Money & Exchange

1. Kuyimalini?

   ku-yi-ma-li-ni

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The most basic Zulu phrase for asking the price of something

   Grammar Note

   "Kuyimalini" breaks down as "ku-" (it is) + "yimalini" (how much money). "Mali" is shared across Bantu languages for money — from Arabic "māl" via Swahili

2. Imali yami iphelile

   i-ma-li ya-mi i-phe-li-le

   I have spent all my money

   Usage

   Used to indicate that you have run out of money

   Grammar Note

   "Iphelile" is the perfect of "-phela" (to end / run out), and "i-" is the subject prefix agreeing with "imali" (class 9). "Yami" is the possessive agreeing with "imali"

3. Ngicela ushintshi

   ngi-ce-la u-shin-tshi

   Please give me change

   Usage

   Used to request change after paying

   Grammar Note

   "Ushintshi" = English "change" with "u-" class prefix. South Africa's currency is the Rand (R) subdivided into 100 cents. Notes: R10, R20, R50, R100, R200

4. Ngifuna ukuguqula imali

   ngi-fu-na u-ku-gu-qu-la i-ma-li

   I want to exchange money

   Usage

   Used at currency exchange offices to request money exchange

   Grammar Note

   "Ukuguqula" = infinitive of "guqula" (to exchange/change). Currency exchange is available at South African banks and "bureaux de change" in major tourist cities

5. I-ATM ikuphi?

   i-ATM i-ku-phi

   Where is the ATM?

   Usage

   Used to find an ATM for cash withdrawal

   Grammar Note

   "Ikuphi" = "i-" (class agreement) + "ku-" (locative) + "phi" (where). South Africa has extensive ATM coverage through Absa, Standard Bank, FNB. Most accept international cards

6. Ngifuna ukukhipha imali ebhange

   ngi-fu-na u-ku-khi-pha i-ma-li e-bhange

   I want to withdraw money from the bank

   Usage

   Used to indicate you need to withdraw cash from a bank

   Grammar Note

   "Ebhange" = "e-" (locative) + "ibhange" (bank, from English). South Africa's major banks: ABSA, Standard Bank, FNB, Nedbank. All have extensive ATM networks

7. Ngiyakubonga kakhulu

   ngi-ya-ku-bo-nga ka-khu-lu

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   Used to thank someone after a financial transaction or service

   Grammar Note

   "Ngiyakubonga" = "ngi-" (I) + "ya-" (present) + "ku-" (you, object) + "bonga" (thank). Zulu incorporates object markers directly into the verb — a key Bantu grammatical feature

8. Ingabe ikhadi lesikweletu liyasebenza?

   i-nga-be i-kha-di le-si-kwe-le-tu li-ya-se-ben-za

   Does the credit card work here?

   Usage

   Used to check if a credit card is accepted

   Grammar Note

   Credit cards are widely accepted at major South African tourist venues, hotels, and restaurants. Rural areas and informal traders are often cash-only. Visa and Mastercard are most accepted

9. Imali yethu inele

   i-ma-li ye-thu i-ne-le

   We have enough money

   Usage

   Used to confirm that sufficient funds are available

   Grammar Note

   "Inele" = perfect of "nela" (to be sufficient/fill up). "I-" = agreement prefix for "imali". Cash transactions remain prevalent in informal South African markets and township commerce

10. Yimalini i-rand?

    yi-ma-li-ni i-rand

    What is the exchange rate for the Rand?

    Usage

    Used to ask about the current exchange rate for the South African Rand

    Grammar Note

    "I-rand" = South African Rand (R) with "i-" class prefix. "Rand" is short for "Witwatersrand" (Afrikaans for "ridge of white waters" — Joburg's gold-rich reef). Currency varies daily

11. Ukheshi

    Cash

    Usage

    For saying you will pay cash — smaller traders often take nothing else

12. Ikhadi lokukhokha

    Payment card

    Usage

    Point at it to check whether cards are accepted

13. Asihlukanise ibhili

    Let's split the bill

    Usage

    Show it when you want the bill divided

14. Ngizokhokhela konke

    I will pay for everything

    Usage

    For saying you are covering the whole table

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