Lesson 1
This introductory lesson provides a simple conversation with a table of all the vocabulary used. Then the ways to say your name or the names of others is provided.
Hello
UPhilani ubingelela umngani wakhe, uNandi.
- uPhilani: Sawubona Nandi.
- uNandi: Sawubona Philani.
- uPhilani: Unjani?
- uNandi: Ngikhona (ngiyaphila), wena unjani?
- uPhilani: Nami ngikhona (ngiyaphila). Hamba kahle.
- uNandi: Sala kahle.
| isiZulu | isiNgisi |
|---|---|
| Sawubona | Hello |
| Unjani? | How are you? |
| Ngikhona | I'm fine |
| Wena | You |
| Nami | Also (and me) |
| Sala | Stay |
| Hamba | Go |
| Kahle | well |
The first exchange illustrates a fairly casual or familiar tone. It is both more formal and more polite to use the plural forms, eg:
- uJacob: Sanibonani
- uNjabulo: Yebo, sanibonani.
- uJacob: Ninjani?
- uNjabulo: Sikhona, nina ninjani?
- uJacob: Nathi sikhona.
| isiZulu | isiNgisi |
|---|---|
| Sanibonani | Hello |
| Ninjani? | How are you? |
| Sikhona | We're fine |
| Nina | You (plural) |
| Nathi | Also (and us) |
It would normally be considered somewhat rude and abrupt to say goodbye just then. An exchange of pleasantries would normally follow such greetings, but in large cities, since people are often busy, this short conversation is sufficient.
A very polite way of saying farewell would be:
- uJacob: Nihambe kahle.
- uNjabulo: Nisale kahle.
Notes
- Sanibona(ni) where the final ni may or may not be used
Introducing people
Philani introduces his friend Thabo to Nandi.
- uPhilani: Nandi, Lo umgane wami, uThabo.
- uNandi: Ngiyajabula ukukwazi!
- uThabo: Nami, ngiyajabula ukukwazi!
Thabo introduces himself to Nosipho.
- uThabo: Igama lami nguThabo!
- uNosipho: Ngiyajabula ukukwazi! NginguNosipho.
- uThabo: Ngiyajabula ukukwazi!
| isiZulu | isiNgisi |
|---|---|
| Igama | Name |
| -mi | my |
| Lo (Lona) | This |
| Nina | You (plural) |
| Ngiyajabula ukukwazi | I'm pleased to know you. |
| Umngani | Friend |
| Ngingu- | I'm |
The above table says that -mi means my but la- that is added to it is for agreement. Lami agrees with igama. The same is true for wami: the wa- agrees with umngani .
How are you?
Philani sees his friend Thabo in the street.
- uPhilani: Sawubona Thabo!
- uThabo: Yebo, sawubona Philani!
- uPhilani: Unjani?
- uThabo: Ngiyaphila, wena unjani?
- uPhilani: Angiphilile kahle.
| isiZulu | isiNgisi |
|---|---|
| Angiphilile kahle | I'm not well. |
Surname
Nandi tells Thabo her surname.
- Nandi: Isibongo sami uNdlovu.
- uThabo: NgingowakwaKhumalo.
| isiZulu | isiNgisi |
|---|---|
| Isibongo | Surname |
| Ngingowakwa- | I'm of the family of |
Summary
- We can say hello: Sawubona, Sanibona.
- Ask people how they are: Unjani?, Ninjani?.
- Say how you are: Ngiyaphila, ngikhona, angiphilile.
- Introduce yourself: Igama lami ngu-, Ngingu-.
- Introduce others: Lo ngu-.
- Say your surname: Isibongo sami, Ngingowakwa-.