Zulu Phrases

The Zulu phrases are helpful because they are used daily. Below we picked expressions that a new learner will find useful. We included the audio as well. This is a better way to learning. Learn only what you need. We start with greetings and introduction.

Hi: sawubona

What is your name?: ubani igama lakho?

Nice to meet you: ngiyajabula ukukwazi

How are you?: unjani?

I'm good, thanks: ngiyaphila, ngiyabonga

And you?: wena?

Language and Age Phrases

More questions about language and age:

Do you speak (English/Zulu)?: ukhuluma (isingisi/isizulu)?

Does she speak Chinese?: ukhuluma isishayina?

A little bit: kancane nje

How old are you?: uneminyaka emingaki?

I'm 33 years old: ngineminyaka engamashumi amathathu nantathu

It was nice talking to you: kube mnandi ukukhuluma nawe

If you don't understand something, this will be your secret weapon:

What do you mean?: uqonde ukuthini?

I don't understand: angiqondi

I don't know: angazi

Sorry: uxolo

What is that called in Zulu?: loku kubizwa ngokuthini ngesizulu?

What does that word mean in English?: lelo gama lichaza ukuthini ngesingisi?

More personal information about origins and profession:

Where are you from?: uvelaphi?

I'm from the U.S: ngisuka e-u.s

I'm American: ngingumelikana

Where do you live?: uhlala kuphi?

I live in the U.S: ngihlala e-u.s

What do you do for a living?: wenza msebenzi muni?

I'm a student: ngingumfundi

Offering or asking for help and giving directions:

Can I help you?: ngingakusiza?

Can you help me?: ungangisiza?

Where is the airport?: sikuphi isikhumulo sezindiza?

Go straight: hamba uqonde

Then: bese

Turn left: uphendukela esinxeleni

Turn right: uphendukele kwesokudla

Holiday Wishes Phrases

Good wishes in Zulu in holidays and occasions:

Happy birthday: halala ngosuku lwakho lokuzalwa

Happy new year: nyakomusha

Merry Christmas: ukhisimusi omnandi

Good luck: okuhle kodwa

Congratulations: halala ngosuku lwakho lokuzalwa

Zulu expressions commonly used when traveling or buying:

I have a reservation: ngibekisile indawo

Do you have rooms available?: ngabe likhona igumbi elingasebenzanga?

I would like a non-smoking room: ngingathanda ukuthola igumbi ekungabhenywa kulo

How much it costs per night?: kukhokhwa malini ngobusuku ngabunye?

Waiter: weta

How much is this?: kubiza malini loku?

What is this?: yini le?

Survival phrases considered to be important in emergencies:

Are you okay?: uyaphila?

I need a doctor: ngidinga udokotela

Help: usizo

Call the ambulance: biza i-ambulensi

Call the police: biza amaphoyisa

I am sick: ngiyagula

These Zulu phrases can be used in a variety of conversations. If you have already visited our Zulu Vocabulary and Zulu Grammar, you might want to visit our Zulu Flashcards to practice what you learned.