Ityala

In Xhosa, ityala can mean multiple things.
1. Ityala can mean debt.
2. Ityala can mean a case (court).
So it all depends on the context.


1. Ityala lam lakwa FNB yi R20 000.
(My FNB debt is R20 000).
2. Ityala lam licinyiwe namhlanje.
(My case was dropped today).

Indlala

Indlala is the formal Xhosa term for hunger or poverty.
Also see Ikati ilele eziko


Indlala inamanyala and it can make you do anything.

Inyanga

Inyanga is mostly a traditional herbalist and does not usually perform rituals that are common to those that a Sangoma performs.


I went to see Inyanga when I was not feeling well.

Imali

Money


Ngifuna imali

Ikhaya lokugqibela

Ikhaya lokugqibela is a term in Xhosa that means the last resting place (where a person is buried).


I'm praying for everyone who tries to steal my lover to go kwikhaya lakhe lokugqibela

Inxila

Inxila is a Xhosa term for a drunkard.


Ubhuti wakho linxila lokwenyani.
Translation: Your brother is a real drunkard.

Ikati ilele eziko

This is a Xhosa figure of speech that describes hunger or poverty. It directly translate to "a cat is sleeping in the fire (cooking) place (or stove if you may say)". So the cat is sleeping where people are supposed to be cooking because there's no fire and no food to cook.


Grandma had to send the kids back to their mothers because ikati ilele eziko.

Isjumbane

Isjumbane is a weapon used in prison to beat a person up. It is a snooker (pool) ball put inside a sock or a metal cup hooked in a belt.


They broke his teeth when they were beating him up with a sjumbane.

Ikuku

Ikuku is a Xhosa term for a vagina or pussy.


"I make that kuku phrrr" - Big Xhosa

Idinga

Idinga is a very formal Xhosa term for a date. Not a date as in 13 May, I mean a date as in you go on a date with someone.


I'm going to the mall at 5, ndinedinga with my wife.


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