Useful Zulu phrases

A collection of useful phrases in Zulu. Click on the English phrases to see them in many other languages.

Key to abbreviations: frm = formal, inf = informal, sg = singular (said to one person), pl = plural (said to more than one person).

English	isiZulu (Zulu)
Welcome	Ngiyakwemukela (sg) Ngiyanemukela (pl)
Hello general greeting used for Good morning, Good afternoon and Good evening	Sawubona (sg) Sanibonani (pl)
How are you? I'm fine, thanks. And you?	Unjani? (sg) Ninjani? (pl)
How are you? I'm fine, thanks. And you?	Ngikhona, ngiyabonga. Wena unjani? (sg) Sikhona, siyabonga. Nina ninjani? (pl)
Long time no see
What's your name? My name is ...	Ngubani igama lakho?
What's your name? My name is ...	Igama lami ngu...
Where are you from? I'm from ...	Uphumaphi? Uvelaphi?
Where are you from? I'm from ...	Ngiphuma e ... / Ngivela e ...
Pleased to meet you	Ngiyajabula ukukwazi
Good night	Lala kahle! (sg) Lalani kahle! (pl)
Goodbye	Sala kahle (sg) Salani kahle (pl) >people staying Hamba kahle (sg) Hambani kahle (pl) >people leaving Ube no hambo uluhle
Good luck	Ngikufisela iwela! / Ngikufisela impumelelo!
Cheers/Good health!	Impilontle! Akubekuhle!
Have a nice day	Ube nosuku oluhle! (sg) Nibe nosulu ulohle! (pl)
Bon appetit	Thokoleza ukudla!
Bon voyage	Ube nohambo oluhle!
I don't understand	Angizwa
Please speak more slowly	Ngicela ukhulume kancane
Please say that again	Ukwazi ukukuthi futhi na?
Please write it down	Ngicela ukubhale
Do you speak Zulu? Yes, a little	Ukhuluma isiZulu na?
Do you speak Zulu? Yes, a little	Yebo, ingcosana
Do you speak English?	Ukhuluma isiNgisi na?
How do you say ... in Zulu?	... ukusho kanjani ngesiZulu?
Sorry	Ngiyaxolisa
Excuse me	Uxolo!
How much is this?	Kubiza malini?
Please	ake / ngicela / siza
Thank you Response	Ngiyabonga / Ngiyabonga kakhulu (sg) Siyabonga (pl)
Thank you Response	Uyamukelwa (sg) Niyamukelwa (pl)
Where's the toilet?	Likuphi ikamelo lokugezela? Likuphi itholethe?
This gentleman/lady will pay for everything	Umnumzana uzokhokha konke (gentleman) Inenekazi lizokhokha konke (lady)
Would you like to dance with me?	Uthanda ukudansa nami?
I love you	Ngiyakuthanda
Get well soon	Phila masinya
Leave me alone!	Ndiyekele!
Help! Fire! Stop!	Usizo! Umlilo! Ma!
Call the police!	Biza amaphoyisa!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year	Ngikufisela uKhisimusi oMuhle noNyaka oMusha oNempumelelo
Happy Easter	IPhasika elijabulayo / IPhasika elithokozayo
Happy Birthday	Halala ngosuku lokuzalwa
One language is never enough	Ulwimi ululodwa alonelanga
My hovercraft is full of eels	Umkhumbi wami ugcwele ngenyoka zemanzini