Vehicles

1. Ikoloyi

   Car

   Usage

   The basic word when talking about a car, driving or hiring one

   Grammar Note

   The plural is iinkoloyi. It is not the Zulu word imoto

2. Iteksi

   Taxi (including the shared minibus taxi)

   Usage

   In South Africa "taxi" very often means the shared minibus that runs a fixed route

   Grammar Note

   The plural is amateksi

3. Ibhesi

   Bus

   Usage

   The basic word for riding a bus or asking about a bus

   Grammar Note

   The plural is iimbhesi. The spelling differs from Zulu ibhasi

4. I-Rea Vaya

   Rea Vaya (Johannesburg bus rapid transit)

   Usage

   The name of Johannesburg's dedicated-lane bus system, seen on stops and signs

   Grammar Note

   A proper name. Names of foreign origin are written with i-. Loanword; native review recommended

5. I-Gautrain

   Gautrain (Gauteng rapid rail)

   Usage

   The name of the rail line linking Johannesburg, Pretoria and the airport

   Grammar Note

   A proper name. Names of foreign origin are written with i-

6. Isitimela

   Train

   Usage

   The basic word for riding a train, asking about a station or ticket

   Grammar Note

   The plural is iintimela. To take a train is "ukukhwela isitimela"

7. Isithuthuthu

   Motorcycle

   Usage

   Used when talking about hiring or riding a motorcycle

   Grammar Note

   The plural is iinthuthuthu

8. Ibhayisigili

   Bicycle

   Usage

   Used when talking about hiring or riding a bicycle

   Grammar Note

   The plural is iimbhayisigiri. Loanword; native review recommended

9. Isiphaphamtjhini

   Aeroplane

   Usage

   Used when talking about travelling by plane or about a flight

   Grammar Note

   The plural is iimphaphamtjhini. It is built on phapha (to fly)

10. Umkhumbi

    Ship

    Usage

    Used for a large ship or a ferry

    Grammar Note

    A noun with the um- prefix. A smaller boat is isikepe

11. Isikepe

    Boat

    Usage

    Used for riding a boat or asking about boat services

    Grammar Note

    The plural is iinkepe. A large ship is umkhumbi

12. I-ambulensi

    Ambulance

    Usage

    Used when calling for or talking about an ambulance

    Grammar Note

    The plural is ama-ambulensi. A loanword written with i-

13. Itraga

    Truck

    Usage

    Used for a truck that carries goods or water

    Grammar Note

    A loanword from English truck; native review recommended

Browse all TravelPhrases languages