Traveling with Kids

1. Igama lakho ngubani?

   i-ga-ma la-kho ngu-ba-ni

   What is your name?

   Usage

   Used to ask a child their name

   Grammar Note

   "Ngubani" = who (interrogative) combining "ngu-" (it is) + "bani" (who). This name question is often the first Zulu phrase tourists learn and is warmly received by locals

2. Umuhle kakhulu

   u-mu-hle ka-khu-lu

   You are very beautiful / cute

   Usage

   Used to compliment a child's appearance

   Grammar Note

   "Umuhle" is the class 1 adjective stem "-hle" (beautiful/good) with the prefix "mu-", which can serve directly as a predicate: "(you) are beautiful". "Muhle" is one of the most important Zulu adjectives, encompassing beauty, goodness, and well-being

3. Udlala ini?

   u-dla-la i-ni

   What are you playing?

   Usage

   Used to ask children what they are playing

   Grammar Note

   "Dlala" = to play/perform. "U-" = 2nd person singular. "Ini" (what) is sentence-final. Traditional Zulu children's games include "ama-intonga" (stick games) and singing games

4. Hamba kahle, funda kahle

   ham-ba ka-hle fun-da ka-hle

   Go well, study well

   Usage

   Used as an encouraging send-off for children going to school

   Grammar Note

   "Hamba kahle" is the essential Zulu farewell. The person staying says "Hamba kahle" (go well) to the person leaving, and the person leaving answers "Sala kahle" (stay well). Here a parent says it to a child leaving for school

5. Umntwana omncane uyaphumula

   um-ntwa-na o-mnca-ne u-ya-phu-mu-la

   The little child is resting

   Usage

   Used to mention that a small child is resting or sleeping

   Grammar Note

   "Omncane" agrees with "umntwana" (child, Class 1). Zulu adjectives must match noun class — "umntwana omncane" (little child). This agreement system is fundamental to all Bantu languages

6. Izingane ziyahamba esikoleni

   i-zi-nga-ne zi-ya-ham-ba e-si-ko-le-ni

   The children are going to school

   Usage

   Used to mention that children have gone to school

   Grammar Note

   "Esikoleni" = "e-" (locative) + "isikole" (school) + "-ni" (locative suffix). Zulu locative is formed by adding "e-" before and "-ni" after. "Isikole" is from English "school"

7. Ubuntu bungakanani

   u-bun-tu bu-nga-ka-na-ni

   Ubuntu (humanity) is so important

   Usage

   Used to teach children about Ubuntu — the importance of communal care and humanity

   Grammar Note

   "Bungakanani" expresses emphatic admiration. "Bu-" = noun class prefix for "ubuntu". Teaching children Ubuntu values is central to South African educational philosophy

8. Izingane ziyajabula

   i-zi-nga-ne zi-ya-ja-bu-la

   The children are happy / rejoicing

   Usage

   Used to describe children who are happy and joyful

   Grammar Note

   "Jabula" = to rejoice/be happy. "Jabulani" means "rejoice/be happy" (plural imperative) — a common Zulu name. The 2010 FIFA World Cup ball was named "Jabulani"

9. Ngifunda isiZulu

   ngi-fun-da i-si-zu-lu

   I am learning Zulu

   Usage

   Used to tell children you are learning Zulu and invite them to help you

   Grammar Note

   "Isi-" prefix marks the language class in Bantu. South African languages: "isiZulu", "isiXhosa", "isiNdebele", "isiSwati". There are 11 official languages in South Africa

10. Abantwana bathanda ukudlala

    a-ban-twa-na ba-tha-nda u-ku-dla-la

    Children love to play

    Usage

    A universal truth expressed in Zulu — children love to play

    Grammar Note

    "Abantwana" = plural of "umntwana" (child), Class 2. "Ba-" = its verb agreement prefix. Soccer (football) is the most popular sport for South African children

Browse all TravelPhrases languages