Verbs

Zulu Lesson 12 (Verbs and Time)

Duration: 30 mins

Lessons Zulu Lessons
Linguistic Zulu Vocabulary
Culture Zulu Phrases
Structure Zulu Grammar

This is the 12th lesson about Zulu verbs, as well as time expressions such as hours, days, and months. Finally some simple common phrases. I will try to give examples using both vocabulary and grammar. That way it will be easy for you to see the words when they are separate and when they are in a sentence. Going through the whole 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.

Verbs

Before we move on to lessons about the present, past, and future, we need to discuss verbs in general. The verb is the second most used part of speech after the noun. That means we need to pay more attention to its different forms and tenses.

Below is a list of 16 verbs that you might come across or use very often. They are in their raw format (not conjugated yet). The table contains 3 columns (English, Zulu, and Audio). Make sure you repeat each word after hearing it by either clicking on the audio button or by reading the pronunciation. That should help with memorization as well as improving your pronunciation.

Verbs List in Zulu

Verbs Zulu Audio
To driveUkushayela
To findShayela
To giveNika
To haveYiba nakho
To knowYazi
To learnFunda
To loveThanda
To playDlala
To readFunda
To seeBona
To smileMomotheka
To speakUkukhuluma
To thinkCabanga
To understandQonda
To workSebenza
To writeBhala

Here is an example of the verb "to understand" conjugated into the past, present, and future.

Verb "to understand" in a Sentence

He understands meUyangiqonda mina
He understood meWangiqonda mina
He will understand meUzongiqonda

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact me using the Zulu contact form on the header above.

Vocabulary List about Time

Below is a list of 30 words related to time such as hours, days and months. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to discuss time related topics more easily.

Time in Zulu

Time Zulu Audio
Daysizinsuku
MondayuMsombuluko
TuesdayuLwesibili
WednesdayuLwesithathu
ThursdayuLwesine
FridayuLwesihlanu
SaturdayuMgqibelo
SundayIsonto
JanuaryuMasingana
FebruaryuNhlolanja
MarchuNdasa
ApriluMbasa
MayuNhlaba
JuneuNhlangulana
JulyuNtulikazi
AugustuNcwaba
SeptemberuMandulo
OctoberuMfumfu
NovemberuLwezi
DecemberuZibandlela
Autumnikwindla
Winterubusika
Springintwasahlobo
Summerihlobo
Seasonsizinkathi zonyaka
Monthsizinyanga
Timeisikhathi
Hourihora
Minuteumzuzu
Secondokwesibili

Daily Conversation in Zulu

Finally, here are some popular phrases you might need to use daily. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Zulu Phrases page. Enjoy!

Common Expressions in Zulu

English Zulu Audio
I was born in Julyngazalwa ngoNtulikazi
I will visit you in AugustNgizokuvakashela kuNcwaba
See you tomorrow!sizobonana kusasa
Today is Mondaynamhlanje uMsombuluko
Winter is very cold hereubusika bubanda kakhulu lapha
Yesterday was Sundayizolo bekuyiSonto
Are you married?Ushadile?
I'm singleAng'shadile
Would you marry me?Ngicela sishade
Can I have your phone number?Ungangipha inombolo yakho yocingo?
Can I have your email?Ungangipha i-imeyili yakho?

Fun Facts

Language Quote: ❝Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can; there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.❞ ‒Sarah Caldwell

Congratulations! You finished your 12th lesson in Zulu about verbs, and time. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Zulu Lesson 13. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Zulu homepage.

Lessons Zulu Lessons
Linguistic Zulu Vocabulary
Culture Zulu Phrases
Structure Zulu Grammar