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 | Zulu | 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 here. You can now check the next lesson below.
| Zulu Phrases |
Inspirational Quote: Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking. William B. Sprague |