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Definition: In this lesson, we explore how Zulu expresses the English preposition “on” through the positional construction phezu kwa- meaning “on top of” or “upon.” Unlike English which uses a simple preposition, Zulu employs this compound construction that combines the positional word phezu with the connective kwa- before nouns. For surface contact in a more general sense, the locative circumfix e-...-ini can also express “on” (as in “on the table”). For autodidact students, understanding these constructions is essential for describing the physical position of objects and people in relation to surfaces.
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What does “phezu kwa-” mean in Zulu?
The construction phezu kwa- translates to “on top of” or “upon” in English. The word phezu means “above” or “on top,” and when combined with kwa- (a connective particle derived from the class 17 locative), it creates a prepositional phrase indicating position on the surface of something. When used without a specific object, ngaphezulu means simply “on top” or “above.”
Key Takeaways: -
Phezu kwa- + noun = “on top of” (surface contact, position upon) -
The connective kwa- undergoes vowel coalescence with following noun augments -
Ngaphezulu = “on top” (standalone, no object specified) -
The locative e-...-ini can also express “on” for surfaces like tables -
Related positional terms: phantsi kwa- (underneath), ecaleni kwa- (next to), phambi kwa- (in front of), emva kwa- (behind)
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Phezu /pʰɛ.zu/ — The “ph” is an aspirated p (with a puff of air), not an f-sound. The “e” is pronounced as in “pet,” and “zu” rhymes with “too.”
Kwa- /kwa/ — Pronounced with a “kw” sound as in English “quack,” followed by a short “ah.”
Ngaphezulu /ŋa.pʰɛ.zu.lu/ — The “ng” is a velar nasal as in “sing,” followed by “a-phezu-lu.”
Vowel Coalescence Examples: -
kwa- + imoto → kwemoto (the a + i becomes e) -
kwa- + indlu → kwendlu (the a + i becomes e) -
kwa- + itafula → kwetafula (the a + i becomes e) -
kwa- + umuthi → komuthi (the a + u becomes o)
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18.1a Incwadi iphezu kwetafula 18.1b Incwadi (iːn.ˈʧwa.di) book iphezu (i.ˈpʰɛ.zu) it-is-on-top kwa- + itafula (kwe.ta.ˈfu.la) of-table
18.2a Ikati lihlezi phezu kwesofa 18.2b Ikati (i.ˈka.ti) cat lihlezi (li.ˈɬɛ.zi) it-sits phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + isofa (kwe.ˈsɔ.fa) of-sofa
18.3a Umntwana ulele phezu kombhede 18.3b Umntwana (um.ˈntwa.na) child ulele (u.ˈlɛ.lɛ) he-sleeps phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + umbhede (kɔm.ˈbʰɛ.dɛ) of-bed
18.4a Izingubo ziphezu kwesihlalo 18.4b Izingubo (i.ziŋ.ˈgu.bɔ) clothes ziphezu (zi.ˈpʰɛ.zu) they-are-on-top kwa- + isihlalo (kwe.si.ˈɬa.lɔ) of-chair
18.5a Inja igijima phezu kotshani 18.5b Inja (ˈi.nja) dog igijima (i.gi.ˈʤi.ma) it-runs phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + utshani (kɔ.ˈʧa.ni) of-grass
18.6a Beka isitsha phezu kwetafula 18.6b Beka (ˈbɛ.ka) put isitsha (i.ˈsi.ʧa) dish phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + itafula (kwe.ta.ˈfu.la) of-table
18.7a Umama uhlezi phezu kwengubo 18.7b Umama (u.ˈma.ma) mother uhlezi (u.ˈɬɛ.zi) she-sits phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + ingubo (kwe.ŋ.ˈgu.bɔ) of-blanket
18.8a Amaqabunga awile phezu kwendlu 18.8b Amaqabunga (a.ma.qa.ˈbu.ŋa) leaves awile (a.ˈwi.lɛ) they-fell phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + indlu (kwe.ˈndlu) of-house
18.9a Inyoni ihlezi phezu komuthi 18.9b Inyoni (i.ˈɲɔ.ni) bird ihlezi (i.ˈɬɛ.zi) it-sits phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + umuthi (kɔ.ˈmu.tʰi) of-tree
18.10a Ilanga likhanya phezu kwezintaba 18.10b Ilanga (i.ˈla.ŋa) sun likhanya (li.ˈkʰa.ɲa) it-shines phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + izintaba (kwe.zi.nˈta.ba) of-mountains
18.11a Ngibeke ipuleti phezu kwetafula 18.11b Ngibeke (ŋi.ˈbɛ.kɛ) I-have-put ipuleti (i.pu.ˈlɛ.ti) plate phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + itafula (kwe.ta.ˈfu.la) of-table
18.12a Amanzi agobhoza phezu kwamatshe 18.12b Amanzi (a.ˈma.nzi) water agobhoza (a.gɔ.ˈbʰɔ.za) it-pours phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + amatshe (kwa.ˈma.ʧe) of-stones
18.13a Isithombe siphezu kodonga 18.13b Isithombe (i.si.ˈtʰɔ.mbɛ) picture siphezu (si.ˈpʰɛ.zu) it-is-on-top kwa- + udonga (kɔ.ˈdɔ.ŋa) of-wall
18.14a Ubaba ugibele phezu kwehhashi 18.14b Ubaba (u.ˈba.ba) father ugibele (u.gi.ˈbɛ.lɛ) he-has-climbed phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + ihhashi (kwe.ˈɦa.ʃi) of-horse
18.15a Iqhwa likhithika phezu kwezintaba 18.15b Iqhwa (i.ˈq͡χʷa) snow likhithika (li.kʰi.ˈtʰi.ka) it-falls phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + izintaba (kwe.zi.nˈta.ba) of-mountains
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18.1 Incwadi iphezu kwetafula → “The book is on the table”
18.2 Ikati lihlezi phezu kwesofa → “The cat is sitting on the sofa”
18.3 Umntwana ulele phezu kombhede → “The child is sleeping on the bed”
18.4 Izingubo ziphezu kwesihlalo → “The clothes are on the chair”
18.5 Inja igijima phezu kotshani → “The dog is running on the grass”
18.6 Beka isitsha phezu kwetafula → “Put the dish on the table”
18.7 Umama uhlezi phezu kwengubo → “Mother is sitting on the blanket”
18.8 Amaqabunga awile phezu kwendlu → “The leaves have fallen on the house”
18.9 Inyoni ihlezi phezu komuthi → “The bird is sitting on the tree”
18.10 Ilanga likhanya phezu kwezintaba → “The sun is shining on the mountains”
18.11 Ngibeke ipuleti phezu kwetafula → “I have put the plate on the table”
18.12 Amanzi agobhoza phezu kwamatshe → “The water is pouring over the stones”
18.13 Isithombe siphezu kodonga → “The picture is on the wall”
18.14 Ubaba ugibele phezu kwehhashi → “Father has mounted on the horse”
18.15 Iqhwa likhithika phezu kwezintaba → “Snow is falling on the mountains”
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18.1 Incwadi iphezu kwetafula
18.2 Ikati lihlezi phezu kwesofa
18.3 Umntwana ulele phezu kombhede
18.4 Izingubo ziphezu kwesihlalo
18.5 Inja igijima phezu kotshani
18.6 Beka isitsha phezu kwetafula
18.7 Umama uhlezi phezu kwengubo
18.8 Amaqabunga awile phezu kwendlu
18.9 Inyoni ihlezi phezu komuthi
18.10 Ilanga likhanya phezu kwezintaba
18.11 Ngibeke ipuleti phezu kwetafula
18.12 Amanzi agobhoza phezu kwamatshe
18.13 Isithombe siphezu kodonga
18.14 Ubaba ugibele phezu kwehhashi
18.15 Iqhwa likhithika phezu kwezintaba
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Grammar Rules for “phezu kwa-” in Zulu:
1. Basic Structure
The construction phezu kwa- means “on top of” or “upon” and consists of two elements: the positional word phezu (on top, above) and the connective particle kwa- (of, belonging to class 17 locative). This is not a single word but a compound prepositional phrase that functions as a unit.
2. Vowel Coalescence with kwa-
When kwa- precedes a noun, the final -a of kwa- coalesces with the initial vowel (augment) of the following noun according to these patterns: -
kwa- + i- → kwe- (kwetafula from kwa- + itafula) -
kwa- + u- → ko- (komuthi from kwa- + umuthi) -
kwa- + a- → kwa- (kwamatshe from kwa- + amatshe)
3. Related Positional Constructions
Zulu has a complete system of positional expressions built on the same pattern: -
phezu kwa- — on top of, upon -
phantsi kwa- — underneath, below -
ecaleni kwa- — beside, next to -
phambi kwa- — in front of, before -
emva kwa- — behind, after -
phakathi kwa-...na- — between (requires two nouns)
4. Standalone Forms with nga-
When no specific object is mentioned, these positional words take the prefix nga-: -
ngaphezulu — on top, above (general) -
ngaphansi — underneath, below (general) -
ngaphambili — in front, ahead (general) -
ngasemuva — behind, at the back (general)
5. Alternative: The Locative Circumfix
For expressing “on” in the sense of surface contact with furniture or surfaces, the locative circumfix e-...-ini can also be used. For example: -
itafula (table) → etafuleni (on/at the table) -
umbhede (bed) → embhedeni (on/in the bed)
The distinction is subtle: phezu kwa- emphasizes being “on top of” as a position, while e-...-ini locatives are more general and can mean “on,” “at,” or “in.”
6. Subject Concord with iphezu
When phezu is used predicatively with a subject (as in “The book is on the table”), the subject concord is attached to -phezu: -
Incwadi iphezu kwetafula (class 9 subject: i-) -
Izincwadi ziphezu kwetafula (class 10 subject: zi-) -
Ikati liphezu kwesofa (class 5 subject: li-)
Common Mistakes to Avoid: -
Do not separate phezu and kwa- with other words; they form a unit -
Remember the vowel coalescence: it is kwetafula, not kwa itafula -
Do not confuse phezu kwa- (on top of something) with ngaphezulu (on top, general) -
The subject concord attaches to phezu when used predicatively
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Spatial Relationships in Zulu Culture
The Zulu language’s sophisticated system of positional expressions reflects the cultural importance of spatial awareness and the precise description of physical relationships. In traditional Zulu society, the arrangement of objects, people, and structures within the homestead (umuzi) follows specific protocols, and the language provides detailed vocabulary for describing these arrangements.
Formal and Informal Usage
The construction phezu kwa- is used across all registers of Zulu, from everyday conversation to formal speech. Unlike some grammatical features that vary by region, this positional system is consistent throughout KwaZulu-Natal and other Zulu-speaking areas.
Idiomatic Expressions
Several idiomatic expressions use phezu: -
Ukugibela phezu kwehhashi — to mount a horse (literally: to climb on top of a horse) -
Ukubeka isandla phezu kwa- — to place one’s hand upon (often used in ceremonial contexts) -
Phezu kwalokho — moreover, on top of that, furthermore (used in argumentation)
Connection to Praise Poetry (Izibongo)
In traditional Zulu praise poetry, positional language is used metaphorically. A king might be described as being “phezu kwezitha” (above/upon the enemies), indicating dominance and victory. These positional terms carry cultural weight beyond their literal spatial meanings.
Modern Usage
In contemporary Zulu, phezu kwa- remains fully productive and is used in all contexts describing physical position. Urban speakers use it in the same way as rural speakers, and it appears frequently in Zulu media, literature, and everyday conversation.
Register Note: This lesson is designed for English speakers learning Zulu. The positional constructions taught here are essential for describing where things are located and for giving directions or instructions about placement.
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From traditional Zulu expression and contemporary usage:
Part F-A: Interlinear Text
Inyoni encane ihlezi phezu komuthi omkhulu, ibuka phansi emhlabeni. Ilanga likhanya phezu kwayo, futhi umoya umnandi uhamba phezu kotshani.
Inyoni (i.ˈɲɔ.ni) bird encane (ɛ.ˈnʧa.nɛ) small ihlezi (i.ˈɬɛ.zi) it-sits phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + umuthi (kɔ.ˈmu.tʰi) of-tree omkhulu (ɔ.ˈmkʰu.lu) big, ibuka (i.ˈbu.ka) it-looks phansi (ˈpʰa.nsi) down emhlabeni (ɛ.ˈmɬa.bɛ.ni) at-earth. Ilanga (i.ˈla.ŋa) sun likhanya (li.ˈkʰa.ɲa) it-shines phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwayo (ˈkwa.jɔ) of-it, futhi (ˈfu.tʰi) and umoya (u.ˈmɔ.ja) wind umnandi (u.ˈmna.ndi) pleasant uhamba (u.ˈɦa.mba) it-goes phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + utshani (kɔ.ˈʧa.ni) of-grass.
Part F-B: Natural Text with Translation
Inyoni encane ihlezi phezu komuthi omkhulu, ibuka phansi emhlabeni. Ilanga likhanya phezu kwayo, futhi umoya umnandi uhamba phezu kotshani.
→ “A small bird sits on the big tree, looking down at the earth. The sun shines upon it, and a pleasant breeze passes over the grass.”
Part F-C: Zulu Text Only
Inyoni encane ihlezi phezu komuthi omkhulu, ibuka phansi emhlabeni. Ilanga likhanya phezu kwayo, futhi umoya umnandi uhamba phezu kotshani.
Part F-D: Grammar Commentary
This passage demonstrates three uses of phezu kwa-: -
phezu komuthi — on the tree (kwa- + umuthi → komuthi) -
phezu kwayo — upon it (kwa- + yona → kwayo, using the pronoun) -
phezu kotshani — over the grass (kwa- + utshani → kotshani)
Note the contrast between phezu (indicating position on top) and phansi (down, below), and the use of the locative emhlabeni (at/on the earth) showing how both systems coexist. The possessive pronoun kwayo (of it, referring to the bird) shows how kwa- combines with pronouns as well as nouns.
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In this section, a parent gives instructions to children about placing and arranging items in the home, demonstrating practical usage of phezu kwa- in everyday domestic context.
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
18.16a Beka lezi zinto phezu kwetafula ekhishini 18.16b Beka (ˈbɛ.ka) put lezi (ˈlɛ.zi) these zinto (ˈzi.ntɔ) things phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + itafula (kwe.ta.ˈfu.la) of-table ekhishini (ɛ.kʰi.ˈʃi.ni) in-kitchen
18.17a Ungabeki izingubo phezu kombhede 18.17b Unga- (ˈu.ŋa) don’t- -beki (ˈbɛ.ki) put izingubo (i.ziŋ.ˈgu.bɔ) clothes phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + umbhede (kɔm.ˈbʰɛ.dɛ) of-bed
18.18a Ikhekhe liphezu kwefrijji 18.18b Ikhekhe (i.ˈkʰɛ.kʰɛ) cake liphezu (li.ˈpʰɛ.zu) it-is-on-top kwa- + ifrijji (kwe.ˈfri.ʤi) of-fridge
18.19a Ngubani obeke amanzi phezu kweTV? 18.19b Ngubani (ŋu.ˈba.ni) who obeke (ɔ.ˈbɛ.kɛ) who-put amanzi (a.ˈma.nzi) water phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + iTV (kwe.ti.ˈvi) of-TV
18.20a Susa leli bhokisi phezu kwekhabethe 18.20b Susa (ˈsu.sa) remove leli (ˈlɛ.li) this bhokisi (ˈbʰɔ.ki.si) box phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + ikhabethe (kwe.kʰa.ˈbɛ.tʰɛ) of-cupboard
18.21a Amakhekhe angaphezu kwetafula 18.21b Amakhekhe (a.ma.ˈkʰɛ.kʰɛ) cakes angaphezu (a.ŋa.ˈpʰɛ.zu) they-are-not-on-top kwa- + itafula (kwe.ta.ˈfu.la) of-table
18.22a Beka ipleyiti yakho phezu kwesinki 18.22b Beka (ˈbɛ.ka) put ipleyiti (i.plɛ.ˈji.ti) plate yakho (ˈja.kʰɔ) your phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + isinki (kwe.ˈsi.ŋki) of-sink
18.23a Izicathulo ziphezu kwephephandaba 18.23b Izicathulo (i.zi.ʧa.ˈtʰu.lɔ) shoes ziphezu (zi.ˈpʰɛ.zu) they-are-on-top kwa- + iphephandaba (kwe.pʰɛ.pʰa.ˈnda.ba) of-newspaper
18.24a Ngifuna ukubeka isithombe phezu kodonga 18.24b Ngifuna (ŋi.ˈfu.na) I-want ukubeka (u.ku.ˈbɛ.ka) to-put isithombe (i.si.ˈtʰɔ.mbɛ) picture phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + udonga (kɔ.ˈdɔ.ŋa) of-wall
18.25a Ubaba uhlezi phezu kwesihlalo sakhe 18.25b Ubaba (u.ˈba.ba) father uhlezi (u.ˈɬɛ.zi) he-sits phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + isihlalo (kwe.si.ˈɬa.lɔ) of-chair sakhe (ˈsa.kʰɛ) his
18.26a Inja ilele phezu kwetaphethi 18.26b Inja (ˈi.nja) dog ilele (i.ˈlɛ.lɛ) it-sleeps phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + itaphethi (kwe.ta.ˈpʰɛ.tʰi) of-carpet
18.27a Abantwana bagxuma phezu kombhede 18.27b Abantwana (a.ba.ˈntwa.na) children bagxuma (ba.ˈǀu.ma) they-jump phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + umbhede (kɔm.ˈbʰɛ.dɛ) of-bed
18.28a Ungagxumi phezu kwesofa! 18.28b Unga- (ˈu.ŋa) don’t- -gxumi (ˈǀu.mi) jump phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + isofa (kwe.ˈsɔ.fa) of-sofa
18.29a Kukhona uthuli phezu kwefenisha 18.29b Kukhona (ku.ˈkʰɔ.na) there-is uthuli (u.ˈtʰu.li) dust phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + ifenisha (kwe.fɛ.ˈni.ʃa) of-furniture
18.30a Sula uthuli phezu kwetafula 18.30b Sula (ˈsu.la) wipe uthuli (u.ˈtʰu.li) dust phezu (ˈpʰɛ.zu) on-top kwa- + itafula (kwe.ta.ˈfu.la) of-table
Part B: Natural Sentences
18.16 Beka lezi zinto phezu kwetafula ekhishini → “Put these things on the table in the kitchen”
18.17 Ungabeki izingubo phezu kombhede → “Don’t put the clothes on the bed”
18.18 Ikhekhe liphezu kwefrijji → “The cake is on the fridge”
18.19 Ngubani obeke amanzi phezu kweTV? → “Who put the water on the TV?”
18.20 Susa leli bhokisi phezu kwekhabethe → “Remove this box from on top of the cupboard”
18.21 Amakhekhe angaphezu kwetafula → “The cakes are not on the table”
18.22 Beka ipleyiti yakho phezu kwesinki → “Put your plate on the sink”
18.23 Izicathulo ziphezu kwephephandaba → “The shoes are on the newspaper”
18.24 Ngifuna ukubeka isithombe phezu kodonga → “I want to put a picture on the wall”
18.25 Ubaba uhlezi phezu kwesihlalo sakhe → “Father is sitting on his chair”
18.26 Inja ilele phezu kwetaphethi → “The dog is sleeping on the carpet”
18.27 Abantwana bagxuma phezu kombhede → “The children are jumping on the bed”
18.28 Ungagxumi phezu kwesofa! → “Don’t jump on the sofa!”
18.29 Kukhona uthuli phezu kwefenisha → “There is dust on the furniture”
18.30 Sula uthuli phezu kwetafula → “Wipe the dust off the table”
Part C: Zulu Text Only
18.16 Beka lezi zinto phezu kwetafula ekhishini
18.17 Ungabeki izingubo phezu kombhede
18.18 Ikhekhe liphezu kwefrijji
18.19 Ngubani obeke amanzi phezu kweTV?
18.20 Susa leli bhokisi phezu kwekhabethe
18.21 Amakhekhe angaphezu kwetafula
18.22 Beka ipleyiti yakho phezu kwesinki
18.23 Izicathulo ziphezu kwephephandaba
18.24 Ngifuna ukubeka isithombe phezu kodonga
18.25 Ubaba uhlezi phezu kwesihlalo sakhe
18.26 Inja ilele phezu kwetaphethi
18.27 Abantwana bagxuma phezu kombhede
18.28 Ungagxumi phezu kwesofa!
18.29 Kukhona uthuli phezu kwefenisha
18.30 Sula uthuli phezu kwetafula
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
This household dialogue demonstrates several important patterns:
Negative Commands: The negative prefix unga- attaches to the verb to form prohibitions: Ungabeki (don’t put), Ungagxumi (don’t jump).
Questions with phezu kwa-: In sentence 18.19, we see how phezu kwa- functions in a question: “Ngubani obeke amanzi phezu kweTV?” The question word ngubani (who) begins the sentence, followed by the relative construction obeke (who put).
Negative Predicate: In 18.21, angaphezu shows the negative form: a- (negative) + nga- (general locative marker) + phezu = “they are not on top of.”
Loanwords: This section includes several English loanwords adapted to Zulu phonology: ifrijji (fridge), iTV, isofa, ifenisha (furniture), ikhabethe (cupboard), itaphethi (carpet), ipleyiti (plate), isinki (sink). All take the class 9 prefix i- and form the locative with kwe-.
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The Positional Word phezu
The word phezu contains the aspirated “ph” which is pronounced with a puff of air, unlike English “f.” Practice by holding your hand in front of your mouth—you should feel air when pronouncing “ph” correctly.
Click Consonants in Examples
Some examples contain click consonants: -
gxuma (jump) contains the lateral click “gx” /ǀ/ -
iqhwa (snow) contains the ejective “qh” from the click series
Vowel Coalescence Summary
When kwa- meets noun augments: -
kwa- + i- → kwe- (most common in examples) -
kwa- + u- → ko- -
kwa- + a- → kwa- (no change)
Stress Patterns
In Zulu, stress typically falls on the penultimate (second-to-last) syllable. In compound expressions like phezu kwetafula, each word maintains its own stress pattern: PHE-zu kwe-ta-FU-la.
Tone
Zulu is a tonal language, though tone is not marked in standard orthography. In phezu kwa- constructions, the tone patterns are generally predictable and will become natural with exposure to spoken Zulu.
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This lesson is part of a comprehensive Zulu language course following the Latinum Institute methodology, which emphasizes learning through construed reading. Each lesson focuses on one word from a frequency-ranked vocabulary list, providing 30 contextual examples to demonstrate usage patterns.
The Latinum Institute has been creating innovative language learning materials since 2006, focusing on making both ancient and modern languages accessible to autodidact learners worldwide. Our unique interlinear method, demonstrated in this lesson, allows learners to understand authentic language patterns from the very beginning of their studies.
By providing word-by-word glossing with pronunciation guides, we eliminate the frustration of constantly consulting dictionaries, allowing students to focus on understanding grammar patterns and building reading fluency. This approach has proven particularly effective for languages with complex morphology like Zulu, where single words often contain multiple grammatical elements.
For a complete index of all Latinum Institute courses, visit: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
For reviews from our students, visit: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
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