Are you interested in learning Zulu, a language widely spoken in South Africa? Here is a list of the top 101 Zulu words and their translations to get you started!
- wakhe – his/her
- yena – he/she
- bona – they
- wena – you
- yato – their
- sawubona – hello/hi/good morning
- ulale kahle – good night
- hamba kahle – goodbye
- ekuseni – morning
- ntambama – afternoon
- ebusuku – night
- eyodwa – one
- ezimbili – two
- ezintathu – three
- ezine – four
- amahlanu – five
- eziyisithupha – six
- isikhombisa – seven
- ayisishiyagalombili – eight
- ayisishiyagalolunye – nine
- eziyishumi – ten
- uxolo – sorry
- ngiyabonga – thank you
- umama – mother
- ubaba – father
- indoda – man
- owesifazane – woman
- intombazana – girl
- umfana – boy
- indodana – son
- indondakazi – daughter
- ingane – baby/child
- umalime – uncle
- umamkhulu – aunt
- umamezala – mother in law
- ubabezala – father in law
- umkhulu –grandfather
- ugogo – grandmother
- umshana – niece/nephew
- ikati – cat
- inja – dog
- inkomo – cow
- imbuzi – goat
- inkukhu – chicken
- izimvu – sheep
- uthisha – teacher
- udokotela – doctor
- umshayeli –driver
- iphoyisa – policemen
- umhlengikazi – nurse
- umfundisi – pastor
- umpristi – priest
- umlimi – farmer
- ikilasi – classroom
- ideski – desk
- itafula – table
- isitulo – chair
- ipeni – pen
- ipensela – pencil
- incwadi – book
- isixubho – toothbrush
- insipho – soap
- amanzi – water
- imvula – rain
- ilanga – sun
- inyanga – moon
- indebe – cup
- ipuleti – plate
- ukheza – spoon
- igedlela – kettle
- imoto – car
- ibhasi – bus
- ibhayisikili – bicycle
- isithuthuthu – motorcycle
- isitimela – train
- isikebhe – boat
- indlu – house
- isikole – school
- esibhedlela – hospital
- isiteshi samaphoyisa – police station
- ipulazi – farm
- hamba – go
- woza –come
- hlala – sit
- yima – stand
- lala – sleep
- vuka – wake up
- cula – sing
- khuluma – talk
- umdanso – dance
- dla – eat
- phuza- drink
- namuhla – today
- kusasa – tomorrow
- izolo – yesterday
- itiye – tea
- ubisi – milk
- ushukela – sugar
- usawoti – salt
- isinkwa – bread
- inyama – meat
All the best as you learn this rich and expressive language!