Zulu Phrases - Common Expressions
Zulu Phrases (Common Expressions)
This section contains 400 of the most used phrases in Zulu. This should help you improve your speaking, reading and writing. Exploring the whole list will make it easier to start conversations and understand what was said to you. I divided this section into 4 pages, the first 100 are listed on this page, then the rest here: phrases 2, phrases 3, phrases 4. Each page contains 100 common expressions. Going through each page should take about 30 min. Make sure to read the pronunciation and hear the audio as well. If you have any question about this course, please email me directly at Zulu Classes.
Phrases in Zulu
How are you? (informal) Ninjani?
How are you? (formal) Unjani?
What's up? (colloquial) Kunjani?
I'm fine, thank you! Ngikhona, ngiyabonga!
Hi! Sawubona (s) / Sanibona (pl)
Good morning! Sawubona
Good afternoon! Sawubona
Good evening! Sawubona
And you? (informal) Nina?
And you? (formal) Wena?
We speak two languages Sikhuluma izilimi ezimbili
They speak four languages Bakhuluma izilimi ezine
I visited one country Ngavakashela izwe elilodwa
She visited three countries Wavakashela amazwe amathathu
She has one sister Unosisi oyedwa
He has two sisters Unosisi ababili
Do you like it here? Uyakuthanda lapha?
See you later! Sizobonana!
Thank you very much! Ngiyabonga kakhulu
I really like it! Ngiyithanda ngempela!
Thank you! Ngiyabonga (s) / Siyabonga (pl)
You're welcome! (in response to "thank you") Nami ngiyabonga!
Good night! Lala kahle!
Have a good trip! Ube nohambo oluhle! / Hamba kahle!
It was nice talking to you! Kwaze kwamnandi ukukhuluma nawe!
Am I right or wrong? Ngiqinisile noma nginephutha?
Is he younger or older than you? Mncane noma mdala kunawe?
Is the test easy or difficult? Ingabe isivivinyo silula noma sinzima?
Is this book new or old? Ingabe intsha noma indala lencwadi?
This is so expensive Lokhu kubiza kakhulu
I don't speak Korean Angisikhulumi isiKhoriya
I love the Japanese language Ngiyaluthanda ulimi lwesiJapane
I speak Italian Ngikhuluma isiNtaliyane
I want to learn Spanish Ngifuna ukufunda iSpanishi
My mother tongue is German Ulimi engaluncela isiJalimane
Spanish is easy to learn Kulula ukufunda iSpanishi
He has a Moroccan rug Unezingubo zase-Moroco
I have an American car Nginemoto yaseMelika
I love French cheese Ngiyawuthanda ushizi wase-France
I'm Italian Ngingowase-Italy
My father is Greek Ubaba wami umGreki
My wife is Korean Umkami owase-Korea
Have you ever been to India? Ingabe uke wafika ENdiya?
I came from Spain Ngisuka e-Spain
I live in America Ngihlala eMelika
I want to go to Germany Ngifuna ukuya eJalimane
I was born in Italy Ngazalelwa e-Italy
Japan is a beautiful country IJapane izwe elihle
Long time no see Kudala sagcina ukubonana
I missed you Ngikukhumbule
What's new? Yini entsha?
Nothing new Akukho okusha
Make yourself at home! Zizwe usekhaya!
Have a good trip Ube nohambo oluhle
Can I practice Italian with you? Ngingaprakthiza nawe isiNtaliyane?
I speak French but with an accent Ngikhuluma isiFulentshi ngendlela yakhona
I was born in Miami Ngazalelwa e-Miami
I'm from Japan Ngivela eJapani
The letter is inside the book Iletha iphakathi kwencwadi
The pen is under the desk Ipeni lingaphansi kwetafula
Can you show me? Ungangibonisa?
Come with me! Hamba nami
Downtown (city center) Phakathi nedolobha
Excuse me! (to ask someone) Uxolo!
Go straight Hamba uqonde
How can I get to the museum? Ngingafika kanjani endaweni yokugcina amagugu?
How long does it take to get there? Kuyibanga elingakanani ukufika lapho?
I'm lost Ngidukile
I'm not from here Angiyena owalendawo
It's far from here Kukude nalapha
It's near here Kuseduze nalapha
One moment please! Umzuzu owodwa nje!
Turn left Jikela kwesokunxele
Turn right Jikela kwesokudla
Here are the rest of the Zulu phrases: phrases 2, phrases 3, phrases 4. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Zulu homepage.