Language Learning

1. Ndifunda isiXhosa.

   Ndi-funda i-si-Xhosa.

   I am learning Xhosa.

   Usage

   Telling someone you are studying Xhosa

   Grammar Note

   ndifunda functions as the present continuous "I am learning"

2. Ungandibuza kwakhona?

   U-nga-ndi-buza kwa-khona?

   Could you ask me again?

   Usage

   Asking someone to repeat what they said

   Grammar Note

   u-nga- is the second-person potential prefix "you can"

3. Thetha kancinci.

   Thetha ka-ncinci.

   Please speak slowly.

   Usage

   Asking someone to slow down when speaking

   Grammar Note

   thetha is the imperative form of the verb "to speak"

4. Eli gama lithetha ukuthini?

   E-li ga-ma li-thetha u-ku-thini?

   What does this word mean?

   Usage

   Asking the meaning of a word

   Grammar Note

   ukuthini means "to say what" as an infinitive question phrase

5. Ndisafunda umlibo.

   Ndi-sa-funda u-mlibo.

   I am still practising the click sounds.

   Usage

   Talking about practising Xhosa click consonants

   Grammar Note

   ndisafunda expresses continuation "still doing" (ndi-sa-funda; -sa- means "still", whereas -sele means "already")

6. Ungandifundisa isiXhosa?

   U-nga-ndi-fundisa i-si-Xhosa?

   Could you teach me Xhosa?

   Usage

   Asking a local person to teach you Xhosa

   Grammar Note

   fundisa is the causative form of funda meaning "to teach"

7. Ngaba uyasithetha isiNgesi?

   Nga-ba u-ya-si-thetha i-si-Ngesi?

   Do you speak English?

   Usage

   Asking if someone speaks English

   Grammar Note

   ngaba is the Xhosa yes/no question particle

8. Ukuphimisa kwam kulungile na?

   U-ku-phimisa kwam ku-lungile na?

   Is my pronunciation correct?

   Usage

   Checking if your pronunciation is correct

   Grammar Note

   na is the yes/no question tag placed at the end of a sentence

9. Ndifuna ukuphinda ndizame.

   Ndi-funa u-ku-phinda ndi-zame.

   I want to try again.

   Usage

   Expressing the desire to try a word or phrase again

   Grammar Note

   ukuphinda means "to repeat/do again" and is followed by another verb

10. Ndiyabulela ngokundifundisa.

    Ndi-ya-bulela ngo-ku-ndi-fundisa.

    Thank you for your kindness in teaching me.

    Usage

    Thanking someone who helped you learn the language

    Grammar Note

    ndiyabulela means "I am thankful" (ndi-ya-bulela with the ya continuous marker)

Browse all TravelPhrases languages