One of the many things you’re asked to do in assessments is to use ‘proper isiZulu‘ in the place of borrowed words (aka amabizombolekwa or izimfakelwa). Here you will find a selection of the most common substitutions in this regard.
| English word | Borrowed word | isiZulu esihle |
| television | ithelevishini | umabonakude |
| cellphone | iselula | umakhalekhukhwini |
| computer | ikhompyutha | isicikizi isiqoqelalwazi |
| page | ipheji | ikhasi |
| book | ibhuku | incwadi |
| phone | ifoni | ucingo |
| cigarette | usikiliti | ugwayi |
| message | imesiji | umyalezo |
| uniform | inyufomu | umfaniswano |
| board | ibhodi | isigungu |
| library | ilayibhrari | umtapo wolwazi |
| teacher | utisha / utishelakazi | umfundisi |
| nurse | unesi | umhlengikazi |
| clinic | iklinikhi | umtholampilo |
Please suggest more words in the comments below.