Key Xhosa sounds, including the dental, lateral, and palatal click consonants, and stress patterns for accurate pronunciation. Front: the sound pattern or example word. Back: meaning plus a plain-English pronunciation note.
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- C click
- The dental click, made by pulling the tongue tip sharply off the back of the front teeth, like the "tsk-tsk" sound of disapproval. Example word: icici (earring).
- Q click
- The palatal (postalveolar) click, made by pulling the tongue off the roof of the mouth, similar to a cork popping. Example word: iqanda (egg).
- X click
- The lateral click, made by releasing air from the side of the tongue, similar to the sound used to urge on a horse. Example word: xhosa (the isiXhosa language name itself begins with this click).
- Gc sound
- A voiced dental click, the c click pronounced with the vocal cords vibrating. Example word: ukugcina (to keep).
- Nc sound
- A nasalized dental click, pronounced with an "n" released just before the click. Example word: incwadi (book).
- Gq sound
- A voiced palatal click, the q click pronounced with the vocal cords vibrating. Example word: igqirha (traditional healer).
- Nq sound
- A nasalized palatal click, pronounced with an "n" released just before the click.
- Gx sound
- A voiced lateral click, the x click pronounced with the vocal cords vibrating. Example word: igxalaba (shoulder).
- Nx sound
- A nasalized lateral click, pronounced with an "n" released just before the click.
- Hl sound
- A voiceless lateral fricative, made by pushing air over the sides of the tongue, similar to a whispered "l." Example word: hlala (sit, stay).
- Dl sound
- A voiced lateral affricate, the voiced counterpart of hl. Example word: hamba kakuhle (go well, using dl in kakuhle's root -hle).
- Ny sound
- A palatal nasal like the "ny" in "canyon." Example word: inyanga (month, moon).
- Ph sound
- An aspirated "p," pronounced with a strong puff of air, distinct from a plain "p." Example word: iphepha (paper).
- Th sound
- An aspirated "t," pronounced with a strong puff of air. Example word: uthando (love).
- Kh sound
- An aspirated "k," pronounced with a strong puff of air. Example word: ikhaya (home).
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