Vehicles

1. Imoto

   Car

   Usage

   The basic word for a car; South Africa drives on the left

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun; the plural is "iimoto".

2. Iteksi

   Minibus taxi

   Usage

   In South Africa "taxi" normally means this: a shared van on a fixed route that leaves when full — the everyday transport of most Xhosa speakers

   Grammar Note

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

3. Ibhasi

   Bus

   Usage

   Covers both city buses and intercity coaches; a bus stop is "isitophu sebhasi"

   Grammar Note

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

4. MyCiTi

   MyCiTi bus

   Usage

   Cape Town's bus-rapid-transit system linking the airport, the city centre and the Waterfront; you tap a dedicated card

5. Uloliwe

   Train

   Usage

   Rail in general. On Cape Town's commuter lines, safety varies a lot by line and time of day — ask locally

   Grammar Note

   A class 1a (u-) noun; the plural is "oololiwe". Zulu uses "isitimela" instead.

6. Isitishi

   Train station

   Usage

   Works for a railway station or a bus terminus and makes a good landmark; to be specific about rail, say "isitishi sikaloliwe"

   Grammar Note

   A class 7 (isi-) noun; the plural is "izitishi".

7. Isithuthuthu

   Motorcycle

   Usage

   An onomatopoeic word from the sound of the engine; delivery riders use them constantly

   Grammar Note

   A class 7 (isi-) noun; the plural is "izithuthuthu".

8. Ibhayisekile

   Bicycle

   Usage

   For hiring one; the Cape Town area has plenty of cycling routes

   Grammar Note

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

9. Inqwelomoya

   Aeroplane

   Usage

   Literally "air wagon"; an airport is "isikhululo seenqwelomoya"

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun; the plural is "iinqwelomoya". A compound of "inqwelo" (wagon) and "umoya" (air).

10. Inqwelo

    Wagon / cart

    Usage

    Originally an ox- or horse-drawn cart, still used in the rural Eastern Cape; it is also the stem behind words for vehicles generally

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 noun; the plural is "iinqwelo".

11. Isikhephe

    Boat

    Usage

    Covers the Robben Island boat from the Cape Town Waterfront and whale-watching craft

    Grammar Note

    A class 7 (isi-) noun; the plural is "izikhephe".

12. Iambulensi

    Ambulance

    Usage

    Show this in an emergency; the national ambulance number is 10177

    Grammar Note

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

13. Ilori

    Truck / lorry

    Usage

    The main highways carry heavy truck traffic. A small pickup is called a "bakkie" in South African English, and Xhosa speakers use that word too

    Grammar Note

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

14. Isithuthi

    Vehicle / transport

    Usage

    The general word for any means of transport; handy when someone asks how you plan to travel

    Grammar Note

    A class 7 (isi-) noun; the plural is "izithuthi", from the verb "ukuthutha" (to carry).

15. Ihelikopta

    Helicopter

    Usage

    Used for scenic flights over the Cape Peninsula and the Garden Route, and for mountain rescue

    Grammar Note

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

16. Ibhasi yesikolo

    School bus

    Usage

    A common sight morning and afternoon; take care passing one that has stopped

    Grammar Note

    A possessive phrase: "ibhasi" + the linker "ya-" + "isikolo" (school), contracting to "yesikolo".

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