Xhosa Plural

Welcome to the fourth Xhosa lesson about the plural. This time we will learn about the singular form and what it looks like in the plural, followed by grammar rules, finally a list of emergency phrases.

book incwadi

books iincwadi

car imoto

cars iimoto

tree umthi

trees imithi

flower intyatyambo

flowers iintyatyambo

Plural Grammar Rules

The plural is the form which refers to more than one object or person. For example: I speak two languages the plural here is [languages] because it refers to more than one [language]. The examples below use plurals in different ways and places to demonstrate how they look wehn converted from their singular form.

Grammar + Rules - Xhosa
I speak one language [singular form] ndithetha ulwimi olunye
we speak three languages [plural noun] Sithetha iilwimi ezintathu
he visits many countries [adverb + plural noun] utyelela amazwe amaninzi
they are happy now [plural pronoun] bonwabile ngoku
she has five red shoes [adjective + plural noun] unezihlangu ezintlanu ezibomvu
I want a sandwich without onions [preposition + plural noun] ndifuna isamintshi engenatswele

The following is a list of examples showing both the singular and plural form. This demonstrates how the plural is used with humans, objects and animals.

woman umfazi

women abafazi

man indoda

men amadoda

house indlu

houses izindlu

cup ikomityi

cups iikomityi

cow inkomo

cows iinkomo

horse ihashe

horses amahashe

Emergency Phrases

Now it's time to practice your Xhosa by looking at these phrases which are related to emergencies. Be prepared when traveling abroad, just in case you need help or by offering help to someone else. I recommend writing these expressions down on a notebook before traveling.

English - Xhosa
Help nceda
Call the ambulance biza inqwelo yezigulani
I need a doctor ndifuna ugqirha
Where is the closest pharmacy? iphi indawo ethengisa amayeza ekufutshane?
Are you okay? uphilile?
I am sick Ndiyagula
Call the police biza amapolisa

Did you enjoy this lesson about the plural in Xhosa? I hope so, if you have any problem with this lesson contact me with questions you have homepage. You can now check the next lesson below.