Body Parts

1. Nhloko

   Head

   Usage

   The head; used to explain a headache

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun; "nhloko ya mina" is my head. The plural is "tinhloko"

2. Misisi

   Hair

   Usage

   The plural word for hair; for a salon or barber

   Grammar Note

   A class 4 plural. It appears in the sources as "misisi ya tinhloko" (the hairs of the head)

3. Xikandza

   Face

   Usage

   The face. It means face, not finger

   Grammar Note

   A class 7 noun. FLORES and the Bible both use it for face

4. Tihlo

   Eye

   Usage

   The singular for eye; the plural is "mahlo"

   Grammar Note

   It appears in the Bible as "tihlo hi tihlo" (eye for eye)

5. Ndleve

   Ear

   Usage

   Means ear; the plural is "tindleve"

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun; the linker is "ya"

6. Nhompfu

   Nose

   Usage

   Means nose. Few examples exist in the sources, so point if it is not understood

   Grammar Note

   Examples are scarce, so a native check is advisable

7. Nomu

   Mouth

   Usage

   Means mouth; it is also written "nomo"

   Grammar Note

   The Bible has "nomu wu vulavula" (the mouth speaks)

8. Tino

   Tooth

   Usage

   The singular for tooth; the plural is "meno"

   Grammar Note

   The Bible has "tino hi tino" (tooth for tooth); the plural "meno" is in FLORES

9. Ririmi

   Tongue

   Usage

   Means tongue; the same word also means language

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 noun. It most often means language

10. Nkolo

    Throat

    Usage

    Means throat; used to describe a sore throat

    Grammar Note

    The sources show a sore throat as "nkolo lowu vavaka" (a throat that hurts)

11. Voko

    Hand / arm

    Usage

    Means hand or arm; Tsonga does not separate the two. The plural is "mavoko"

    Grammar Note

    A class 5 noun; the linker is "ra" (voko ra mina)

12. Rintiho

    Finger

    Usage

    The singular for finger; the plural is "tintiho"

    Grammar Note

    A class 5 noun. The plural "tintiho" appears in the Bible

13. Nenge

    Foot

    Usage

    Means foot; the plural "milenge" also covers legs

    Grammar Note

    A class 3 noun; the linker is "wa" (nenge wa mina)

14. Xikhumba

    Skin

    Usage

    Means skin; for sunburn or a rash

    Grammar Note

    A class 7 noun. FLORES uses it for skin

15. Ngati

    Blood

    Usage

    Means blood; used to describe an injury or illness

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 noun; the linker is "ya"

16. Rhambu

    Bone

    Usage

    Means bone; the plural is "marhambu"

    Grammar Note

    A class 5 noun; the linker is "ra"

17. Mbilu

    Heart

    Usage

    Means heart, and also the heart as the seat of feeling

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 noun; the linker is "ya" (mbilu ya mina)

18. Mahahu

    Lung

    Usage

    The plural word for lungs; for breathing trouble

    Grammar Note

    Based on the Tsonga Wikipedia article title. Examples are few, so a native check is advisable

19. Byongo

    Brain

    Usage

    Means brain; for head illness or injury

    Grammar Note

    FLORES uses "byongo" for the brain

20. Miri

    Body

    Usage

    Means the whole body

    Grammar Note

    A class 3 noun; the linker is "wa" (miri wa mina)

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