Adjectives

Zulu Lesson 2 (Adjectives and Food)

Duration: 30 mins

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

This second lesson teaches many important aspect in Zulu like adjectives, vocabulary list about food and finally common phrases about greeting. 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.

Adjectives

Knowing adjectives in Zulu is a powerful skill. It can make it easy to have a conversation about different topics by simply knowing some key words such as "good", "bad", "right", "wrong" etc. Adjectives are words used to describe or modify another person or thing in the sentence for example: I am happy. Zulu is easy.

Below is a list of 20 adjectives that 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.

Adjectives List in Zulu

Adjectives Zulu Audio
TallOmude
ShortOmfishane
BigOmkhulu
WideKuvulekile
LongOmude
SmallOmncane
ThickKulugqinsi
ThinKuzacile
NewOmusha
Old (opposite of new)Indala
CheapKushibhile
ExpensiveKubiza kakhulu
YoungOmncane
Old (opposite of young)Ukhulile
WrongAkulungile
Right (correct)Kulungile
GoodKuhle
BadOkubi
DifficultKunzima
EasyKulula

Now we will try to implement some of the words above into full Zulu sentences. That way you will be able to use the word not only by itself but embedded in a structure.

Zulu Adjectives in a Sentence

English Zulu Audio
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 expensiveLokhu kubiza kakhulu

Questions?

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

Vocabulary List about Food

Below is a list of 50 words related to food such as fruits, vegetables and edible items. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to buy many food necessities from the supermarket or off the menu in a restaurant without a problem.

Food List in Zulu

Food Zulu Audio
Breakfastisidlo sasekuseni
Lunchisidlo sasemini
Dinnerisidlo sasebusuku
MealIsidlo
Applesamahhabhula
Avocadosokwatapheya
Bananasubhanana
Beansubhontshisi
Breadisinkwa
Butteribhotela
Carrots izaqathi
Cheeseushizi
Chickeninkukhu
Coffeeikhofi
Cornummbila
Cucumbersamakhukhumba
Eggsamaqanda
Figsamakhiwane
Fishinhlanzi
FoodUkudla
Fruitizithelo
Garlicugalikhi
Grapesamagilebhisi
Ice creami-ayisikhilimu
Lemonsamalamula
Lettuceilethisi
Meatinyama
Milkubisi
Olivesiminqumo
Onionsuhhanyanisi
Orange juiceUjusi wamawolintshi
Orangesamawolintshi
Peachesamapentshisi
Pearsamapheya
Peppersamaphepha
Pineapplesophayinaphu
Pizzaiphitsa
Potatoesamazambane
Pumpkinithanga
SaladIsaladi
SaltUsawoti
Sandwichisamishi
Soda (like Coke)Udilinki
Strawberriesama-strawberry
SugarUshukela
Teaitiye
Tomatoesotamatisi
Vegetablesimifino
Wateramanzi
Watermelonikhabe

Daily Conversation in Zulu

Finally, a list of sentences using the vocabulary used in this lesson plus some bonus phrases. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Zulu Phrases page. Enjoy!

Common Expressions in Zulu

English Zulu Audio
Are you thirsty?womile na?
I'm hungryngilambile
Do you have a bottle of water?Unalo ibhodlela lamanzi?
Breakfast is readyIbhulakfesi selilungile
What kind of food do you like?Uthanda nhloboni yokudla?
I like cheeseNgithanda ushizi
Bananas taste sweetUbhanana unoshukela
I don't like cucumberAngiwuthandi ukhukhamba
I like bananasNgiyawuthanda ubhanana
Lemons taste sourUlamula umuncu
This fruit is deliciousLesi sithelo simnandi
Vegetables are healthyImifino inempilo
Hi!Sawubona (s) / Sanibona (pl)
Good morning!Sawubona
Good afternoon!Sawubona
Good evening!Sawubona
Welcome!Wamukelekile
How are you? (informal)Ninjani?
How are you? (formal)Unjani?
What's up? (colloquial) Kunjani?
I'm fine, thank you!Ngikhona, ngiyabonga!
And you? (informal)Nina?
And you? (formal)Wena?
GoodKuhle

Fun Facts

Language Quote that a palindrome is a word, phrase, number, or other sequence of characters which reads the same backward or forward. Allowances may be made for adjustments to capital letters, punctuation, and word dividers.

Congratulations! You finished your second lesson in Zulu about adjectives, and food. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Zulu Lesson 3. 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