Nature & Outdoors

1. Ihlathi likhulu kakhulu

   i-hla-thi li-khu-lu ka-khu-lu

   The forest is very large

   Usage

   Used to express the vast size of South African forests and nature reserves

   Grammar Note

   "Likhulu" agrees with "ihlathi" (Class 5). Class 5 uses "li-" agreement prefix. South Africa has 27 national parks including the famous Kruger National Park

2. Ingwe iyajabula

   i-ngwe i-ya-ja-bu-la

   The leopard is happy

   Usage

   Used when spotting wildlife in a safari park or nature reserve

   Grammar Note

   "Ingwe" (leopard) is a native Zulu word. The Big Five in Zulu: "ingonyama" (lion), "ingwe" (leopard), "indlovu" (elephant), "imvubu" (hippo), "umkhombe" (rhino)

3. Izintaba zikhanga amehlo

   i-zi-nta-ba zi-kha-nga a-me-hlo

   The mountains catch the eye / are beautiful

   Usage

   Used to describe the breathtaking beauty of South Africa's mountain ranges

   Grammar Note

   "Izintaba" (mountains) uses "zi-" agreement. "Amehlo" = eyes (Class 6 plural). The Drakensberg (Zulu: "uKhahlamba" = barrier of spears) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

4. Ulwandle luhlaza

   u-lwa-ndle lu-hla-za

   The ocean is blue / clear

   Usage

   Used to describe the beautiful blue Indian Ocean coastline of KwaZulu-Natal

   Grammar Note

   "Luhlaza" agrees with "ulwandle" (Class 11). "Lu-" = Class 11 agreement. Interestingly, Zulu "hlaza" covers both blue and green — KwaZulu-Natal's coast is famous for warm Indian Ocean waters

5. Inkosi yezinyoni indiza phezulu

   in-ko-si ye-zi-nyo-ni i-ndi-za phe-zu-lu

   The king of birds (eagle) is flying high

   Usage

   Used to describe eagles or other raptors soaring high in the sky

   Grammar Note

   "Inkosi" (king/chief) is a term of authority in Zulu culture. South Africa has 860+ bird species. The African fish eagle is often considered the "king of birds" in East Africa

6. Imvula iyana

   im-vu-la i-ya-na

   The rain is falling

   Usage

   Used to describe the onset of rain — important in KwaZulu-Natal's subtropical climate

   Grammar Note

   "Iyana" = "i-" (class 9 subject prefix for "imvula") + "ya" (present) + "na" (to rain). KwaZulu-Natal has a subtropical climate with summer rainfall

7. Izulu liyaduma ezintabeni

   i-zu-lu li-ya-du-ma e-zi-nta-be-ni

   The mountain thunder is rumbling

   Usage

   Used to describe thunderstorms in the mountain regions

   Grammar Note

   "Duduma" is an ideophonic/onomatopoeic verb for "rumbling/thundering". Dramatic afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Drakensberg mountains during summer months

8. Izindlovu ziphila kahle

   i-zi-ndlo-vu zi-phi-la ka-hle

   The elephants are thriving / living well

   Usage

   Used when observing healthy elephants in a game reserve or national park

   Grammar Note

   "Izindlovu" = plural of "indlovu" (elephant). Kruger National Park has approximately 23,000 elephants. Elephants represent power and wisdom in Zulu culture

9. Ukushona kwelanga kumuhle

   u-ku-sho-na kwe-la-nga ku-mu-hle

   The sunset is beautiful

   Usage

   Used to describe the stunning sunsets of KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa

   Grammar Note

   "Ukushona" = infinitive used as a noun "the setting/sinking". "Ku-" = Class 15 prefix. South African sunsets are world-famous — Table Mountain and the KwaZulu-Natal coast offer spectacular views

10. Umuntu uthanda umhlaba wakhe

    u-mun-tu u-tha-nda um-hla-ba wa-khe

    A person loves their land

    Usage

    A proverbial expression of the Zulu connection to their ancestral land and nature

    Grammar Note

    "Wakhe" = possessive "-akhe" (his/her) with "w-" agreement prefix. Zulu attachment to land is deeply connected to ancestor veneration and traditional land tenure systems

Browse all TravelPhrases languages