Shopping

1. Kuyimalini lokhu?

   Ku-yi-ma-li-ni lo-khu?

   How much is this?

   Usage

   The most essential phrase for asking the price of an item in any shop or market

   Grammar Note

   "kuyimalini" is the standard price question, formed from "ku" (subject concord) + "yimalini" (how much).

2. Kuyabiza kakhulu. Ungangipha isaphulelo?

   Ku-ya-bi-za ka-khu-lu. U-nga-ngi-pha i-sa-phu-le-lo?

   It is too expensive. Can you give a discount?

   Usage

   Used when bargaining at South African markets and street stalls

   Grammar Note

   "biza" means "to cost/be expensive" and is frequently used in everyday shopping conversations.

3. Ngiyabuka nje

   Ngi-ya-bu-ka nje

   I am just looking

   Usage

   Used to politely tell an eager shopkeeper you are just browsing

   Grammar Note

   "nje" is a common Zulu adverb meaning "just/only". It softens the tone of the statement.

4. Ngizothatha lokhu

   Ngi-zo-tha-tha lo-khu

   I will take this

   Usage

   Used when you have decided to purchase an item

   Grammar Note

   "-zo-" is the future tense infix. Structure: "ngi" (I) + "zo" (will) + "thatha" (take).

5. Ingabe ikhona ibhegi yeplastiki?

   In-ga-be i-kho-na i-bhe-gi ye-pla-sti-ki?

   Is there a plastic bag?

   Usage

   Used to ask for a bag after shopping. Bags are often paid for in South Africa.

   Grammar Note

   "ikhona" means "it exists/is present" in Zulu. "ingabe" introduces yes/no questions.

6. Ingabe niyamukela lokhu?

   In-ga-be ni-ya-mu-ke-la lo-khu?

   Do you accept this? (Do you take this payment?)

   Usage

   Used to ask if a shop accepts card payments or foreign currency

   Grammar Note

   "niyamukela" = "ni-" (you, plural) + "-ya-" + "-mukela" (to accept/receive). A practical verb for checking accepted payment methods

7. Ngicela intengo efanele

   Ngi-ce-la in-te-ngo e-fa-ne-le

   Please give me a fair price

   Usage

   Used at markets to ask for a fair local price, avoiding tourist markup

   Grammar Note

   "efanele" is the adjective "-fanele" (appropriate/fair) inflected to agree with "intengo" (price)

8. Ngifuna ukuthenga izicathulo

   Ngi-fu-na u-ku-the-nga i-zi-ca-thu-lo

   I want to buy shoes

   Usage

   Used in a shoe shop or market to say you want to buy shoes

   Grammar Note

   "izicathulo" is the izi-class plural noun for "shoes". The singular is "icathulo"

9. Ingabe ningathola olunye uhlobo?

   In-ga-be ni-nga-tho-la o-lu-nye u-hlo-bo?

   Can you find another type / variety?

   Usage

   Used to ask if there is another colour, size, or style available

   Grammar Note

   "uhlobo" is a u-class noun meaning "type/kind". "olunye" means "another/different" agreeing with "uhlobo"

10. Ngiyabonga ngomsebenzi wakho

    Ngi-ya-bo-nga ngo-mse-ben-zi wa-kho

    Thank you for your service

    Usage

    Used to thank shop staff after completing a purchase

    Grammar Note

    "ngo-" is the instrumental prefix meaning "by/for". "umsebenzi" means "work/labour"

11. Angidingi irisidi

    A-ngi-di-ngi i-ri-si-di

    I don't need a receipt

    Usage

    Declining a receipt — the opposite of "Ngingathola irisidi?" ("Could I have a receipt?")

    Grammar Note

    Zulu negates with a- before the subject concord and changes the final -a to -i: ngidinga becomes angidingi. The first-person concord ngi- is class-independent, so nothing has to agree with "irisidi"; because the object appears as a full noun, no object concord (-ku-) is inserted.

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