Vehicles

1. Imoto

   Car

   Usage

   The basic word for a car; South Africa drives on the left

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun; the plural is "izimoto".

2. Itekisi

   Minibus taxi

   Usage

   In South Africa "taxi" normally means this: a shared van on a fixed route that leaves when full. Destinations are signalled to the driver with hand signs

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 loanword; the plural is "amatekisi". Xhosa spells it "iteksi".

3. Ibhasi

   Bus

   Usage

   Covers both city buses and intercity coaches; a bus stop is "isitobhi sebhasi"

   Grammar Note

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

4. Rea Vaya

   Rea Vaya bus

   Usage

   Johannesburg's bus-rapid-transit line linking Soweto with the city centre; the name is Sotho for "we are going"

5. Gautrain

   Usage

   The fast rail line linking Johannesburg, Pretoria and OR Tambo airport — the rail service travellers are pointed to first

6. Isitimela

   Train

   Usage

   Rail in general; on commuter lines safety varies a lot by line and time of day, so ask locally

   Grammar Note

   A class 7 (isi-) noun; the plural is "izitimela", from English "steamer". Xhosa uses "uloliwe" instead.

7. Isithuthuthu

   Motorcycle

   Usage

   An onomatopoeic word from the sound of the engine; delivery riders use them constantly

   Grammar Note

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

8. Ibhayisikili

   Bicycle

   Usage

   For hiring one; bicycle tours of Soweto are popular

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 loanword; the plural is "amabhayisikili". Xhosa spells it "ibhayisekile".

9. Ibhanoyi

   Aeroplane

   Usage

   An airport is "isikhumulo sezindiza"

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 noun; the plural is "amabhanoyi". A synonym is "indiza" (class 9), from the verb "ukundiza" (to fly).

10. Umkhumbi

    Ship

    Usage

    Large vessels in and out of Durban harbour, cruise ships included

    Grammar Note

    A class 3 (um-) noun; the plural is "imikhumbi".

11. Isikebhe

    Boat

    Usage

    Covers the hippo cruises in iSimangaliso and fishing boats

    Grammar Note

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

12. I-ambulensi

    Ambulance

    Usage

    Show this in an emergency; the national ambulance number is 10177

    Grammar Note

    A loanword starting with a vowel takes the class prefix "i-" joined by a hyphen.

13. Iloli

    Truck / lorry

    Usage

    The N3 between Durban and Johannesburg is thick with trucks. A small pickup is called a "bakkie" in South African English, and Zulu speakers use that word too

    Grammar Note

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

14. Inqola

    Cart / wagon

    Usage

    Originally an ox-drawn wagon, still in rural use; it is also the word for a supermarket trolley

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 noun; the plural is "izinqola".

15. Isithuthi

    Vehicle / transport

    Usage

    The general word for any means of transport; handy when someone asks how you plan to travel

    Grammar Note

    A class 7 (isi-) noun; the plural is "izithuthi", from the verb "ukuthutha" (to carry).

16. Imoto yokuqasha

    Rental car

    Usage

    Literally "car for hiring"; a hire car is the normal way to reach the Drakensberg and the northern reserves

    Grammar Note

    "Imoto" (class 9) plus the linker "ya-" plus "ukuqasha" (hiring, class 15), contracting to "yokuqasha".

17. Ibhasi lesikole

    School bus

    Usage

    A common sight morning and afternoon; take care passing one that has stopped

    Grammar Note

    "Ibhasi" (class 5) plus the linker "la-" plus "isikole" (school), contracting to "lesikole".

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