a. ukuBingelela (Greetings)
Greetings are some of the most important things in any language, and isiZulu is no different. Here are the standard greetings, which you have probably heard once or twice already! Practising them is a good way to start your journey in the language.
The first table is for informal or singular (you are speaking to one person whom you know well or who is younger than you).
The second table is for formal or plural (you are speaking to more than one person, or to someone whom you do not know or who is older than you).
Listen to the audio after the tables to hear how this interaction sounds.
| person 1 | person 2 |
| Sawubona! | Yebo, sawubona! |
| we-see-you! | yes, we-see-you! |
| Unjani? | Ngiyaphila, wená? |
| How-are-you? | I-am-healthy, and-you? |
| Nami ngiyaphila | |
| I-too I-am-healthy |
| person 1 | person 2 |
| Sanibona! | Yebo, sanibona! |
| we-see-you-all! | yes, we see you! |
| Ninjani? | Siyaphila, niná? |
| How-are-you-all? | We-are-healthy, and-you-all? |
| Nathi siyaphila | |
| We-too We-are-healthy |
b. Alternatives to ‘ngiyaphila’
You don’t have to answer every greeting with ‘ngiyaphila’, and many people don’t. Here are just a few of the alternatives. Listen to the audio after the table to hear how they sound.
| ngikhona | I’m fine |
| kuhamba kahle | it’s going well |
| akuhambi kahle | it’s not going well |
| safa umsebenzi! | we’re dying of work! |
| ngikhathele | I’m tired |
| ngijabulile | I’m happy |
| ngidiniwe | I’m fed up |
| ngi-orayithi | I’m alright |
| ngilambile | I’m hungry |
| ngivukile | I’m awake |
| ngibhizi kakhulu | I’m very busy |
| ngishap | I’m sharp |
| ngigrand | I’m grand |
| ukukhala akusizi | crying doesn’t help |
| ngimatasatasa | I’m frantic |
c. ukuValelisa (Farewells)
Saying goodbye is very formulaic in any language. Here’s the standard isiZulu way of doing so. Listen to the audio at the end of these tables to hear how they sound.
The first table is for informal or singular (you are speaking to one person whom you know well or who is younger than you).
The second table is for formal or plural (you are speaking to more than one person, or to someone whom you do not know or who is older than you).
| person 1 (staying) | person 2 (going) |
| Hamba kahle! | Sala Kahle! |
| walk well! | stay well! |
| person 1 (staying) | person 2 (going) |
| Hambani kahle! | Salani Kahle! |
| walk well (all of you)! | stay well (all of you)! |
d. Common Phrases
There are many little pieces of language you’ll need to memorise and practise until they are as familiar as breathing! Here are 12 of them. Listen to the audio at the end to hear how they sound.
| yebo | yes |
| cha | no |
| siyabonga. | thank you. |
| ngiyacela. | please. |
| ngicela … | I would like … |
| ngifuna … | I am looking for … |
| ngiyayifuna. | I want it. |
| akekho. | The person is not here |
| ayikho. | The thing is not here |
| ibiza malini? | How much does it cost? |
| ngidinga usizo | I need help. |
| kulungile | it’s fine / it’s okay. |
| akulungile. | it’s not fine / it’s not okay. |