Xhosa Verbs
Welcome to the 10th lesson about verbs in Xhosa. We will first learn about the present tense, followed by the past tense, and future tense. We will also analyze some grammar rules, and finally practice how to ask for direction in Xhosa.
Verbs are used to express an action (I swim) or a state of being (I am). The present tense in Xhosa conveys a situation or event in the present time. Here are some examples:
| Present Tense | Xhosa |
|---|---|
| I speak English | ndithetha isingesi  |
| you speak French | uthetha isiFrench |
| he speaks German | Uthetha isiJamani |
| she speaks Italian | Uthetha isinTaliyane |
| we speak Arabic | sithetha isiArabhu |
| they speak Chinese | bathetha isiChina |
The past tense in Xhosa conveys a situation or event in the past time. Here are some examples:
| Past Tense | Xhosa |
|---|---|
| I visited France | ndityelele eFrance |
| you visited Italy | utyelele eItali |
| he visited Morocco | utyelele eMoroko |
| she visited China | utyelele eChina |
| we visited Mexico | sityelele eMexico |
| they visited Kenya | Batyelele eKenya |
The future tense in Xhosa conveys a situation or event which is anticipated to happen in the future. Here are some examples:
| Future Tense | Xhosa |
|---|---|
| I will drink milk | ndizosela ubisi |
| you will drink coffee | uzosela ikofi |
| he will drink tea | uzosela iti |
| she will drink water | uzosela amanzi |
| we will drink apple juice | sizosela ijusi ye-apile |
| they will drink tea | bazosela iti |
Now let's take a break and refresh our vocabulary by learning the body parts.
ear indlebe | eye iliso | mouth umlomo | nose impumlo |
hair inwele | face ubuso | head intloko | heart intliziyo |
hand isandla | fingers iminwe | leg umlenze | feet iinyawo |
Travel Phrases in Xhosa
Imagine yourself in some Xhosa speaking country. The following travel phrases are highly important and can help you avoid misunderstanding. Try to memorize them and practice!
| English | Xhosa |
|---|---|
| Can you help me? | ungandinceda? |
| Can I help you? | ndingakunceda? |
| Where is the airport? | liphi iziko lenqwelo moya? |
| Go straight | hamba ngqo |
| Then | uze |
| Turn left | ujike ngasekhohlo |
| Turn right | ujike ngasekunene |
I hope this lesson about the verbs in Xhosa was not hard for you. If you have any question about this lesson please contact me here. Now it's time to check the next lesson below.
| Xhosa Audio |
Inspirational Quote: Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. Goethe |