Internet & WiFi

1. Ingabe kukhona i-Wi-Fi?

   i-nga-be ku-kho-na i-Wi-Fi

   Is there Wi-Fi?

   Usage

   Used to ask if Wi-Fi is available at accommodation or public places

   Grammar Note

   "Ingabe" introduces embedded questions meaning "whether" or "is it that". "Kukhona" = there is/exists. Foreign "Wi-Fi" gets "i-" prefix to integrate into Zulu noun class system

2. Ingabe iphasiwe ini?

   i-nga-be i-pha-si-we i-ni

   What is the password?

   Usage

   Used to ask for the Wi-Fi password

   Grammar Note

   "Ini" = what (interrogative), typically appears sentence-finally in Zulu. "Iphasiwe" borrows from English "password" with "i-" class prefix added

3. Ifoni yami idinga ukushajwa

   i-fo-ni ya-mi i-di-nga u-ku-sha-jwa

   My phone needs to be charged

   Usage

   Used when your phone battery is running low and needs charging

   Grammar Note

   "Ukushajwa" is the passive infinitive of "ukushaja" (to charge, from English "charge"); the passive marker -wa follows the stem-final j (shaj + wa = shajwa). English verbs are borrowed and fully conjugated in Zulu

4. Ngifuna ukuthatha isithombe

   ngi-fu-na u-ku-tha-tha i-si-tho-mbe

   I want to take a photo

   Usage

   Used to express that you want to take a photograph

   Grammar Note

   "Isithombe" (photo) is Class 7 with "isi-" prefix. Plural "izithombe" switches to "izi-" prefix (Class 8). This prefix alternation is fundamental to Bantu noun morphology

5. Ngifuna inombolo yakho yocingo

   ngi-fu-na i-nom-bo-lo ya-kho yo-ci-ngo

   I want your phone number

   Usage

   Used to exchange phone numbers and stay in contact

   Grammar Note

   "Inombolo" is borrowed from English "number". "Yocingo" = possessive connector "ya-" + "ucingo" (telephone/wire). South Africa has extremely high WhatsApp penetration

6. I-intanethi iyasebenza?

   i-in-ta-ne-thi i-ya-se-ben-za

   Is the internet working?

   Usage

   Used to check if internet connection is working

   Grammar Note

   "Sebenza" = to work/function (shared with Xhosa). "Iya-" = 3rd person present tense. Urban South Africa has good internet infrastructure, though rural areas face connectivity gaps

7. Ngithumele umyalezo ku-WhatsApp

   ngi-thu-me-le u-mya-le-zo ku-WhatsApp

   I sent a message on WhatsApp

   Usage

   Used to mention having sent a WhatsApp message

   Grammar Note

   "-thumele" is the perfect of "-thuma" (to send). "Ku-" = locative "on/at". WhatsApp is the dominant communication platform in South Africa for both personal and business use

8. Ngifuna ukushea izithombe zami

   ngi-fu-na u-ku-she-a i-zi-tho-mbe za-mi

   I want to share my photos

   Usage

   Used to express wanting to share travel photos on social media

   Grammar Note

   "Ukushea" = English "share" borrowed as a Zulu verb with "uku-" infinitive prefix. "Zami" = my (plural agreement for "izithombe"). English verbs are freely borrowed into Zulu

9. I-intanethi ayisebenzi

   i-in-ta-ne-thi a-yi-se-ben-zi

   The internet is not working

   Usage

   Used to report that internet is not functioning

   Grammar Note

   "Ayisebenzi" = "a-" (negative) + "yi-" (class 9 subject prefix) + "sebenzi" (negative form of "sebenza", to work, with final -a changed to -i). Zulu negation adds "a-" before the subject prefix and changes the final -a to -i

10. Ngicela inamba yefoni yakho

    ngi-ce-la i-namba ye-fo-ni ya-kho

    Please give me your phone number

    Usage

    Used to request someone's phone number for future contact

    Grammar Note

    "Inamba" is another variant borrowing from English "number". "Yefoni" = "ya-" (of) + "ifoni" (phone). Exchanging phone numbers in South Africa means connecting on WhatsApp

Browse all TravelPhrases languages