A short Zulu language course on how to greet in Zulu

1. 25 out of 50
MILLION
SOUTH AFRICANS

2. SPEAK ZULU
Sanibonani

4. SAWUBONA
HELLO

5. SAWUBONA
HELLO
This greeting is suitable for any time of day or night but
is appropriate only when greeting a single person.

6. SAWUBONA
GOOD
MORNING

7. SAWUBONA
GOOD
AFTERNOON

8. SAWUBONA
GOOD
EVENING

9. Another way of saying the same thing!
SAKUBONA
This greeting is also suitable for any time of day or
night but appropriate only for greeting a single person.
Hello,
Good Morning
Good Afternoon
Good Evening
Good Day

10. SA
BONA
To greet more than one person, simply remove
the sounds “wu” and “ku” from their positions …

11. SANI BONA
and replace them with the sound, “ni”
Hello,
Good Morning
Good Afternoon
Good Evening
Good Day

12. SANI BONA
This greeting is appropriate all day and when
greeting a group of two or more people
Hello,
Good Morning
Good Afternoon
Good Evening
Good Day

13. Another way of saying the same thing!
SANIBONANI
Sometimes the sound “ni” is also tagged on to the
end of the word to make an alternative plural.
Hello,
Good Morning
Good Afternoon
Good Evening
Good Day

14. SANIBONANI
Since it is respectful to enquire about the person
AND his family the plural is used to greet adults
Hello,
Good Morning
Good Afternoon
Good Evening
Good Day

15. UNJANI?
HOW ARE
YOU?
Only children are greeted in this singular form as it is
respectful to use the plural form when greeting adults.

16. WENA
YOU
The singular term for You.

17. WENA
UNJANI?
HOW ARE
YOU?
The term Wena can be used to precede the greeting
or it can be omitted without affecting the meaning.

18. WENA
UNJANI?
To convert to the plural, simply remove the “We”
and the “U” prefixes and …….
HOW ARE
YOU?

19. NINA NINJANI?
Yes, you guessed it! Insert the plural prefix “Ni” in
both instances.
HOW ARE
YOU?

20. NINA NINJANI?
It is respectful to ask after a person’s entire family
when greeting , hence the plural address to adults.
HOW ARE
YOU?

21. NGIKHONA!
The Zulu language uses prefixes and word stems
to convey meaning, tense and plurality.

22. NGIKHONA!
Notice the prefix “ngi” for the singular ”I”
I AM
WELL!

23. Another way of saying the same thing!
NGIYAPHILA!
Notice again the prefix “ngi” for the singular ”I”
in this alternative reply to a greeting.
I AM
WELL!

24. NGIYAPHILA!
In compliance with cultural norms of respect, the
singular “I” would generally be used by a young child.
I AM
WELL!

25. SIYAPHILA!
To greet in the plural, the prefix “Si” for “We”
replaces “Ngi”. Culturally, this is the respectful reply
regardless of plurality.

26. SIYAPHILA!
I, and my family
are well!
WE ARE
WELL!
Just as it is polite to greet in the plural form, it is also
polite to answer a greeting in the plural form.

27. Another way of saying the same thing!
SIKHONA!
Notice the prefix “si” for the plural ”we”
I, and my family
are well!
WE ARE
WELL!

28. SALA
KAHLE!

29. SALA
KAHLE!
Goodbye!
STAY
WELL!
Stay Well is used when the person to whom you are
saying Goodbye is physically remaining at the venue.

30. HAMBA
KAHLE!

31. HAMBA
KAHLE!
Go Well is used if the person to whom you are
saying Goodbye is physically leaving the venue.
Goodbye!
GO
WELL!

32. HAMBA NI
KAHLE!
Goodbye!
GO
WELL!
When wishing “ Go Well “ to more than one person
simply add the plural “ni” to the verb hamba -“to go”..

33. SALA NI
KAHLE!
Goodbye!
When wishing “ Stay Well “ to more than one person
simply add the suffixl “ni” to the stem “sala”.
STAY
WELL!

34. SIYOBONANA
MASINYANE! SEE YOU
SOON!

35. ULALE
KAHLE!
Goodnight!
When wishing “ Goodnight“ to only one person the
prefix “u” is used with stem “lale”
SLEEP
WELL!

36. ULALE
KAMNANDI!
Goodnight!
SLEEP
SWEETLY!
When wishing “ Goodnight“ to only one person the
prefix “u” is used with stem “lale”

37. NILALE
KAHLE!
Goodnight!
SLEEP
SWEETLY!
When wishing “ Goodnight“ to more than one person
simply add the plural “ni” to the stem “lale“

38. Thank you for trying out
For more in the
email: info@educationmatters.co.za
or visit http://www.educationmatters.co.za/
Ngiyabonga
Thank you
Highly recommended for Teachers and Students
by Prof George Poulos BA Hons: MA (Witwatersrand). PHD (Rhodes)
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