Culture & Etiquette

1. Esi sisiganeko sesintu

   esi si-si-ganeko se-sintu

   This is a traditional cultural event

   Usage

   Describing a local traditional event

   Grammar Note

   esi is the demonstrative "this" for isi- class nouns

2. Umqombothi ngumqombothi wendabuko

   umqombothi ngu-mqombothi wendabuko

   Umqombothi is a traditional beer

   Usage

   Introducing the traditional Xhosa beer

   Grammar Note

   ngu is the copula "is" used with um- class nouns

3. Ndingathatha umfanekiso apha?

   ndi-nga-thatha umfanekiso apha?

   Can I take a photo here?

   Usage

   Asking permission to photograph at a cultural site

   Grammar Note

   ndi-nga- is the first-person potential prefix meaning "I can"

4. Ixabiso lokungena limalini?

   i-xabiso loku-ngena li-malini?

   What is the entry fee?

   Usage

   Asking about the admission fee

   Grammar Note

   malini is the question word "how much money"

5. Ilifa likaRolihlahla Mandela libalulekile

   i-lifa li-ka-Rolihlahla Mandela li-balulekile

   Nelson Mandela's legacy is important

   Usage

   Discussing Nelson Mandela's cultural significance

   Grammar Note

   Rolihlahla is Mandela's Xhosa birth name

6. Olu lwandle lubalulekile kwinkcubeko

   olu lwandle lu-balulekile kwi-nkcubeko

   This coast is culturally important

   Usage

   Talking about a culturally significant coastal site

   Grammar Note

   kwi is a locative prefix meaning "in/at"

7. Ulwimi lwesiXhosa lunomlibo

   u-lwimi lwe-siXhosa lu-no-mlibo

   The Xhosa language has click consonants

   Usage

   Explaining the unique click sounds of Xhosa

   Grammar Note

   luno is lu+no meaning "has" (class 11 with possession)

8. Le ndawo inembali

   le ndawo i-ne-mbali

   This place has history

   Usage

   Commenting on a historically significant place

   Grammar Note

   ine is i+ne meaning "has" for in- class nouns

9. Ibhola yonyawo ibalulekile kwinkcubeko

   i-bhola yo-nyawo i-balulekile kwi-nkcubeko

   Football is culturally important

   Usage

   Discussing the cultural importance of football in South Africa

   Grammar Note

   "Kwinkcubeko" is the locative of "inkcubeko" (culture); example: "lubalulekile kwinkcubeko"

10. Ndifuna ukufunda inkcubeko yaseAfrika

    ndi-funa uku-funda inkcubeko ya-seAfrika

    I want to learn African culture

    Usage

    Expressing interest in learning African culture

    Grammar Note

    ndifuna means "I want" and takes an infinitive

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