Zulu/Lesson 4
Uyazi eGoli?[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, we learn to talk about people and places we know. In addition to this we learn how to introduce multiple people.
Laba abangane bami[edit | edit source]
- uNandi: Sawubona Philani!
- uPhilani: Yebo sawubona Nandi!
- uNandi: Unjani?
- uPhilani: Ngisaphila, wena unjani?
- uNandi: Nami ngiyaphila.
- uPhilani: Laba abangane bami, nguNjabulo noXolani.
- uNandi: Ngiyajabula ukunazi!
- uNjabulo noXolani: Nathi siyajabula ukukwazi!
- uNandi: Nihlalaphi?
- uNjabulo: Ngihlala eGoli. Uyalazi iGoli?
- uNandi: Angilazi iGoli.
- uXolani: Ngihlala eKapa. Uyakwazi eKapa na?
- uNandi: Yebo, ngiyazi eKapa.
- uNjabulo noXolani noPhilani: Sala kahle.
- uNandi: Hambani kahle.
| Zulu | English |
|---|---|
| ukunazi | to know you (plural). |
| Uyazi | You know it |
| Angiyazi | You do not know it |
We can use a similar form to ask someone if they know other places, for example, "Uyazi iTheweni?", "Uyazi iSoweto?" and even "Uyazi iLondon?". "Na" may be used to indicate a question in spoken language and in writing but when the language is spoken, generally questions are indicated with tone. This form cannot be used to ask if someone knows a person. This is because the of "uyazi" part of the verb. The y refers to the place iGoli basically u+i+azi becomes uyazi. Zulu does not allow vowels to be placed immediately alongside each other. The concept of object being attached to verbs is explained fully in a later lesson. We now introduce how to ask if you know someone.
Uyamazi uNelson wakwaMandela?[edit | edit source]
Dialogue
- uXolani: Uyamazi uNelson wakwaMandela?
- uNjabulo: Yebo, ubani ongamazi? Uyamazi uLucky wakwaDube?
- uXolani: Yebo, ngiyamazi.
| Zulu | English |
|---|---|
| Uyamazi | you know him |
| akamazi | he does not know him |
| uLucky wakwaDube | Lucky Dube |
Once again the m in "ngimazi" refers to him/her.
- Yena uyamazi uDesmond wakwaTutu.
- uMngane wami uyazi eNew York.
Ngilikhohliwe![edit | edit source]
A few days later, Xolani and Njabulo are at the mall when they see someone that they think they know.
Dialogue
- uXolani: Uyamazi? (Nodding at her)
- uNjabulo: Yebo, kodwa ngilikhohliwe!
- uXolani: Igama lakhe uNandi, angithi?
- uNjabulo: Hhayi yebo!
Here the li in ngilikhohliwe refers to igama. '-khe' means her/his. It is used like -mi and -kho.
Summary[edit | edit source]
- We can ask people if they know people. - Uyamazi uNelson wakwaMandela?
- We can ask people if they know places. - Uyazi iNaturean?
- We are able to introduce multiple people. - Laba abangane bami.
- We can say if we have forgotten someone's name. - Ngilikhohliwe
Next step[edit | edit source]
Try the Exercise or go the next Lesson 5. Or alternatively, go back to the Index.