Basic Verbs

1. Ukuya

   To go

   Usage

   "To go" towards a destination, placed before the place

   Grammar Note

   Verbs are listed in the infinitive starting with "uku-". Add a subject prefix to conjugate, for example "ngiya" (I go)

2. Ukuza

   To come

   Usage

   "To come", towards the speaker or bringing something along

   Grammar Note

   It can also carry an object along, as in "ukuza nama-ID" (to come with ID documents)

3. Ukudla

   To eat

   Usage

   To eat; the same form as the noun "food"

   Grammar Note

   In the negative it states what you do not eat, as in "Angiyidli imirorho" (I do not eat vegetables)

4. Ukusela

   To drink

   Usage

   To drink, for water or any drink

   Grammar Note

   "To drink" is "sela" in Southern Ndebele, not Zulu "phuza". "amanzi wokusela" is drinking water

5. Ukuthenga

   To buy

   Usage

   The basic verb for shopping

   Grammar Note

   "To sell" is "ukuthengisa"

6. Ukubona

   To see

   Usage

   To see; "Ngifuna ukubona..." is "I want to see..."

   Grammar Note

   To say what you want to see, put "ngifuna" (I want) in front

7. Ukulinda

   To wait

   Usage

   For waiting for a bus or a person

   Grammar Note

   The imperative is "linda", softened as in "Akhese ulinde" (just wait)

8. Ukukhamba

   To walk, to go

   Usage

   To walk, set off or travel; used for any going-out

   Grammar Note

   The verb is "khamba", not Zulu "hamba". The noun "ikhambo" means a journey

9. Ukukhuluma

   To speak

   Usage

   To speak or talk

   Grammar Note

   "ukukhuluma isiNgisi" is "to speak English"

10. Ukukhwela

    To ride, to board

    Usage

    To take a bus or other vehicle; also to climb

    Grammar Note

    "Ngivame ukukhwela ibhesi" is "I usually take the bus"

11. Ukubhadela

    To pay

    Usage

    To pay a price or fee

    Grammar Note

    Used as in "Abadala babhadela malini?" (How much do adults pay?)

12. Ukusiza

    To help

    Usage

    To help or assist someone

    Grammar Note

    "Ungangisiza?" means "Could you help me?"

13. Ukulala

    To sleep

    Usage

    To sleep or go to bed

    Grammar Note

    "ngayokulala" is "I went to sleep"

14. Ukuhlala

    To sit, to live, to stay

    Usage

    Covers sitting, living in a place and staying

    Grammar Note

    "Uhlala kuphi?" is "Where do you live?". The meaning follows from context

15. Ngifuna ukusela amanzi.

    I want to drink water.

    Usage

    Ask for water when thirsty

    Grammar Note

    "ngifuna" plus the infinitive (uku-) means "I want to...". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

16. Ngifuna ukudla.

    I want to eat.

    Usage

    Say you are hungry and want a meal

    Grammar Note

    "ukudla" can read as "to eat" or "food". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

17. Ngifuna ukuthenga.

    I want to buy.

    Usage

    Say it while pointing at what you want to buy

    Grammar Note

    Add the item after it. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

18. Ngibawa ungitjele.

    Please tell me.

    Usage

    A request for information such as directions or times

    Grammar Note

    "tjela" is "to tell"; "ngi-" is "me". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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