Language/Zulu/Grammar/Plurals

Zulu Grammar - Plurals

Hi Zulu learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will explore the concept of plurals in the Zulu language. As you may know, plurals refer to more than one of a noun. Understanding how to form plurals is essential to speaking and understanding the Zulu language. So, let's get started!

After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: Gender, Adjectives, Negation & How to Use Have.

Basics

In Zulu, there are two types of plurals: general and specific. The general plural refers to any number greater than one, while the specific plural refers to a particular number that is distinct from the general plural. To form the general plural, the noun prefix remains unchanged, while the specific plural requires the addition of a specific prefix.

Here is a breakdown of the prefixes used to form the general and specific plurals:

Prefix	General plural	Specific plural
i-	ama-	izi-

As you can see, the prefix "i-" remains the same for both the general and specific plurals. However, the general plural is formed by adding the prefix "ama-", while the specific plural is formed by adding the prefix "izi-".

Let's look at some examples:

• umuntu (person) -> abantu (people) [general plural]
• inja (dog) -> izinja (dogs) [specific plural]

Notice how the noun prefix "um" changes to "ab" in the general plural, while the prefix "inj" changes to "izinj" in the specific plural.

Irregular Plurals

While the general and specific plural prefixes are the most common ways to form plurals in Zulu, there are some irregular plurals that do not follow these rules. Here are some examples:

Singular	Plural
inkunzi (bull)	amakunzi
inyathi (buffalo)	amayathi
indlu (house)	izindlu

As you can see, these plurals do not follow the standard general and specific plural patterns. Additionally, there are some words that have the same form in both the singular and plural. For example:

• ikhanda (head)
• isipho (gift)
• ingalo (grave)

Dialogue

• Person 1: Angifuni ukudle izinkomo ezintathu. (I don't want to eat three cows)
• Person 2: Why not? Abantu abaningi bazithola izinkomo engaphezulu kwezintathu. (Many people get more than three cows.)
• Person 1: I understand, kodwa angibatholi abantu abaningi ebandleni. (But I don't have many people at home.)

Cultural Notes

In Zulu culture, cows are highly valued and are often used to show wealth and prosperity. For example, dowries for brides often include cows as a sign of the groom's ability to provide for his wife and family. Additionally, cattle are a symbol of status and are often used in traditional Zulu ceremonies such as weddings and funerals. Therefore, it is important to understand the significance of cows in Zulu culture when using them in language and conversation.

Practice Exercises

1. Form the general plural of the following nouns:

• ibhola (ball)
• imali (money)
• umlilo (fire)
• inkunzi (bull)
• umuntu (person)

2. Form the specific plural of the following nouns:

• ithambo (bone)
• inyoka (snake)
• insele (grain)
• intambo (rope)
• inkomo (cow)

3. Translate the following sentences to Zulu:

• I have two dogs.
• We see three cars.
• She bought four books.

Additional Resources

To improve your Zulu Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

Sources

• Zulu grammar - Wikipedia
• Zulu Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
• Zulu Plural

Other Lessons

• How to Use Be
• Gender
• Adverbs of time
• Adverbs of frequency
• Adverbs of place
• Plural
• Questions
• Give your Opinion
• Feminine