Electronics

1. Umakhalekhukhwini

   Mobile phone

   Usage

   Literally "the one that cries in the pocket" — a distinctively Zulu coinage; in speech people also just say "ifoni"

   Grammar Note

   A class 1a (u-) noun, from "ukukhala" (to cry out) and "ekhukhwini" (in the pocket).

2. Ilaptop

   Laptop

   Usage

   The English word is fully naturalised; used when talking about working in a café

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 loanword; the plural is "amalaptop".

3. Ikhompyutha

   Computer

   Usage

   The word to use at an internet café or a guesthouse business corner

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 loanword; the plural is "amakhompyutha".

4. Ishaja

   Charger

   Usage

   For borrowing one at a guesthouse or buying one in a shop

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 loanword from English "charger"; the plural is "amashaja". Xhosa spells it "itshaja".

5. Intambo yokushaja

   Charging cable

   Usage

   Literally "cord for charging"; in a shop just say "USB-C" or "Lightning"

   Grammar Note

   "Intambo" (cord, class 9) plus the linker "ya-" plus "ukushaja" (charging, class 15).

6. Ibhethri

   Battery

   Usage

   Covers disposable cells and built-in batteries alike; for a power bank the English term is understood as-is

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 loanword; the plural is "amabhethri".

7. Ipulagi

   Plug

   Usage

   South Africa mostly uses its own large three-round-pin plug (type M), so most foreign plugs will not fit; buy an adapter at the airport or a big supermarket

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 loanword; the plural is "amapulagi".

8. Ugesi

   Electricity

   Usage

   South Africa runs rotating blackouts ("load shedding"); ask your guesthouse what time the power goes off today so you can plan around it

   Grammar Note

   A class 1a (u-) noun. Xhosa uses "umbane" instead.

9. I-Wi-Fi

   Wi-Fi

   Usage

   Used as-is; ask for the "password" in English and you will be understood

   Grammar Note

   Zulu attaches the class prefix "i-" to a borrowed acronym with a hyphen.

10. Ikhadi le-SIM

    SIM card

    Usage

    South Africa requires RICA identity registration — bring your passport and the address where you are staying

    Grammar Note

    "Ikhadi" (card, class 5) plus the possessive linker "la-" plus "i-SIM" — the card of the SIM.

11. Ikhamera

    Camera

    Usage

    Always ask before photographing people; at traditional ceremonies permission is often declined

    Grammar Note

    A class 5 loanword; the plural is "amakhamera".

12. Ithoshi

    Torch / flashlight

    Usage

    Essential during scheduled outages; ask in advance whether your guesthouse has one

    Grammar Note

    A class 5 loanword from English "torch"; the plural is "amathoshi".

13. Isibani

    Lamp / light

    Usage

    Report a light that will not come on with this word; it also covers candlelight, so it comes up during outages

    Grammar Note

    A class 7 (isi-) noun; the plural is "izibani".

14. Umabonakude

    Television

    Usage

    Literally "the one that sees far"; used when checking room facilities, though people also just say "TV"

    Grammar Note

    A class 1a (u-) noun coined from "ukubona" (to see) and "kude" (far) — not a loanword. Xhosa uses the same word.

15. Umsakazo

    Radio / broadcast

    Usage

    Ukhozi FM, the Zulu station, has the largest audience in South Africa — a good way to hear the language on a long drive

    Grammar Note

    A class 3 (um-) noun from the verb "ukusakaza" (to broadcast); the physical set is also called "irediyo".

16. Isiqandisi

    Fridge

    Usage

    Literally "the cooler"; useful when looking for self-catering lodging or when medication needs refrigerating

    Grammar Note

    A class 7 (isi-) noun; the plural is "iziqandisi", from "ukuqanda" (to be cold). In speech "ifriji" is also used.

17. Igedlela

    Kettle

    Usage

    Almost every South African room has one; tea drinking is deeply embedded here

    Grammar Note

    A class 5 noun; the plural is "amagedlela".

18. Umshini wokuwasha

    Washing machine

    Usage

    Literally "machine for washing"; check for one when choosing longer-stay lodging

    Grammar Note

    "Umshini" (machine, class 3) plus the linker "wa-" plus "ukuwasha" (washing), contracting to "wokuwasha".

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