Greetings and politeness in Zulu
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the eleven openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Zulu words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Zulu phrases in this lesson
- Sawubonasa-woo-BO-na
- Hello
- Sawubona, babasa-woo-BOH-na BAH-ba
- Good morning
- Sanibonanisa-ni-boh-NAH-ni
- Good evening
- Hamba kahleHAM-ba KAH-hle
- Goodbye
- Sizobonanasi-zo-boh-NAH-na
- See you
- Ngicelangi-CE-la
- Please
- Ngiyabongangi-ya-BON-ga
- Thank you
- Wamukelekilewa-moo-keh-LEH-ki-leh
- You're welcome
- Ngiyaxolisangi-ya-khoh-LEE-sa
- Sorry
- Uxolooo-XO-lo
- Excuse me
- Ngiyajabula ukukwazingi-ya-ja-BOO-la oo-koo-KWA-zi
- Nice to meet you
Greeting to one person, used throughout the day.
An ordinary greeting to an older man, used in the morning or any other time of day.
The plural or respectful greeting, also used on arriving in the evening. Zulu greetings do not need a time of day.
Say this to the person going. Use Sala kahle when they are staying.
Literally we will see each other.
Literally I request, used to introduce a polite request. The c marks a dental click.
A standard way to thank someone.
A polite response to thanks; it also welcomes a guest.
The x marks a side click.
Used for pardon or an apology. The x marks a side click.
Expresses pleasure in getting to know someone.