igama lam ngu …
The English phrase "my name is" is translated into Xhosa as igama lam ngu …
You use this phrase to identify yourself. You may also use Molo to say "Hello" when starting a conversation.
Meaning: a way to identify oneself (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into igama (name), lam (my) and ngu (is/it is).
Which one should you use?
While igama lam ngu … means "my name is", a more concise way to introduce yourself is to use ndingu …, which literally means "I am".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions, speakers may use Igama lam ngu… as a variation of the informal way to introduce themselves.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word lam is the possessive form of the first-person singular pronoun mina (I/me) used with the noun igama. The particle ngu is used specifically when identifying a person by name or title.
Did you know?
- In Xhosa culture, introducing oneself often involves mentioning one's clan name or ancestors rather than just a personal name.
- The word igama likely has roots in the Tuu language family, making it a linguistic relative of the Taa word |ám-kâ, which means 'man's name'.
- The phrase igama lam ngu belongs to a language family that uses unique click sounds, which can change the meaning of a word entirely.
Examples in context
- Molweni, ndinguSipho.Hello, I am Sipho.
- Molweni, igama lami nguSipho.Hello, my name is Sipho.
- Ndiphilile, igama lami nguSipho.I am well, my name is Sipho.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “my name is” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries igama, CC BY-SA 4.0.
