English Zulu translation 😍 Basic words
| English | isiZulu (Zulu) |
|---|---|
| Welcome | Ngiyakwemukela (sg) Ngiyanemukela (pl) |
| Hello (General greeting) | Sawubona (sg) Sanibonani (pl) |
| How are you? | Unjani? (sg) Ninjani? (pl) |
| Reply to ‘How are you?’ | Ngikhona, ngiyabonga. Wena unjani? (sg) Sikhona, siyabonga. Nina ninjani? (pl) |
| Long time no see | Mehlo madala! (old eyes) |
| What’s your name? | Ngubani igama lakho? |
| My name is … | Igama lami ngu… |
| Where are you from? | Uphumaphi? Uvelaphi? |
| I’m from … | Ngiphuma e … Ngivela e … |
| Pleased to meet you | Ngiyajabula ukukwazi |
| Good morning (Morning greeting) |
Sawubona (sg) Sanibonani (pl) |
| Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting) |
Sawubona (sg) Sanibonani (pl) |
| Good evening (Evening greeting) |
Sawubona (sg) Sanibonani (pl) |
| Good night | Lala kahle! (sg) Lalani kahle! (pl) |
| Goodbye (Parting phrases) |
Sala kahle (sg) >people staying Salani kahle (pl) >people staying Hamba kahle (sg) >people leaving Hambani kahle (pl) >people leaving Ube no hambo uluhle |
| Good luck! | Ngikufisela iwela! Ngikufisela impumelelo! |
| Cheers! Good Health! (Toasts used when drinking) |
Impilontle! Akubekuhle! |
| Have a nice day | Ube nosuku oluhle! (sg) Nibe nosulu ulohle! (pl) |
| Bon appetit / Have a nice meal |
Thokoleza ukudla! |
| Bon voyage / Have a good journey |
Ube nohambo oluhle! |
| I understand | Ngiyaqonda |
| I don’t understand | Angizwa |
| Yes | Yebo |
| No | Cha |
| Maybe | Mhlawumbe |
| I don’t know | Angazi |
| Please speak more slowly | Ngicela ukhulume kancane |
| Please say that again | Ukwazi ukukuthi futhi na? |
| Please write it down | Ngicela ukubhale |
| Do you speak English? | Ukhuluma isiNgisi na? |
| Do you speak Zulu? | Ukhuluma isiZulu na? |
| Yes, a little (reply to ‘Do you speak …?’) |
Yebo, ingcosana |
| Speak to me in Zulu | Ngicela ukhulume nami ngesiZulu |
| How do you say … in Zulu? | … ukusho kanjani ngesiZulu? |
| Sorry | Ngiyaxolisa |
| Excuse me | Uxolo! |
| How much is this? | Kubiza malini? |
| Please | Ake Ngicela Siza |
| Thank you | Ngiyabonga Ngiyabonga kakhulu (sg) Siyabonga (pl) |
| Reply to thank you | Uyamukelwa (sg) Niyamukelwa (pl) |
| Where’s the toilet? | Likuphi ikamelo lokugezela? Likuphi itholethe? |
| This gentleman will pay for everything | Umnumzana uzokhokha konke |
| Would you like to dance with me? | Uthanda ukudansa nami? |
| Do you come here often? | Ingabe uze lapha njalo? |
| I love you | Ngiyakuthanda |
| Get well soon | Phila masinya |
| Leave me alone! | Ngiyekele! |
| Help! | Usizo! |
| Fire! | Umlilo! |
| Stop! | Ima! |
| Call the police! | Biza amaphoyisa! |
| Christmas and New Year greetings | Ngikufisela uKhisimusi oMuhle noNyaka oMusha oNempumelelo |
| Easter greetings | IPhasika elijabulayo IPhasika elithokozayo |
| Birthday greetings | Halala ngosuku lokuzalwa |
| One language is never enough | Ulwimi ululodwa alonelanga |
| My hovercraft is full of eels Why this phrase? |
Umkhumbi wami ugcwele ngenyoka zemanzini |
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