelo
Sunday: icawa	Now: ngoku	Yesterday: izolo
Today: namhlanje	Tonight: ebusuku	Tomorrow: ngomso

Most popular fruits and vegetables:

Fruits: iziqhamo	Apples: ama apile
Bananas: iibanana	Tomatoes: iitamati
Potatoes: iitapile	Onions: amatswele

Red: luhlaza okotyani	Green: mdaka	Blue: mhlophe
White: mnyama	Black: siziba	Grey: mthubi

Some words related to food:

Breakfast: isidlo sakusasa	Lunch: isidlo sasemini
Dinner: isidlo sangokuhlwa	Milk: ubisi
Coffee: ikofi	Bread: isonka

Weather terms and sensations:

Sunny: libalele	Windy: kunomoya	Rainy: kuyanetha
Snowy: kukhithikile	Cold: banda	Hot: shushu

Words related to family and relatives:

Boy: umfana	Girl: intombazana
Son: nyana	Daughter: intombi
Brother: umtakwethu	Sister: udadewethu
Man: indoda	Woman: umfazi
Father: utata	Mother: umama
Grandfather: utatomkhulu	Grandmother: umakhulu

Locations in the house which are talked about more during the day:

House: indlu	Toilet: izindlu zangesese	Room: igumbi
Bedroom: igumbi lokulala	Kitchen: ikitshi	Table: itafile

Animals and pets popular to everyone:

Cat: ikati	Dog: inja	Mouse: impuku
Bird: intaka	Cow: inkomo	Horse: ihashe

The clothes most worn by most people:

Socks: iikawusi	Shoes: izihlangu	Trousers: iibhulukhwe
Shirt: ihempe	Sweater: ijezi	Coat: idyasi

Most popular languages in the world:

English: isingesi	French: isiFrench	German: Ijamani
Spanish: IsiPenishi	Italian: amanTaliyane	Portuguese: amaputukezi
Greek: isiGrike	Russian: amaRashiya	Arabic: isiArabiki
Hindi: amaHindi	Chinese: isichina	Japanese: amaJapane

Travel Vocabulary

Most popular terms when traveling:

Taxi: iteksi	Bus: ibhasi
Hotel: ihotele	Reservation: oyigcinelweyo
Airport: kwiziko lenqwelo moya	Passport: incwadi yokundwendwela

Words you can use in class or talking about school:

Student: umfundi	Teacher: umfundisintsapho	Pen: ipeni
Books: iincwadi	Page: iphepha	Dictionary: isichazimazwi

Body parts which are talked about more often:

Hand: isandla	Feet: iinyawo	Hair: inwele
Eye: iliso	Mouth: umlomo	Nose: impumlo

Emergency vocabulary to ask for help or offer help when needed:

Ambulance: isithuthi sezigulani	Doctor: ugqirha
Hospital: isibhedlele	Pharmacy: indawo yamayeza
Police: ipolisa	Stomach Ache: isisu esibuhlungu

As you can see, this Xhosa vocabulary is something you will need every day. You can use our Vocabulary Trainer to help you memorize these words.