ungayithini le nto
The phrase "how to say this" in Xhosa is ungayithini le nto.
You use ungayithini le nto when you want to know the specific verbal expression for a concept or object you are pointing to or referring to.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the prefix -yi- to refer to a single object (it) that is being discussed.
When do people say it?
The word Enkosi means "Thank you" in Xhosa.
Did you know?
- While le nto refers to a 'thing', using this phrase to describe a person can be perceived as an insult because it strips the person of their human noun class.
- Xhosa is famous for its 'click' sounds, which are represented in the phrase by the letter 'x' in Xhosa and can be found in many other words you will learn.
- Because Xhosa is an agglutinative language, the single word ungayithini is not just a word, but a miniature sentence. It is a dense chain of various grammatical markers fused into one single unit.
Examples in context
- Ndicela undixelele, ungayithini le nto?Please tell me, how do you say this?
- Ungayithini le nto xa ndithetha nabantu?How do I say this when I am talking to people?
Example conversation
Thando is studying English vocabulary with Zoleka.
- ThandoZoleka, ungayithini le nto ngesiNgesi?Zoleka, how do you say this in English?
- ZolekaYithi 'apple'.Say 'apple'.
- ThandoEnkosi kakhulu.Thank you very much.
- ZolekaWena ukhumbula yonke into, Thando.You remember everything, Thando.
