Zulu Language Notes

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Zulu Language

Index:

a) Vowels…………………………………………………………………….................. 3
 Addition of Vowels
 Changing of Vowels
b) Consonants…………………………………………………………………………... 3
c) Syllables
d) Noun Prefixes & Subject Concords………………………………………………... 3
e) Deverbatives………………………………………………………………………….. 4
 Nouns referring to people
 Nouns referring to things
f) Other Types of Nouns……………………………………………………………….. 5
 Proper nouns
 Collective nouns
 Compound nouns
g) Singular & Plural……………………………………………………………………... 5
 With noun classes
 With possessive pronouns
 With absolute pronouns
h) Vowel Commencing Verbs………………………………………………………….. 6
 Rule 1
 Rule 2
 Rule 3
i) Non-verbs…………………………………………………………………………….. 7
 Identifying copulatives
 And = “-na-”
 Has/ Have = “-na-”
 With = “-nga-”
 Locative non-verbs

Key For these Notes: = 1 or 2 letters has been cancelled out/ dropped

_ = Leave a Space (2 separate words) (word) = Zulu/ English Translation

* = Important Information/ Note eg. / ie: = Example/ Explanation

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j) Tenses………………………………………………………………………………... 8
 Future tense
 Present tense
 Recent past tense complete
 Recent past tense continuous
 Remote past tense complete
 Remote past tense continuous
k) Pronouns……………………………………………………………………………… 10
 Absolute pronouns
 Demonstrative pronouns
l) Locatives……………………………………………………………………………… 11
 Locative phrases
 Sound changes
 Prefixes and suffixes
m) Adjectives & Relatives………………………………………………………………. 13
n) Possessives………………………………………………………………………….. 15
o) Verbal Extensions……………………………………………………………………. 17
 Impambosi yokwenzela
 Impambosi yokwenzisa
 Impambosi yokwenzeka
 Impambosi yokwenzana
 Impambosi yokwenzisisa
 Impambosi yokwenzayenza
 Impambosi yokwenziwa
p) Diminutives…………………………………………………………………………… 19
q) Conjunctions…………………………………………………………………………. 20
 Group 1
 Group 2
r) Object Concords…………………………………………………………………….. 21
s) Stative Verbs……………………………………………………………………….... 22
t) Commands…………………………………………………………………………... 23

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a) Vowels:

In Zulu = vowels are not allowed next to one another. To prevent this, there are two rules one can
apply:

a. Addition of vowels:
*This rule is applied when “a-” is on the left…
a+a=a
a+i=e
a+o=o
a+u=o

example: Ngihamba nga+imoto Ngihamba ngemoto.

b. Changing Vowels:
*This rule is applied when “a-” is NOT on the left.
Change:
“i-” “y-”
“u-” “w-”

example: Ingane i+akha izindlu Ingane yakha izindlu.

b) Consonants:

In Zulu, ones lips aren’t meant to touch and therefore certain letters cannot be placed next to each
other.

**Sounds “-th-, -kh- & -ph-” aren’t not allowed to be preceded by letters “n” or “m.” When this
happens, cancel out the letter “h-” (ie: -nth-, -nkh-, -nph- OR -mth-, -mkh-, -mph-)
(This is mainly used in “ulu-” noun plurals and adjectives.)

Example: Indlu en+khulu Indlu enkulu

nkh

**Consonants “w-” & “o-” are not allowed to follow respectively, as both sounds are produced in
the front of the mouth. When this happens, cancel the “w-”
(This is mainly used with the prefixes “lu-” and “ku-” as well as vowel commencing verbs and possessives)

Example: Ukudla kwa+umfundi = kwomfundi Ukudla komfundi

o
c) Syllables

In Zulu, a syllable is always made by cutting the word directly after each vowel

Examples: um-fa-na im-bo-ngi u-mu-ntu

**Always remember this when doing sound changes and in poetry (invumelwano)

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d) Noun Prefixes (Izinhlobo zamabizo) and Subject Concords (Izivumelwano zikamenzi):

Class: Noun Prefix: Example: Subject Concord:

1 Um-/umu- Umfundi u- Noun Prefixes & Subject Concords
1a U- Umama u-
2 Aba- Abafundi ba- Noun Prefixes precede the noun while Subject
2a O- Omama ba- Concords precede the verb.

3 Umu-/um- Umuthi u- NB: They always have to correlate

4 Imi- Imithi i-
5 I(li)- Itafula li-
6 Ama- Amatafula a-
7 Isi-/Is- Isitimela si-
8 Izi-/Iz- Izitimela zi-
9 In-/Im- Inja i-
10 Izin-/Izim- Izinja zi-
11 Ulu- Ubisi lu-
14 Ubu-/Utsh- Utshani bu
15 Uku- Ukudla ku-
*Note: Class 1 (um-/umu-) is used for people not in class 1a
Class 3 is used for objects
Class 1a (u-) is used for:
-People’s names – family tree names and titles
-Months/years – uKhisimuzi (Christmas)
-Fruit (izithelo) – ubhanana; ukotapeya
-Other examples – umabonakude; umakhalekhukhwini; ugandaganda

e) Deverbatives

Definition: these are nouns that have been derived from verbs

a. Amabizomuntu (nouns referring to people) Note: Some verbs take other noun prefixes:

Formula: umu-/um- + Verb(i) [Isi-] = -khuluma; -hamba; -vakasha; -dakwa;-sebenza

Examples: -hamba (to travel) umhambi (traveller) [In-] = -hleba

-funda (to learn) umfundi (learner)
-fundisa (to teach) umfundisi (teacher/ pastor) [I(li)] = -kholwa

b. Amabizonto (nouns referring to things)

Formula: Noun prefix + Verb(o)

Examples: -hamba (to travel) uhambo (journey)

-funda (to learn) imfundo (education)
-cula (to sing) umculo (song)

#Hint: Look at the sentence to decide on the noun prefix, working backwards by looking at the subject
concord, and translating it into the corresponding noun prefix.

Isibonelo (example) : (-hamba) belumnandi impela.

** Since the subject concord is ‘lu’, the corresponding noun prefix will be u(lu)- **
Impendulo (answer) : Uhambo belumnandi impela.

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f) Other Types of Nouns (Amabizo):

c. Amabizoqho (proper nouns)

Formula: Noun prefix + Noun Stem

Proper nouns are used for:

- Places (izindawo)
- People (abantu) **they start with a capital letters**
- Cities (amadolobha)

Examples (izibonelo) : -uZodwa

-iGoli
-iMpumalanga

d. Amabizoqoqa (collective nouns)

Formula: Noun prefix + Noun Stem

Collective nouns are used to describe a collection or a group.

Examples (izibonelo) : - Ibandla lenkonzo (congregation of a church)

- Umhlambi wezinkomo (herd of cows)
- Iqembu labantu (team of people)
- Iklasi labafundi (class of learners)

e. Amabizongxube (compound nouns)

Formula: Noun prefix + Noun Stem

Compound nouns are nouns that have been constructed using two different parts of speech.

Examples (izibonelo) : - Ubabomncane (uncle) [ubaba + omncane]

- Umtholampilo (clinic) [-thola + impilo]
- IMpumalanga (east) [-phuma + ilanga]
- Umabonakude (television set) [-bona + kude]

g) Singular (Ubunye) & Plural (Ubuningi):

**Each noun class has a singular and plural form (excluding classes 14 & 15)

UBUNYE (singular) UBUNINGI (plural)

Note: For the ‘ulu-’ class:

Izim- (if second letter is p; v; f)

Izi- (if second letter is L) fhxc
Izin- (if second letter is any other
letter besides p; v; f; l; m)

Remember to drop the ‘h’ if you

have nth/nkh/mph

Exceptions: Indoda; inkosi; indodakazi; insimu; intombazane Take ‘ama-’ as plural

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Absolute Pronouns:
Possessive Pronouns:
Mina (I) Thina (we)
-mi (mine) -ithu (ours)
Wena (you) Nina (you all)
-kho (yours s.) -inu (yours pl.)
Yena (he/she) Bona (them)
-khe (his/hers) -bo (theirs)

Singular Plural Singular Plural

h) Vowel Commencing Verbs:

There are 3 rules when using vowel commencing verbs:

Rule 1:

If the subject concord has two letters (ie: zi-/si-/ ba-/ etc) you need to cancel out the vowel of the
subject concord (excluding subject concords lu- and ku-)

eg. Ikati leba ubisi (the cat steals milk) [ie: li+eba = after cancelling the “-i-” = leba]

Rule 2:

If the subject concord has only 1 letter, that letter needs to be changed.

Subject concord “i-” changes to “y-”

Subject Concord “u-” changes to “w-”
Subject Concord “a-” gets cancelled (if vowel verbs starts with a-/ e-/ o-/) [ie: vowel verb stays the same]
Subject Concord “a-” stays as “a-” (if vowel verbs starts with i-) [ie: cancel first letter of vowel verb replace with a-]

eg. Inja yeba inyama (the dog steals meat) [ie: i+eba = after changing “i-” to “y-” = yeba]
Umfana welusa izinkomo (the boy heards cows) [ie: u+elusa = after changing “u-” to “w-” = welusa]
Amakati eba ubisi (the cat steals milk) [ie: a+eba = drop “a-” = eba]
Amahhashi apha utshani (the horses give up grass) [ie: a+ipha = drop “i-” = apha]

Rule 3:

For subject concords “lu-” and “ku-” the change depends on the starting vowel of the verb:

**If the verb starts with “e-” or “a-” Change the vowel of the subject concord to “w-”

**If the verb starts with “o-” Drop the vowel of the subject concord

eg. Uhlanya lweba inyama (the lunatic steals meat) [ie: lu+eba = add the “w-” = lweba]

Ukudla kona umzimba (the food destroys a body) [ie: ku+ona = drop the “u-” = kona]

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i) Non-Verbs:
1. Identifying Copulatives (Izibanjalo)
In a sentence with an identifying copulative, there will be at least 2 nouns. They follow
consecutively.

If the prefix of the second noun start with:

“a-/o-/u-” use “ng-”
“o-/u-” use “w-”
“i-” use “y-”

In positive form, change the prefix of the second noun.

examples: Umama (udokotela) Umama ngudokotela.

Ikati (ingane) Ikati yingane
Indoda (umkhulu) Indoda ngumkhulu
For absolute and demonstrative pronouns use “yi-” (except classes 1 & 1a which take ngu-)
examples: Yilo ikati. (This is a cat) [ie: yi+lona = yilona yilo ikati]
NB: Cancel
Absolute Yizo izitimela. (These are trains) [ie: yi+zona = yizona yizo izitimela]
Pronouns Yiwo umuthi. (This is medicine) [ie: yi+wona = yiwona yiwo umuthi] the “-na”
Yibo bona. (This is them) [ie: yi+bona = yibona yibo bona]
examples: Yila amakati (These are cats) [ie: yi+la (eduze) = yila amakati]
Demonstrative Yile intombazane (These are girls) [ie: yi+le (eduze) = yile intombazane]
Pronouns Yileyo inkomo (This is a cow) [ie: yi+leyo (buqamama) = yileyo inkomo]
Yilawaya amahhashi (These are horses) [ie: yi+lawaya (kude) = yilawaya amahhashi]
NB: Cancel
examples: Nguye umuntu (This is a person) [ie: ngu+yena = nguyena nguye umuntu]
Classes 1 &1a Ngulowo umama (This is mom) [ie: ngu+lowo (buqamama) = ngulowo umama] the “-na”
examples: Nguye yena (This is him) [ie: ngu+yena = nguyena nguye yena] NB: Cancel
“Yena & Wena” Nguwe wena (This is you) [ie: ngu+wena = nguwena nguwe wena] the “-na”

Ukuphika (negative) : aku + Absolute pronoun (of first noun) __ second noun
examples: Umama akuyena udokotela
Ikati akulona ingane
Indoda akuyona umkhulu
**Same rule applies when negating Absolute pronouns; Demonstrative
Pronouns; classes 1 & 1a; yena & wena
examples: akulona ikati
akuwona amakati
akuyena umuntu
akuyena.
akuwena.
2. And “na-”
“na-” is used to merge two nouns (ie: in a list) or a noun to a different part of speech.
examples: Umama nobaba (Mother and father) [List – 2 nouns]
` Umama naye (Mom and him) [Absolute Pronoun]
Uthisha nalesi sitshudeni (The teacher and students) [Demonstrative Pronoun]
3. Has or Have “na-”
This is used when showing possession on an object or thing.
Formula:
+ve = Subject Concord + na + Noun/ Pronoun (Absolute = drop the “-na”)
-ve = Negative Subject Concord + na + Absolute pronoun (dropping the “-na”) __ Noun
( of first noun) ( of second noun)

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examples: +ve = Umntwana unabangane

-ve = Umntwana akanabo abangane
+ve = Inja inombhede
-ve = Inja ayinawo umbhede
+ve = Indoda inomntwana
-ve = Indoda ayinaye umntwana
With “nga-”
“nga-” is used when answering questions involving these question words:
Question Word: …nini? (when)
Eg. Answer: ngo12:00 ekuseni (at 12:00 in the morning) / ngoMsombuluko (on Monday)
OR
Question Word: …ngani? (with what)
Eg. Answer ngemoto (with a car)
OR
Question Word: …ngobani?
Eg. Answer: ngobaba (with dad) Aka Ake
4. Locative Non-verbs:
Formula: +ve = Subject Concord + s + locative Aba Abe
-ve = Negative Subject Concord + kho __ locative
Awa Awe

j) Tenses (izinkathi):

Inkathi Ezayo (future tense)

Formula: +ve = Subject Concord + zo + Verb(a)

-ve = Negative Subject Concord + zu + Verb(a)

For Vowel Verbs: +ve = Subject Concord + zo + ku + Verb(a)

-ve = Negative subject concord + zu + ku + Verb(a)

For Non-Verbs: +ve = Subject Concord + zo + ba __ non-verb

-ve = Negative Subject Concord + zu + ba __ non-verb

For Stative Verbs: +ve = Subject Concord + zo + be __ Subject Concord + Stative Verb
-ve = Subject Concord + zo + be __ Subject Concord + nga+ Stative Verb(i)

When putting a stative verb into future

tense, remember to change:

Please note when it says u- e-

“negative subject
ba- be-
concord,” it is referring to
the negative column of a- e-
row a. in the table below.
at the beginning of the stative verb,
here… (the rest stay the same)

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NB: Non-verbs can only be used in
continuous tense!!!

Vowel commencing verbs in complete

a. Inkathi Yamanje (Present Tense) tense stay the same while in continuous
tense there is a bridging “-s-”.
Formula: +ve = Subject Concord + Verb(a)
-ve = Negative Subject Concord + Verb(i) eg. Umngane ubeselusa izinkomo.
Umngane wayeselusa izinkomo.
b. Inkathi Esanda Kudlula Ephelile (Recent Past Tense Complete)

Formula: +ve = SF = Subject Concord + Verb(e) + Object OR LF= Subject Concord + Verb(ile)
-ve = Negative Subject Concord + Verb(anga)

c. Inkathi Esanda Kudlula Eqhubekayo (Recent Past Tense Continuous)

Formula: +ve = -be- + Subeject Concord + Verb(a) **Subject concords, ‘u-’and ‘a-’ go before
-ve = -be- + Subject Concord + nga + Verb(i) the ‘-be-’------ eg. ubehamba & abehamba

d. Inkathi Eyadlula Kudala Ephelile (Remote Past Tense Complete)

Formula: +ve = Subject concord + a + Verb(a) For Non-verbs:

-ve = Negative Subject Concord + Verb(anga)
Subject Concord + a + ba __ non-verb
e. Inkathi Eyadlula Kudala Eqhubekayo (Remote Past Tense Continuous)

Formula: +ve = Subject Concord + a + Subject Concord + Verb(a)

-ve = Subject Concord + a + Subject Concord + nga + Verb(i)

Tense Prefix Table a. b. c. d. e.

Class Noun Prefix:
+ve -ve* +ve -ve* +ve -ve +ve -ve* +ve -ve
1 Um-/umu- u- Aka- u- Aka- Ube- Ubenga- Wa- Aka- Waye- Wayenga-
1a U- u- Aka- u- Aka- Ube- Ubenga- Wa- Aka- Waye- Wayenga-
2 Aba- ba- Aba- ba- Aba- Bebe- Bebenga- Ba- Aba- Babe- Babenga-
2a O- ba- Aba- ba- Aba- Bebe- Bebenga- Ba- Aba- Babe- Babenga-
3 Umu-/um- u- Awu- u- Awu- Ube- Ubenga- Wa- Awu- Wawu- Wawunga-
4 Imi- i- Ayi- i- Ayi- Beyi- Beyinga- Ya- Ayi- Yayi- Yayinga-
5 I(li)- li- Ali- li- Ali- Beli- Belinga- La- Ali- Lali- Lalinga-
6 Ama- a- Awa- a- Awa- Abe- Abenga- a- Awa- Aye- Ayenga-
7 Isi-/Is- si- Asi- si- Asi- Besi- Besinga- Sa- Asi- Sasi- Sasinga-
8 Izi-/Iz- zi- Azi- zi- Azi- Bezi- Bezinga- Za- Azi- Zazi- Zazinga-
9 In-/Im- i- Ayi- i- Ayi- Beyi- Beyinga- Ya- Ayi- Yayi- Yayinga-
10 Izin-/Izim- zi- Azi- zi- Azi- Bezi- Bezinga- Za- Azi- Zazi- Zazinga-
11 Ulu- lu- Alu- lu- Alu- Belu- Belunga- Lwa- Alu- Lwalu- Lwalunga-
- Izim-/izin-/izi- zi- Azi- zi- Azi- Bezi- Bezinga- Za- Azi- Zazi- Zazinga-
14 Ubu-/Utsh- bu Abu- bu Abu- Bebu- Bebunga- Ba- Abu- Babu- Babunga-
15 Uku- ku- Aku- ku- Aku- Beku- Bekunga- Kwa- Aku- Kwaku- Kwakunga-
Absolute a. b. c. d. e.
Pronouns +ve -ve* +ve -ve* +ve -ve +ve -ve* +ve -ve
Mina ngi- angi- ngi- angi- Bengi- Benginga- Nga- angi- Ngangi- Nganginga-
Wena u- awu- u- awu- Ubu- Ubunga- Wa- awu- Wawu- Wawunga-
Yena u- aka- u- aka- Ube- Ubenga- Wa- aka- Waye- Wayenga-
Thina si- asi- si- asi- Besi- Besinga- Sa- asi- Sasi- Sasinga-
Bona ba- aba- ba- aba- Bebe- Bebenga- Ba- aba- Babe- Babenga-
Nina ni- ani- ni- ani- Beni- Beninga- Na- ani- Nani- Naninga-

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k) Pronouns (Izabizwana):

Pronoun Table: Absolute Demonstrative Pronouns: Quantitative Pronouns:

Pronouns: Eduze: Buqamama: Kude: -onke -odwa
1 Um-/umu- Yena Lo Lowo Lowaya Wonke Yedwa
1a U- Yena Lo Lowo lowaya Wonke Yedwa
2 Aba- Bona Laba Lobo Lowaya Bonke Bodwa
2a O- Bona Laba Lobo Labaya Bonke Bodwa
3 Umu-/um- Wona Lo Lowo Lowaya Wonke Wodwa
4 Imi- Yona Le Leyo Leyaya Yonke Yodwa
5 I(li)- Lona Leli Lelo Leliya Lonke Lodwa
6 Ama- Ona/Wona La Lawo Lawaya Onke Odwa
7 Isi-/Is- Sona Lesi Leso Lesiya Sonke Sodwa
8 Izi-/Iz- Zona Lezi Lezo Leziya Zonke Zodwa
9 In-/Im- Yona Le Leyo Leyaya Yonke Yodwa
10 Izin-/Izim- Zona Lezi Lezo Leziya Zonke Zodwa
11 Ulu- Lona Lolu Lolo Loluya Lonke Lodwa
- Izim-/izin-/izi- Zona Lezi Lezo Leziya Zonke Zodwa
14 Ubu-/Utsh- Bona Lobu Lobo Lobuya Bonke Bodwa
15 Uku- Kona Loku Leko Lukuya Konke Kodwa
Absolute Demonstrative Pronouns: Quantitative Pronouns:
Pronouns: Eduze: Buqamama: Kude: -onke -odwa
Mina - - - Wonke Ngedwa
Wena Lo Lowo Lowaya Wonke Wedwa
Yena Lo Lowo Lowaya Wonke Yedwa
Thina - - - Sonke Sodwa
Bona Laba Labo Labaya Bonke Bodwa
Nina - - - Nonke Nodwa
Absolute Pronouns (Izabizwana soqobo):

Formula: Subject Concord + o + na

Exception: Class 1 & 1a (people) = yena

Subject concord “i-” changes to “y-”

Subject concord “u-” changes to “w-”
Subject concord “a-” changes to “w-” OR stays as “a-”

Demonstrative Pronouns (Izabizwana sokukhomba):

For all demonstrative pronouns, make sure to write the pronoun as one word and the noun as a
different word. Also make sure to drop the first vowel of the noun if it follows after the pronoun.

eg. Lo muntu [ie: La+umuntu = lomuntu = lo_muntu = lo muntu]

Eduze (close)

Formula: La + Noun Prefix (cancel n & m if it appears in noun prefix)

eg. Leli tafula [ie: La+i(li)tafula = lelitafula = leli_tafula = leli tafula]

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Buqamama (distant)

Formula: change the last letter of eduze (above) to “-o”

eg. lelo tafula [ie: leli tafula (eduze) lelo tafula (buqamama)]

Note: Classes 1 & 1a (people) = Lowo

“ama-” = lawo
“in-/ im-” = leyo

Kude (far)

Formula: working with eduze (above) add the suffix “-ya”

eg. leliya tafula [ie: leli tafula (eduze) leliya tafula (kude)]

Note: Be careful of the last letters (especially the classes with only 2 letters for ‘eduze’ pronoun as
you will need to add -wa-/ -ya-

l) Locatives (Ondaweni):

DO NOT change the suffix of any of these words for locatives:

Ikhaya (home)
Ibha (bar)
Ubusika (winter)
Ikwindla (autumn)
Ikhanda (head)
Ubusuku (night time)
Isibhedlela (hospital)
Igalaji (garage)
IMpumalanga (east)
Umhlane (back)
Ibhange (bank)
Ihlombe (shoulder) Isiphundu (back of one’s head)
Isiphongo (sleep) Intambama (afternoon)
Intwasahlobo (spring) Inkantolo (court)
Ikliniki (clinic) Umtholampilo (clinic)
Imini (day) INingizimu (south)
Inyuvesi (university) Ihhovisi (office)
INtshonalanga (west) Ihlobo (summer)
Iqolo (back) Umnyango (door)
Ulwandle (sea) Isitolo (shop)
Ibhayisikobho (movie theatre) Ijele (jail)
UKhahlamba (Drakensburg mountains) INyakatho (north)

Locative phrases: After the locative phrase is used, the prefix for the following noun is
“kwa-” (except nouns from class 1a)
 Phansi
 Phezulu
 Phandle eg. Eceleni kwetafula [ie: kwa+itafula = kwetafula]
 Phakathi
 Kude After the locative phrase is used, for nouns from class 1a, the prefix
 Eduze for that noun is “kuka-”
 Eceleni
 Buqamama eg. Eceleni kukamama [ie: kuka+umama = kukamama]
 Emuva
 Phambili {Make sure to cancel the first vowel of the noun so vowel addition does not take place}
 Phesheya
 Enhla After the locative phrases “kude” and “”buqamama” is used, the
 Ezansi
prefix for the following noun is “na-”

eg. kude nomama [ie: na+umama = nomama]

{DO NOT cancel the first vowel of the noun as vowel addition does take place}

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Sound Changes: Prefixes: Suffixes:

-b- -tsh- Ulu- words take: o- a- -eni

-bh- -j- People: u- & o- nouns take: k- e- -eni

-mb- -nj- Pronouns & aba- nouns take: ku- i- -ini

Except
-p- -tsh- Mina/ Thina/ Nina take: ki- o- -weni

-ph- -sh- Others take: e- u- -wini

-mp- -ntsh-

-m- -ny- Note: No Sound Change: Note: These “-mb-” words

have a sound change but
 Umngcwabo (funeral)
don’t end on -o or -u:
 Insimu (field)
 Inkomo (cow)  Insimbi (iron – steel)
 Isimo (status)  Isikhumba (skin)
 Umkhumbi (ship)

 To apply sound changes the last vowel of the noun

should always be either -o or -u.
 Also if a “-w-” is present, cancel it) Exception:

indlu becomes endlini

Sounds dl/ bw/mw/bhw are not

allowed not next to each other as
they are bilabial.

Ukuphika (negative) : (*same as when negating locative non-verbs)

Formula: Negative subject concord + kho + locative/ locative phrase

Don’t Forget: Aka Ake

Aba Abe
**Note: The prefix kwa is used to say
Awa Awe “to someones house”

ie: Ngiya kwamama. (I am going to mom’s house)

When this happens, always drop the

first vowel of the noun.

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m) Adjectives (iziphawulo) & Relatives (izibaluli):

In Zulu, there are only 18 adjectival stems where all adjectives are derived, while the rest are called
relatives.
Adjective Stems: Examples Of Relatives:
-nye (1) Numbers 6-10
-bili (2) Colours
-thathu (3) -qotho (honest)
-ne (4) -lula (easy)
-hlanu (5) -nzima (hard)
Basic relatives
-bi (ugly/bad) -cebile (rich)
-hle (beautiful/good) -buhlungu (painful)
-ngakhi? (how much) -bukhali (sharp)
-dala (old) Esidlalayo
-sha (new) Esidlala kahle
-ningi (many) Esizodla
-khulu (big) Esidlalile
-ncane (small) Esidlale kahle
Tenses
-nci (small) Ebesidlala
-ncinyane (small) Esadlala
-de (tall) Esasidlala
-fushane (short) Esikhathele Stative
-fuphi (short) Esinemoto Has/ Have
Esingudokotela Identifying Copulative
Esisekhaya Locative Non-verb

Adjective Prefixes:

Formula: +ve = a + Noun Prefix

-ve = Relative Prefix + nge + Adjective Copulative

**Adjectival Copulative (izibanjalo):

Formula: +ve = after applying the first rule for adjectives above, drop the first vowel.

Note: en-/em- becomes yin-/yim-

Eg. umuntu omuhle umuntu muhle [ie: dropped first vowel, “u-”]

-ve = Negative Subject Conncord + Adjectival Copulative eg. umuntu akamuhle.

Ukuphika (negative) [Use “nga-”]

Eg. esihle esingesihle Note:

elide elingelide Ama- Angema-
amaningi angemaningi
omfushane ongemufushane Omu- Ongemu-
embi engeyimibi
Emi- Engemi-

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Relative Prefixes:

Formula: +ve = a + Noun Prefix (drop m & n)

-ve = Relative Prefix + nge + Relative Stem (relative with any subject concord)

**Relative Copulative (izibanjalo):

Formula: use normal subject concords.

Eg. isigebengu esiqotho isigebengu siqotho

-ve = Negative Subject Concord + Relative Stem (relative with any subject concord) eg. isigebengu asiqotho

Ukuphika (negative) [Use “nga-”]

Eg. esiqotho esingeqotho (Basic relatives)

For all of these esidlala esingadlali (Present tense)
the subject is
esidlalayo esingadlali (Present tense)
isitimela as an
example esizodlala esingazudlala (Future tense)
esidlalile esingadlalanga (Recent past tense compete)
ebesidlala ebesingadlali (Recent past tense continuous)
esadlala esangadlalanga (Remote pat tense complete)
esasidlala esasingadlali (Remote past tense continuous)
*any other absolute
esinemoto esingenamoto (Has/ Have) pronoun can be used
esingudokotela esingeyena* udokotela (Identifying copulative) instead of ‘yena’
depending on the context
esisekhaya esingekho ekhaya (Locative non-verbs)
esikhathele esingakhathele (stative verb)

NB: When doing both adjective and relative copulatives for absolute pronouns, special prefixes are
used:

Absolute Pronouns: Adjective Copulative: Relative Copulative:

Mina Ngim- Ngi-
Wena Um-/Umu- U-
Yena Mu- O-
Thina Siba- Siba-
Bona Ba- Ba-
Nina Niba- Niba-

(*No formula; just need to learn them)

Note: If the preceding noun is in copulative form, use normal prefixes. (Adjective/relative)
eg. Ngumama (-hle) Ngumama muhle

If the preceding noun is in normal, use the copulative prefixes. (Adjective/relative)

eg. Umama (-hle) Umama omuhle

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Sound Changes:
Adjective & Relative Prefixes: -b- -tsh- [imbobo]
Class: Noun Prefix: Adjectival Prefix Relative -bh- -j- [isigubhu]
Prefix:
1 Um-/umu- Om-/omu- O- -mb- -nj- [intambo]
1a U- Om-/omu- O-
2 Aba- Aba- Aba- -p- -tsh- -
2a O- Aba- Aba-
3 Umu-/um- Om-/omu- O- -ph- -sh- [iphaphu]
4 Imi- Emi- E-
5 I(li)- Eli- Eli- -mp- -ntsh- -
6 Ama- Ama- A-
-m- -ny- [umlomo]
7 Isi-/Is- Esi- Esi-
8 Izi-/Iz- Ezi- Ezi-
9 In-/Im- En- E-
10 Izin-/Izim- Ezin- Ezi-
11 Ulu- Olu- Olu-
- Izin-/izim-/izi- Ezin-/Ezim-/Ezi- Ezi-
14 Ubu-/Utsh- Obu- Obu-
15 Uku- Oku- Oku-
Absolute Adjectival Relative
Pronouns: Prefix: Prefix: REMEMBER: Class 1a (u-) is
Mina Engim-/Engimu- Engi- used for:
Wena Om-/Omu- O-
Yena Om-/Omu- O- -People’s names = family tree
Thina Esiba- Esiba- names and titles
Bona Aba- Aba-
Nina Eniba Eniba- -Months/years = uKhisimuzi
(Christmas)

-Fruit (izithelo) = ubhanana;

ukotapeya
n) Possessives (Ogumnini):
-Other examples =
**Hint: always change the second noun when creating a possessive. umabonakude;
umakhalekhukhwini;
Formula: Class 1 & 1a = Subject Concord + ka + Noun ugandaganda

**NB: ALWAYS DROP SINGLE LETTERED SUBJECT CONCORDS!!!

**NB: NEVER DO VOWEL ADDITION with classes 1 & 1a,
just CANCEL noun prefix!!!

eg. Ikati likababa [ie: li+ka+ubaba = cancel noun prefix = likababa]

Umntwana kamama [ie: u+ka+umama = cancel noun prefix & single
lettered subject concord
= kamama]
Ingane kasisi [ie: i+ka+usisi = cancel noun prefix & single
lettered subject concord
= kasisi]

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Formula: Other Classes & Pronouns = Subject Concord + a + Noun/ Pronoun

**DO VOWEL ADDITION

**Do NOT CANCEL SINGLE LETTERED SUBJECT CONCORDS, instead change them.
u- wa- / i- ya- / a- a-/ wa-

eg. Ubaba wabafana [ie: u+a+ababafana = wa+abafana = wabafana]

Inkomo yomndeni [ie: i+a+umndeni = ya+umndeni = yomndeni]
Amakati womuntu [ie: a+a+umuntu = wa+umuntu = womuntu]

Possessive Prefix Table: REMEMBER:

Mina -mi
Class: Noun Prefix: Possessives: Possessives: Possessives:
(Classes 1 &1a) (Other Nouns) (Pronouns) Wena -kho
1 Um-/umu- Ka- Wa- Wa-
1a U- Ka- Wa- Wa- Yena -khe
2 Aba- Baka- Ba- Ba-
Thina -ithu
2a O- Baka- Ba- Ba-
3 Umu-/um- Ka- Wa- Wa- Bona -bo
4 Imi- Ka- Ya- Ya-
5 I(li)- Lika- La- La- Nina -inu
6 Ama- Ka- Wa- A-
7 Isi-/Is- Sika- Sa- Sa-
8 Izi-/Iz- Zika- Za- Za-
9 In-/Im- Ka- Ya- Ya-
10 Izin-/Izim- Zika- Za- Za-
11 Ulu- Luka- Lwa- Lwa-
- Izin-/izim-/izi- Zika- Za- Za-
14 Ubu-/Utsh- Buka- Ba- Ba-
15 Uku- Kuka- Kwa- Kwa-

Formula: Possessives with locatives = Subject Concord + a + s + Locative

**CHANGE SINGLE LETTERED SUBJECT CONCORDS

u- wa- / i- ya- / a- a-/ wa-

eg. Uthisha/esikoleni Uthisha wasesikoleni [ie: u+a+s+esikoleni = wasesikoleni]

Izicathulo/esitolo Izicathulo zasesitolo [ie: zi+a+s+esitolo = zasesitolo]
Imoto/ ekhaya Imoto yasekhaya [ie: i+a+s+ekhaya = yasekhaya]
Amabhuku/ esikoleni Amabhuku wasesikoleni [ie: a wa+s+esikoleni = wasesekoleni]

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o) Verbal Extensions (Izimpambosi):

Formula: Take the verb, drop the last letter, add the respective verbal extension on ending
with “-a” (present tense)

# Impambosi: (verbal extension) IsiNgisi: (English) Hint:

1 -ela Do for / Do on behalf Followed by: Noun/ Locative/ uku- Or includes -zi- in verb
2 -isa Cause to do Followed by: Noun/ Adverb of Manner
3 -eka Doable Followed by: Adverb of Manner/ Stative OR is the last word
4 -ana Each other Followed by: “na-”/ the verb is in plural form (Plural Subject
Concord) OR is the last word (But needs to be in plural form)
5 -isisa Done thoroughly Followed by: Noun/ Adverb of Manner
Yokwenzayenza… Done effortlessly No Hint – Always has “-ya-” though and is the last word
6 -iw/ -w Done by (Passive) Followed by prefixs: ng-/ y-/ ngu-/ yi-/ ku and then a verb

1. Impamposi Yokwenzela
Note: If you are doing something on your behalf (ie: for yourself) we use the concord -zi- to
show it.
eg. Ngiyazifundela.
Ngiyazihambela.
Baziculela…
Uzidlela…
Examples: Umama uphekela izingane ukudla. [Followed by noun]
Umalume uthengela izingane amaswidi. [Followed by noun]
UThandi ubhekela umngane wakhe imali. [Followed by noun]
UBonisile ufundela uthisha incwadi. [Followed by noun]
Umfana uyaziphekela. [Has -zi-]
Umqeqeshi usebenzela iqembu. [Followed by noun]
2. Impambosi Yokwenzisa
Exceptions: If the last syllable is –ka then the verbal extension is –sa.
eg: -vuka -vusa
If the last syllable is –la then the verbal extension is –za.
eg. -vula -vuza
Examples: Umama udlisa ingane. [Followed by noun]
Uthisha ukhulumisa umfundi. [Followed by noun]
Amaphoyisa agijimisa iziboshwa. [Followed by noun]
Ubaba uhambisa izingane esikoleni. [Followed by noun]
Usisi uphekisa umama. [Followed by noun]
UNozinti ukhulumisa abanye abadlali. [Followed by noun]
3. Impambosi Yokwenzeka
Exceptions: Some words take the verbal extension akala- instead:
-siza -sizakala
-nceda -ncedakala
-bona -bonakala
-thola -tholakala
-zwa -zwakala

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Examples: Ibhola liyadlaleka. [Last word]]

Abadlali bayaqeqeqsheka. [Last word]
Isicoco siyawineka. [Last word]
Ingane iyabizeka. [Last word]
Imoto yakhe iyathandeka. [Last word]
Imali iyatholakala. [Last word]
Umuntu uyabonakala. [Last word]
Umthengisi uyasizakala. [Last word]
4. Impamposi Yokwenzana
Note: The verbal extension “ana-” can also be used to show that someone is busy doing
something. If this is the case it needs to be followed by the prefix “na-”

Examples: UThandi noThabo bayathandana impela. [Plural Subject Concord]

Bona bayabingelelana. [Last word & in plural form]
Izingane ziyafundisana. [Last word & in plural form]
UBheki uhlalisana noNomsa. [Use of “na-”]
Abantu bayasebenzisana. [Last word & in plural form]
Ulungisana nomshini wokuthunga. [Use of “na-”]
Ulokhu uthengana nezimpahla. [Use of “na-”]
Balokhu babukana nomabonakude. [Use of “na-”]
Izingane zoloku zilalelana nomsakazo. [Use of “na-”]
5. Impamposi Yokwenzisisa
Examples: Umfundi ufundisisa incwadi. [Followed by noun]
Ummeli ubuzisisa umsolwa. [Followed by noun]
Umqeqeshi ubhekisisa abadlali bakhe. [Followed by noun]
6. Impambosi Yokwenzayenza
To show that you are trying to do something when writing, we repeat the verb twice.
Examples: Ingane iyahambahamba.
Umshini uyathungathunga.
Izingane ziyafundafunda.
Abafundi bayaxoxaxoxa.
7. Impambosi Yokwenziwa
This form of verbal extension is used when making a sentence in passive form (ie: when the
verb comes before the subject)
Normally in Zulu, the verb comes after the subject, so in order to make the verb come
before the subject they obviously need to be swopped around. This is done using the verbal
extension “-iwa” or “-wa” as well as a prefix for the following subject (noun/pronoun).

“-iwa” is used for monosyllabic verbs (such as -dla) as well as monosyllabic vowel
commencing verbs.
“-wa” is used for all polysyllabic verbs (such as -hamba) and polysyllabic vowel commencing
verbs.

Monosyllabic verbs DO NOT receive sound changes while Polysyllabic do.

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Prefixes used after verbal extension on noun = ng-/ y-/ ngu-/ yi-/ ku and then a verb
**Nouns starting with: i-/ izi-/ isi- take “y-” or “yi-”
a-/ o- take “ng-”
u- take “ngu-”

Sound Changes:
-b- -tsh- [imbobo]

-bh- -j- [isigubhu]

-mb- -nj- [intambo]

-p- -tsh- -

-ph- -sh- [iphaphu]

-mp- -ntsh- -

-m- -ny- [umlomo]

Examples: Ingane zibizwa nguthisha. [“ngu-” present]

Izinkomo zeluswa ngabafana. [“ng-” present]
Inyama idliwa ngomalume. [“ng-” present]
Ingane ihanjiswa ngubaba. [“ngu-” present] (Note: sound change)
Umfundi ukhulunyiswa nguthisha. [“ngu-” present] (Note: sound change)
Inyama ilunywa yingane. [“yi-” present] (Note: sound change)
Umgodi ugujwa ngamadoda [“ng-” present] (Note: sound change)
Imvu ibanjwa ngobaba [“ng-” present] (Note: sound change)
Imali ikhishwa ngumuntu osebenzayo [“ngu-” present] (Note: sound change)

p) Diminutives (izinciphiso):

By definition, diminutives are when you take a word and you make it smaller.(Its meaning not the
actual word) To do this we use the suffixes “-ana” and “-wana”

For nouns ending on –a/ -e/ -i we use suffix “-ana"

eg. Isandla
Itshe
Ikhishi

For nouns ending on –o/ -u we use suffix “-wana”

eg. Imoto
Umuntu
Indlu

***For Diminutives, APPLY SOUND CHANGES

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Note: Diminutive sound changes are slightly different to that of adjectives; relatives; verbal
extensions; etc… [The difference is that in diminutives there are a few more]

Sound Changes:
-b- -tsh- -t-

-bh- -j- -d-

-mb- -nj- -nd-

This side of the table: This side of the table:
-p- -tsh- -
Cancel -w- DON’T Cancel -w-
-ph- -sh- -th-

-mp- -ntsh- -

-m- -ny- -n-

-dl- -l-

q) Conjunctions (izihlanganiso): For Group 1

Conjunctions:

Group 1 Conjunctions: Change u- (people)

Group 1 Formula: to a-
Ukuze (so that) +ve = Subject Concord + Verb(e)
-ve = Subject Concord + nga + Verb(i) (*ends on –e)
Ukuthi (that)
For Stative Verbs:
Ukuba (that)
-Only change the prefix (if needed)
Anduba (before) eg. …ukuze umama akhathele.
…anduba ingane ikhuluphele.
Phmabi kokuthi/ Phambi Kukuba
(before that) / (before that) For Group 1 Conjunctions then a Vowel Verbs:
-Normal conjunction prefixes take preference.
Kufanele / Kumele
(it should) / (it must) -Normal conjunction suffixes are used.

-ngeke (will not) eg. …ukuba ubaba aphe.

…ukuthi ikati leba.
-cishe (almost)
(Next word is from remote past complete)

-zange/ -simze/-phinde/ -ze (never)

-ke (then)
(Next word is from remote past complete)

-ngase/ -ngahle (by)

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For Group 2
Conjunctions:
Group 2 Conjunctions:
Change:
Uma/ Nxa (if/when) Group 2 Formula:
u- (people) to e-
+ve = Subject Concord + Verb(a)
Ngenkathi (during)
-ve = Subject Concord + nga + Verb (i) ba- to be-
Lapho (while)
For Stative Verbs: a- to
Noma (or/either) -Only change the prefix (if needed) e-
eg. Uma umama ekhathele. ..
-se (still) …noma ingane ikhuluphele.

Yikho-nje/ Yingakho (this is why) For Group 1 Conjunctions then a Vowel Verbs:
-“a-” and “u-” stay as normal vowel verb (drop subject concord)
Yize (even though)
-“ba-” changes to “be-”
Mhla (during)
eg. …ngenkathi ubaba ipha.
-Hlale (always do) …ukuthi abantwana beba.
…mhla amakati osa.
Kade/ Bese (and then)

Ave (emphasising)

Kungani? (why)

r) Object Concords Class: Noun Prefix: Object Concord:

(izivumelwano zikamenziwa):
1 Um-/umu- -m-
1a U- -m-
2 Aba- -ba-
2a O- -ba-
**The object concord 3 Umu-/um- -wu-
‘-m-’ refers to people 4 Imi- -yi-
5 I(li)- -li-
eg. Uyamsiza ubaba
(He is helping dad) 6 Ama- -wa-
7 Isi-/Is- -si-
8 Izi-/Iz- -zi-
9 In-/Im- -yi-
**The object concord
10 Izin-/Izim- -zi-
‘-wu-’ refers to objects
11 Ulu- -lu- (Pl= -zi-)
14 Ubu-/Utsh- -bu-
eg. Uyawudla ubhiya 15 Uku- -ku-
(He is drinking the beer)
Absolute Pronouns: Object Concord:
Mina -ngi-
Wena -ku-
Yena -m-
Thina -si-
Bona -ba-
Nina -ni-

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s) Stative Verbs (izenzosimo):

There are 4 easy rules to do stative verbs:

(These rules are depending on the last 3 letters of the stative)

PLEASE NOTE: in this section ‘C’ stands for consonant.

Rule 1

If the stative verbs end on: aCa [ie: -khathala (tired)]

Changes to : eCe [ie: -khathele (state of being tired)]

eg: -khuluphala (fat) -khuluphele (state of being fat)

-gcwala (full) -gcwele (state of being full) yguiygughuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu uuuuuuuuuu uuu

-lala (sleep) -lele (state of being asleep)

Rule 2

If the stative verbs end on: eCa [ie: -gibela (riding)]

Changes to : eCe [ie: -gibele (state of riding)]

eg. -thukuthela (angry) -thukuthele (state of being angry)

Rule 3

If the stative verbs end on: Cwa [ie: -vulwa (opened)]

Changes to : Ciwe [ie: -vuliwe (state of being open)]

eg. -valwa (closed) -valiwe (state of being closed)

-dakwa (drunk) -dakiwe (state of being drunk)

Rule 4

If the stative verbs end on: Ca [ie: -jabula (happy)]

Changes to : Cile [ie: -jabulile (state of being happy)]

eg. -hlakanipha (clever) -hlakaniphile (state of being clever)

-shona (dead) -shonile (state of being dead)

**stative verbs may be used in present tense (without -ya-) as well as in continuous tense
(not in future or in completed tense)

When negating it, you negate it according to each tense however you do not apply any changes to
the suffix.

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Exceptions of stative verbs:

Verb Stative Verb Meaning

-hlala -hlezi Siting
-shada -shadile Marrying
-ma -mile Standing
-khathazeka -khathazekile Worrying/ Bothering
-zaca -zacile Losing weight
-baleka -balekile Escaping
-esutha -esuthi Drunk
-godola -godole Feeling Cold
-jaha -jahile Rushing/ Chasing
-lamba -lambile Hungry
-hlanzeka -hlanzekile Being clean
-thembeka -thembekile Being trustworthy
-ceba -cebile Rich
-khulelwa -khulelwe Being pregnant

t) Commands
 Commands in Zulu are used as a polite instruction.

Positive Form: Negative Form:

 Hlala! (sit)  Musa ukuhlala! (don’t sit)

 Lala! (sleep)  Musa ukulala! (don’t sleep)
 Sebenza! (work)  Musa ukusebenza! (don’t work)
 Bhala! (write)  Musa ukubhala! (don’t write)
 Chaza! (explain)  Musa ukuchaza! (don’t explain)

Plural Positive Form: Plural Negative Form:

 Hlalani!  Musani ukuhlala!
 Lalani!  Musani ukulala!
 Sebenzani!  Musani ukusebenza!
 Bhalani!  Musani ukubhala!
 Chazani!  Musani ukuchaza!

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