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Common NKo to Zulu phrases

100 practical NKo to Zulu phrases for travel, study, work, and daily conversation.

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Looking for practical NKo to Zulu phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the NKo phrase first, then the Zulu translation (Zulu) — so you can scan quickly before a trip, class, or video call.

The phrases are grouped into eight topics: greetings and pleasantries, useful phrases for travellers, everyday conversation, directions and getting around, shopping and dining, emergencies and health, work and business, and time, days and numbers. Use the table of contents to jump straight to greetings, directions, dining, emergencies, or numbers. You do not need perfect grammar to start — short, clear sentences often work better than silence when you are learning Zulu.

Tip: when a Zulu phrase looks unfamiliar, compare it with the NKo wording — noticing word order differences helps you understand grammar naturally.

Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the NKo to Zulu translator to paste your own messages and get an instant translation.

Greetings and pleasantries

Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and polite introductions for meeting new people.

  1. ᎣᏍᏆ

    Sawubona (Oscha)

  2. ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ

    Ngiyabonga (Ascadodi)

  3. ᎣᏍᏆ ᎡᏚᏙᏗ

    Sawubona (Oscha Edodhi)

  4. ᎣᏍᏆ ᎠᏧᏍᏆᏗ

    Good afternoon (Oscha Atsachadi)

  5. ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏚᏗ

    Ubusuku obuhle (Oscha Dagadudi)

  6. ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ

    Lala kahle (Oscha Datsicha)

  7. ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏙᏗ

    Sizobonana (Oscha Dagadodi)

  8. ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏁᏙᏗ

    Hamba kahle (Oscha Danodi)

  9. ᎯᏍᏆ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎢᏳᏍᏆ?

    Ubani igama lakho? (Hisch Ascadodi Iyuscha?)

  10. ᎠᏓ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎠᏍᏆ ᏥᏍᏆ

    Igama lami nginguJohn (Ada Ascadodi Ascha Tischa)

  11. ᎯᏍᏆ ᎯᏍᏆ?

    Unjani? (Hisch Hisch?)

  12. ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ

    Ngiyajabula ukukwazi (Ascadodi Tischa)

Useful phrases for travellers

Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.

  1. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Ukhuluma isiNgisi? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  2. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Angikhulumi kahle isiHindi. (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  3. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߓߊ߬

    Angiqondi. (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  4. ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Ngiyacela, khuluma kancane. (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  5. ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Ungakuphinda lokho? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  6. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Iphi indlu yangasese? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  7. ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Ngiyawufika kanjani emaphandleni? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  8. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Jika kwesobunxele. (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  9. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Jika kwesokudla. (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  10. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Hamba phambili. (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  11. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Inani lokuhamba lingakanani? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  12. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Ithikithi elilodwa, ngiyacela. (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  13. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Ingabe kude lapha? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  14. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬

    Ngilahlekile. (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  15. ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?

    Ngaphi engingathenga khona i-SIM card? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

Everyday conversation

Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.

  1. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Yebo

  2. 𞤈𞤢𞤣

    Cha

  3. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Mhlawumbe

  4. 𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢

    Ngiyavuma

  5. 𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

    Angivumi

  6. 𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

    Lokho kuzwakala kahle

  7. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

    Ucabanga ukuthini?

  8. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Ungangisiza?

  9. 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Ngidinga usizo

  10. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

    Linda umzuzu

  11. 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Ngiyaxolisa

  12. 𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Akukho nkinga

  13. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Halala

  14. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Usuku olumnandi lokuzalwa

  15. 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

    Uhambo olunempilo

Directions and getting around

Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.

  1. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬

    Iphi isitishi sesitimela? (iphi isitishi sesitimela)

  2. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬

    Iphi indawo yokuma kwebhasi? (iphi indawo yokuma kwebhasi)

  3. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬

    Iphi ipulatifomu? (iphi ipulatifomu)

  4. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬

    Ithini isikhathi sokuhamba? (ithini isikhathi sokuhamba)

  5. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬

    Ingabe le yindlela efanele? (ingabe le yindlela efanele)

  6. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬

    Ikhaya lapha eduze (ikhaya lapha eduze)

  7. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬

    Ikude lapha (ikude lapha)

  8. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬

    Ungangikhombisa emmaphini? (ungangikhombisa emmaphini)

  9. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬

    Misa lapha, ngiyacela (misa lapha, ngiyacela)

  10. ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬

    Kuthatha isikhathi esingakanani? (kuthatha isikhathi esingakanani)

Shopping and dining

Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.

  1. ߊߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌߟߌ?

    Kubiza malini lokhu? (aɡa fɔtɔ?)

  2. ߉ߠߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ

    Lokho kubiza kakhulu. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ)

  3. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?

    Unayo yini ethengiswa ngentengo ephansi? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  4. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?

    Ngiyakwazi ukukhokha ngekhadi? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  5. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ

    Ngifuna itafula labantu ababili. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  6. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ

    Ibhili, ngiyacela. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  7. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?

    Inkonzo ifakiwe? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  8. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ

    Ngiyisithuthuthu. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  9. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ

    Ngicela ukudla okungashisayo. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  10. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ

    Lokhu kuhle. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  11. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ?

    Ngicela imenyu? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  12. ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ

    Ingilazi yamanzi, ngiyacela. (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

Emergencies and health

Help, police, doctor, pharmacy, and urgent situations when you need assistance fast.

  1. ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߍ߬ߟߌ߬

    Shayela amaphoyisa (Kâkâ lîsî)

  2. ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߟߌ߬ߞߌ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬

    Shayela i-ambulensi (Kâkâ ambûlâns)

  3. ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬

    Ngidinga udokotela (Dî nîdâ dâktôr)

  4. ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬

    Ngizizwa ngigula (Dî fîl sîk)

  5. ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߍ߬ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬

    Ngine-allergy kumantongomane (Dî âmâ lêrjîk tû pînâts)

  6. ߞߍ߬ ߝߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߞߌ߬?

    Iphi isibhedlela esiseduze? (Kô wâhâ nîrâst hôspîtâl)

  7. ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬

    Kubuhlungu lapha (Dî hûrts hîr)

  8. ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߓߊ߬

    Ngilahlekelwe ipasipoti yami (Dî lôst mî pâspôrt)

  9. ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߚߊ߬?

    Ungashayela ihhotela lami? (Kâ nû kâl mî hôtêl)

  10. ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ߡߊ߬!

    Usizo! (Kâ hâlp!)

Work and business

Meetings, email tone, schedules, and professional phrases for the workplace.

  1. መይ ወይ ደሊ እንደ ወይ

    Ngiyajabula ukukwazi (mey wey deli ende wey)

  2. ንደ ወርክ ወን ወይ

    Masihlele umhlangano (nda werk wen wey)

  3. ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Yisiphi isikhathi esikufanele? (nda wey wey wey)

  4. እኔ ወይ ወርክ ወይ ወይ

    Ngizothumela umbiko namuhla (eñe wey werk wey wey)

  5. ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Singakhuluma kusasa? (nda wey wey wey)

  6. ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Sicela uthole ifayela elixhunywe (nda wey wey wey)

  7. መይ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Ngiyabonga ngalesi sikhathi (mey wey wey wey)

  8. እኔ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Ngibheke phambili ekusebenzeni nawe (eñe wey wey wey)

  9. ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Ungacacisa leyo ndaba? (nda wey wey wey)

  10. ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Ngizobuyela kuwe (nda wey wey wey)

  11. ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ

    Usuku lokugcina nguLwesihlanu (nda wey wey wey)

Time, days and numbers

Clock times, days of the week, months, quantities, and counting for appointments and plans.

  1. ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬?

    Kuyini isikhathi? (ku-yee-nee ee-sih-khah-teh?)

  2. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Kuyisithathu (koo-yee-see-thah-thu)

  3. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Namuhla (nah-moo-hlah)

  4. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Kusasa (koo-sah-sah)

  5. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Izolo (ee-zoh-loh)

  6. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    uMsombuluko (oom-sohm-boo-loo-koh)

  7. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    uMsombuluko (oom-sohm-boo-loo-koh)

  8. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    uLwesithathu (ool-weh-see-thah-thu)

  9. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Kunye (koon-yeh)

  10. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Kubili (koo-bee-lee)

  11. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Kuthathu (koo-thah-thu)

  12. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Ishumi (ee-shoo-mee)

  13. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Ishumi elinhlanu (ee-shoo-mee eh-leen-hlah-noo)

  14. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Iphinifa (ee-pee-nee-fah)

  15. ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬

    Okuningi (oh-koo-neen-gee)

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