Looking for practical Zulu to Kanuri phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the Zulu phrase first, then the Kanuri translation (Kanuri) — 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 Kanuri.
Tip: read the Kanuri line out loud three times, then cover the Zulu side and try to recall the meaning — repetition builds memory faster than silent reading.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the Zulu to Kanuri 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.
Sawubona
Sannu
Ngiyabonga
Nagode
Sawubona
Ina kwana
Good afternoon
Ina yamma
Ubusuku obuhle
Ina dare
Lala kahle
Sai da safe
Sizobonana
Zan ganka
Hamba kahle
Sai anjima
Ubani igama lakho?
Menene sunanka?
Igama lami nginguJohn
Sunana John
Unjani?
Lafiya lau?
Ngiyajabula ukukwazi
Na ji dadin haduwa da kai
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
Ukhuluma isiNgisi?
Kuna magana da Turanci?
Angikhulumi kahle isiHindi.
Ba na magana da Hindi sosai.
Angiqondi.
Ba na fahimta.
Ngiyacela, khuluma kancane.
Don Allah, ku yi magana a hankali.
Ungakuphinda lokho?
Za ku iya faɗin hakan sake?
Iphi indlu yangasese?
Ina wanka?
Ngiyawufika kanjani emaphandleni?
Ta yaya zan isa tsakiyar birni?
Jika kwesobunxele.
Juya hagu.
Jika kwesokudla.
Juya dama.
Hamba phambili.
Tafiya kai tsaye.
Inani lokuhamba lingakanani?
Nawa ne farashin?
Ithikithi elilodwa, ngiyacela.
Tiket ɗaya, don Allah.
Ingabe kude lapha?
Shin yana da nisa daga nan?
Ngilahlekile.
Na ɓace.
Ngaphi engingathenga khona i-SIM card?
Ina zan iya sayen kati na SIM?
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
Yebo
Eey(ee-y)
Cha
A'a(ah-ah)
Mhlawumbe
Wata(wah-tah)
Ngiyavuma
Na amu(nah ah-moo)
Angivumi
Na a'a amu(nah ah-ah ah-moo)
Lokho kuzwakala kahle
Iya na(ee-yah nah)
Ucabanga ukuthini?
Kaya ka yi tunani?(kah-yah kah yee too-nah-nee)
Ungangisiza?
Za ka iya taimaka min?(zah kah ee-yah tie-mah-kah meen)
Ngidinga usizo
Na bukaci taimako(nah boo-kah-chee tie-mah-koh)
Linda umzuzu
Duba dan lokaci(doo-bah dahn loh-kah-chee)
Ngiyaxolisa
Na yi hakuri(nah yee hah-koo-ree)
Akukho nkinga
Babu matsala(bah-boo maht-sah-lah)
Halala
Taya murna(tah-yah moor-nah)
Usuku olumnandi lokuzalwa
Barka da haihuwa(bar-kah dah hai-hoo-wah)
Uhambo olunempilo
Ka yi tafiya lafiya(kah yee tah-fee-yah lah-fee-yah)
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
Iphi isitishi sesitimela?
Nye boko na gari?(iphi isitishi sesitimela)
Iphi indawo yokuma kwebhasi?
Nye boko na bas?(iphi indawo yokuma kwebhasi)
Iphi ipulatifomu?
Wane boko na?(iphi ipulatifomu)
Ithini isikhathi sokuhamba?
Wane lokaci ya tafi?(ithini isikhathi sokuhamba)
Ingabe le yindlela efanele?
Shin wannan hanya ce?(ingabe le yindlela efanele)
Ikhaya lapha eduze
Yana kusa da nan(ikhaya lapha eduze)
Ikude lapha
Yana nesa da nan(ikude lapha)
Ungangikhombisa emmaphini?
Za ka iya nuna mini a taswirar?(ungangikhombisa emmaphini)