Inja
Dog
Usage
Guard dogs are common; also the word you need if you were bitten
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; the plural is "iinja".
Ikati
Cat
Usage
A domestic cat
Grammar Note
A class 5 noun; the plural is "amakati".
Intaka
Bird
Usage
South Africa is rich in bird species and birdwatching is popular
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; the plural is "iintaka".
Intlanzi
Fish
Usage
The same word for a live fish and for fish as food; useful at coastal markets
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; the plural is "iintlanzi". Zulu spells it "inhlanzi".
Ihashe
Horse
Usage
For booking a riding tour; in rural Eastern Cape horses are still working transport
Grammar Note
A class 5 noun; the plural is "amahashe".
Inkomo
Cow / cattle
Usage
Cattle sit at the centre of Xhosa wealth and ritual; bridewealth ("ilobola") is still counted in head of cattle
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; the plural is "iinkomo".
Ihagu
Pig
Usage
Show this word to check for pork if you avoid it for religious reasons
Grammar Note
A class 5 noun; the plural is "amahagu". Zulu uses a different word, "ingulube".
Inkukhu
Chicken
Usage
Both the live bird and the meat; common on menus
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; the plural is "iinkukhu".
Idada
Duck
Usage
Seen on farms and park ponds
Grammar Note
A class 5 noun; the plural is "amadada".
Ibhokhwe
Goat
Usage
A common rural livestock animal, also used in ceremonies
Grammar Note
A class 5 noun; the plural is "iibhokhwe". Zulu uses a different word, "imbuzi".
Igusha
Sheep
Usage
Sheep farming in the Karoo is famous and mutton appears widely on menus
Grammar Note
A class 5 noun; the plural is "iigusha". Zulu uses a different word, "imvu".
Indlovu
Elephant
Usage
Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape is the classic place to see them
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; the plural is "iindlovu".
Indlulamthi
Giraffe
Usage
Literally "the one that surpasses the trees"; use it to tell a guide what you hope to see
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; Zulu spells it "indlulamithi".
Iqwarhashe
Zebra
Usage
Common on safari and in private reserves
Grammar Note
A class 5 noun. Zulu uses a different word, "idube".
Ingonyama
Lion
Usage
One of the Big Five; this is the standard Xhosa word
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; the plural is "iingonyama". In Zulu the everyday word is "ibhubesi" and "ingonyama" carries royal connotations.
Ihlosi
Leopard
Usage
The hardest of the Big Five to spot; largely nocturnal
Grammar Note
A class 5 noun; the plural is "amahlosi". Xhosa also has "ingwe" (class 9) for leopard.
Imvubu
Hippopotamus
Usage
Regarded as the most dangerous animal near rivers, so stay with your guide
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; the plural is "iimvubu".
Umkhombe
Rhinoceros
Usage
One of the Big Five. Because of poaching, reserves often ask you not to post geotagged photos
Grammar Note
A class 3 (um-) noun; the plural is "imikhombe".
Inyathi
Buffalo
Usage
One of the Big Five; they move in herds
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; the plural is "iinyathi".
Inkawu
Monkey
Usage
The word you need if a monkey took your things; never show them food
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; the plural is "iinkawu".
Imfene
Baboon
Usage
Troops line the roads on the Cape Peninsula; keep windows shut. Applied to a person it is an insult, so use it only for the animal
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; the plural is "iimfene".
Inyoka
Snake
Usage
An emergency word when hiking; show it at a clinic if you were bitten
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; the plural is "iinyoka".
Ingwenya
Crocodile
Usage
Mention it when asking whether a river is safe to swim in
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; the plural is "iingwenya".
Ufudo
Tortoise
Usage
The dry Western Cape has many species; watch for them crossing roads
Grammar Note
A class 11 (u-) noun; the plural is "iimfudo". Zulu spells it "ufudu".
Isele
Frog
Usage
You will hear them at night in the rainy season
Grammar Note
A class 5 noun; the plural is "amasele".
Intulo
Gecko / lizard
Usage
A harmless wall-dweller at guesthouses that eats mosquitoes
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; the plural is "iintulo".
Impuku
Mouse / rat
Usage
Report one to reception with this word; it covers both mice and rats
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; the plural is "iimpuku".
Ilulwane
Bat
Usage
They come out at dusk and are a talking point on cave tours
Grammar Note
A class 5 noun; the plural is "amalulwane".
Ingcongconi
Mosquito
Usage
A problem along the coast and in the north-east; bring repellent and use a net
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; the plural is "iingcongconi". Zulu uses a different word, "umiyane".
Iphela
Cockroach
Usage
Report one at reception with this word
Grammar Note
A class 5 noun; the plural is "amaphela".
Imbovane
Ant
Usage
They arrive if food is left out
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; the plural is "iimbovane". Zulu uses a different word, "intuthwane".
Inyosi
Bee
Usage
Needed if you have a bee allergy; honey is "ubusi"
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; the plural is "iinyosi".
Isigcawu
Spider
Usage
Nearly all are harmless; show this to a doctor if you were bitten
Grammar Note
A class 7 (isi-) noun; the plural is "izigcawu". Zulu uses a different word, "isicabucabu".
Impukane
Fly
Usage
They gather on food at stalls and markets — a common comment when eating outside
Grammar Note
A class 9 noun; the plural is "iimpukane".
Ibhabhathane
Butterfly
Usage
Abundant in the fynbos of the Western Cape in spring
Grammar Note
A class 5 noun; the plural is "amabhabhathane". Zulu uses a different word, "uvemvane".
More Xhosa phrases
- Basic Words
- Basic Nouns
- Basic Verbs
- Adjectives
- Question Words
- Greetings
- Food & Drinks
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Numbers
- Hotel
- Emergency
- Sightseeing
- Flirting
- Nightlife
- Massage & Spa
- Compliments
- Contacts & SNS
- Beach & Activities
- Places & Areas
- Useful Phrases
- Airport & Customs
- Weather & Climate
- Pharmacy & Health
- Directions
- Money & Exchange
- Health & Hospital
- Internet & WiFi
- Nature & Outdoors
- Religion & Temples
- Café & Drinks
- Schedule & Booking
- Culture & Etiquette
- Traveling with Kids
- Sports & Activities
- Public Transport
- Accommodation
- Banking & ATM
- Visa & Immigration
- Business & Work
- School & Education
- Cooking & Markets
- Music & Entertainment
- Art & Museums
- Festivals & Events
- Photography
- Laundry
- Post Office
- Language Learning
- Dating & Romance
- Dating Apps
- Volunteering
- Accessibility
- Sustainability & Eco
- Fruits
- Colors
- Dietary & Allergies
- Markets & Souvenirs
- Wine & Spirits
- Car Rental & Driving
- Time & Dates
- Hiking & Trekking
- Diving & Water Sports
- Skiing & Winter Sports
- Hot Springs & Baths
- Yoga & Wellness
- Casino & Gambling
- Beauty & Grooming
- Remote Work
- Fashion & Clothing
- Convenience Store
- Martial Arts
- Signs
- Body Parts
- Vehicles
- Electronics
- Feelings
- Slang
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences