Zulu Gender
Welcome to the fifth Zulu lesson about gender. This time we will view a list of people, feminine and masculine, followed by grammar rules, finally a list of expressions in Zulu to help you practice your daily phrases.
man  indoda | woman umfazi | husband umyeni | wife unkosikazi |
boy umfana | girl intombazane | father ubaba | mother umama |
Gender Grammar Rules
In general, gender is used to distinguish between male and female, sometimes referred to as masculine and feminine. For example: my son and daughter are students the noun [son] is masculine, while [daughter] is feminine. The following examples use gender in different ways and places to demonstrate their behavior.
| Grammar + Rules | Zulu |
|---|---|
| my son is a student [masculine + noun] | indodana yami ingumfundi |
| her daughter is a student [feminine + noun] | indodakazi yakhe ingumfundi |
| he has a tall brother [adjective + masculine] | unomfowabo omunde |
| she has a tall sister [adjective + feminine] | unodadewabo omude |
| his brothers are young [plural masculine + adjective] | abafowabo bancane |
| his sisters are young [plural feminine + adjective] | odadewabo bancane |
The list below will probably provide more clarification. These are family members (males and females). I think it would be wise to memorize them as part of your important vocabulary list.
son indodana | daughter indodakazi | brother umfowethu | sister udadewethu | grandfather umkhulu | grandmother ugogo | child ingane | children izingane |
Expressions in Zulu
Now it's time to practice expressions used in daily conversations. If you're a beginner in learning Zulu, then the phrases below are something you would want to know.
| English | Zulu |
|---|---|
| What do you mean? | uqonde ukuthini? |
| I don't understand | angiqondi |
| I don't know | angazi |
| What is that called in Zulu? | loku kubizwa ngokuthini ngesizulu? |
| What is this? | yini le? |
| What does that word mean in English? | lelo gama lichaza ukuthini ngesingisi? |
| Sorry (if you made a mistake) | uxolo |
I hope you enjoyed this lesson about the gender in Zulu. If you have any question about this lesson please contact me here. Now it's time to check the next lesson below.
| Zulu Numbers |
Inspirational Quote: High achievement always takes place in a framework of high expectation. Jack Kinder |