Emergency

1. Ngisize!

   Help me!

   Usage

   Shout it when you are in danger or need help

   Grammar Note

   The imperative of "siza" (to help) with "ngi-" (me). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Ngitlhoga udorhodere.

   I need a doctor.

   Usage

   When you are ill or injured

   Grammar Note

   "udorhodere" is the loanword for doctor, not Zulu "udokotela"; "udorhodera" is a variant spelling. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Ngifuna ukuya esibhedlela.

   I want to go to the hospital.

   Usage

   Say it when you need to be taken to a hospital

   Grammar Note

   A place takes an "e-" form meaning "to, at" (isibhedlela becomes esibhedlela). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Bethela umtato kumapholisa!

   Call the police!

   Usage

   Ask someone nearby to phone the police after a theft or crime

   Grammar Note

   "bethela umtato" is "to make a phone call"; "ku-" is "to". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Kunomlilo!

   There is a fire!

   Usage

   Shout it on noticing a fire

   Grammar Note

   Built as "ku-" (there is) plus "no-" (with) plus "umlilo" (fire). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Umlilo

   Fire

   Usage

   The word for fire

   Grammar Note

   The plural is "imililo"

7. Ingozi

   Accident, danger

   Usage

   The word for an accident or a danger

   Grammar Note

   The plural is "iingozi". "ingozi yokutshwayeleka" is a risk of infection

8. Ubuhlungu

   Pain

   Usage

   The word for pain; point to where it hurts

   Grammar Note

   The noun form of "-buhlungu" (painful). "isifuba esibuhlungu" is a painful chest

9. Ihloko yami ibuhlungu.

   My head hurts.

   Usage

   To report a headache

   Grammar Note

   For another body part swap the noun ("isifuba sami sibuhlungu", my chest hurts). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

10. Isifuba sami sibuhlungu.

    My chest hurts.

    Usage

    To report chest pain; it can be serious, so see a doctor quickly

    Grammar Note

    The "si-" in "sami" and "sibuhlungu" agrees with "isifuba". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

11. Ngiyagula.

    I am ill.

    Usage

    To say you are unwell

    Grammar Note

    The present form of "ukugula" (to be ill). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

12. Ngilimele inyawo.

    I have hurt my foot.

    Usage

    When injured; swap in the body part

    Grammar Note

    The perfect of "limala" (to get injured). "Kalimele inyawo" is "he injured his foot". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

13. Ngilahlekelwe yiphaspoti yami.

    I have lost my passport.

    Usage

    Tell the police or your lodging when you have lost your passport

    Grammar Note

    "lahlekelwa" is "to lose" and the lost thing follows with "yi-" (Asikalahlekelwa yimali, we have not lost any money). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

14. Isela!

    Thief!

    Usage

    Shout it to alert people to a theft

    Grammar Note

    The plural is "amasela". "To steal" is "ukweba"

15. Inesi

    Nurse

    Usage

    A nurse, at a hospital or clinic

    Grammar Note

    A loanword from English "nurse"; the plural is "amanesi". Native review recommended

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