Money & Exchange

1. Kubiza malini?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The most basic way to ask a price

   Grammar Note

   Biza means to cost. Malini means how much, from i-mali (money) plus -ni. Official texts also say kubiza imali engangani?. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Kuyabiza khulu.

   That is very expensive.

   Usage

   Used when a price seems too high

   Grammar Note

   Ku-ya-biza means it is expensive. Biza (to cost) is also used for something that costs a lot. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Abadala babhadela malini?

   How much do adults pay to go in?

   Usage

   Checks the adult price for entry or a fare

   Grammar Note

   Abadala means adults and is the subject of babhadela (they pay). For children, ask abentwana babhadela malini?

4. Imali yami iphelile.

   I have run out of money.

   Usage

   Says that you have no money left

   Grammar Note

   Imali is money, and iphelile, the perfect of phela (to end), means it is finished. Yami means my. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Ngizokubhadela ngemali.

   I will pay in cash.

   Usage

   Says you will pay cash at small shops and markets

   Grammar Note

   Bhadela means pay, and zo-ku-bhadela is the future. Ngemali is nga- (with) and imali (money) contracted. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Ngingabhadela ngekarada lesikolodo?

   Can I pay by credit card?

   Usage

   Checks whether a card is accepted

   Grammar Note

   Ikarada lesikolodo is a credit card, and isikolodo means credit or debt. Ngi-nga-bhadela is can I pay. Nga- and ikarada contract to ngekarada. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Ngibawa iresidi.

   A receipt, please.

   Usage

   Asks for a receipt after paying

   Grammar Note

   Iresidi means receipt, borrowed from English. Official texts also spell it irasidi. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. Ibhanga likuphi?

   Where is the bank?

   Usage

   Used to find a bank

   Grammar Note

   Bank is ibhanga, whose final vowel differs from Zulu ibhange. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

9. Ngizokubhadela koke.

   I will pay for everything.

   Usage

   Says you are covering the whole bill

   Grammar Note

   Zo-ku-bhadela is the future of pay. Koke means everything. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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