Question words, Quantities, Weather and Time - Xhosa Culture
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Xhosa Question words, Quantities, Weather and Time
Idazini, ishumi nambini
Linjani izulu namhlanje?
What will be the weather tomorrow?
Lizoba njani izulu ngomso?
Mkhono emva kwentsimbi yesihlanu.
Isiqingatha emva kweyesihlanu.
At four forty-five.
Umkhono phambi kweyesine.
At five ten.
Imizuzu elishumi emva kweyesihlanu.
Imizuzu elishumi phambi kweyesihlanu.
Imizuzu elishumi egqithileyo.
Since nine p.m.
Kusukela ngentsimbi yesithoba ebusuku.
After seven p.m.
Emva kwentsimbi yesixhenxe.
Before eight a.m.
Phambi kwentsimbi yesibhozo.
Ufike emva kwexesha.
Kusukela ngeveki egqithileyo.
Kusukela ngenyanga egqithileyo.
Time in the olden times was measured by the sun (ilanga). The Xhosa people observed the natural cycles of changes of the day and events which accompanied these changes. For example, the early dawn was described by the names of the stars which appeared at dawn. Morning again was marked by the activities of the day. For example, mid-morning (intlazane) was marked by the return of the cattle from the fields for milking. The position of the sun played an important factor in naming time as well; e.g. noon was termed emini emaqanda, which means that the eggs would have been laid. This traditional concept of African time was changed by the Western concept of clock time.
Question words, Quantities, Weatherand Time
A: Ungubani wena?
I am Ncedile.
A: UNcedile wakwabani?
B: UNcedile wakwaSaule.
A: Ncedile, ndicela ukutya okuncane.
Ncedile, may I please have a littlefood.
B: Kulungile. Uzowubukela nini umdlalo?
Alright. When will you watch thematch?
A: Ndizowubukela ngomso ngo-5 ngqo.
I will watch it tomorrow at 5 o’clock.
B: Liza kuba njani izulu ngomso?
A: Liza kutshisa ngomso. Lithini ixesha ngoku?
It will be warm tomorrow. What isthe time now?
B: Kusemini enkulu.
A: Yhu! Ndishiywe lixesha!
O dear! I am late!
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