Basic Vocabulary Zulu (isiZulu)
isiZulu is the most spoken native language in South Africa (23%). The click sounds (C, Q, X) are challenging for Europeans, but South Africans are thrilled by every attempt!
| German | Zulu | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Sawubona | Sa-wu-bona |
| Hello (response) | Yebo | Jebo |
| How are you? | Unjani? | Un-dschani? |
| I am fine | Ngiyaphila | Ngi-ja-pila |
| Thank you | Ngiyabonga | Ngi-ja-bonga |
| Thank you very much | Ngiyabonga kakhulu | Ngi-ja-bonga ka-kulu |
| Please | Ngicela | Ngi-tschela |
| Yes / No | Yebo / Cha | Jebo / Tscha |
| Goodbye | Hamba kahle | Hamba kahle (to the one leaving) |
| Stay well | Sala kahle | Sala kahle (to the one staying) |
| Sorry | Uxolo | U-xolo (X = click sound) |
| Welcome | Wamkelekile | Wam-kele-kile |
| No problem | Akuna inkinga | A-kuna in-kinga |
| Nice/Cool | Kuhle | Kuhle |
| Food | Ukudla | Uku-dla |
| Water | Amanzi | A-mansi |
Click Sounds
Zulu has three click sounds — they sound complicated but are learnable:
- C — a dental click (press tongue behind upper front teeth and make a "tsk" sound, like disapprovingly shaking your head)
- Q — a palatal click (press tongue against the palate and let it "pop," like opening a champagne bottle)
- X — a lateral click (tongue to the side, like urging a horse)
