Language/Zulu/Vocabulary/Health
Hi Zulu learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn some vocabulary related to health. It's important to know how to communicate about health issues, especially when you are traveling in South Africa. We'll use examples and cultural information to help you remember the words. Don't forget to ask native speakers any questions!
Basic Health Vocabulary[edit | edit source]
These are some basic words you need to use when talking about health issues:
| Zulu | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| isifo | EE-see-foh | disease |
| ubuhlungu | OO-boo-HLOON-goo | pain |
| ukugula | OOH-koo-GOO-lah | to be sick |
| ukugula ngamandla | OOH-koo-GOO-lah ngah-MAHN-dlah | to be very sick |
| ukugula phansi | OOH-koo-GOO-lah PHAHN-see | to be bedridden |
| ukufeza | OOH-koo-FEH-zah | to cough |
| ukukhala | OOH-koo-KHAH-lah | to cry |
| ulwazi | oo-LWAH-zee | knowledge |
| ubumnandi | oo-BOOM-nahn-dee | pleasure |
| ubumfihlo | oo-BOOM-fee-HLOO | intelligence |
Let's use some of these words in a dialogue:
- Person 1: Ngiphilile kabi. (I'm very sick.)
- Person 2: Uyaphila kangakanani? (How are you feeling?)
- Person 1: Ngiphila ngamandla. (I'm feeling very sick.)
- Person 2: Ulahlekelwe kangakanani? (How long have you been bedridden?)
- Person 1: Ngilahlekelwe amahora angu awu-5. (I've been bedridden for 5 hours.)
Health Care Professionals[edit | edit source]
Knowing the names of different health care professionals can be helpful if you need medical attention in South Africa. They include:
| Zulu | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| inyanga | in-YAHN-gah | traditional healer |
| umndiki | oomn-DEE-kee | nurse |
| umganga | oom-GAHN-gah | medical doctor |
| ubufakazi | oo-boo-FAH-kah-zee | pharmacist |
Using these words in a dialogue:
- Person 1: Ngicela ukwamukela enyangeni. (I'd like to see a traditional healer.)
- Person 2: Hhayi, uzofuna umganga. (No, you need to see a medical doctor.)
- Person 1: Ngimvuma, ngifuna ukuya emgazini. (Okay, I want to go to the clinic.)
- Person 2: Khona ubufakazi khona ekhishini lakho. (There's a pharmacy at your corner store.)
Parts of the Body[edit | edit source]
Knowing the words for different body parts is also very important when communicating about health issues. Here are some examples:
| Zulu | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| isandla | EE-san-dlah | hand |
| inhliziyo | in-SLEE-zee-yoh | heart |
| ukudla | oo-KOO-dlah | stomach |
| isipho | EE-see-poh | back |
| umlomo | oom-LOH-moh | mouth |
| amehlo | ah-MEH-hloh | eyes |
| izingane | ee-ZING-gah-neh | ears |
| iqanda | ee-KWAN-dah | nose |
| izinyo | ee-ZIN-yoh | teeth |
A dialogue example:
- Person 1: Uhlukumezani nawe? (Do you have a headache?)
- Person 2: Yebo, nginohlobo lwentofu. (Yes, I have a migraine.)
- Person 1: Ngikhuluma ngekudla kwami. (I'm talking about my stomach.)
- Person 2: Ah, ungummeli wukudla. (Oh, you have a stomach ache.)
Traditional Medicine[edit | edit source]
In South Africa, traditional medicine is still widely practiced. It is an important part of Zulu culture. Using traditional medicine is often seen as a source of cultural pride. Here are some examples of traditional Zulu herbs and medicines:
| Zulu | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Impepho | EEM-peh-phoh | African Sage |
| Umsuzwane | OOM-sooz-WAH-neh | Wormwood |
| Intelezi | in-tah-LAY-zee | African Bird Pepper |
| Carissa bispinosa | kah-RISS-ah bee-spee-NOH-sah | Num-num |
Using these words in a dialogue:
- Person 1: Ngimvume ngiphuma endlini ukuhamba emhlabathini ukuze ngilande izindlu. (I want to go and walk on the earth to ground myself.)
- Person 2: Ngicela ungaqiniseki ukuthi uzobe usuyilwe trongweni nxa uzoba ngasekhaya uma ulilahlekelwe kanjalo, nxa kungenzeke kungapheli i-imalethi. (Make sure you won't be struck by lightning if you stay outdoors, especially if you're bedridden, and if that should happen you won't run out of traditional herbs.)
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, we have learned some useful vocabulary for talking about health issues in Zulu. Remember that communication is key and knowing the right words can make a huge difference. Read vocabulary lists and try to practice them in context! Don't hesitate to reach out to native speakers if you have any questions.
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Finished this lesson? Check out these related lessons: Eating and Drinking & Nature.
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Education
- Days of the Week
- City
- Seasons
- Connecting words
- Drinks
- Weather
- Shapes
- Numbers
- How to say Good Bye?
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Zulu Dictionary Online Translation LEXILOGOS
- Useful Zulu phrases
- FREE! - Basic Zulu Expression Vocab Mat (Teacher-Made)