inkosazana, noun

/ˌɪŋkɔsaˈzɑːn(ə)/
Forms:
inkosasana, inkosazan’Show more Also inkosasana, inkosazan’, inkosezan, ’nkosasaan, nkosazaan, nkosazan, nkosazana, and with initial capital.
Origin:
IsiXhosa, isiZuluShow more IsiXhosa and isiZulu, inkos, inkosi chief + feminine suffix -az, -azi + diminutive suffix -ana.
‘Young lady’: a title for, or respectful mode of address to, a girl or young unmarried woman peceived to be of superior status; also used of or to the daughter of a chief. See also inkosikazi sense 2.
1899 A. Werner Captain of Locusts 193I bade him begone; and he began to utter evil words of the abelungu, which it was not fitting that the Inkosazana should hear.
1909 N. Paul Child in Midst 93‘Inkosazan’!’ he called at length. ‘You good gearl; you no let me die.’
1912 W. Westrup Land of To-Morrow 362A step sounded in the passage and he stood at attention as Olga came into the room. ‘Inkosezan!’ he said, and raised his hand.
1951 O. Walker Shapeless Flame 265She had said ‘Sala Kahle’ and given him a shilling. She was a very nice missis, an inkosazana.
1953 R. Campbell Mamba’s Precipice 29‘Oh, what a darling little buck!’ cried Mary. ‘It is for you, Inkosasana,’ said Vemvan.
1968 K. McMagh Dinner of Herbs 114There was always a big plate of dinner, with plum-pudding to follow, set aside especially for them by the ’nkosasaan.
1977 P.C. Venter Soweto 50‘Nkosazana’, he told the girl of his dreams, ‘I must have you for my wife.’ ‘I am not your princess,’ teased the delicate Maria.
1987 Bhengu & Beckett in True Love Mar. 29Before we came to Johannesburg we had such a wonderful girl. She looked on me as her mother and called us ‘Nkosana’ and ‘Nkosazana’.
1987 S. Motjuwadi in Drum Dec. 22Stella Sigcau was born into royalty, but her mother was very strict...‘She did not want me called inkosazana, princess,’ she explained.
1989 J. Hobbs Thoughts in Makeshift Mortuary 16Gertrude chuckled ‘Ai, Nkosazaan, don’t worry!’
‘Young lady’: a title for, or respectful mode of address to, a girl or young unmarried woman peceived to be of superior status; also used of or to the daughter of a chief.
Entry Navigation

Visualise Quotations

Quotation summary

Senses

18991989

Browse Related Words

By Category

Titles and Modes of Address

By Origin

IsiXhosa
IsiZulu
inkosana, nounn.inkosi, nounn.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Unit for South African English