LEARNING BASIC ISIZULU
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GREETING
Good Day
Sir
Miss Mrs |
UKUBINGELELA
Sawubona (singular) Sanibona (plural)
Mnumzane (Singular) Bamnumzane (plural)
Nkosazane Nkosikazi |
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Application
Singular
Sawubona mnumzane (Good day sir)
Sawubona Nkosazane (Good day madam)
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Plural
Sanibona bamnumzane (Good day gentlemen)
Sanibona makhosazane
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NB "Nkosazane" is used only if the woman is not married.
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Kgotso ntate (Sawubona baba) Kgotso mme (Sawubona mama)
Good day ladies and gentlemen
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Kgotsong bontate (Sanibona bobaba) Kgotsong bomme ( Sanibona bomama)
Sanibonani bafowethu nodadewethu
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ENQUIRING ABOUT SOMEONE’S WELL-BEING
Usaphila? - How are you?
Nisaphila? (many)
OR
Unjani (one)
Ninjani? (many)
RESPONDING
Ngikhona ( I am here)
Sikhona ( We are here)
OR
Ngisaphila ( I am well)
IF SOMEONE COMES INTO YOUR OFFICE…
1. Ngingakusiza? – Can I help you?
2. If the person continues to speak isiZulu, refer him to Mr. Mpungose.
Bonana noMnumzane uMpungose ( go and see Mr. Mpungose)
3. Uzokusiza (he/she will help you)
Ngingakusiza? (singular) Nginganisiza? (Plural)
Bonana noMnumzane uMpungose (said to one person)
Bonanani noMnumzane uMpungose (said to more than one person)
Uzokusiza (to one) Uzonisiza (to more than one)
Ngena = Come in
Hlala phansi = sit
TALKING ABOUT THE WEATHER
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1. It is cold It is cold today Today
2. It is hot It is hot today
3. I am/feel cold
4. I am warm/hot |
Kuyabanda Kuyabanda namuhla/Namuhla kuyabanda Namuhla
Kuyashisa Kuyashisa namuhla/Namuhla kuyashisa
Ngiyagodola
Ngiyashisa |
Please note: ngiyagodola and ngiyashisa are used when a person feels cold or hot.
Kuyabanda and kuyashisa are used when inanimate objects are/feel cold or hot.
For a dead person you also use uyabanda (cold).
For a sick person who is hot with a fever, you use uyashisa.
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5. Rain is falling |
Imvula iyana / Liyana |
GENERAL REMARKS
1. Have a nice day = Ube nosuku olumnandi
2. Enjoy your work = Usebenze kahle
3. I am tired = Ngikhathele
4. I am thirsty = Ngomile
5. I am hungry = Ngilambile
6. I am happy = Ngiyajabula
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INSTRUCTIONS Write Read Speak Look Listen
Write a letter Read a book Speak isiZulu Look at the book Listen to the news Listen here We may start Speak |
Bhala Funda Khuluma Buka Lalela
Bhala incwadi Funda incwadi Khuluma isiZulu Buka incwadi Lalela izindaba Lalela lapha. Sesingaqala Khuluma |
QUESTIONS AND RESPONSE
May I speak to Buyani? Ngicela ukukhuluma noBuyani?
May I help you? Ngingakusiza?
Is he/she present Ukhona yini?
Buyani is here UBuyani ukhona
Where is Sipho? Uphi uSipho?
I do not know Angazi
He/she went out Uphumile.