Zulu Lesson 3 (Plural and Languages)
Duration: 30 mins
Compare singular and plural examples. Use the Zulu examples below to read, listen where recordings are available, and practise recalling a few items without looking. Work at your own pace and return to difficult examples in your next session.
Plural
Knowing how to create the plural from the singular word can double the vocabulary you already know. It can make it easy to have a conversation about different topics by simply knowing some grammatical rules. For example how to change the word "book" to "books" or "woman" to "women".
Below is a list of singular words and their plural equivalent. I included examples about nature as well as about humans. 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.
Singular vs. Plural in Zulu
| English | Zulu | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Izwe | |
| Countries | Amazwe | |
| Lake | Ichibi | |
| Lakes | Amachibi | |
| Language | Ulimi | |
| Languages | Izilimi | |
| Woman | owesifazane | |
| Women | abafazi | |
| Man | indoda | |
| Men | amadoda | |
| Boy | umfana | |
| Boys | Abafana | |
| Girl | intombazane | |
| Girls | Amantombazane |
Now we will try to implement some of the words above into full Zulu sentences. That way you will be able to see how both forms are used when embedded in a structure.
Singular vs. Plural in a Sentence
| English | Zulu | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact me using the Zulu contact form on the header above.
Vocabulary List about Languages, Nationalities, and Countries
Below is a list of 50 words related to languages, nationalities, and countries. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to have a good conversation about how many languages you speak or where you came from.
Languages Nationalities and Countries List in Zulu
| English | Zulu | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic (language) | isi-arabhu | |
| Moroccan (nationality) | Owase-Morocco | |
| Morocco (country) | EMorocco | |
| Brazilian (language) | Isi-Brazil | |
| Brazilian (nationality) | Owase-Brazil | |
| Brazil (country) | EBrazil | |
| Chinese (language) | isishayina | |
| Chinese (nationality) | UmShayina | |
| China (country) | EChina | |
| English (language) | Zulu | |
| British (nationality) | Owase-Brithani | |
| Britain (country) | EBrithani | |
| American (nationality) | UmMelika | |
| America (country) | EMelika | |
| French (language) | isiFulentshi | |
| French (nationality) | UmFulentshi | |
| France (country) | EFrance | |
| German (language) | isijalimane | |
| German (nationality) | UmJalimane | |
| Germany (country) | EJalimane | |
| Greek (language) | isiGreki | |
| Greek (nationality) | UmGreki | |
| Greece (country) | eGrisi | |
| Hindi (language) | isihindi | |
| Indian (nationality) | Indiya | |
| India (country) | endiya | |
| Irish (language) | Isi-irish | |
| Irish (nationality) | Um-Irish | |
| Ireland (country) | E-Ireland | |
| Italian (language) | isiNtaliyane | |
| Italian (nationality) | UmNtaliyane | |
| Italy (country) | entaliyane | |
| Japanese (language) | isiJapane | |
| Japanese (nationality) | Owase-Japane | |
| Japan (country) | ejapane | |
| Korean (language) | IsiKhoriya | |
| Korean (nationality) | UmKhoriya | |
| Korea (country) | EKhoriya | |
| Persian (language) | IsiPersia | |
| Iranian (nationality) | Owase-Iran | |
| Iran (country) | E-Iran | |
| Portuguese (language) | IsiPutukezi | |
| Portuguese (nationality) | UmPutukezi | |
| Portugal (country) | EPortugal | |
| Russian (language) | isirashiya | |
| Russian (nationality) | UmRashiya | |
| Russia (country) | ERussia | |
| Spanish (language) | iSpanishi | |
| Spanish (nationality) | UmSpanishi | |
| Spain (country) | e-spain |
Daily Conversation in Zulu
Finally, a list of sentences about languages, nationalities, and countries 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Languages | ||
| 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 | |
| Origins | ||
| 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 | |
| Countries | ||
| 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 | |
| Phrases | ||
| 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 |
Congratulations! You finished your third lesson in Zulu about singular, plural, languages, nationalities, and countries. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Zulu Lesson 4. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Zulu homepage.
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