Prepositions

Zulu Lesson 4 (Prepositions and Directions)

Duration: 30 mins

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

This first lesson teaches many important aspect of Zulu like prepositions, vocabulary list about directions and finally common phrases about how to introduce yourself. 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.

Prepositions

Prepositions are used in almost every sentence. They can be a great tool to link words with each other. For example by simply knowing how to use "to", "with", "from", "after" you can expand your conversation scope. In short, a preposition describes a relationship between words in a sentence, for example: I agree with you.

Below is a list of 27 prepositions 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.

Prepositions List in Zulu

Prepositions Zulu Audio
In front ofngaphambi
Behindngemuva
Beforengaphambi
Afterngemva
Insidengaphakathi
Withno-
Withoutngaphandle
Outsidengaphandle
On top ofNgaphezulu
Underngaphansi
About (in regards to)mayelana
AgainstNgokuphikisana ne
Andkanye
As (similar to)Njenge
Betweenphakathi
Butkodwa
Forye-
Fromkusukela
Ine-
Instead ofEsikhundleni se
NearKuseduze
OfYe
OrNoma
SinceKusukela
SoNgakho
ToIthiphu
UntilKuze kube

Now we will try to implement some of the prepositions 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 Prepositions in a Sentence

English Zulu Audio
Can I practice Italian with you?Ngingaprakthiza nawe isiNtaliyane?
I speak French but with an accentNgikhuluma isiFulentshi ngendlela yakhona
I was born in MiamiNgazalelwa e-Miami
I'm from JapanNgivela eJapani
The letter is inside the bookIletha iphakathi kwencwadi
The pen is under the deskIpeni lingaphansi kwetafula
Directions
Can I help you?Ngingakusiza?

Questions?

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

Vocabulary List about Directions

Below is a list of 28 words and sentences related to directions that you might need when lost or asking for help. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to travel from point A to point B by following directions.

Giving Directions in Zulu

Directions Zulu Audio
Can you help me?Ungangisiza?
Can you show me?Ungangibonisa?
Come with me!Hamba nami
Downtown (city center)Phakathi nedolobha
Excuse me! (to ask someone)Uxolo!
Go straightHamba uqonde
How can I get to the museum? Ngingafika kanjani endaweni yokugcina amagugu?
How long does it take to get there?Kuyibanga elingakanani ukufika lapho?
I'm lostNgidukile
I'm not from hereAngiyena owalendawo
It's far from hereKukude nalapha
It's near hereKuseduze nalapha
One moment please!Umzuzu owodwa nje!
Turn leftJikela kwesokunxele
Turn rightJikela kwesokudla
FarKukude
HereLapha
LeftKwesokunxele
RightKwesokudla
Neareduze
StraightQonda
ThereLapho
To drivekuya
To turnUkujika
To walkUkuhamba
Traffic lightAmalambu e-traffic
TransportationEzokuthutha

Daily Conversation in Zulu

Finally, a couple sentences to help you know how to introduce yourself in Zulu. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Zulu Phrases page. Enjoy!

Common Expressions in Zulu

English Zulu Audio
Do you speak English?Ingabe uyasikhuluma isingisi?
Just a littleKancane nje
What's your name?Ubani igama lakho?
My name is (John Doe)Igama lami ngingu (John Doe)
Mr... / Mrs. ... / Miss...Mnumzane.../Nkosikazi.../Nkosazana...
Nice to meet you!Ngiyajabula ukukwazi!
You're very kind!Unomusa!

Fun Facts

Language Quote: The language of a society changes slowly but steadily with the result that an educated person will not be able to read or understand words in his language written 500 years ago. Do you feel like you can't talk to your parents? Maybe it's because you belong to the Niger-Congo family. More than 1,400 languages are spoken by different members of this family from Africa..

Congratulations! You finished your 4th lesson in Zulu about prepositions, and directions. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Zulu Lesson 5. 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