Language/Zulu/Grammar/Past-Tense

◀️ Present Tense — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Future Tense ▶️

Zulu → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Verbs and Tenses → 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.

Table of Contents - Zulu Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Zulu

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Classes
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Basic Numbers
• Days, Months, and Seasons

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing Relationships

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Describing Nouns
• Describing Verbs

  ---

Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Eating and Drinking

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Zulu Culture and Traditions

• Traditional Customs
• Festivals and Holidays

Other Lessons

• Conditional Mood
• Adverbs of place
• Plural
• Describing Nouns
• Basic Sentence Structure
• Personal Pronouns
• Future Tense
• How to Use Be
• Give your Opinion

Sources

• Zulu grammar - Wikipedia
• Zulu Lesson 14 - Past Tense and Colors
• Past Tense Grammar - Inkathi Edlulile - How to speak isiZulu ...

◀️ Present Tense — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Future Tense ▶️