This section contains 400 of the most used phrases in Zulu. This should help you improve your speaking, reading and writing. Exploring the whole list will make it easier to start conversations and understand what was said to you. I divided this section into 4 pages, the first 100 are listed on this page, then the rest here: phrases 2, phrases 3, phrases 4. Each page contains 100 common expressions. Going through each 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.
Phrases Tips
To make sure you are more likely to remember each expression, try to first to read the sentence without hearing it, then click to hear how it is prnounced, then read it out loud 3 times while imagining yourself vividly talking to somone. Also try to practice what you memorized from time to time, to make it stick.
Here are the first 100 common phrases. You will find a lot of them are about greeting someone, introducing yourself or asking where someone is from ... etc. Basically, these are expressions which you might use when starting a conversation with someone you have just met.
Phrases in Zulu
Phrases
Zulu
Audio
How are you? (informal)
Ninjani?
How are you? (formal)
Unjani?
What's up? (colloquial)
Kunjani?
I'm fine, thank you!
Ngikhona, ngiyabonga!
Hi!
Sawubona (s) / Sanibona (pl)
Good morning!
Sawubona
Good afternoon!
Sawubona
Good evening!
Sawubona
And you? (informal)
Nina?
And you? (formal)
Wena?
Good
Kuhle
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
Welcome!
Wamukelekile
Do you like it here?
Uyakuthanda lapha?
See you later!
Sizobonana!
Thank you very much!
Ngiyabonga kakhulu
I really like it!
Ngiyithanda ngempela!
Happy
Jabule
Sad
-dumele
Thank you!
Ngiyabonga (s) / Siyabonga (pl)
You're welcome! (in response to "thank you")
Nami ngiyabonga!
Have a nice day!
Ube nosuku oluhle!
Good night!
Lala kahle!
Have a good trip!
Ube nohambo oluhle! / Hamba kahle!
It was nice talking to you!
Kwaze kwamnandi ukukhuluma nawe!
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 expensive
Lokhu kubiza kakhulu
More Sentences
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
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
Can I practice Italian with you?
Ngingaprakthiza nawe isiNtaliyane?
I speak French but with an accent
Ngikhuluma isiFulentshi ngendlela yakhona
I was born in Miami
Ngazalelwa e-Miami
I'm from Japan
Ngivela eJapani
The letter is inside the book
Iletha iphakathi kwencwadi
The pen is under the desk
Ipeni lingaphansi kwetafula
Directions
Iziqondiso
Can I help you?
Ngingakusiza?
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 straight
Hamba 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 lost
Ngidukile
I'm not from here
Angiyena owalendawo
It's far from here
Kukude nalapha
It's near here
Kuseduze nalapha
One moment please!
Umzuzu owodwa nje!
Turn left
Jikela kwesokunxele
Turn right
Jikela kwesokudla
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact me using the Zulu contact form on the header above.
Here are the rest of the Zulu phrases: phrases 2, phrases 3, phrases 4. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Zulu homepage.
