How to Say Merry Christmas in Xhosa

Africa

Nov 3

Written by Kelsey Cecil

Merry Christmas in Xhosa

Krismesi emnandi

Say it like this: kris-MEH-see em-NAHN-dee

Big letters show the part to say louder.

Quick answer

In Xhosa, Merry Christmas is Krismesi emnandi, said like kris-MEH-see em-NAHN-dee.
People say it in South Africa.

What Krismesi emnandi means

'Krismesi' (Christmas, borrowed from English) + 'emnandi' (sweet, pleasant). Together it means a sweet Christmas.

Other ways to say it in Xhosa

Krismesi emnandi is the greeting most people use, so it is the one to learn first.

Where people speak Xhosa

South Africa

Xhosa (isiXhosa) belongs to the Niger-Congo (Bantu) language family.

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Christmas traditions where people speak Xhosa

A summer Christmas: Christmas falls in summer in South Africa, and schools are out for the holidays. Many families go camping, visit the countryside, or swim in the afternoon after a morning church service.^[3]
Carols by candlelight: On Christmas Eve, people sing carols in towns and cities, and carols by candlelight services are popular. Children leave a stocking out for Santa Claus.^[3]
Lunch in the sun: Christmas lunch is often eaten outdoors and may include turkey, roast beef or duck with yellow rice, followed by malva pudding. On very hot days, families may hold a braai, a South African barbecue.^[3]

🎄 Quick game: Merry Christmas in Xhosa

Three quick questions for kids. Tap an answer to play.

Say Merry Christmas in more languages

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Questions parents ask

How do you say Merry Christmas in Xhosa?

You can say "Krismesi emnandi". Krismesi is borrowed from English, and you may also see it written iKrisimesi or Ikrismesi emnandi, with the small i showing which noun class the word belongs to in Xhosa. Language guides list both spellings of this greeting.^[1][2]

How do you pronounce "Krismesi emnandi"?

Say it like this: kris-MEH-see em-NAHN-dee. Stress the second last syllable of each word, a common pattern in Xhosa. The mn in emnandi is said smoothly, with a light hum between the m and the n, so em-NAHN-dee flows as one word with a gentle start.

What does "Krismesi emnandi" mean?

It means a sweet Christmas. Krismesi is borrowed from English, and emnandi means sweet, tasty or pleasant. Xhosa often uses sweet to wish that something is enjoyable, so this is a natural, friendly greeting. The same word emnandi is used for tasty food, which is a fun link for children.^[1]

How do you write Merry Christmas in Xhosa?

Xhosa uses the Latin alphabet, so it is written Krismesi emnandi, or iKrisimesi emnandi in fuller writing. Xhosa uses c, q and x for click sounds, which are not in this greeting. The spelling of the English loanword varies a little between guides, so pick one and use it consistently.^[1][2]

How do you say Happy New Year in Xhosa?

A Xhosa greeting for January 1 could not be verified for this page, so none is given here. Many South Africans simply say Happy New Year in English at that time. If you need a Xhosa wish for the new year, ask a Xhosa-speaking teacher or friend to confirm the wording first.^[2]

Is there a formal and a casual way to say Merry Christmas in Xhosa?

Krismesi emnandi is friendly and fits everyone, from friends to teachers. Xhosa culture places great value on respectful greetings, so with elders it is polite to greet them first, then add the Christmas wish. The wording of the greeting itself does not change for age or situation.^[1][2]

When do people say Merry Christmas in Xhosa?

People say it on Christmas Eve, on Christmas morning after church, and at family lunches. It is also sent in messages and cards before December 25 and on Christmas afternoon when visiting relatives. In South Africa, many people travel to their home towns for the holidays, so greetings are heard widely.^[3]

Is the main Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for Xhosa speakers?

Christmas Day, December 25, is the main day. Many families go to church in the morning and share a big lunch. Christmas Eve is for carols and carols by candlelight services, and Boxing Day is a public holiday.^[3]

What is a Christmas tradition for Xhosa speaking families?

Because Christmas is in summer in South Africa, many families, including Xhosa speakers, eat lunch outdoors, and some hold a braai. After a morning church service, they enjoy roast meats, yellow rice and malva pudding. On Christmas Eve, carols by candlelight are popular in towns and cities.^[3]

How can I teach Xhosa Christmas words to kids?

Teach Krismesi first, since it sounds like Christmas. Then add emnandi, which means sweet, and let children say it while sharing a sweet treat. Clap the beats kris-ME-si em-NAN-di together. Because Xhosa has click sounds, a Xhosa speaker can show children others, like q, after they master this greeting.

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