Hotel

1. Ndifuna igumbi

   ndee-FOO-nah ee-GOOM-bee

   I want a room

   Usage

   Basic phrase for checking into a hotel

   Grammar Note

   "Igumbi" means room in Xhosa. Structure: "i- (noun class 5 prefix) + gumbi (room/chamber)."

2. Ixabiso ligangakanani?

   ee-khah-BEE-soh lee-gahn-gah-kah-NAH-nee

   What is the price? How much is it?

   Usage

   Asking about the room rate

   Grammar Note

   "Ligangakanani" = "li- (class 5 prefix) + ngaka (this much) + nani (how much)" — a question about quantity/size/price. A versatile Xhosa question structure.

3. Ingaba kukho amanzi ashushu?

   een-GAH-bah KOO-khoh ah-MAHN-zee ah-SHOO-shoo

   Is there hot water?

   Usage

   Checking if hot water is available

   Grammar Note

   "Amanzi" = "ama- (class 6 plural prefix) + nzi (water)" — class 6 plural. "Ashushu" = "a- (class 6 adjective prefix) + shushu (hot)" — adjective agrees with noun class.

4. Ndinezinto zam

   ndee-NEH-zeen-toh zahm

   I have my things / I have my luggage

   Usage

   Indicating you have your luggage at check-in

   Grammar Note

   "Ndi- (I) + ne- (have/with) + zinto (things) + zam (my)" = I have my things. The "ne-" prefix serves both "with" and possession functions in Xhosa.

5. Ikhiye yegumbi lam iphi?

   ee-KHEE-yeh yeh-GOOM-bee lahm ee-PHEE

   Where is my room key?

   Usage

   Asking for the room key

   Grammar Note

   "Ikhiye" may derive from English "key" or an Afrikaans borrowing. "Yegumbi" = "ye- (possessive formative) + gumbi (room)" = of the room. "Iphi" = where.

6. Igumbi lam alikho kakuhle

   ee-GOOM-bee lahm ah-lee-KHOH kah-KOO-hleh

   My room is not good / There is a problem with my room

   Usage

   Reporting a problem with the room

   Grammar Note

   "Ali- (class 5 negative) + kho (exist/be) + kakuhle (well)" = is not well/good. Xhosa negation is formed by changing subject prefixes according to noun class and tense.

7. Ndifuna ukuphuma ngoku

   ndee-FOO-nah oo-koo-PHOO-mah NGO-koo

   I want to check out now

   Usage

   Requesting to check out

   Grammar Note

   "Ukuphuma" is the infinitive of "phuma" (to go out/exit). "Ngoku" is a time adverb meaning "now." "Phuma" has broad meanings: to go out, emerge, be born, originate in Xhosa.

8. Kukho i-Wi-Fi apha?

   KOO-khoh ee-WEE-fee AH-phah

   Is there Wi-Fi here?

   Usage

   Checking Wi-Fi availability

   Grammar Note

   "Kukho" = "ku- (class 17 locative prefix) + kho (exist)" = there is/exists. Negation: "akukho" (there is not). "i-Wi-Fi" = English "Wi-Fi" with "i-" noun class prefix.

9. Ndifuna ukudla kwasekuseni

   ndee-FOO-nah oo-KOO-dlah kwah-seh-koo-SEH-nee

   I want breakfast

   Usage

   Ordering breakfast

   Grammar Note

   "Ukudla" is the infinitive of "dla" (eat) and also means "food." "Kwasekuseni" = "kwa- (locative) + sekuseni (early morning)" = of/belonging to the morning.

10. Enkosi ngokundihlalisa

    ehn-KOH-see ngoh-koon-dee-hlah-LEE-sah

    Thank you for having me / Thank you for hosting me

    Usage

    Expressing gratitude to a hotel or host

    Grammar Note

    "Ngo- (causal 'for') + ku- (infinitive) + ndi- (me) + hlalisa (causative of hlala "stay": put up/host)" = "for hosting me." "Enkosi ngo-" + verb = "thank you for doing something" — a common Xhosa gratitude formula.

11. Itawuli

    Towel

    Usage

    Ask for a towel

12. Umqamelo

    Pillow

    Usage

    Ask for a pillow

13. Ingubo

    Blanket

    Usage

    Ask for a blanket; the word can also mean clothing

14. Isepha

    Soap

    Usage

    Ask for soap

15. Ishampu

    Shampoo

    Usage

    Ask for shampoo

16. Ibrashi yamazinyo

    Toothbrush

    Usage

    Ask for a toothbrush

17. Iphepha lasendlwini yangasese

    Toilet paper

    Usage

    Ask for toilet paper

18. Nceda ucoce igumbi

    Please clean the room

    Usage

    Ask for the room to be cleaned

19. Igumbi elizolileyo

    A quiet room

    Usage

    Ask for a quiet room

20. Kunengxolo

    It is noisy

    Usage

    Complain about noise

Browse all TravelPhrases languages