Basic Nouns

29 phrases · Xitsonga with romanization, English and audio

  1. Mati

    Water

    Usage

    Used to ask for water or where it is; the noun is plural in form

    Grammar Note

    Class 6 (ma-), always plural in form. Not Zulu "amanzi" or Sotho "metsi"

  2. Swakudya

    Food

    Usage

    Means food in general; usable in restaurants and markets

    Grammar Note

    A plural noun formed from "ku dya" (to eat). Not Zulu "ukudla"

  3. Mali

    Money

    Usage

    Money in general; "mali ya mina" means my money

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 noun, so the linker is "ya". Zulu "imali" carries a prefix

  4. Foni

    Phone

    Usage

    A loan word for phone, for example when asking to borrow one

    Grammar Note

    Borrowed from English and spelled "foni". There is also the native-formed word "riqingho"

  5. Ndwalo

    Luggage

    Usage

    Used for your bags at an airport or bus stop

    Grammar Note

    Found in the sources in the sense of checked luggage

  6. Phaspoti

    Passport

    Usage

    The document shown when entering a country or checking in

    Grammar Note

    A loan from English. The sources also show "phasipoto" once; "phaspoti" is used here

  7. Mathikithi

    Tickets

    Usage

    Means tickets for buses or trains. A reliable singular was not found, so learn the plural

    Grammar Note

    A class 6 plural loan from English "ticket". The sources also show the spelling "tikithi"

  8. Dokodela

    Doctor

    Usage

    Used when unwell, as in "Ndzi lava dokodela" (I need a doctor)

    Grammar Note

    A loan from English "doctor"

  9. Xibedlhele

    Hospital

    Usage

    Means hospital. Signs and texts also write "xibedlhela" or "xibedlele"

    Grammar Note

    A class 7 (xi-) noun. The spelling varies but it is the same word

  10. Maphorisa

    Police

    Usage

    Means the police; a class 6 plural used collectively

    Grammar Note

    A loan word from "police"

  11. Xitolo

    Shop

    Usage

    Means shop; the plural is "switolo" and "eswitolo" means "in the shops"

    Grammar Note

    A class 7 noun. A homograph with another meaning exists, so rely on context

  12. Hotela

    Hotel

    Usage

    Means hotel; "ehotela" means at or to the hotel

    Grammar Note

    A loan from English. The locative prefix "e-" gives "ehotela"

  13. Xitichi

    Station

    Usage

    A loan word for a place where trains or buses stop

    Grammar Note

    A loan from English "station"

  14. Rivala ra swihahampfhuka

    Airport

    Usage

    Where planes take off and land

    Grammar Note

    Literally "field of aeroplanes". "rivala" is class 5, so the linker is "ra"

  15. Ndlela

    Road

    Usage

    Means road or way; "Ndlela yi kwihi?" asks where the road is

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 noun with plural "tindlela"; the linker is "ya"

  16. Ndyangu

    Family

    Usage

    Means family or household

    Grammar Note

    Not Zulu "umndeni"

  17. Vito

    Name

    Usage

    Means name; "vito ra mina" is my name

    Grammar Note

    A class 5 noun with plural "mavito"; the linker is "ra"

  18. Kamara

    Room

    Usage

    A loan word for a room

    Grammar Note

    A class 5 noun, so the linker is "ra"

  19. Nhloko

    Head

    Usage

    The head of the body; used to explain a headache

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 noun; "nhloko ya mina" is my head

  20. Mahlo

    Eyes

    Usage

    The plural for eyes; the singular is "tihlo"

    Grammar Note

    The class 6 plural; "mahlo ya mina" is my eyes

  21. Ndleve

    Ear

    Usage

    Means ear; the plural is "tindleve"

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 noun; the linker is "ya"

  22. 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

  23. Voko

    Hand / arm

    Usage

    Means hand or arm; the plural is "mavoko"

    Grammar Note

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

  24. Nenge

    Foot

    Usage

    Means foot; the plural "milenge" also covers legs

    Grammar Note

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

  25. Milenge

    Legs

    Usage

    The plural for legs; "ku famba hi milenge" means to go on foot

    Grammar Note

    A class 4 plural; the singular is "nenge"

  26. Ngati

    Blood

    Usage

    Means blood; used to describe an injury or illness

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 noun; the linker is "ya"

  27. Miri

    Body

    Usage

    Means the whole body

    Grammar Note

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

  28. 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)

  29. Rhambu

    Bone

    Usage

    Means bone; the plural is "marhambu"

    Grammar Note

    A class 5 noun; the linker is "ra"

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