Questions

Zulu Lesson 9 (Questions and Misunderstanding)

Duration: 30 mins

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

This 9th lesson teaches an important aspect in Zulu which is the interrogative form also called questions. In addition, there is a list of vocabulary terms about misunderstanding and finally some commonly used 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.

Questions

Being able to ask questions is what makes us curious beings, which in turns broadens our knowledge. It is no different when it comes to learning Zulu. You will always be asking questions, and the following are some tools to help you in that quest.

The following are the 5 Ws + "how" commonly used adverbs to express the interrogative form. Most likely, whenever a question needs to be asked, one of them should be used. 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.

Interrogative Form in Zulu

Questions Zulu Audio
How?Kanjani?
What?Ini?
When?Nini?
Where?Kuphi?
Who?Ubani?
Why?Kungani?

Now we will try to implement the adverbs 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 Questions in a Sentence

Can I come?Ngingeza?
Can I help you?Ngingakusiza?
Can you help me?Ungangisiza?
Do you know her?Uyamazi?
Do you speak English?Ingabe uyasikhuluma isingisi?
How difficult is it?Kunzima kangakanani?
How far is this?Kukude kangakanani?
How much is this?Kuyimalini lokhu?
How would you like to pay?Ungathanda ukukhokha kanjani?
What is this called?Kubizwa ngani lokhu?
What is your name?Ubani igama lakho?
What time is it?Sikhathi sini?
When can we meet?Singahlangana nini?
Where do you live?Uhlala kuphi?
Who is knocking at the door?Ubani ongqongqozayo emnyango?
Why is it expensive?Kungani kubiza?

Questions?

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

Vocabulary List about Misunderstanding

There are times when you will not understand what a person said in Zulu, or simply that you want them to repeat a word. The following are 24 expressions used to clear misunderstandings. Very essential to any conversation!

Misunderstanding in Zulu

Misunderstanding Zulu Audio
Can you repeat?Ungaphinda?
Can you speak slowly?Ungakhuluma ngokungasheshi?
Did you understand what I said?Uyizwile kahle lento engiyishilo?
Don't worry!Ungakhathazeki
Excuse me? (i.e. I beg your pardon?)Ang'zwanga?
How do you say "OK" in French?Uphinyiselwa kanjani u-""KULUNGILE"" ngesiFulentshi?
I don't know!Angazi!
I don't understand!Angizwisisi kahle!
I need to practice my FrenchNgidinga ukuprakthiza isiFulentshi sami
Is that right?Ingabe lokho kulungile?
Is that wrong?Ingabe lokho akulungile?
MistakeIphutha
My French is badIsiFulentshi sami sibi
No problem!Ayikho inkinga
QuicklyUkushesha
SlowlyUkungasheshi
Sorry (to apologize)Ngiyaxolisa
To speakUkukhuluma
What does that word mean in English?Lisho ukuthini lelo gama ngeSingisi?
What is this?Yini Lena?
What should I say?Ngingathini?
What?Ini?
What's that called in French?Kubizwa kanjani lokho ngesiFulentshi?
Write it down please!Ngicela uyibhale phansi!

Daily Conversation in Zulu

Finally, a list of some common phrases that you might come across from time to time. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Zulu Phrases page. Enjoy!

Common Expressions in Zulu

English Zulu Audio
ThisLokhu
ThatLokho
HereLapha
ThereLapho
In The MorningEkuseni
In the eveningKusihlwa
At NightEbusuku
Really!Ngempela!
Look!Buka!
Hurry up!Sheshisa!

Fun Facts

Language Quote: The oldest written language was believed to be written in about 4500 BC.

Congratulations! You finished your 9th lesson in Zulu about questions, and misunderstanding. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Zulu Lesson 10. 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