Zulu/Lesson 4

=Uyazi eGoli?=

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

 * 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.

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?
Dialogue


 * uXolani: Uyamazi uNelson wakwaMandela?
 * uNjabulo: Yebo, ubani ongamazi? Uyamazi uLucky wakwaDube?
 * uXolani: Yebo, ngiyamazi.

Once again the m in "ngimazi" refers to him/her.


 * Yena uyamazi uDesmond wakwaTutu.
 * uMngane wami uyazi eNew York.

Ngilikhohliwe!
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

 * 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
Try the Exercise or go the next Lesson 5. Or alternatively, go back to the Index.