Animals

1. Inja

   Dog

   Usage

   The basic word for a dog, whether you spot one or talk about a pet

   Grammar Note

   The plural is izinja

2. Ukatsu

   Cat

   Usage

   Used for a cat, whether a pet or one you see in town

   Grammar Note

   The plural is abokatsu. Southern Ndebele says ukatsu, not Zulu ikati

3. Inyoni

   Bird

   Usage

   Used when you spot a wild bird or go birdwatching

   Grammar Note

   The plural is iinyoni

4. Ifesi

   Fish

   Usage

   Used when ordering fish or pointing to fish in a river or the sea

   Grammar Note

   The plural is iimfesi. Zulu inhlanzi is not used

5. Ipere

   Horse

   Usage

   Used for a horse at a riding stable or on a farm

   Grammar Note

   The plural is iimpera. It is a different word from Zulu ihhashi

6. Ikomo

   Cow

   Usage

   Used for a cow on a farm or in a village. Cattle are central livestock

   Grammar Note

   The plural is iinkomo (cattle in general). Unlike Zulu inkomo, the singular is ikomo

7. Ifarigi

   Pig

   Usage

   Used for a pig on a farm

   Grammar Note

   The plural is iimfarigi. It is used alongside cattle and sheep as a livestock word

8. Ikukhu

   Chicken

   Usage

   Used for a chicken on a farm, or chicken as a dish

   Grammar Note

   The plural is iinkukhu. The same word is used for chicken meat

9. Idada

   Duck

   Usage

   Used when you see a duck on a pond or farm

   Grammar Note

   The plural is amadada

10. Imbuzi

    Goat

    Usage

    Used for a goat on a farm or in a village

    Grammar Note

    The plural is iimbuzi. A sheep is imvu

11. Imvu

    Sheep

    Usage

    Used for a sheep on a farm

    Grammar Note

    The plural is izimvu. To herd sheep is "ukulusa izimvu"

12. Indlovu

    Elephant

    Usage

    Used when you spot an elephant on safari

    Grammar Note

    The plural is iindlovu

13. Idlulamithi

    Giraffe

    Usage

    Used when you spot a giraffe on safari

    Grammar Note

    Spelled idlulamithi, unlike Zulu indlulamithi

14. Idube

    Zebra

    Usage

    Used when you spot a zebra on safari

    Grammar Note

    The same form as in Zulu. In stories the idube is the animal that fights the baboon

15. Ibhubezi

    Lion

    Usage

    Used when you spot a lion on safari or talk about animals

    Grammar Note

    Also written ibhubesi, but ibhubezi is the more frequent spelling. Zulu uses ibhubesi

16. Ingwe

    Leopard

    Usage

    Used when you spot a leopard on safari

    Grammar Note

    The plural is izingwe. A spotted leopard is "izingwe ezimabalabala"

17. Ubhejane

    Rhinoceros

    Usage

    Used when you spot a rhinoceros on safari

    Grammar Note

    The plural is abobhejani. Rhino horn is "iimpondo zabobhejani"

18. Inyathi

    Buffalo

    Usage

    Used when you spot a buffalo on safari

    Grammar Note

    The plural is iinyathi

19. Ifene

    Baboon

    Usage

    Used when you see a wild baboon, which may grab food

    Grammar Note

    The vervet monkey is also called ifene

20. Inyoka

    Snake

    Usage

    Used when you see a snake while hiking or in grass

    Grammar Note

    The plural is iinyoka

21. Ingwenya

    Crocodile

    Usage

    Used for crocodiles in rivers and lakes, or at a crocodile farm

    Grammar Note

    The plural is iingwenya

22. Ikghuru

    Tortoise

    Usage

    Used when you see a tortoise or tell the tortoise and hare story

    Grammar Note

    kgh is a sound made at the back of the throat. A sea turtle is "ikghuru yangemanzini"

23. Isirhwarhwa

    Frog

    Usage

    Used when you see a frog near a pond or water

    Grammar Note

    rh is a throaty fricative. It is a different word from Zulu ixoxo

24. Ikhondlo

    Mouse

    Usage

    Used when you see a mouse in a lodging or a house

    Grammar Note

    The plural is amakhondlo. It is a different word from Zulu igundane

25. Umaphelaphelani

    Bat

    Usage

    Used when you see bats flying at dusk

    Grammar Note

    The plural is abomaphelaphelani

26. Unompopoloza

    Mosquito

    Usage

    Used when you are bitten or want to say there are many mosquitoes

    Grammar Note

    The plural is bonompopoloza

27. Utjhontjhwani

    Ant

    Usage

    Used when ants get into your food

    Grammar Note

    The plural is abotjhontjhwani. tjh sounds close to "ch"

28. Inyosi

    Bee

    Usage

    Used when you are stung by a bee or talk about bees

    Grammar Note

    The plural is iinyosi

29. Isiswebu

    Spider

    Usage

    Used when you find a spider in a corner of a room

    Grammar Note

    A noun with the isi- prefix

30. Ipukani

    Fly

    Usage

    Used when flies settle on your food

    Grammar Note

    The plural is iimpukani

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