Language/Zulu/Grammar/Past-Tense
Forming the Past Tense
In Zulu, the past tense is used to describe actions or events that have already happened. To form the past tense, you will need to add a suffix to the verb stem. The suffix differs depending on the verb class, and whether the verb is regular or irregular.
Regular Verbs
Regular verbs follow a predictable pattern when conjugated in the past tense. To form the past tense of a regular verb, add the suffix "-ile" to the verb stem. Here are a few examples:
| Zulu | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ukudla | ookoo-dla | to eat |
| ukubona | ooh-koo-boh-na | to see |
| ukuthanda | ooh-koo-thahn-dah | to love |
| ukugwema | ooh-koo-gway-mah | to walk |
Notice that the verb stem remains unchanged, and the "-ile" suffix is added at the end.
Irregular Verbs
Irregular verbs do not follow the same pattern as regular verbs. Instead, they have unique conjugations in the past tense. Here are a few examples:
| Zulu | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ukubuyela | ooh-koo-boo-yeh-lah | to return |
| ukwethula | ooh-kweh-too-lah | to speak |
| ukudlala | ookoo-dla-lah | to play |
Notice that the verbs do not follow the pattern of adding the "-ile" suffix. Instead, they have a different suffix or a completely different conjugation.
Using the Past Tense
The past tense is used to describe actions or events that have already happened. It is often used in storytelling, or to describe an event in the past. Here are a few examples:
- Ngikhuluma ngesonto eli past tense. (I spoke about last week.)
- Uyathanda ukudla isinkwa sakhe. (He loved to eat his bread.)
- Ngafika ekhaya ngemva kokuba ngikhokhele imikhuba. (I arrived home after hitchhiking.)
Negation
To negate a verb in the past tense, use the negative particle "anga" before the verb. For example:
- Angadlali ibhola. (He did not play soccer.)
- Angazi ukuthi wathini. (I do not know what he said.)
- Akangitsandza ukukhuluma naye. (She did not want to talk to me.)
Summary
- The past tense is used to describe actions or events that have already happened.
- To form the past tense of a regular verb, add the "-ile" suffix to the verb stem.
- Irregular verbs have unique conjugations in the past tense.
- To negate a verb in the past tense, use the negative particle "anga" before the verb.