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English to Xhosa translation

Type a sentence, get it in Xhosa with a respelling that shows you which syllable to stress. Fifteen translations a day are free and you do not need an account to start.

Translate English to Xhosa

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English to Xhosa: the words people look up most

Hello

Molo

/MO-lo/

Thank you

Enkosi

/en-KO-see/

Goodbye

Hamba kakuhle

/HAM-ba ka-KOO-shleh/

Yes

Ewe

/EH-weh/

No

Hayi

/HA-yee/

Please

Nceda

/n-CEH-da/

How are you?

Unjani?

/oon-JA-nee/

My name is Amara

Igama lam ngu-Amara

/ee-GA-ma lam ngoo a-MA-ra/

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English to Xhosa: everyday phrases

Common phrases from the Xhosa course, each with a respelling — capitals mark the stressed syllable.

  • Hello (to one person)Molo
    Hello (to one person)/MO-lo/
  • Hello (to many)Molweni
    Hello (to many)/mol-WEH-nee/
  • Thank youEnkosi
    Thank you/en-KO-see/
  • Goodbye (go well)Hamba kakuhle
    Goodbye (go well)/HAM-ba ka-KOO-shleh/
  • YesEwe
    Yes/EH-weh/
  • NoHayi
    No/HA-yee/
  • PleaseNceda
    Please/n-CEH-da/
  • SorryUxolo
    Sorry/oo-KHO-lo/
  • My name is AmaraIgama lam ngu-Amara
    My name is Amara/ee-GA-ma lam ngoo a-MA-ra/
  • What is your name?Ngubani igama lakho?
    What is your name?/ngoo-BA-nee ee-GA-ma LA-kho/
  • How are you?Unjani?
    How are you?/oon-JA-nee/
  • I am fineNdiphilile
    I am fine/n-dee-pee-LEE-leh/
  • WaterAmanzi
    Water/a-MAN-zee/
  • FoodUkutya
    Food/oo-KOO-tya/
  • FriendUmhlobo
    Friend/oom-SHLO-bo/
  • HouseIndlu
    House/IND-loo/
  • OneInye
    One/EE-nyeh/
  • TwoZimbini
    Two/zim-BEE-nee/
  • ThreeZintathu
    Three/zeen-TA-too/
  • FourZine
    Four/ZEE-neh/
  • FiveZintlanu
    Five/zeen-TLA-noo/
  • How much is it?Yimalini?
    How much is it?/yee-ma-LEE-nee/
  • MarketImarike
    Market/ee-ma-REE-keh/
  • WaterAmanzi
    Water/a-MAN-zee/
  • I want to buyNdifuna ukuthenga
    I want to buy/n-dee-FOO-na oo-koo-TEH-nga/

What to know before you translate

About Xhosa

South Africa, especially the Eastern and Western Cape — around 8 million first-language speakers. Writing system: Latin alphabet with c, q and x for clicks.

  • Three click letters, each with plain, aspirated and nasal versions.
  • Mutually intelligible with Zulu in many everyday situations.
  • Noun classes drive agreement across the whole sentence.

How accurate is it?

Translations are produced by an AI model, so treat long or legal text as a draft and check it with a speaker. Short everyday sentences — greetings, directions, family talk — are where it is strongest, and the pronunciation guide is written for English readers. Lesson audio is AI pronunciation audio, not a recording of a native speaker.

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