The 3rd lesson is about the plural in Zulu and how to create it from the singular form. In addition, I will include a list of vocabulary about languages, nationalities, and countries. Finally, you will find some common everyday sentences. 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.
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
Fun Facts
Language Quote that by simply knowing how to form the plural, you can double the number of nouns in your vocabulary, without having to memorize all the plural form.
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.
