Electronics

1. Iselfowuni

   Mobile phone

   Usage

   Borrowed from English "cellphone"; people also just say "ifowuni"

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 loanword; the plural is "iiselfowuni".

2. Ilaptop

   Laptop

   Usage

   The English word is fully naturalised; used when talking about working in a café

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 loanword; the plural is "iilaptop".

3. Ikhompyutha

   Computer

   Usage

   The word to use at an internet café or a guesthouse business corner

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 loanword; the plural is "iikhompyutha".

4. Itshaja

   Charger

   Usage

   For borrowing one at a guesthouse or buying one in a shop

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 loanword from English "charger"; the plural is "iitshaja".

5. Intambo yokutshaja

   Charging cable

   Usage

   Literally "cord for charging"; in a shop just say "USB-C" or "Lightning"

   Grammar Note

   "Intambo" (cord, class 9) plus the possessive linker "ya-" plus "ukutshaja" (charging, class 15).

6. Ibhetri

   Battery

   Usage

   Covers disposable cells and built-in batteries alike; for a power bank the English term is understood as-is

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 loanword; the plural is "iibhetri".

7. Iplagi

   Plug

   Usage

   South Africa mostly uses its own large three-round-pin plug (type M), so most foreign plugs will not fit; buy an adapter at the airport or a big supermarket

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 loanword; the plural is "iiplagi".

8. Umbane

   Electricity

   Usage

   South Africa runs rotating blackouts ("load shedding"); ask your guesthouse what time the power goes off today so you can plan around it

   Grammar Note

   A class 3 (um-) noun; it originally meant lightning and came to mean electricity.

9. I-Wi-Fi

   Wi-Fi

   Usage

   Used as-is; ask for the "password" in English and you will be understood

   Grammar Note

   Xhosa attaches the class prefix "i-" to a borrowed acronym with a hyphen.

10. Ikhadi le-SIM

    SIM card

    Usage

    South Africa requires RICA identity registration — bring your passport and the address where you are staying

    Grammar Note

    "Ikhadi" (card, class 5) plus the possessive linker "la-" plus "i-SIM" — the card of the SIM.

11. Ikhamera

    Camera

    Usage

    Always ask before photographing people; a telephoto lens matters on safari

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 loanword; the plural is "iikhamera".

12. Itotshi

    Torch / flashlight

    Usage

    Essential during scheduled outages; ask in advance whether your guesthouse has one

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 loanword from English "torch"; the plural is "iitotshi".

13. Umabonakude

    Television

    Usage

    Literally "the one that sees far"; used when checking room facilities, though people also just say "TV"

    Grammar Note

    A class 1a (u-) noun coined from "ukubona" (to see) and "kude" (far) — not a loanword.

14. Iradiyo

    Radio

    Usage

    The Xhosa station Umhlobo Wenene FM broadcasts nationwide — a good way to hear the language on a long drive

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 loanword; the plural is "iiradiyo".

15. Ifriji

    Fridge

    Usage

    Useful when looking for self-catering lodging or when medication needs refrigerating

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 loanword; the plural is "iifriji".

16. Iketile

    Electric kettle

    Usage

    Almost every South African room has one; tea drinking is deeply embedded here

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 loanword; the plural is "iiketile".

17. Ifeni

    Fan

    Usage

    Summers inland are hot; ask for one if your room has no aircon

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 loanword from English "fan"; the plural is "iifeni".

18. Umatshini wokuhlamba iimpahla

    Washing machine

    Usage

    Literally "machine for washing clothes"; check for one when choosing longer-stay lodging. A laundromat is "indawo yokuhlamba iimpahla"

    Grammar Note

    "Umatshini" (machine, class 1a) plus the linker "wa-" plus "ukuhlamba" (washing) plus "iimpahla" (clothes).

19. Isibane

    Lamp / light

    Usage

    Report a light that will not come on with this word; it also covers candlelight, so it comes up during outages

    Grammar Note

    A class 7 (isi-) noun; the plural is "izibane", from the same root as "ukukhanya" (to shine).

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