Zulu Numbers

Welcome to the sixth Zulu lesson about numbers. This time we will learn about cardinal and ordinal numbers, followed by grammar rules, then animal names, finally a conversation in Zulu to help you practice your daily phrases.

Cardinal and Ordinal - Zulu
one kunye
first okokuqala
two kubili
second okwesibili
three kuthathu
third okwesithathu
four kune
fourth okwesine
five kuhlanu
fifth okwesihlanu
six isithupha
sixth okwesithupha
seven isikhombisa
seventh okwesikhombisa
eight isishiyagalombili
eighth okwesishiyagalombili
nine isishiyagalolunye
ninth okwesishiyagalolunye
ten ishumi
tenth okweshumi
eleven ishumi nanye
eleventh okweshumi nanye
twelve ishumi nambili
twelfth okweshumi nambili
thirteen ishumi nantathu
thirteenth okweshumi nantathu
fourteen ishumi nane
once kanye
fifteen ishumi nanhlanu
twice kabili
sixteen ishumi nesithupha
Monday umsombuluko
seventeen ishumi nesikhombisa
Tuesday ulwesibili
eighteen ishumi nesishiyagalombili
Wednesday ulwesithathu
nineteen ishumi nesishiyagalolunye
Thursday ulwesine
twenty amashumi amabili
Friday ulwesihlanu
seventy one amashumi ayisikhombisa nanye
Saturday umgqibelo
one hundred ikhulu
Sunday isonto

Numbers Grammar Rules

Zulu cardinal numbers refer to the counting numbers, because they show quantity. For example: I speak two languages. Ordinal numbers on the other hand tell the order of things and their rank: my first language is Zulu. The examples below use numbers in different ways and places to demonstrate how they behave in a sentence.

Grammar + Rules - Zulu
I have three dogs [number + noun] nginezinja ezintathu
my daughter has two cats [number + noun] indodakazi yami inamakati amabili
she speaks seven languages [verb + number] ukhuluma izilimi eziyisikhombisa
my brother has one son [number + singular noun] umfowethu unendodana eyodwa
this is my second lesson [ordinal number + noun] yisifundo sami sesibili lesi
did you read the third book? [ordinal number + noun] uyifundile incwadi yesithathu

We're not done yet! The following is a list of animals.

cow inkomo

goat imbuzi

donkey imbongolo

horse ihhashi

dog inja

cat ikati

mouse igundane

bird inyoni

Conversation in Zulu

Now we finally reach the last part, the practice of the daily conversations. These phrases are used to get to know new people, and break the ice.

English - Zulu
Where are you from? uvelaphi?
I'm from the U.S ngisuka e-u.s
I'm American ngingumelikana
Where do you live? uhlala kuphi?
I live in the U.S ngihlala e-u.s
What do you do for a living? wenza msebenzi muni?
I'm a student ngingumfundi

Did you enjoy this lesson about numbers in Zulu? I hope so, if you have any problem with this lesson contact me with questions you have homepage. You can now check the next lesson below.