Essential Zulu Phrases

Sometimes you don't have time to learn long lists of words and phrases.
All you want to know are the bare essentials for communicating to get
what you need, or where you need to go.

Here are the bare minimum of Zulu words and phrases you need
to know to survive.

Learn the Top 10 Phrases if you only have time for the barest minimum.
If you need or want more, then take a look at the Top 20 Phrases,
Top 30 Phrases and the Extra Phrases.

Here are ten easy phrases to get you started ... The Top 10 ...
	Sawubona. Ngikhona. (reply) Hello. Sala kahle. (by the person leaving) Hamba kahle. (by the person staying) Goodbye. Ukhuluma isiNgisi na? Do you speak English? Angiqondi. I don't understand. Kancane. A little. Yebo. Cha/Hhayi. Yes. No. Yimalini? How much is it? Kubiza kakhulu. Kulungile. Too expensive. OK. Ngicela. Please. Ngiyabonga (kakhulu). Thank you (very much).
Here are ten more phrases that will help you make new friends and ask for directions. The Top 20 ...
	Ngubani igama lakho? What is your name? Igama lami ngu... My name is ... Unjani? How are you? Ngikhona. Wena ke? Fine. And you? Likuphi ...? Where is ...? Likuphi ithoyilethi? Amadoda/Abafazi Where is the toilet? Men/Women Ngiyaxolisa. Uxolo. Sorry. Excuse me. Ayikho nkinga. No problem. Ngifuna ... I want ... Angifuni ... I don't want ...
Here are another ten phrases to help you make a little more conversation and to get around. The Top 30 ...
	Uphumaphi? Where are you from? Ngiphuma e-Ostreliya.* I am from Australia. Ngicela i-akhawunti. The bill, please. Ngilahlekile. I'm lost. Yima! Mana! Stop! Wait! Lapha, lapho, laphaya. Here, there, over there. Ithekisi. Ihhotela. Isikhumulo sezindiza. Isitishi. Taxi. Hotel. Airport. Station. Ngithanda ... I like ... Angithandi ... I don't like ... kunye, kubili, kuthathu, kune, kuhlanu. one, two , three, four, five. isithupa, isikhombisa, isishiyagalombili, sisishiyagalolunye, ishumi. six, seven, eight, nine, ten. *Or choose your country: eMelika - from America. eKhanada - from Canada. eNgilandi - from England. e-Ayilendi - from Ireland. eNyuzilandi - from New Zealand.
Here are some extra words and phrases you might find useful, especially if you have dietary needs or allergies. Useful extras ...
	Mpilonhle! Cheers! elihle / elimbi good / bad elikhulu / elincane big / small kuseduze na / kukude near / far elincanyana / elinye less / more elinye / kwanele another one / enough Ngingu-vegetarian. I am vegetarian. Angiyidli inyama. I don't eat meat. ... inyama yenkukhu. ... chicken. ... inhlanzi. ... fish. Angizwani namanathi. I am allergic to nuts. ... namantongomane. ... to peanuts. ... nenhlanzi. ... to fish. ... nokudla okuvela olwandle. ... to seafood. ... namaqanda. ... to eggs.