Zulu/Lesson 1

Lesson 1 This introductory lesson provides a simple conversation with a table of all the vocabulary used. Then the ways to say your name or the names of others is provided. Hello UPhilani ubingelela umngani wakhe, uNandi. uPhilani: Sawubona Nandi. uNandi: Sawubona Philani. uPhilani: Unjani? uNandi: Ngikhona (ngiyaphila), wena unjani? uPhilani: Nami ngikhona (ngiyaphila). uhambe kahle. uNandi: Ngiyabonga. Usale kahle. isiZulu isiNgisi Sawubona Hello Unjani? How are you? Ngikhona I'm fine Wena You Nami Also (and me) Sala Stay Hamba Go Kahle wellNgiyabongaThank you. The first exchange illustrates a fairly casual or familiar tone. It is both more formal and more polite to use the plural forms, e.g.: uJacob: Sanibonani uNjabulo: Yebo, sanibonani. uJacob: Ninjani? uNjabulo: Sikhona/Siyaphila, nina ninjani? uJacob: Nathi sikhona/siyaphila. isiZulu isiNgisi Sanibonani Hello Ninjani? How are you? Sikhona/Siyaphila We're fine/well Nina You (plural) Nathi Also (and us) It would normally be considered somewhat rude and abrupt to say goodbye just then. An exchange of pleasantries would normally follow such greetings, but in large cities, since people are often busy, this short conversation is sufficient. A very polite way of saying farewell would be: uJacob: Nihambe kahle. uNjabulo: Nisale kahle. Notes Sanibona(ni) where the final ni may or may not be used Introducing people Philani introduces his friend Thabo to Nandi. uPhilani: Nandi, Lo umgani wami, uThabo. uNandi: Ngiyajabula ukukwazi! uThabo: Nami, ngiyajabula ukukwazi! Thabo introduces himself to Nosipho. uThabo: Igama lami nguThabo! uNosipho: Ngiyajabula ukukwazi! NginguNosipho. uThabo: Ngiyajabula ukukwazi! isiZulu isiNgisi Igama Name -mi my Lo (Lona) This Nina You (plural) Ngiyajabula ukukwazi I'm pleased to know you. Umngani Friend Ngingu- I'm The above table says that -mi means my but la- that is added to it is for agreement. Lami agrees with igama. The same is true for wami: the wa- agrees with umngani. How are you? Philani sees his friend Thabo in the street. uPhilani: Sawubona Thabo! uThabo: Yebo, sawubona Philani! uPhilani: Unjani? uThabo: Ngiyaphila, wena unjani? uPhilani: Angiphilile. isiZulu isiNgisi Angiphilile I'm not well. Surname Nandi tells Thabo her surname. Nandi: Isibongo sami uNdlovu. uThabo: NgingowakwaKhumalo. isiZulu isiNgisi Isibongo Surname Ngingowakwa- I'm of the family of Summary We can say hello: Sawubona, Sanibona or Sanibonani Ask people how they are: Unjani?, Ninjani?. Say how you are: Ngiyaphila, ngikhona, angiphilile. Introduce yourself: Igama lami ngu-, Ngingu-. Introduce others: Lo ngu-. Say your surname: Isibongo sami, Ngingowakwa-. Next step Try the Exercise or go the next Lesson 2.