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Welcome to Lesson 14 of the Latinum Institute isiZulu course.
In this lesson, we explore how isiZulu expresses the English preposition “for” — a word with multiple meanings in English: purpose, benefit, reason, and duration. Unlike English, which uses a single preposition, isiZulu employs several different grammatical strategies depending on the intended meaning.
The primary method for expressing “for” in the benefactive sense (”for someone,” “on behalf of”) is the applicative suffix -ela (or its vowel-harmony variant -el-), which attaches directly to verb stems. This morphological strategy is characteristic of Bantu languages and represents a fundamentally different approach than using prepositions.
For expressing reason (”for” = “because”), isiZulu uses the conjunction ngoba. For purpose (”for” = “in order to”), the conjunction ukuze is employed.
This lesson for English speakers learning isiZulu will demonstrate all these strategies through contextual examples.
Link to course index:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
What does “for” mean in isiZulu? The English word “for” translates to isiZulu in different ways depending on context: the applicative suffix -ela/-el- for benefactive meaning (doing something for someone), ngoba for reason/cause, ukuze for purpose, and ngenxa ka- for “because of.”
Key Takeaways: -
The applicative suffix -ela attaches to verb stems to mean “for/on behalf of someone” -
Ngoba means “because/for” when expressing reason -
Ukuze means “in order to/for the purpose of” -
Ngenxa ka- means “because of/for the sake of” -
The applicative changes verb valency, adding a beneficiary object
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The Applicative Suffix:
-ela [ˈɛ.la] — The applicative suffix, pronounced with a clear “e” as in “bed” followed by “la.” When attached to verb stems, the stress typically falls on the penultimate syllable of the complete word.
ngoba [ˈŋɡɔ.ɓa] — “because, for” — Note the prenasalized click at the beginning (ng-) and the implosive b (ɓ).
ukuze [u.ˈku.zɛ] — “in order to, so that” — Stress on the second syllable.
ngenxa [ŋɡɛ.ˈn̩.ʃa] — “because of” — The “nx” represents a nasal click combination.
Click Consonants: IsiZulu has three click consonants that do not exist in English: -
c [ǀ] — dental click (tongue against front teeth) -
q [ǃ] — alveolar click (tongue against roof of mouth) -
x [ǁ] — lateral click (tongue at side of mouth)
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Applicative -ela (doing FOR someone):
14.1a Umama uphekela abantwana ukudla 14.1b Umama (u.ˈma.ma) CL1-mother u- (u) SC.CL1 -phek- (pʰɛk) cook -ela (ˈɛ.la) APPL-for abantwana (a.ɓa.ˈntwa.na) CL2-children ukudla (u.ku.ˈɗa) CL15-food
14.2a Ubaba usebenzela umndeni wakhe 14.2b Ubaba (u.ˈɓa.ɓa) CL1-father u- (u) SC.CL1 -sebenz- (sɛ.ˈɓɛnz) work -ela (ˈɛ.la) APPL-for umndeni (u.mˈndɛ.ni) CL3-family wakhe (ˈwa.kʰɛ) POSS.CL3-his
14.3a Ngithengela umngane wami incwadi 14.3b Ngi- (ŋɡi) SC.1SG -theng- (tʰɛŋ) buy -ela (ˈɛ.la) APPL-for umngane (u.mˈŋɡa.nɛ) CL1-friend wami (ˈwa.mi) POSS.CL1-my incwadi (i.ˈn̩.ʧwa.ɗi) CL9-book
14.4a Usifundela indaba 14.4b U- (u) SC.CL1 -si- (si) OC.1PL -fund- (fu.nd) read -ela (ˈɛ.la) APPL-for indaba (i.ˈnda.ɓa) CL9-story
14.5a Bayaculela inkosi 14.5b Ba- (ɓa) SC.CL2 -ya- (ja) PRES -cul- (ʧu.l) sing -ela (ˈɛ.la) APPL-for inkosi (i.ˈŋkɔ.si) CL9-king
Ngoba (because, for reason):
14.6a Ngikhala ngoba ngidiniwe 14.6b Ngi- (ŋɡi) SC.1SG -khala (ˈkʰa.la) cry ngoba (ˈŋɡɔ.ɓa) because ngi- (ŋɡi) SC.1SG -diniwe (ɗi.ˈni.wɛ) tired-PERF
14.7a Abantu bajabule ngoba ilanga likhanya 14.7b Abantu (a.ˈɓa.ntu) CL2-people ba- (ɓa) SC.CL2 -jabule (ʤa.ˈɓu.lɛ) happy ngoba (ˈŋɡɔ.ɓa) because ilanga (i.ˈla.ŋɡa) CL5-sun li- (li) SC.CL5 -khanya (ˈkʰa.ɲa) shine
14.8a Ngimthanda ngoba muhle 14.8b Ngi- (ŋɡi) SC.1SG -m- (m) OC.CL1 -thanda (ˈtʰa.nda) love ngoba (ˈŋɡɔ.ɓa) because mu- (mu) SC.CL1 -hle (ɬɛ) beautiful
Ukuze (in order to, for the purpose of):
14.9a Ngifunda ukuze ngiphumelele 14.9b Ngi- (ŋɡi) SC.1SG -funda (ˈfu.nda) study ukuze (u.ˈku.zɛ) in-order-to ngi- (ŋɡi) SC.1SG -phumelele (pʰu.mɛ.ˈlɛ.lɛ) succeed-SUBJ
14.10a Usebenza kanzima ukuze athole imali 14.10b U- (u) SC.CL1 -sebenza (sɛ.ˈɓɛ.nza) work kanzima (ka.ˈn̩.zi.ma) hard ukuze (u.ˈku.zɛ) in-order-to a- (a) SC.CL1.SUBJ -thole (ˈtʰɔ.lɛ) get imali (i.ˈma.li) CL9-money
14.11a Bavuka ekuseni ukuze bafike ngesikhathi 14.11b Ba- (ɓa) SC.CL2 -vuka (ˈvu.ka) wake-up ekuseni (ɛ.ku.ˈsɛ.ni) LOC-morning ukuze (u.ˈku.zɛ) in-order-to ba- (ɓa) SC.CL2.SUBJ -fike (ˈfi.kɛ) arrive ngesikhathi (ŋɡɛ.si.ˈkʰa.tʰi) on-time
Ngenxa ka- (because of):
14.12a Angikwazi ukuhamba ngenxa yemvula 14.12b A- (a) NEG -ngi- (ŋɡi) SC.1SG -kwazi (ˈkwa.zi) able ukuhamba (u.ku.ˈha.mba) CL15-go ngenxa (ŋɡɛ.ˈn̩ʃa) because-of ye- (jɛ) POSS.CL9 -mvula (ˈmvu.la) rain
14.13a Uthukuthele ngenxa kwami 14.13b U- (u) SC.CL1 -thukuthele (tʰu.ku.ˈtʰɛ.lɛ) angry ngenxa (ŋɡɛ.ˈn̩ʃa) because-of kwami (ˈkwa.mi) POSS-me
Combined usage:
14.14a Umama usiphekela ukudla ngoba siyalamba 14.14b Umama (u.ˈma.ma) CL1-mother u- (u) SC.CL1 -si- (si) OC.1PL -phek- (pʰɛk) cook -ela (ˈɛ.la) APPL-for ukudla (u.ku.ˈɗa) CL15-food ngoba (ˈŋɡɔ.ɓa) because si- (si) SC.1PL -ya- (ja) PRES -lamba (ˈla.mba) hungry
14.15a Ngisebenzela umndeni wami ukuze baphile kahle 14.15b Ngi- (ŋɡi) SC.1SG -sebenz- (sɛ.ˈɓɛnz) work -ela (ˈɛ.la) APPL-for umndeni (u.mˈndɛ.ni) CL3-family wami (ˈwa.mi) POSS.CL3-my ukuze (u.ˈku.zɛ) in-order-to ba- (ɓa) SC.CL2.SUBJ -phile (ˈpʰi.lɛ) live kahle (ˈka.ɬɛ) well
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14.1 Umama uphekela abantwana ukudla → “The mother cooks food for the children”
14.2 Ubaba usebenzela umndeni wakhe → “The father works for his family”
14.3 Ngithengela umngane wami incwadi → “I am buying a book for my friend”
14.4 Usifundela indaba → “She reads a story for us”
14.5 Bayaculela inkosi → “They are singing for the king”
14.6 Ngikhala ngoba ngidiniwe → “I am crying because I am tired”
14.7 Abantu bajabule ngoba ilanga likhanya → “The people are happy because the sun is shining”
14.8 Ngimthanda ngoba muhle → “I love her because she is beautiful”
14.9 Ngifunda ukuze ngiphumelele → “I study in order to succeed”
14.10 Usebenza kanzima ukuze athole imali → “He works hard in order to get money”
14.11 Bavuka ekuseni ukuze bafike ngesikhathi → “They wake up early in order to arrive on time”
14.12 Angikwazi ukuhamba ngenxa yemvula → “I cannot go because of the rain”
14.13 Uthukuthele ngenxa kwami → “He is angry because of me”
14.14 Umama usiphekela ukudla ngoba siyalamba → “Mother cooks food for us because we are hungry”
14.15 Ngisebenzela umndeni wami ukuze baphile kahle → “I work for my family so that they may live well”
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14.1 Umama uphekela abantwana ukudla
14.2 Ubaba usebenzela umndeni wakhe
14.3 Ngithengela umngane wami incwadi
14.4 Usifundela indaba
14.5 Bayaculela inkosi
14.6 Ngikhala ngoba ngidiniwe
14.7 Abantu bajabule ngoba ilanga likhanya
14.8 Ngimthanda ngoba muhle
14.9 Ngifunda ukuze ngiphumelele
14.10 Usebenza kanzima ukuze athole imali
14.11 Bavuka ekuseni ukuze bafike ngesikhathi
14.12 Angikwazi ukuhamba ngenxa yemvula
14.13 Uthukuthele ngenxa kwami
14.14 Umama usiphekela ukudla ngoba siyalamba
14.15 Ngisebenzela umndeni wami ukuze baphile kahle
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Grammar Rules for Expressing “For” in isiZulu:
The primary way to express “for” in the benefactive sense (doing something for someone’s benefit) is through the applicative verbal extension -ela (or -el- before other suffixes).
Formation: Verb Root + -ela + Final Vowel (-a) -
pheka (cook) → phek-ela (cook for) -
thenga (buy) → theng-ela (buy for) -
funda (read/learn) → fund-ela (read for) -
sebenza (work) → sebenz-ela (work for) -
cula (sing) → cul-ela (sing for)
Function: The applicative suffix increases verb valency by adding a beneficiary argument. The beneficiary typically appears immediately after the verb:
Subject + Verb-ela + BENEFICIARY + (Object)
Example: Ngithengela umngane incwadi -
Ngi- (I) + theng- (buy) + -ela (for) + umngane (friend) + incwadi (book) -
“I buy a book for my friend”
Vowel Harmony: The suffix shows vowel harmony with the verb root. After roots containing high vowels (i, u), the suffix may appear as -ela. After roots with mid vowels (e, o), it remains -ela.
Ngoba introduces a clause explaining the reason or cause:
Main Clause + ngoba + Reason Clause
Example: Ngikhala ngoba ngidiniwe -
“I cry because I am tired”
The verb in the reason clause uses indicative mood.
Ukuze introduces a purpose clause. The verb in the purpose clause takes subjunctive mood:
Main Clause + ukuze + Purpose Clause (SUBJUNCTIVE)
Example: Ngifunda ukuze ngiphumelele -
“I study in order to succeed”
Note: The subjunctive in isiZulu is typically formed by changing the final vowel or using specific subject concord forms.
Ngenxa combines with possessive concords to mean “because of”: -
ngenxa ka- (before personal names, Class 1a) -
ngenxa ya- (before Class 9 nouns) -
ngenxa kwa- (before pronouns: kwami “of me,” kwakhe “of him”)
Example: Angikwazi ukuhamba ngenxa yemvula -
“I cannot go because of the rain”
When multiple verb extensions are used, they follow a specific order:
VERB ROOT + (Causative -isa) + (Applicative -ela) + (Reciprocal -ana) + (Passive -wa) + FINAL VOWEL
Example: zithengisela = zi-theng-is-el-a -
“sell to each other” (causative + applicative)
Mistake 1: Using “for” as a separate word -
Wrong: *Ngipheka for abantwana -
Correct: Ngiphekela abantwana (applicative suffix attached to verb)
Mistake 2: Confusing ngoba and ukuze -
Ngoba = because (reason that already happened or exists) -
Ukuze = in order to (purpose, future-oriented)
Mistake 3: Forgetting subjunctive with ukuze -
Wrong: *ukuze ngiphumelela (indicative) -
Correct: ukuze ngiphumelele (subjunctive)
Mistake 4: Wrong beneficiary position The beneficiary must come immediately after the applicative verb: -
Correct: Ngithengela umngane incwadi (beneficiary before object) -
Not: *Ngithengela incwadi umngane
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The Applicative in Zulu Society:
The applicative construction reflects deep cultural values in Zulu society. The concept of ubuntu (”I am because we are”) emphasizes communal responsibility and doing things for others. The grammatical embedding of “for” directly into the verb mirrors this cultural priority—actions done for others are not separate additions but fundamental to the action itself.
Register and Formality:
Both ngoba and the more formal ngokuba mean “because.” In formal speech, religious contexts, and traditional settings, ngokuba may be preferred. Similarly, njengoba (”since, as”) is used in formal contexts.
Regional Variations:
The applicative suffix -ela is consistent across Nguni languages (isiZulu, isiXhosa, isiNdebele, siSwati), though pronunciation varies slightly. Speakers of related languages will recognize this construction immediately.
The Vuvuzela Connection:
The famous South African horn “vuvuzela” takes its name from the isiZulu applicative! It combines the ideophone “vuvu” (a buzzing sound) with the applicative -ela, meaning roughly “the thing that makes a vuvu sound for someone/something.” This etymology shows how productive the applicative is in forming new words.
Proverbs and Expressions: -
Isandla siphendula esinye — “One hand washes the other” (mutual help) -
Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu — “A person is a person through other people” (ubuntu philosophy)
These proverbs reflect the importance of doing things for others—a concept grammatically encoded through the applicative.
Modern Usage:
In contemporary isiZulu, the applicative remains fully productive. New verbs borrowed from English readily take the applicative suffix: -
fona (phone) → fonela (phone for/call for someone) -
thayipha (type) → thayiphela (type for someone)
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From traditional Zulu praise poetry (izibongo), demonstrating the applicative and purpose expressions:
14.F.1a Inkosi ihlalela abantu bayo 14.F.1b Inkosi (i.ˈŋkɔ.si) CL9-king i- (i) SC.CL9 -hlal- (ɬa.l) sit/live -ela (ˈɛ.la) APPL-for abantu (a.ˈɓa.ntu) CL2-people bayo (ˈɓa.jɔ) POSS.CL2-its
14.F.2a Isebenzela isizwe ukuze sihlale ngokuthula 14.F.2b I- (i) SC.CL9 -sebenz- (sɛ.ˈɓɛnz) work -ela (ˈɛ.la) APPL-for isizwe (i.ˈsi.zwɛ) CL7-nation ukuze (u.ˈku.zɛ) in-order-to si- (si) SC.CL7.SUBJ -hlale (ˈɬa.lɛ) live ngokuthula (ŋɡɔ.ku.ˈtʰu.la) with-peace
14.F.3a Ngoba inkosi inhle, abantu bayajabula 14.F.3b Ngoba (ˈŋɡɔ.ɓa) because inkosi (i.ˈŋkɔ.si) CL9-king i- (i) SC.CL9 -nhle (n̩ɬɛ) good abantu (a.ˈɓa.ntu) CL2-people ba- (ɓa) SC.CL2 -ya- (ja) PRES -jabula (ʤa.ˈɓu.la) rejoice
Inkosi ihlalela abantu bayo. Isebenzela isizwe ukuze sihlale ngokuthula. Ngoba inkosi inhle, abantu bayajabula.
→ “The king lives for his people. He works for the nation so that it may live in peace. Because the king is good, the people rejoice.”
Inkosi ihlalela abantu bayo. Isebenzela isizwe ukuze sihlale ngokuthula. Ngoba inkosi inhle, abantu bayajabula.
This passage demonstrates all three strategies for expressing “for” in isiZulu: -
ihlalela (i-hlal-ela) — “lives for” — applicative showing the king’s life is dedicated to his people’s benefit -
Isebenzela (i-sebenz-ela) — “works for” — applicative showing purposeful action for the nation -
ukuze sihlale — “so that it may live” — purpose clause with subjunctive (sihlale, not sihlala) -
Ngoba inkosi inhle — “because the king is good” — reason clause explaining why the people rejoice
The shift from applicative (benefactive action) to ukuze (purpose) to ngoba (reason) shows how these three strategies work together in natural discourse to express different aspects of “for.”
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A conversation about helping at home, demonstrating the applicative and related constructions:
14.16a Mama, ngingakwenzela ini namuhla? 14.16b Mama (ˈma.ma) mother ngi- (ŋɡi) SC.1SG -nga- (ŋɡa) POT -ku- (ku) OC.2SG -enz- (ɛnz) do -ela (ˈɛ.la) APPL-for ini (ˈi.ni) what namuhla (na.ˈmu.ɬa) today
14.17a Ngicela ungiphekele inyama 14.17b Ngi- (ŋɡi) SC.1SG -cela (ˈʧɛ.la) ask u- (u) SC.2SG -ngi- (ŋɡi) OC.1SG -phek- (pʰɛk) cook -ele (ˈɛ.lɛ) APPL.SUBJ-for inyama (i.ˈɲa.ma) CL9-meat
14.18a Ngizoyiphekela ngoba ngiyakuthanda 14.18b Ngi- (ŋɡi) SC.1SG -zo- (zɔ) FUT -yi- (ji) OC.CL9 -phek- (pʰɛk) cook -ela (ˈɛ.la) APPL-for ngoba (ˈŋɡɔ.ɓa) because ngi- (ŋɡi) SC.1SG -ya- (ja) PRES -ku- (ku) OC.2SG -thanda (ˈtʰa.nda) love
14.19a Udadewethu usifundela izincwadi 14.19b Udadewethu (u.da.ɗɛ.ˈwɛ.tʰu) CL1-our-sister u- (u) SC.CL1 -si- (si) OC.1PL -fund- (fu.nd) read -ela (ˈɛ.la) APPL-for izincwadi (i.zi.ˈn̩ʧwa.ɗi) CL10-books
14.20a Ukwenzela ukuze sifunde kahle 14.20b U- (u) SC.CL1 -ku- (ku) OC.CL15 -enz- (ɛnz) do -ela (ˈɛ.la) APPL-for ukuze (u.ˈku.zɛ) in-order-to si- (si) SC.1PL.SUBJ -funde (ˈfu.ndɛ) learn kahle (ˈka.ɬɛ) well
14.21a Ubaba usebenzela thina sonke 14.21b Ubaba (u.ˈɓa.ɓa) CL1-father u- (u) SC.CL1 -sebenz- (sɛ.ˈɓɛnz) work -ela (ˈɛ.la) APPL-for thina (ˈtʰi.na) us sonke (ˈsɔ.ŋkɛ) all
14.22a Ngiyambonga ngoba usisiza nsuku zonke 14.22b Ngi- (ŋɡi) SC.1SG -ya- (ja) PRES -m- (m) OC.CL1 -bonga (ˈɓɔ.ŋɡa) thank ngoba (ˈŋɡɔ.ɓa) because u- (u) SC.CL1 -si- (si) OC.1PL -siza (ˈsi.za) help nsuku (ˈnsu.ku) days zonke (ˈzɔ.ŋkɛ) all
14.23a Sihlala ndawonye ngenxa yothando 14.23b Si- (si) SC.1PL -hlala (ˈɬa.la) live ndawonye (nda.ˈwɔ.ɲɛ) together ngenxa (ŋɡɛ.ˈn̩ʃa) because-of yo- (jɔ) POSS.CL11 -thando (ˈtʰa.ndɔ) love
14.24a Ugogo uyasiculela izingoma 14.24b Ugogo (u.ˈɡɔ.ɡɔ) CL1-grandmother u- (u) SC.CL1 -ya- (ja) PRES -si- (si) OC.1PL -cul- (ʧu.l) sing -ela (ˈɛ.la) APPL-for izingoma (i.zi.ˈŋɡɔ.ma) CL10-songs
14.25a Uyakwenza ngoba uyasithanda 14.25b U- (u) SC.CL1 -ya- (ja) PRES -ku- (ku) OC.CL15 -enza (ˈɛ.nza) do ngoba (ˈŋɡɔ.ɓa) because u- (u) SC.CL1 -ya- (ja) PRES -si- (si) OC.1PL -thanda (ˈtʰa.nda) love
14.26a Ngifunda kanzima ukuze ngibaphumelelise 14.26b Ngi- (ŋɡi) SC.1SG -funda (ˈfu.nda) study kanzima (ka.ˈn̩.zi.ma) hard ukuze (u.ˈku.zɛ) in-order-to ngi- (ŋɡi) SC.1SG.SUBJ -ba- (ɓa) OC.CL2 -phumelel- (pʰu.mɛ.ˈlɛl) succeed -ise (ˈi.sɛ) CAUS.SUBJ
14.27a Ngifundela abazali bami 14.27b Ngi- (ŋɡi) SC.1SG -fund- (fu.nd) study -ela (ˈɛ.la) APPL-for abazali (a.ɓa.ˈza.li) CL2-parents bami (ˈɓa.mi) POSS.CL2-my
14.28a Bayangisiza ukuze ngifeze amaphupho ami 14.28b Ba- (ɓa) SC.CL2 -ya- (ja) PRES -ngi- (ŋɡi) OC.1SG -siza (ˈsi.za) help ukuze (u.ˈku.zɛ) in-order-to ngi- (ŋɡi) SC.1SG.SUBJ -feze (ˈfɛ.zɛ) fulfill amaphupho (a.ma.ˈpʰu.pʰɔ) CL6-dreams ami (ˈa.mi) POSS.CL6-my
14.29a Ngiyabathanda ngoba bangabami 14.29b Ngi- (ŋɡi) SC.1SG -ya- (ja) PRES -ba- (ɓa) OC.CL2 -thanda (ˈtʰa.nda) love ngoba (ˈŋɡɔ.ɓa) because ba- (ɓa) SC.CL2 -nga- (ŋɡa) COP -ba- (ɓa) CL2 -mi (mi) POSS.1SG
14.30a Sisonke, siphilela omunye nomunye 14.30b Si- (si) SC.1PL -sonke (ˈsɔ.ŋkɛ) all si- (si) SC.1PL -phil- (pʰi.l) live -ela (ˈɛ.la) APPL-for omunye (ɔ.ˈmu.ɲɛ) one nomunye (nɔ.ˈmu.ɲɛ) and-one
14.16 Mama, ngingakwenzela ini namuhla? → “Mother, what can I do for you today?”
14.17 Ngicela ungiphekele inyama → “Please cook meat for me”
14.18 Ngizoyiphekela ngoba ngiyakuthanda → “I will cook it for you because I love you”
14.19 Udadewethu usifundela izincwadi → “Our sister reads books for us”
14.20 Ukwenzela ukuze sifunde kahle → “She does it so that we may learn well”
14.21 Ubaba usebenzela thina sonke → “Father works for all of us”
14.22 Ngiyambonga ngoba usisiza nsuku zonke → “I thank him because he helps us every day”
14.23 Sihlala ndawonye ngenxa yothando → “We live together because of love”
14.24 Ugogo uyasiculela izingoma → “Grandmother sings songs for us”
14.25 Uyakwenza ngoba uyasithanda → “She does it because she loves us”
14.26 Ngifunda kanzima ukuze ngibaphumelelise → “I study hard in order to make them succeed”
14.27 Ngifundela abazali bami → “I study for my parents”
14.28 Bayangisiza ukuze ngifeze amaphupho ami → “They help me so that I may fulfill my dreams”
14.29 Ngiyabathanda ngoba bangabami → “I love them because they are mine”
14.30 Sisonke, siphilela omunye nomunye → “Together, we live for one another”
14.16 Mama, ngingakwenzela ini namuhla?
14.17 Ngicela ungiphekele inyama
14.18 Ngizoyiphekela ngoba ngiyakuthanda
14.19 Udadewethu usifundela izincwadi
14.20 Ukwenzela ukuze sifunde kahle
14.21 Ubaba usebenzela thina sonke
14.22 Ngiyambonga ngoba usisiza nsuku zonke
14.23 Sihlala ndawonye ngenxa yothando
14.24 Ugogo uyasiculela izingoma
14.25 Uyakwenza ngoba uyasithanda
14.26 Ngifunda kanzima ukuze ngibaphumelelise
14.27 Ngifundela abazali bami
14.28 Bayangisiza ukuze ngifeze amaphupho ami
14.29 Ngiyabathanda ngoba bangabami
14.30 Sisonke, siphilela omunye nomunye
This family dialogue demonstrates several advanced uses of “for” constructions:
Applicative with Object Concords: In sentence 14.16, ngingakwenzela combines: -
ngi- (I) + -nga- (potential) + -ku- (you-object) + -enz- (do) + -ela (for) -
“I can do for you”
Subjunctive with Applicative: In sentence 14.17, ungiphekele uses subjunctive final vowel -e: -
u- (you) + -ngi- (me-object) + -phek- (cook) + -ele (for-SUBJ) -
The subjunctive is used because it’s a polite request
Applicative + Causative: In sentence 14.26, ngibaphumelelise stacks: -
ngi- (I) + -ba- (them-object) + -phumelel- (succeed) + -is- (CAUS) + -e (SUBJ) -
“cause them to succeed” = “make them succeed”
Mutual Benefaction: Sentence 14.30 shows siphilela omunye nomunye — “we live for one another,” expressing the ubuntu philosophy where mutual care is grammatically encoded through the applicative.
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The Applicative Suffix Variations:
The applicative suffix has predictable variants: -
-ela after most consonant-final stems -
-ele in subjunctive mood -
When combined with passive -wa, becomes -elwa -
When combined with reciprocal -ana, becomes -elana
Tone Patterns:
IsiZulu is a tonal language with High (H) and Low (L) tones. The applicative suffix typically does not carry its own underlying high tone, but tone spreading from earlier syllables may affect it.
Click Integration:
When verb roots contain clicks, the applicative suffix attaches normally: -
qeda (finish) → qedela (finish for) -
xoxa (chat) → xoxela (chat for/tell) -
cula (sing) → culela (sing for)
Stress Pattern:
IsiZulu stress falls on the penultimate (second-to-last) syllable. Adding -ela shifts the stress: -
phéka → phekéla -
sébenza → sebenzéla
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The Latinum Institute has been creating online language learning materials since 2006. This isiZulu course follows the proven Construed Reading methodology, presenting vocabulary systematically based on frequency rankings. Each lesson focuses on a single high-frequency word or grammatical concept, presented through contextual examples that build naturally on previously learned material.
The applicative construction taught in this lesson is one of the most important grammatical features of isiZulu and other Bantu languages. Mastering this suffix will dramatically increase your ability to express nuanced relationships and actions done for the benefit of others.
For more information about the Latinum Institute methodology, visit: -
Course index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index -
Trustpilot reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
Reminder: This lesson is designed for English speakers learning isiZulu. The applicative suffix -ela represents a grammatical category that does not exist in English, where “for” is always a separate preposition. Learning to think of “for” as part of the verb itself is key to mastering natural isiZulu.
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