Accessibility

1. Ingabe le ndawo ifinyeleleka ngesihlalo esinamasondo?

   I-nga-be le nda-wo i-fi-nye-le-le-ka nge-si-hla-lo e-si-na-ma-so-ndo?

   Is this place wheelchair accessible?

   Usage

   Use to ask whether a venue is accessible for wheelchair users

   Grammar Note

   "Ingabe" is a Zulu question particle placed at the start of a sentence to form yes/no questions.

2. Ingabe ninelifti?

   I-nga-be ni-ne-li-fti?

   Do you have an elevator / lift?

   Usage

   Use to ask whether a multi-floor building has an elevator or lift

   Grammar Note

   Possession is expressed with ni- (you pl.) + na- (with), which fuses with the following noun to give "nine-". "ilifti" is a class 5 loanword from English "lift" (plural amalifti). "Ingabe" introduces a yes/no question.

3. Ngidinga ikamelo elinezidingo zabantu abakhubazekile.

   Ngi-di-nga i-ka-me-lo e-li-ne-zi-di-ngo za-ba-ntu a-ba-khu-ba-ze-ki-le.

   I need a room with accessibility features.

   Usage

   Use when requesting an accessible room at a hotel

   Grammar Note

   "elinezidingo" is a relative construction meaning "that has / which has the needs/requirements". Zulu uses agglutination to build complex modifiers.

4. Ingabe kunendlela ethambekile noma isango elingenazitebhisi?

   I-nga-be ku-ne-ndle-la e-tha-mbe-ki-le no-ma i-sa-ngo e-li-nge-na-zi-te-bhi-si?

   Is there a ramp or step-free entrance?

   Usage

   Use when asking about ramps or step-free entrances

   Grammar Note

   "noma" means "or" in Zulu, used to present two alternatives to choose from.

5. Indlu yangasese yabantu abakhubazekile ikuphi?

   I-ndlu ya-nga-se-se ya-ba-ntu a-ba-khu-ba-ze-ki-le i-ku-phi?

   Where is the accessible restroom?

   Usage

   Use to locate the accessible or disabled restroom

   Grammar Note

   "-kuphi" is a Zulu question suffix meaning "where". It is attached after a noun to ask about location.

6. Ngiyisiphofu — ungangisiza?

   Ngi-yi-si-pho-fu — u-nga-ngi-si-za?

   I am visually impaired — can you help me?

   Usage

   Use when a visually impaired person needs assistance

   Grammar Note

   "Ngi-" is the 1st person singular subject prefix, "yi-" is a copula for "be/am". "unga-" creates a "can you" question.

7. Ninemenyu enokhefana olukhulu?

   Ni-ne-me-nyu e-no-khe-fa-na o-lu-khu-lu?

   Do you have large-print menus?

   Usage

   Use when requesting a large-print menu

   Grammar Note

   "Ni-" is the second person plural subject prefix meaning "you all / do you (plural) have". Appropriate for addressing shop staff.

8. Ingabe kunezikhombisi zomsindo lapha?

   I-nga-be ku-ne-zi-kho-mbi-si zo-m-si-ndo la-pha?

   Are there audio guides available?

   Usage

   Use at museums or attractions to ask about audio guide availability

   Grammar Note

   "kune-" expresses existence meaning "there is/are". "Ingabe kune-" forms the question "is there / are there".

9. Ngisebenzisa isizinda sokuzwa — uxoxe ucacile, uyacelwa.

   Ngi-se-be-nzi-sa i-si-zi-nda so-ku-zwa — u-xo-xe u-ca-ci-le, u-ya-ce-lwa.

   I use a hearing aid — please speak clearly.

   Usage

   Use when a hearing aid user needs the other person to speak more clearly

   Grammar Note

   "uyacelwa" is a polite passive construction meaning "you are requested to / please". A respectful way to make a request in Zulu.

10. Ngingangena nenja yami eqeqeshiwe yokusiza?

    Ngi-nga-nge-na ne-nja ya-mi e-qe-qe-shi-we yo-ku-si-za?

    Can I bring my service/guide dog?

    Usage

    Use when asking permission to enter a venue with a service or guide dog

    Grammar Note

    "Nginga-" is the 1st person potential prefix used to ask "can I / may I". "-ngena" is the verb root meaning "enter".

Browse all TravelPhrases languages