Weather & Climate

1. Kuyatjhisa namhlanjesi.

   It is hot today.

   Usage

   A common opener for small talk about the heat

   Grammar Note

   Ku-ya-tjhisa means it is hot. Southern Ndebele spells the sh sound as tjh, so Zulu shisa becomes tjhisa. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Kumakhaza namhlanjesi.

   It is cold today.

   Usage

   For small talk on a cool or cold day

   Grammar Note

   Kumakhaza means it is cold. It is amakhaza (the cold) with ku-, so no subject needs to be named. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Ilanga litjhisa khulu namhlanjesi.

   The sun is very hot today.

   Usage

   For talking about strong sunshine

   Grammar Note

   Ilanga (sun) is followed by litjhisa (is hot). Ilanga can also mean day, so context decides. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Izulu lizokuna.

   It is going to rain.

   Usage

   Used when the sky looks threatening, before talking about umbrellas or plans

   Grammar Note

   Izulu means rain or weather. To rain is ukuna, and li-zo-kuna marks the near future. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Izulu lithome ukuna.

   It has started to rain.

   Usage

   Tells others that rain has begun

   Grammar Note

   Thoma (start) is followed by the infinitive ukuna. This is the basic pattern for starting to do something

6. Ubujamo bezulu buzoba njani kusasa?

   What will the weather be like tomorrow?

   Usage

   Asks about the forecast, for example at your hotel

   Grammar Note

   Ubujamo bezulu means the condition of the weather. Njani means how. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Ngitlhoga isambrela na?

   Do I need an umbrella?

   Usage

   Asks before going out whether to take an umbrella

   Grammar Note

   Southern Ndebele says tlhoga for need, which differs from Zulu dinga. The final na marks a question. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. Ngiziphi iinyanga lapha izulu lina khona?

   Which months does it rain?

   Usage

   Asks when the rainy season is

   Grammar Note

   Lapha ... khona builds a clause meaning the time or place when something happens. Here it gives the months when it rains

9. Kunamafu namhlanjesi.

   It is cloudy today.

   Usage

   Describes an overcast sky

   Grammar Note

   Kuna-mafu means there are clouds (amafu). It is ku- plus na- (having), the usual way to say something is present. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

10. Izulu libalele.

    The sky is clear and sunny.

    Usage

    Means sunny

    Grammar Note

    Libalele is the perfect form describing the state of the izulu, meaning sunny. Rainy is liyana and windy is linommoya. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

11. Kuzokuba nommoya kusasa.

    It will be windy tomorrow.

    Usage

    Tells someone about the wind expected tomorrow

    Grammar Note

    Kuzokuba n- (there will be) is followed by ummoya (wind); na plus ummoya contracts to nommoya. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

12. Kuzokuba nesiwuruwuru.

    There will be a storm.

    Usage

    Warns of stormy weather; useful before changing outdoor plans

    Grammar Note

    Isiwuruwuru means storm. Na plus isiwuruwuru contracts to nesiwuruwuru. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

13. Iinkhukhula

    Floods

    Usage

    A word seen in road reports and warnings after heavy rain; show it when asking about conditions

    Grammar Note

    Iinkhukhula is a plural noun meaning floods. In news reports it appears alongside isiwuruwuru (storm)

14. Isomiso

    Drought

    Usage

    A word seen on notices about water shortages and saving water

    Grammar Note

    Isomiso is a long spell without rain. It often appears on notices that restrict water use

15. Lihlobo.

    It is summer.

    Usage

    Answers which season it is; summer in South Africa runs roughly from December to February

    Grammar Note

    Ihlobo (summer) with li- makes the sentence it is summer. The seasons are ihlobo (summer), isiruthwani (autumn), ubusika (winter) and isilimela (spring). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

16. Ubusika

    Winter

    Usage

    For talking about travel timing; winter in South Africa is about June to August, with cold mornings and evenings inland

    Grammar Note

    Ubusika means winter. Do not confuse it with ubusuku (night)

Browse all TravelPhrases languages