O As in Ore' (Never As in Hope' As Often Mistakenly Pronounced by White)
O As in Ore' (Never As in Hope' As Often Mistakenly Pronounced by White)
O As in Ore' (Never As in Hope' As Often Mistakenly Pronounced by White)
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.
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
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 {to inform against}.
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 “k”and
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:
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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”).
To- Uku-
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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
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 don’t take coffee Angiphuzi ikhofi.
I need some rest Ngidinga ukuphumula.
I eat; I am eating Ngiyadla.
He / She is not eating; He / She doesn’t eat Akadli.
She does not study Akafundi.
I bathe in the morning Ngigeza ekuseni.
I wake up very early Ngivuka ekuseni kakhulu.
It’s becoming late (nightfall) Kuba sebusuku. Sekuyahlwa
It’s 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 don’t have a problem Cha, anginankinga.
Do you have any questions? Unombuzo?
Ask Buza.
Greet Bulisa / Bingelela.
Please Ngiyacela.
Thank you Ngiyabonga.
Again Futhi
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
And Na-
But Kodwa
Or Noma
As / Like Njenga
Therefore Ngakho / ngakhoke
Because Ngoba
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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).
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
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.
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.
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.
Today. Nam’hlanje.
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.
Monday. UMsombuluko.
Tuesday. ULwesibili.
Wednesday. ULwesithathu.
Thursday. ULwesine.
Friday. ULwesihlanu.
Saturday. UMgqibelo
Sunday. I Sonto.
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.
White. -mhlophe.
Black. -mnyama.
Purple. -nsomi
Green. -hlaza
Yellow. -phuzi
Red. -bomvu
Pink. -phinki
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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.
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:
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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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