Transportation

1. Ibhesi

   Bus

   Usage

   A bus; "ngebhesi" means "by bus"

   Grammar Note

   A loanword from "bus", spelled differently from Zulu "ibhasi"

2. Isitimela

   Train

   Usage

   A train; "ngesitimela" means "by train"

   Grammar Note

   The stem comes from English "steam"

3. Iteksi

   Taxi

   Usage

   A taxi; in South Africa it also means a shared minibus taxi

   Grammar Note

   The plural is "amateksi". "ukukhwela amateksi" is "to take taxis"

4. Isithuthi

   Vehicle

   Usage

   A vehicle; the plural "iinthuthi" is also used for transport in general

   Grammar Note

   "iinthuthi" is also the heading word for "Transport"

5. Ngivame ukukhwela ibhesi.

   I usually take the bus.

   Usage

   When talking about how you normally get around

   Grammar Note

   "vame" means "to usually do"; an infinitive (uku-) follows

6. Ukukhamba ngebhesi kumnandi.

   Travelling by bus is nice.

   Usage

   A comment on travelling by bus

   Grammar Note

   "nga-" plus a noun gives the means, as in "ngebhesi" (by bus)

7. Ngifuna ukukhwela ibhesi.

   I want to take the bus.

   Usage

   Say that you want to go by bus

   Grammar Note

   Swap "ibhesi" for "iteksi" (taxi) or "isitimela" (train). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. Ngikhamba ngesitimela.

   I am travelling by train.

   Usage

   State how you are travelling

   Grammar Note

   "nga-" plus "isitimela" becomes "ngesitimela". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

9. Ngifuna ithikithi.

   I want a ticket.

   Usage

   Asking for a ticket at the counter

   Grammar Note

   Add the destination after it. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

10. Yimalini ithikithi?

    How much is the ticket?

    Usage

    Ask the fare

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

11. Isitetjhi sesitimela sikuphi?

    Where is the station?

    Usage

    Ask where the train station is

    Grammar Note

    "isitetjhi sesitimela" is the train station. The "si-" in "sikuphi" agrees with "isitetjhi". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

12. Idoyelo leemphaphamtjhini likuphi?

    Where is the airport?

    Usage

    Ask where the airport is

    Grammar Note

    The "li-" in "likuphi" agrees with "idoyelo". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

Browse all TravelPhrases languages