Zulu Plural

Welcome to the fourth Zulu lesson about the plural. This time we will learn about the singular form and what it looks like in the plural, followed by grammar rules, finally a list of emergency phrases.

book incwadi

books izincwadi

car imoto

cars izimoto

tree isihlahla

trees izihlahla

flower imbali

flowers izimbali

Plural Grammar Rules

The plural is the form which refers to more than one object or person. For example: I speak two languages the plural here is [languages] because it refers to more than one [language]. The examples below use plurals in different ways and places to demonstrate how they look when converted from their singular form.

Grammar + Rules - Zulu
I speak one language [singular form] ngikhuluma ulimi olulodwa
we speak three languages [plural noun] sikhuluma izilimi ezintathu
he visits many countries [adverb + plural noun] uvakashela amazwe amaningi
they are happy now [plural pronoun] bajabulile manje
she has five red shoes [adjective + plural noun] unezicathulo ezibovu ezintathu
I want a sandwich without onions [preposition + plural noun] ngifuna isamishi elingenawo ehhanyanisi

The following is a list of examples showing both the singular and plural form. This demonstrates how the plural is used with humans, objects and animals.

woman umfazi

women abafazi

man indoda

men amadoda

house indlu

houses izindlu

cup inkomishi

cups izinkomishi

cow inkomo

cows izinkomo

horse ihhashi

horses amahhashi

Emergency Phrases

Now it's time to practice your Zulu by looking at these phrases which are related to emergencies. Be prepared when traveling abroad, just in case you need help or by offering help to someone else. I recommend writing these expressions down on a notebook before traveling.

English - Zulu
Help usizo
Call the ambulance biza i-ambulensi
I need a doctor ngidinga udokotela
Where is the closest pharmacy? likuphi ikhemisi eliseduzane?
Are you okay? uyaphila?
I am sick ngiyagula
Call the police biza amaphoyisa

Did you enjoy this lesson about the plural 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.