Peace Corps South Africa

An Introduction to Zulu Language:

The language isiZulu is widely spoken in all over South Africa. It is one of the Nguni
languages, related to Xhosa, SiSwati and Ndebele. The Nguni language structure is based
on a system of noun classes and a system of concords. In order to help those who are
willing to learn Nguni language, lessons have been prepared; and the following lessons
are specifically based on Zulu language. In Zulu all words end in a vowel {a, e, i, o, u}
and a word written or spoken as e.g. umfaan is incorrect it should be umfana.

LESSON 1: A GUIDE TO PRONUNCIATION:

Zulu employs European alphabets. Some of the sounds of Zulu, however, cannot be
catered for by alphabet, and another unusual feature is the use of clicks of which there are
three in Zulu. Whereas in English some letters may have differing pronunciations, e.g.
the letter a in the words: man, may, mar the Zulu pronunciations, which are itemized
below, are generally constant.

Vowels
A as in far Examples: vala {shut} lala {sleep} umfana {boy}
E as in wet Examples: geza {wash} sebenza {work} yebo {yes}
I as in inn Examples: biza {call} siza {help} ngi {I, me} fika {arrive}
O as in ore {never as in hope as often mistakenly pronounced by White}
Examples: bona {see} izolo {yesterday} into {thing}
U as in full Examples: vula {open} funa {want} umuntu {person}
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Semi-vowels

y is pronounced as in English word yeast e.g. uyise {his/her father}

w is pronounced as in the English word well e.g. amawele {twins}

Consonants

b this is soft b sound pronounced with bilabial implosion, e.g. ubaba

{my / our father}; bala {count}
bh this is hard b sound pronounced as in the English word bed.
This is bilabial explosive sound e.g. bhala {write}; ibhala {a barrow}.
c this is a click sound.it is a sound sometimes made in English to express exasperation .
The sound is made by pressing the tip of the tongue
against the forepart of the upper mouth, and then withdrawing it, e.g. cela
{ask}ceba{toinformagainst}.
ch this is the e sound aspirated, e.g. chela {sprinkle with water}:
ichibi {pond}
d this is pronounced as in the English dark, e.g idada {duck}; deka {lay the table}.
dl this is a fully voiced sound. It is a merging of the normal English d and l sounds,
e.g. dlala {play}.
f is pronounced as in the English word fair, e.g. faka {put in}. funa {want}
g is pronounced as in the English words golf gather.It is never given the g sound
as in the word gentle, e.g. goba {bend}: igama {name/word}.
gc this is a voiced combination of the g and c sounds, e.g. gcaba {vaccinate}.
gq this is voiced combination of the g sound and the click sound q e.g. gqiba
{bury}
gx this is voiced combination of the g sound and the click sound x e.g. gxagxaza
{leak very much}
h in some words this is pronounced as in English word hand and in others as in the
Afrikaans word hand.{The double h for the second h sound is no longer used},e.g.
hamba {go}; ihhashi {horse}.
hl it has no equivalent in English e.g. hlaba {stab}, hlala {sit}
j this is pronounced as in the English word jig, e.g. jika {make a turn }
k this is pronounced as in the English word scheme e.g. ikati {cat}.
In many Zulu words k represents softer sound than this,something between a kand
a g, e.g. ukuma {to stand} uThukela {Thukela river}.
kh this is an aspirated sound. It is pronounced rather like the c in the English word
comb, e.g. ukhezo {spoon}.
kl this is often found to be the more difficult sound to pronounce. It is the type of
tearing sound made towards the back of the throat, klaya {cut into strips}
l is pronounced as in the English word land e.g. lamba {be hungry}.
m is pronounced as in the English word man, e.g. umama {my/our mother}
n is pronounced as in the English word nine e.g. nuka {smell}
nc this is a nasalized sound. It is a combination of the n sound and the c click sound
e.g. ncika {lean against}
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ng this is pronounced as in the English word linger, e.g. amanga {falsehood}

ngc this is a voiced nasal sound, e.g ingcindezi {hardship}
ngq this is a voiced nasal sound, e.g ungqi {full stop}
ngx this is also a voiced nasal sound, ngxama {be angry}
nq this is a nasalized form of the q click sound, inqama {ram}.
nx this is a nasalized form of the x click sound, inxeba {wound}
p this is pronounced as in the English word speech , e.g ipiki {a pick}.
ph this is the aspirated form the p sound. It is never pronounced as in the English
word phone, e.g. phaka {dish out food}.
q this is a click sound. In order to sound this press the front part of the tongue against
the upper part of the mouth, and then release the tongue sharply, e.g. qamba {make up}.
qh this represents the aspirated form of this click, e.g. qhamuka {appear}.
r the r as pronounced in English words does not occur in Zulu. It is now found in a
number of imported words, e.g. irayisi {rice}.
s this is pronounced as in the English word silk. It is never given the z sound as in
hose, e.g. sika {cut}.
sh this is pronounced as in English word should, e.g. shuka {rub together}.
t is pronounced as in the English word tort, e.g. totoba {walk with a halting gait}.
th this is an aspirated form of the t sound. It is never pronounced as in the word
this, e.g. thoba {foment}.
tsh this is pronounced as in the English word cheek, although the Zulu sound is more
ejective; e.g. tshinga {throw away}.
v is pronounced as in the English word valour, e.g. vala {close}.
x this is the sound sometimes made to indicate exasperation, or to urge a horse on to
greater speed, e.g. ixoxo {frog}.
xh this is the aspirated form of the x click sound e.g. xhuma {join together}.
z this is pronounced as in the English word zink, e.g. ziba {pretend}.

LESSON 2: GREETINGS:

Pl.= plural sing. = singular

Good morning / day / evening sir. Pl.=Sanibonani / sing=sawubona
Good morning / day / evening madam. Sanibonani / Sawubona mama.
How are you? singular Unjani?
I am fine and how are you? Ngiyaphila, wena unjani?
I am well. Ngiyaphila
Good day ladies and gentlemen. Sanibonani madoda namakhosikazi
Good day madam. Sanibonani / sawubona nkosikazi
How are you? (plural). Ninjani ?
We are well and how are you? Sisaphila nina ninjani?
I am well. Ngiyaphila
Thank you. Ngiyabonga
Good day sir. Sawubona mnumzane noma baba
Good day madam. Sawubona nkosikazi noma mama
How are you? Ninjani?
I am fine and how are you? Ngiyaphila wena unjani?
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I am fine. Ngiyaphila.

N.B: ( Sawubona is not specific to any time of the day and men are expected to take
off their hats or caps when greeting elders).

LESSON 3: INTRODUCING SELF OR SOMEONE:

My name is Sanele. Igama lami nginguSanele.

My last name is Ntuli. Isibongo nguNtuli/ngingowakwaNtuli
What is your name? Ungubani igama lakho?
I am from Botswana. Ngibuya eBotswana.
Where are you from? Ubuyaphi?/wena ubuyaphi?
His name is Thabo. Igama lakhe nguThabo.
His last name is Thuto. Isibongo sakhe nguThuto.
Are you from America? Ubuya eMelika? Uqhamuka e-Melika?
I am a volunteer. Ngilivolontiya.

LESSON 4: LEAVE-TAKING EXPRESSION:

Good-bye. Sala kahle (salani kahle).

See you. Ngizokubona / Sizobonana.
Have a good day. Ube nelanga elimnandi.
Good night. Ulale kahle.
See you tomorrow. Ngizokubona kusasa.
See you later. Ngizokubona emuva kwesikhathi.

LESSON 5: VOCABULARY 1 (VERBS).

To- Uku-

Able to, be ukwazi (depending on the context)

Advise, remind ukweluleka /ukukhumbuza
Afraid of, be ukusaba i. / ukusaba
Answer Ukuphendula
Arrive Ukufika
Ask Ukubuza
Ask for (polite way) ukucela
Away, go, travel Ukuhamba
Be, become ukuba
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Begin Ukuqala
Believe, agree ukukholwa / ukuvuma
Boil Ukubilisa
Borrow Ukuboleka
Bring Ukuletha
Burn Ukushisa
Bury ukugqiba / ukungcwaba
Buy Ukuthenga
Call another person ukubiza omunye umuntu
Carry Ukuthwala
Climb Ukugibela
Close Ukuvala
Come Ukuza
Come in Ukungena
Come out (emerge) Ukuphuma
Cook Ukupheka
Cry Ukukhala
Dance ukugida / ukusina / ukugiya / ukudansa
Delay Ukulibazisa
Destroy ukuchitha / ukushabalalisa
Do Ukwenza
Drink Ukuphuza
Early, to be Ekuseni / ukufika ekuseni
Eat Ukudla
Enter Ukungena
Explain Ukuchaza
Feel, Hear, Taste ukuzwa / ukunambitha
Finish Ukuqeda
Find Ukuthola
Fix, prepare Ukulungisa
Forgive Ukuxolela
To see Ukubona
Get up / Wake up Ukuvuka
Give Ukunika
Go ukuya / ukuhamba
Happy, be Ukujabula
Help Ukusiza
Hold Ukubamba
Injure Ukulimaza
Keep ukugcina / ukulonda
Kind, be Ukubanomusa
Know Ukwazi
Laugh Ukuhleka
Learn, study Ukufunda
Listen Ukulalela
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Like, love Ukuthanda

Live Ukuhlala
Need Ukudinga
Open Ukuvula
Pass Ukudlula
Pay ukukhokha
Pick up Ukucosha
Place, put Ukubeka
Refuse Ukwala
Return Ukubuya
Say Ukusho
Sell ukuthengisa
Sick, to be Ukugula
Sit down ukuhlala phansi
Sleep Ukulala
Smoke; pull ukubhema
Speak ukukhuluma
Spend the night Ukuchitha ubusuku.
Stay behind Ukusala
Take ukuthatha
Teach ukufundisa
Tell Ukutshela
Tired, become ukukhathala
Try Ukuzama
Understand ukuzwisisa / ukuqondisisa
Use ukusebenzisa
Visit ukuvakasha
Want Ukufuna
Wash (clothes) ukuwasha
Bathe Ukugeza
Watch Ukubuka
Work ukusebenza
Write Ukubhula

LESSON 6: SOME USEFUL EXPRESSIONS:

I am tired Ngikhathele.
I am sleepy Ngiyozela./ ngiyazela
I am hungry Ngilambile.
I am not hungry Angilambile.
Where are you going? Uyaphi?
When are you coming? Uza nini?
Where is your home? Ikhaya lakho likuphi? / kuphi ekhaya kini?
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Where is Andrew? Uphi uAndrew? Ulaphi uAndrew?

Edward is going to the post office U-Edward uya eposini.
I do not go to the shop Angiyi esitolo.
I am learning Zulu; I study Zulu Ngifunda isiZulu.
I dont take coffee Angiphuzi ikhofi.
I need some rest Ngidinga ukuphumula.
I eat; I am eating Ngiyadla.
He / She is not eating; He / She doesnt eat Akadli.
She does not study Akafundi.
I bathe in the morning Ngigeza ekuseni.
I wake up very early Ngivuka ekuseni kakhulu.
Its becoming late (nightfall) Kuba sebusuku. Sekuyahlwa
Its time up Isikhathi siphelile / isikhathi sihambile.
I am thirsty Ngomile.
I do not understand Angiqondi / angizwa / angizwisisi.
Speak slowly Khuluma kancani.
Excuse me Uxolo.
Speak quickly Khuluma ngokushesha.
Do you have a problem(s)? Unenkinga na? Unenkinga yini?
Yes, I have a problem Yebo nginenkinga.
No, I dont have a problem Cha, anginankinga.
Do you have any questions? Unombuzo?
Ask Buza.
Greet Bulisa / Bingelela.
Please Ngiyacela.
Thank you Ngiyabonga.
Again Futhi

LESSON 7: VOCABULARY 2 (NOUNS):

Table Itafula.
Chair Isitulo / isihlalo
Plate Ipuleti
Cup Inkomishi.
Spoon Isipuni.
Knife Ummese.
Broom Umshanelo.

Bed Umbede.
Blanket Ingubo.
Clothes Izingubo.
Pants Ibhulukwe.
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Shoes Izicathulo.

Pencil Ipensele.
Book Incwadi.
Bag Isikhwama.
Pen Ipeni.
Window Ifasitela.
Door Umnyango.

LESSON 8: PRONOUNS:

I Mina
You (singular) Wena
He / She Yena
We / Us Thina
You (plural) Nina
Them Bona

LESSON 9: CONNECTING WORDS:

And Na-
But Kodwa
Or Noma

As / Like Njenga
Therefore Ngakho / ngakhoke
Because Ngoba

LESSON 10: NEGATION:

I You (sing) She / He We You (plu) They

Present Ngiyafuna. Uyafuna. Uyafuna. Siyafuna. Niyafuna. Bayafuna.

I want. You want. She / He We want. You want. They want.

wants.
Negative Angifuni. Awufuni. Akafuni. Asifuni. Anifuni. Abafuni.
Present
I do not want. You do not She / He does We do not You do not They do not
want. not want. want. want. want.
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Past Bengifuna Bewufuna Bekafuna Besifuna Benifuna / Bebafuna

/ ngifunile. / ufunile. / ufunile. / sifunile. nifunile. / bafunile.
I did want / I You did want.
She / He did We did You did They
wanted. want. want. want. did want.
Negative Bengingafuni Bewungafuni Bekangafuni Besingafuni Beningafuni Bebangafuni
Past /angifunanga /awufunanga /akafunanga /asifunanga /anifunanga /abafunanga
I did not want. You did not She / He did We did not You did not They did not
want. not want. want. want. want.
Negative Angizufuna. Awuzufuna. Akazufuna. Asizufuna. Anizufuna. Abazufuna.
Future
I will not You will not She / He will We will not You will not They will not
want. want. not want. want. want. want.
Future Ngizofuna. Uzofuna. Uzofuna. Sizofuna. Nizofuna. Bazofuna.
I will want. You will She / He will We will You will They will
want. want. want. want. want.

N.B: When you add the negative indicator a in the present statement the last letter in
the verb (which is usually a), changes to i(applicable in negative present tense).

LESSON 11: THE VERB to be AND to have.

I am reading. Ngiyafunda.
You (singular) are reading. Uyafunda.
You (plural) are reading. Niyafunda.
She / He is reading. Uyafunda.
They are reading. Bayafunda.
We are reading. Siyafunda.
N.B: The ya is applicable in all pronouns
and it represents is, am and are.
The verb to have (na-)
I have a book. Nginencwadi
You (sin) have a book. Unencwadi
You (plu) have a book. Ninencwadi
She / He has a book. Unencwadi
They have a book. Banencwadi
We have a book. Sinencwadi

LESSON 12 : QUESTIONS AND COMMANDS :

What is it ? Yini?
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When did you come? Uze nini?

Where are you from? Ubuyaphi/uqhamukaphi?
How are you? Unjani?
Who are you? Ungubani?
Which one? Yini? Siphi? Liphi?
Which ones? Ziphi? Baphi?
Why? Ngobani?
Commanding Expressions:
Open the door. Vula umnyango.
Close the door. Vala umnyango.
Stand and talk. Sukuma ukhulume.
Stand. Sukuma.
Get inside. Ngena phakathi.
Come here. Woza la /lapha.
Keep quiet / Listen. Thula / lalela.
Go back. Buyela /Iya emuva.
Come to the front. Woza phambili.
Sit down. Hlala phansi.

LESSON 13: EXPRESSING NEEDS:

What do you want? Ufunani?

I want a candle. Ngifuna ikhandlela.
What do you need? Udingani?
I need money. Ngidinga imali.
Where do you want to go? Ufuna ukuyaphi / ufuna ukuya kuphi?
I want to go home. Ngifuna ukuya ekhaya.
What do you want to do now? Ufuna ukwenzani manje?
I do not know. Angazi.
How do you feel? Uzizwa kanjani.
My head still aches. Ikhanda lami lisebuhlungu.
Why does she need a lot of money? Kungani adinge imali eningi?
She needs to buy food and clothes. Udinga ukuthenga ukudla nezingubo.
Do you like coffee? Uyalithanda ikhofi?
No, I do not like coffee. Cha, angilithandi ikhofi.
Where are you going tomorrow? Uyaphi kusasa?
I want to go to the shops in the morning. Ngifuna ukuya ezitolo ekuseni.

LESSON 14: FOOD ITEMS:

Food. Ukudla.
Sorghum. Amabele.
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Mealie-meal. Impuphu.
Sugar. Ushukela.
Salt. Usawoti.
Water. Amanzi.
Milk. Ubisi.
Tomatoes. Utamatisi
Potatoes. Amazambane.
Eggs. Amaqanda.
Bread. Isinkwa.
Coffee. Ikhofi.
Tea. Itiye.
Soft porridge (made from sorghum / Umdokwe.
mealie-meal)
Onions. u-anyanyisi.
Orange. i olitshi.
Apple. i-apula.
Peanuts. Amakinati.
Beans. Ubhotshisi.

LESSON 15: FAMILY:

Grandfather. Umkhulu.
Grandmother. Ugogo.
Father. Ubaba.
Mother. Umama.
Sister; Brother. Udadewethu (usisi); umfowethu {ubhuti}.
(My) Older sibling. Umfowethu omdala
(My) Younger sibling. Umfowethu omncani
Uncle (paternal). Ubaba omkhulu.
Uncle (maternal). Umalume.
Aunt (paternal). u-anti.
Aunt (maternal). Umalumekazi.
Cousin. Umzala.
Parents. Abazali.
Child / children. Umntwana /abantwana. {ingane /izingane}
Family. Umndeni.

LESSON 16: ADVERBS OF TIME:

Today. Namhlanje.
Yesterday. Izolo.
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Tomorrow. Kusasa
The day before yesterday. Ngaphambi kwayizolo./ kuthangi
Few weeks ago. Amasonto ambalwa edlule.
This week. Kulelisonto/kuleliviki.
Last week. Isonto elidlule.
Next week. Isonto elizayo.
This year. Kulonyaka.
Last year. Ngonyaka odlule.
Next year. Ngonyaka ozayo.
This month. Kulenyanga.
At the moment. Okwamanje.
Later on; earlier on (depending on context). Emva kweskhathi /ngaphambi kweskhathi.
At night. Ebusuku.
In the morning. Ekuseni.
At noon (till sunset). Ntambama/ekushoneni kwelanga.
Around sunset. ntambama.

LESSON 17: DAYS OF THE WEEK:

Monday. UMsombuluko.
Tuesday. ULwesibili.
Wednesday. ULwesithathu.
Thursday. ULwesine.
Friday. ULwesihlanu.
Saturday. UMgqibelo
Sunday. I Sonto.

LESSON 18: NUMBERS:

1 Kunye.
2 Kubili.
3 Kuthathu.
4 Kune.
5 Kuhlanu.
6 Isithupha.
7 Isikhombisa.
8 Isishiyagalombili.
9 Isishiyagalolunye.
10 Ishumi.
11 Ishumi nanye.
12 Ishumi nambili.
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13 Ishumi nantathu.
14 Ishumi nane
15 Ishumi nanhlanu.
16 Ishumi nesithupha
17 Ishumi nesikhombisa.
18 Ishumi nesishiyagalombili.
19 Ishumi nesishiyagalolunye.
20 Amashumi amabili.
21 Amashumi amabili nanye.
22 Amashumi amabili nambili.
23 Amashumi amabili nantathu.
24 Amashumi amabili nane.
25 Amashumi amabili nanhlanu.
26 Amashumi amabili nesithupha.
27 Amashumi amabili nesikhombisa.
28 Amashumi amabili nesishiyagalombili.
29 Amashumi amabili nisishiyagalolunye.
30 Amashumi amathathu.

LESSON 19: COLOURS:

White. -mhlophe.
Black. -mnyama.
Purple. -nsomi
Green. -hlaza
Yellow. -phuzi
Red. -bomvu
Pink. -phinki

LESSON 20: DAYS ACTIVITIES:

I wake up at 6 am. Ngivuka ngo 6 {six} ekuseni. Ngivuka

ngehora lesithupha ekuseni.
I bathe. Ngiyageza.
And then, I eat. Bese,ngiyadla.
I go to school. Ngiya esikoleni.
I spent the day at school. Ngichithe ilanga lonke esikoleni
We were doing a lot of things today. Besenza izinto eziningi namhlanje.
There were visitors from the police. Bekukhona izivakashi ezivela emaphoyise-
ni.
I was excited today. Bengijabule namhlanje.
When I come back from school, I rest. Uma ngibuya esikoleni ngiyaphumula.
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LESSON 21: VOCABULARY 3 (NAMES OF PLACES):

Places: Izindawo.
House. Indlu.
Classroom. Ikilasi./indlu yokufundela.
Toilet. Ithoyilethi/indlu yangasese.
Kitchen. Ikhishi.
School. Isikole.
Hospital. Isibhedlela.
Clinic. Umtholampilo.
Shop. Isitolo.
Post Office. Iposi
River. Umfula.
Field. Insimu.
Church. Isonto.
Bank. Ibhange.
Customary court. Isigcawu senkantolo.

LESSON 22: SOME WORDS WITH SIMILAR OR ALMOST SIMILAR SPELLINGS

BUT DIFFERENT MEANINGS:

Sorghum. Amabele.
Human breasts. Amabele.
Pumpkins Amathanga.
Human thighs Amathanga.
Moon. Inyanga.
Traditional healer Inyanga.
Month. Inyanga.
To feel Ukuzwa
To hear Ukuzwa.
To bury Ukufihla.
To hide something. Ukufihla
Church isonto,
Sunday iSonto.
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LESSON 23: ASKING FOR PRICES:

How much is a bag of oranges? Malini isaka lamawolintshi?

How much is it? Malini?
It is R4.50. Ingu R4.50(depending on what one is
talking about)
How much is each orange? Malini iwolintshi elilodwa /linye?
They are 75cents each. Angu 75senti lilinye
What is the total price? Malini kukonke
The total price is R17.50. Kukonke ngu R17.50

LESSON 24: WEATHER AND SEASONS:

Today, it is cold. Namuhla kuyabanda

Today, it is hot. Namuhla kuyashisa
It is warm. Kufudumele.
It is sunny. Kunelanga.
It is windy. Kunomoya (N.B: It depends on context).
Today, it is better. Namuhla kuncono.
Summer. Ihlobo
Winter. Ubusika
Autumn. Ikwindla
Spring. Intwasahlobo

LESSON 25: HEALTH EXPRESSIONS:

I am not well. Angizizwakahle/ngiyagula.

I have a headache. Ngiphethwe yikhanda / ikhanda lami
libuhlungu.
My tummy hurts. Ngiphethwe yisisu / isisu sami sibuhlungu
His eyes are sore. Amehlo akhe abuhlungu
Sanele is going to the clinic. uSanele uya emtholampilo
She / He went to see a doctor. Uyobona udokotela.
Her leg is sollen. Unyawo lwakhe luvuvukele
Sizwe ate something bad. uSizwe udle into engalungile/embi.
They want to go to the clinic. Bafuna ukuya emtholampilo

LESSON 26: SAFETY EXPRESSIONS:

Help me. Ngisize

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I need help. Ngidinga usizo.

I have been attacked; I am being attacked. Ngihlaselwe/ ngiyahlaselwa
My house has been broken into. Indlu yami iphuliwe/igqekeziwe
There has been theft in my house. Ngigqekezelwe endlini yami /kube
nobugebengu endlini yami.
I have been robbed. Ngibanjwe inkunzi.

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