Language/Zulu/Grammar/Conjunctions
Introduction
Welcome to the Zulu Grammar course! In this lesson, we will focus on conjunctions, which are words that connect two or more words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence. By mastering conjunctions, you will be able to use more complex sentence structures in Zulu and express yourself more fluently. Let's get started!
Don't miss the chance to check out these pages as you wrap up this lesson: Gender & Pronouns.
Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, and clauses that are grammatically equal, meaning that they have the same function in the sentence. In Zulu, there are four coordinating conjunctions: "kanye", "futhi", "noma", and "kunye".
"Kanye"
"Kanye" means "and" and is used to join words or phrases that are parallel. For example:
Zulu | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Uthando kanye nombuso | /uˈtʰando kaː'ɲɛ nuˈmbuso/ | Love and beauty |
"Futhi"
"Futhi" also means "and" and is used to join words or phrases that are not necessarily parallel but are of equal importance. For example:
Zulu | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Ubusuku bumnandi futhi benkulu | /uˈbusuːku bumnandi 'fuːtʰi bɛn'kulu/ | The night is good and long |
"Noma"
"Noma" means "or" and is used to present alternative options or possibilities. For example:
Zulu | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Uyathanda ukudla noma asiyazi kuso | /ujəˈtʰanda ʊku'd̪͡ɮa ˈnɔma a'sijaːzi 'kʊso/ | He likes to eat, or we don't know what it is |
"Kunye"
"Kunye" means "and" and is used to join words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It is often used in combination with "futhi" to add emphasis. For example:
Zulu | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Uthando kunye nothando | /uˈtʰando 'kunje nɔ'ˈtʰando/ | Love and love |
Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions connect clauses that are not grammatically equal. In other words, one clause depends on the other to express a complete thought. In Zulu, there are several subordinating conjunctions, including:
- "ngoba" - because
- "ngokuba" - because
- "uma" - if
- "ngalokho" - therefore
- "nxa" - if/as long as
- "hle" - if only
Here are some examples:
- "Ngoba ngathi ngiyaqala ukudla." - "Because I feel like eating."
- "Uma ngifuna ukudla ngiyaqala ukupheka." - "If I want to eat, I start cooking."
Conclusion
Congratulations on completing this lesson on conjunctions in Zulu! By mastering the use of conjunctions, you will be better equipped to express yourself more fluidly and develop more complex sentence structures. Be sure to practice what you have learned in order to strengthen your skills. Good luck!
Having concluded this lesson, consider checking out these related pages: Adverbs of time & Alphabet and Pronunciation.
Videos
Conjunctions in isiZulu - How to speak isiZulu - YouTube
Other Lessons
- Adverbs of place
- Noun Classes
- Negation
- Alphabet and Pronunciation
- Adverbs of time
- Gender
- Basic Sentence Structure
- Adverbs of manner
- Future Tense
- Adjectives