Past Tense

Zulu Lesson 14 (Past Tense & Colors)

Duration: 30 mins

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

This 14th lesson deals with the past tense in Zulu. In addition I included a vocabulary list about colors, as well as some basic 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.

Past

The past is one of the 3 tenses (present, past, and future) we will be discussing in the next 3 lessons. So it is recommended not to skip any of them because they are all related.

Below is a list of 15 sentences conjugated into the past tense. I focused on the examples you might come across or use very often. 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.

Past Tense in Zulu

Past Zulu Audio
I saw youNgakubona
I wrote with a penNgabhala ngepeni
You loved applesWawuwathanda ama-aphula
You gave moneyWanika imali
You played tennisWawudlala i-tennis
He read (past tense) a bookWafunda incwadi
He understood meWangiqonda mina
She had a catWayenekati
She knew my friendWayemazi umngane wami
We wanted to learnSasifuna ukufunda
We thought Spanish is easySasicabanga ukuthi isiPanishi silula
You (plural) worked hereWawusebenza lapha
You (plural) spoke FrenchWawukhuluma isiFulentshi
They drove a carBabeshayela imoto
They smiledBamomotheka

Questions?

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

List of Colors in Zulu

Below is a list of 18 words and expressions related to colors.

Colors in Zulu

Colors Zulu Audio
Black-mnyama
Blue-luhlaza okwesibhakabhaka
Brown-nsundu
ColorsImibala
Dark color-mnyama
Gray-mpunga
Green-luhlaza
Light color-mhlophe
Orange-wolintshi
Red-bomvu
White-mhlophe
Yellow-phuzi

Daily Conversation in Zulu

Finally, here are some common sentences to strengthen your conversation skills. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Zulu Phrases page. Enjoy!

Common Expressions in Zulu

English Zulu Audio
Black is his favorite colorumbala wakhe oyintandokazi umnyama
I have black hairNginezinwele ezimnyama
Red is not his favorite colorokubomvu akuwona umbala wakhe wentandokazi
She drives a yellow carushayela imoto ephuzi
The sky is blueizulu liluhlaza
Your cat is whiteIkati lakho limhlophe
I enjoyed myself very muchNgibe nesikhathi esimnandi kakhulu
I agree with youNgivumelana nawe
Are you sure?Uyaqiniseka?
Be careful!Qaphela!
Cheers!Nazo-ke!
Would you like to go for a walk?Ungathanda ukuhambahamba?

Fun Facts

Language Quote: ❝To have another language is to possess a second soul.❞ ‒Charlemagne

Congratulations! You finished your 14th lesson in Zulu about the past tense, and a vocabulary list about colors. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Zulu Lesson 15. 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