Zulu Verbs

Welcome to the 10th lesson about verbs in Zulu. We will first learn about the present tense, followed by the past tense, and future tense. We will also analyze some grammar rules, and finally practice how to ask for direction in Zulu.

Verbs are used to express an action (I swim) or a state of being (I am). The present tense in Zulu conveys a situation or event in the present time. Here are some examples:

Present Tense - Zulu
I speak English ngikhuluma isingisi
you speak French ukhuluma isi-french
he speaks German ukhuluma isijalimani
she speaks Italian ukhuluma isintaliyani
we speak Arabic sikhuluma isi-arabic
they speak Chinese bakhuluma isishayina

The past tense in Zulu conveys a situation or event in the past time. Here are some examples:

Past Tense - Zulu
I visited France ngivakashele e-france
you visited Italy uvakashele entaliyana
he visited Morocco uvakashele emorocco
she visited China uvakashele eshayina
we visited Mexico sivakashele emexico
they visited Kenya bavakashele ekenya

The future tense in Zulu conveys a situation or event which is anticipated to happen in the future. Here are some examples:

Future Tense - Zulu
I will drink milk ngizophuza ubisi
you will drink coffee uzophuza ikhofi
he will drink tea uzophuza itiye
she will drink water uzophuza amanzi
we will drink apple juice sizophuza idilinki yehhabhula
they will drink tea bazophuza itiye

Now let's take a break and refresh our vocabulary by learning the body parts.

ear indlebe

eye iso

mouth umlomo

nose ikhala

hair izinwele

face ubuso

head ikhanda

heart inhliziyo

hand isandla

fingers iminwe

leg umlenze

feet izinyawo

Travel Phrases in Zulu

Imagine yourself in some Zulu speaking country. The following travel phrases are highly important and can help you avoid misunderstanding. Try to memorize them and practice!

English - Zulu
Can you help me? ungangisiza?
Can I help you? ngingakusiza?
Where is the airport? sikuphi isikhumulo sezindiza?
Go straight hamba uqonde
Then bese
Turn left uphendukela esinxeleni
Turn right uphendukele kwesokudla

I hope this lesson about the verbs in Zulu was not hard for you. Please check out our main menu here for more lessons: homepage. To see the full menu, you can also click on the "Menu" icon on the left side.