Zulu Vocabulary

The Zulu vocabulary is the backbone for learning. Below we picked 70% of the most commonly used words. Therefore memorizing them will give you a 70% boost in the language. This is the smarter way of online learning. Learn only what you need. We start with commonly used numbers.

One: kunye	Two: kubili	Three: kuthathu
Four: kune	Five: kuhlanu	Six: isithupha
Seven: isikhombisa	Eight: isishiyagalombili	Nine: isishiyagalolunye
Ten: ishumi	First: okokuqala	Second: okwesibili

Time Expressions

Days of the week and time expressions:

Monday: umsombuluko	Tuesday: ulwesibili	Wednesday: ulwesithathu
Thursday: ulwesine	Friday: ulwesihlanu	Saturday: umgqibelo
Sunday: isonto	Now: manje	Yesterday: izolo
Today: namuhla	Tonight: namuhla ebusuku	Tomorrow: kusasa

Most popular fruits and vegetables:

Fruits: izithelo	Apples: amahhabhula
Bananas: obhanana	Tomatoes: utamatisi
Potatoes: amazambane	Onions: uhhanyanisi

Red: okubovu	Green: okuluhlaza satshani	Blue: okuluhlaza sasibhakabhaka
White: okumnhlophe	Black: okumnyama	Grey: okungwevu

Some words related to food:

Breakfast: isidlo sasekuseni	Lunch: isidlo sasemini
Dinner: isidlo sasebusuku	Milk: ubisi
Coffee: ikhofi	Bread: isinkwa

Weather terms and sensations:

Sunny: kubalele	Windy: kunomoya	Rainy: liyana
Snowy: likhithikile	Cold: kuyabanda	Hot: kuyashisa

Words related to family and relatives:

Boy: umfana	Girl: intombazane
Son: indodana	Daughter: indodakazi
Brother: umfowethu	Sister: udadewethu
Man: indoda	Woman: umfazi
Father: ubaba	Mother: umama
Grandfather: umkhulu	Grandmother: ugogo

Locations in the house which are talked about more during the day:

House: indlu yangasese	Toilet: indlu yangasese	Room: igumbi
Bedroom: ikamelo	Kitchen: ikhishi	Table: itafula

Animals and pets popular to everyone:

Cat: ikati	Dog: inja	Mouse: igundane
Bird: inyoni	Cow: inkomo	Horse: ihhashi

The clothes most worn by most people:

Socks: amasokisi	Shoes: izicathulo	Trousers: ibhulukwe
Shirt: ihembe	Sweater: ijezi	Coat: ijazi

Most popular languages in the world:

English: isingisi	French: isi-french	German: isijalimani
Spanish: isipanishi	Italian: isintaliyana	Portuguese: isiputukezi
Greek: isigrikhi	Russian: isirashiya	Arabic: isi-arabic
Hindi: isihindi	Chinese: isishayina	Japanese: isijaphani

Travel Vocabulary

Most popular terms when traveling:

Taxi: itekisi	Bus: ibhasi
Hotel: ihhotela	Reservation: okugciniwe
Airport: esikhumulweni sezindiza	Passport: i-passport

Words you can use in class or talking about school:

Student: umfundi	Teacher: uthisha	Pen: ipeni
Books: izincwadi	Page: ikhasi	Dictionary: isichazamazwi

Body parts which are talked about more often:

Hand: isandla	Feet: izinyawo	Hair: izinwele
Eye: iso	Mouth: umlomo	Nose: ikhala

Emergency vocabulary to ask for help or offer help when needed:

Ambulance: i-ambulensi	Doctor: udokotela
Hospital: isibhedlela	Pharmacy: ikhemesi
Police: amaphoyisa	Stomach Ache: ukuphathwa isisu

As you can see, this Zulu vocabulary is something you will need every day. You can use our Vocabulary Trainer to help you memorize these words.