###
Nexal Code: @ˡᵉˢˢᵒⁿ.43.ⁱˢⁱᶻᵘˡᵘ.ⁿⁱⁿⁱ.ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵒᵍᵃᵗⁱᵛᵉ.ᵗᵉᵐᵖᵒʳᵃˡ
Course Index:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
The Zulu word nini (”when”) serves as the fundamental temporal interrogative in isiZulu, enabling speakers to inquire about the timing of actions, events, and states. For the autodidact learner, mastering this word opens essential conversational doors, from coordinating meetings to understanding narratives and historical accounts.
FAQ: What does “nini” mean in Zulu?
The word nini means “when” in isiZulu. It is used exclusively as an interrogative adverb to ask questions about time. Unlike English, where “when” can introduce both questions and subordinate clauses, Zulu employs different constructions for non-interrogative temporal expressions (such as lapho, uma, or ngesikhathi). The interrogative nini typically appears at the end of the sentence, following the verb, which reflects the general pattern of Zulu question formation where interrogative words occupy final position.
How Nini Functions in isiZulu
In the fifteen examples of Section A, you will encounter nini in various contexts: simple questions about arrival and departure, inquiries about scheduled events, questions embedded in reported speech, and combinations with different verb tenses. The word remains invariable regardless of tense—it does not conjugate or take prefixes. What changes is the verb it accompanies, which carries all the grammatical information about subject, tense, and aspect.
Key Relationships
The interrogative nini belongs to a family of Zulu question words: ubani (who), yini (what), kuphi (where), njani (how), and ngani (why/with what). When combined with the conjunction noma (or/even), it forms noma nini meaning “anytime” or “whenever,” demonstrating how interrogatives can shift to indefinite expressions. This lesson focuses on the interrogative function while noting these extended uses.
-
Nini is the temporal interrogative meaning “when” -
It typically appears at the end of the sentence -
The verb preceding it carries tense and subject information -
It does not change form—only the accompanying verb conjugates -
Combine with noma for “anytime/whenever” -
Different constructions exist for non-interrogative “when”
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Granular word-by-word glossing with pronunciation guidance
43.1a Ufika you-arrive nini when ?
43.1b Ufika (oo-FEE-kah) you-arrive nini (NEE-nee) when ?
43.2a Siqala we-start nini when namhlanje today ?
43.2b Siqala (see-KAH-lah) we-start nini (NEE-nee) when namhlanje (nahm-HLAH-njeh) today ?
43.3a Umntwana the-child uvuka he/she-wakes nini when ekuseni in-the-morning ?
43.3b Umntwana (oom-NTWAH-nah) the-child uvuka (oo-VOO-kah) he/she-wakes nini (NEE-nee) when ekuseni (eh-koo-SEH-nee) in-the-morning ?
43.4a Bazofika they-will-arrive nini when abazali the-parents ?
43.4b Bazofika (bah-zoh-FEE-kah) they-will-arrive nini (NEE-nee) when abazali (ah-bah-ZAH-lee) the-parents ?
43.5a Wahamba you-left nini when ekhaya from-home ?
43.5b Wahamba (wah-HAHM-bah) you-left nini (NEE-nee) when ekhaya (eh-KAH-yah) from-home ?
43.6a Isikole the-school sivalwa it-is-closed nini when ngonyaka in-the-year ?
43.6b Isikole (ee-see-KOH-leh) the-school sivalwa (see-VAHL-wah) it-is-closed nini (NEE-nee) when ngonyaka (ngoh-NYAH-kah) in-the-year ?
43.7a Ngibuze I-ask ukuthi that ubuya you-return nini when .
43.7b Ngibuze (ngee-BOO-zeh) I-ask ukuthi (oo-koo-tee) that ubuya (oo-BOO-yah) you-return nini (NEE-nee) when .
43.8a Usebenza you-work kusukela from nini when kuze until kube it-be nini when ?
43.8b Usebenza (oo-seh-BEHN-zah) you-work kusukela (koo-soo-KEH-lah) from nini (NEE-nee) when kuze (KOO-zeh) until kube (KOO-beh) it-be nini (NEE-nee) when ?
43.9a Umcimbi the-ceremony uqala it-begins nini when ngeSonto on-Sunday ?
43.9b Umcimbi (oom-TSEEM-bee) the-ceremony uqala (oo-KAH-lah) it-begins nini (NEE-nee) when ngeSonto (ngeh-SOHN-toh) on-Sunday ?
43.10a Ngizokwazi I-will-be-able ukufika to-arrive noma even nini when .
43.10b Ngizokwazi (ngee-zoh-KWAH-zee) I-will-be-able ukufika (oo-koo-FEE-kah) to-arrive noma (NOH-mah) even nini (NEE-nee) when .
43.11a Umhlangano the-meeting uqale it-started nini when — angizwanga I-did-not-hear .
43.11b Umhlangano (oom-hlahn-GAH-noh) the-meeting uqale (oo-KAH-leh) it-started nini (NEE-nee) when — angizwanga (ah-ngee-ZWAHN-gah) I-did-not-hear .
43.12a Udokotela the-doctor uza he/she-comes nini when kuleli to-this bhilidi building ?
43.12b Udokotela (oo-doh-koh-TEH-lah) the-doctor uza (OO-zah) he/she-comes nini (NEE-nee) when kuleli (koo-LEH-lee) to-this bhilidi (bee-LEE-dee) building ?
43.13a Imvula the-rain iqale it-started nini when ukuna to-fall ?
43.13b Imvula (eem-VOO-lah) the-rain iqale (ee-KAH-leh) it-started nini (NEE-nee) when ukuna (oo-KOO-nah) to-fall ?
43.14a Wafunda you-learned nini when ukushayela to-drive imoto the-car ?
43.14b Wafunda (wah-FOON-dah) you-learned nini (NEE-nee) when ukushayela (oo-koo-shah-YEH-lah) to-drive imoto (ee-MOH-toh) the-car ?
43.15a Izwe the-country lathola it-obtained nini when inkululeko freedom yalo its ?
43.15b Izwe (ee-ZWEH) the-country lathola (lah-TOH-lah) it-obtained nini (NEE-nee) when inkululeko (een-koo-loo-LEH-koh) freedom yalo (YAH-loh) its ?
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Complete sentences with idiomatic English translations
43.1 Ufika nini? Ufika nini? “When are you arriving?”
43.2 Siqala nini namhlanje? Siqala nini namhlanje? “When do we start today?”
43.3 Umntwana uvuka nini ekuseni? Umntwana uvuka nini ekuseni? “When does the child wake up in the morning?”
43.4 Bazofika nini abazali? Bazofika nini abazali? “When will the parents arrive?”
43.5 Wahamba nini ekhaya? Wahamba nini ekhaya? “When did you leave home?”
43.6 Isikole sivalwa nini ngonyaka? Isikole sivalwa nini ngonyaka? “When is the school closed during the year?”
43.7 Ngibuze ukuthi ubuya nini. Ngibuze ukuthi ubuya nini. “I asked when you are coming back.”
43.8 Usebenza kusukela nini kuze kube nini? Usebenza kusukela nini kuze kube nini? “From when until when do you work?”
43.9 Umcimbi uqala nini ngeSonto? Umcimbi uqala nini ngeSonto? “When does the ceremony begin on Sunday?”
43.10 Ngizokwazi ukufika noma nini. Ngizokwazi ukufika noma nini. “I will be able to arrive anytime.”
43.11 Umhlangano uqale nini — angizwanga. Umhlangano uqale nini — angizwanga. “When did the meeting start — I didn’t hear.”
43.12 Udokotela uza nini kuleli bhilidi? Udokotela uza nini kuleli bhilidi? “When does the doctor come to this building?”
43.13 Imvula iqale nini ukuna? Imvula iqale nini ukuna? “When did the rain start to fall?”
43.14 Wafunda nini ukushayela imoto? Wafunda nini ukushayela imoto? “When did you learn to drive a car?”
43.15 Izwe lathola nini inkululeko yalo? Izwe lathola nini inkululeko yalo? “When did the country obtain its freedom?”
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Pure target language without translation
43.1 Ufika nini? Ufika nini?
43.2 Siqala nini namhlanje? Siqala nini namhlanje?
43.3 Umntwana uvuka nini ekuseni? Umntwana uvuka nini ekuseni?
43.4 Bazofika nini abazali? Bazofika nini abazali?
43.5 Wahamba nini ekhaya? Wahamba nini ekhaya?
43.6 Isikole sivalwa nini ngonyaka? Isikole sivalwa nini ngonyaka?
43.7 Ngibuze ukuthi ubuya nini. Ngibuze ukuthi ubuya nini.
43.8 Usebenza kusukela nini kuze kube nini? Usebenza kusukela nini kuze kube nini?
43.9 Umcimbi uqala nini ngeSonto? Umcimbi uqala nini ngeSonto?
43.10 Ngizokwazi ukufika noma nini. Ngizokwazi ukufika noma nini.
43.11 Umhlangano uqale nini — angizwanga. Umhlangano uqale nini — angizwanga.
43.12 Udokotela uza nini kuleli bhilidi? Udokotela uza nini kuleli bhilidi?
43.13 Imvula iqale nini ukuna? Imvula iqale nini ukuna?
43.14 Wafunda nini ukushayela imoto? Wafunda nini ukushayela imoto?
43.15 Izwe lathola nini inkululeko yalo? Izwe lathola nini inkululeko yalo?
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
1. Position in the Sentence
The interrogative nini characteristically appears at the end of the clause or immediately after the verb it modifies. This follows the general Zulu pattern where question words occupy final position: -
Ufika nini? = “When are you arriving?” (Literally: “You-arrive when?”) -
Wahamba nini? = “When did you leave?” (Literally: “You-left when?”)
This contrasts with English, where “when” typically begins the question.
2. Invariability
Unlike verbs in isiZulu, which carry extensive morphological information, nini is invariable. It does not: -
Take noun class prefixes -
Conjugate for tense -
Change for number or person
All grammatical information is carried by the accompanying verb.
3. Verb Forms Used with Nini
Nini can appear with any tense:
Present Tense: -
Subject concord + verb stem (short form): Ufika nini? -
With -ya- (long form, verb-final): Uyahamba nini?
Future Tense: -
Subject concord + -zo- + verb stem: Bazofika nini?
Recent Past: -
Subject concord + verb stem + -e/-ile: Uqale nini? / Uqalile nini?
Remote Past: -
Subject concord (with vowel change) + verb stem: Wahamba nini? (from u- → wa-)
4. The Combination Noma Nini
When nini combines with the conjunction noma (”or,” “even”), it creates the indefinite temporal expression meaning “anytime” or “whenever”: -
Noma nini = “anytime at all” -
Ngizofika noma nini = “I will arrive anytime”
This transforms the interrogative into an indefinite pronoun, similar to how English “when” relates to “whenever.”
5. In Embedded Questions
When nini appears in indirect questions after verbs like buza (ask), azi (know), or tshela (tell), the structure remains largely the same: -
Ngibuze ukuthi ubuya nini = “I asked when you are returning” -
Angazi ukuthi uqala nini = “I don’t know when it starts”
The conjunction ukuthi (”that”) typically introduces the embedded clause.
6. Contrasting Interrogative vs. Non-Interrogative “When”
isiZulu uses different constructions for non-interrogative temporal clauses: -
Uma (if/when, conditional): Uma ufika, ngitshele = “When you arrive, tell me” -
Lapho (when/where, relative): Lapho ngifika khona = “When I arrive there” -
Ngesikhathi (at the time when): Ngesikhathi ngifunda = “When I was studying”
The interrogative nini is reserved for actual questions about timing.
Mistake 1: Placing nini at the beginning of the sentence -
❌ Nini ufika? -
✓ Ufika nini?
Mistake 2: Confusing with English “when” in subordinate clauses -
❌ Ngizokutshela nini ufika (attempting “I’ll tell you when you arrive”) -
✓ Ngizokutshela uma ufika (using uma for conditional “when”)
Mistake 3: Adding prefixes to nini -
❌ uninini or banini -
✓ nini (always unchanged)
Mistake 4: Forgetting that the verb carries tense information -
When asking about past events, the verb must be in past tense -
Wahamba nini? (not Uhamba nini? if asking about a past departure)
isiZulu question words share the pattern of typically appearing at sentence end: -
Nini (when): Ufika nini? -
Ubani (who): Ngubani lowo? -
Yini (what): Ufunani? / Yini leyo? -
Kuphi (where): Uya kuphi? -
Njani (how): Kunjani? -
Ngani (why/with what): Ukwenza ngani?
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
The concept of time in traditional Zulu culture was measured by natural phenomena rather than mechanical clocks. The sun’s position (ilanga), the crowing of roosters, and the movement of cattle dictated daily rhythms. When asking nini, one might receive answers like ekuseni (in the morning), emini (at midday), ntambama (in the afternoon), or ebusuku (at night).
Direct questions about someone’s schedule can carry different weight depending on relationship and context. Adding softening elements or explanations can make such inquiries more polite: -
Uxolo, ufika nini? — “Excuse me, when are you arriving?” -
Ngicela ukwazi ukuthi umhlangano uqala nini — “I request to know when the meeting starts”
In Zulu culture, the arrival (ukufika) and departure (ukuhamba) of guests carry significant social weight. Asking nini about such movements relates to hospitality, respect, and proper social conduct. The phrase Hamba kahle (go well) and Sala kahle (stay well) mark these transitions with blessing.
In modern urban South Africa, nini functions in professional contexts for scheduling appointments, business meetings, and work arrangements. The word appears in media, advertising, and everyday commerce. Mixed code-switching between isiZulu and English is common: “Umhlangano uqala nini — at two?” demonstrates this bilingual reality.
While nini is standard across Zulu-speaking regions, subtle differences exist between KwaZulu-Natal varieties and urban Gauteng isiZulu. The core interrogative function remains consistent, but surrounding vocabulary and register may shift.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
The following passage demonstrates authentic Zulu expression incorporating temporal inquiry, reflecting the traditional praise poetry (izibongo) style while showing how questions about time appear in elevated registers.
Waphuma he-emerged nini when na question-particle uShaka Shaka ,
Waphuma (wah-POO-mah) he-emerged nini (NEE-nee) when na (nah) question-particle uShaka (oo-SHAH-kah) Shaka ,
waphuma he-emerged ekuseni in-the-morning njengenkanyezi like-a-star yokusa of-dawn ,
waphuma (wah-POO-mah) he-emerged ekuseni (eh-koo-SEH-nee) in-the-morning njengenkanyezi (njeh-ngeh-nkah-NYEH-zee) like-a-star yokusa (yoh-KOO-sah) of-dawn ,
wakhanya he-shone phezu above kwezintaba of-the-mountains .
wakhanya (wah-KAH-nyah) he-shone phezu (PEH-zoo) above kwezintaba (kweh-zeen-TAH-bah) of-the-mountains .
Impi the-army yaqala it-started nini when ukuhlasela to-attack ?
Impi (EEM-pee) the-army yaqala (yah-KAH-lah) it-started nini (NEE-nee) when ukuhlasela (oo-koo-hlah-SEH-lah) to-attack ?
Yaqala it-started ngesikhathi at-the-time isibhamu the-gun singakavumi it-had-not-yet-sounded .
Yaqala (yah-KAH-lah) it-started ngesikhathi (ngeh-see-KAH-tee) at-the-time isibhamu (ee-see-BAH-moo) the-gun singakavumi (seen-gah-kah-VOO-mee) it-had-not-yet-sounded .
Waphuma nini na uShaka, waphuma ekuseni njengenkanyezi yokusa, wakhanya phezu kwezintaba. Impi yaqala nini ukuhlasela? Yaqala ngesikhathi isibhamu singakavumi.
“When did Shaka emerge, he emerged in the morning like the dawn star, he shone above the mountains. When did the army begin to attack? It began at the time when the gun had not yet sounded.”
Waphuma nini na uShaka, waphuma ekuseni njengenkanyezi yokusa, wakhanya phezu kwezintaba. Impi yaqala nini ukuhlasela? Yaqala ngesikhathi isibhamu singakavumi.
Vocabulary: -
waphuma — he emerged (remote past of -phuma, “to go out/emerge”) -
na — question particle adding emphasis -
uShaka — King Shaka, the famous Zulu monarch (1787-1828) -
njengenkanyezi — like a star (nje- “like” + inkanyezi “star”) -
yokusa — of dawn/morning (possessive of ukusa) -
wakhanya — he shone (remote past of -khanya, “to shine”) -
phezu kwezintaba — above the mountains (phezu kwa- + izintaba) -
impi — army, regiment -
yaqala — it started (remote past, class 9 subject concord) -
ukuhlasela — to attack (infinitive) -
ngesikhathi — at the time when -
isibhamu — gun, firearm -
singakavumi — it had not yet sounded (negative past anterior)
Grammatical Points: -
Rhetorical Questions: The questions using nini are rhetorical—asked for effect rather than expecting an answer. This is a common feature of praise poetry. -
Remote Past Tense: The prefix change (u- → wa-) marks the remote past, appropriate for historical narration about Shaka’s era. -
Simile Construction: njengenkanyezi yokusa demonstrates the simile structure with njenga- (like a) + noun. -
Temporal Clause Contrast: Notice how the answer to “nini?” uses ngesikhathi (at the time when) rather than nini itself—showing the distinction between interrogative and non-interrogative temporal expressions.
This passage exemplifies the praise poetry tradition (izibongo) that constitutes the heart of classical Zulu literature. The collected Izibongo edited by James Stuart and translated by Trevor Cope (Oxford, 1968) preserves many such compositions honoring Zulu kings.
The rhetorical use of nini followed by an immediate poetic answer creates a call-and-response rhythm typical of oral performance. The imbongi (praise poet) would pose such questions to heighten dramatic effect, controlling the narrative pace while glorifying the subject.
The image of Shaka emerging “like the dawn star” (njengenkanyezi yokusa) employs the celestial metaphor common in royal praise—kings are compared to heavenly bodies, their emergence transforming the world. The question “When did he emerge?” receives a metaphorical rather than chronological answer, prioritizing symbolic truth over mere historical fact.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
A conversation about timing at a Zulu wedding celebration (umshado)
43.16a Sawubona greetings , mfowethu my-brother — ufikile you-have-arrived nini when ?
43.16b Sawubona (sah-woo-BOH-nah) greetings , mfowethu (m-foh-WEH-too) my-brother — ufikile (oo-fee-KEE-leh) you-have-arrived nini (NEE-nee) when ?
43.17a Ngifikile I-arrived ekuseni in-the-morning kakhulu very , ngesikhathi at-the-time ilanga the-sun liphuma it-rises .
43.17b Ngifikile (ngee-fee-KEE-leh) I-arrived ekuseni (eh-koo-SEH-nee) in-the-morning kakhulu (kah-KOO-loo) very , ngesikhathi (ngeh-see-KAH-tee) at-the-time ilanga (ee-LAHN-gah) the-sun liphuma (lee-POO-mah) it-rises .
43.18a Umakoti the-bride uphuma she-exits nini when endlini from-the-house yakhe her ?
43.18b Umakoti (oo-mah-KOH-tee) the-bride uphuma (oo-POO-mah) she-exits nini (NEE-nee) when endlini (ehn-DLEE-nee) from-the-house yakhe (YAH-keh) her ?
43.19a Uzophuma she-will-exit ntambama in-the-afternoon — kodwa but angazi I-don’t-know nini when ngqo exactly .
43.19b Uzophuma (oo-zoh-POO-mah) she-will-exit ntambama (ntahm-BAH-mah) in-the-afternoon — kodwa (KOH-dwah) but angazi (ah-NGAH-zee) I-don’t-know nini (NEE-nee) when ngqo (NGKOH) exactly .
43.20a Abantu the-people bazocula they-will-sing nini when amaculo the-songs omshado of-the-wedding ?
43.20b Abantu (ah-BAHN-too) the-people bazocula (bah-zoh-TSOO-lah) they-will-sing nini (NEE-nee) when amaculo (ah-mah-TSOO-loh) the-songs omshado (oh-MSHAH-doh) of-the-wedding ?
43.21a Sebezoqula they-will-soon-sing uma when/if umakoti the-bride esefikile has-arrived endaweni at-the-place .
43.21b Sebezoqula (seh-beh-zoh-KOO-lah) they-will-soon-sing uma (OO-mah) when/if umakoti (oo-mah-KOH-tee) the-bride esefikile (eh-seh-fee-KEE-leh) has-arrived endaweni (ehn-dah-WEH-nee) at-the-place .
43.22a Ukudla the-food kuphekwe it-was-cooked nini when ? Kuyanuka it-smells kamnandi deliciously !
43.22b Ukudla (oo-KOOD-lah) the-food kuphekwe (koo-PEH-kweh) it-was-cooked nini (NEE-nee) when ? Kuyanuka (koo-yah-NOO-kah) it-smells kamnandi (kahm-NAHN-dee) deliciously !
43.23a Omama the-mothers bapheke they-cooked izolo yesterday nobusuku and-the-night bonke all .
43.23b Omama (oh-MAH-mah) the-mothers bapheke (bah-PEH-keh) they-cooked izolo (ee-ZOH-loh) yesterday nobusuku (noh-boo-SOO-koo) and-the-night bonke (BOHN-keh) all .
43.24a Ukhuluma you-spoke nini when nomkhwenyana with-the-groom ? Ubukeka he-looks ejabule happy kakhulu very .
43.24b Ukhuluma (oo-koo-LOO-mah) you-spoke nini (NEE-nee) when nomkhwenyana (nohm-kweh-NYAH-nah) with-the-groom ? Ubukeka (oo-boo-KEH-kah) he-looks ejabule (eh-jah-BOO-leh) happy kakhulu (kah-KOO-loo) very .
43.25a Ngikhulume I-spoke naye with-him ekuseni in-the-morning — ubethakasile he-was-excited futhi also enovalo and-nervous .
43.25b Ngikhulume (ngee-koo-LOO-meh) I-spoke naye (NAH-yeh) with-him ekuseni (eh-koo-SEH-nee) in-the-morning — ubethakasile (oo-beh-tah-kah-SEE-leh) he-was-excited futhi (FOO-tee) also enovalo (eh-noh-VAH-loh) and-nervous .
43.26a Umcimbi the-ceremony wokulobola of-lobola wawenziwa it-was-done nini when ?
43.26b Umcimbi (oom-TSEEM-bee) the-ceremony wokulobola (woh-koo-loh-BOH-lah) of-lobola wawenziwa (wah-wehn-ZEE-wah) it-was-done nini (NEE-nee) when ?
43.27a Wawenziwa it-was-done ngenyanga in-the-month edlule that-passed — kwaba it-was umcimbi a-ceremony omuhle beautiful kakhulu very .
43.27b Wawenziwa (wah-wehn-ZEE-wah) it-was-done ngenyanga (ngeh-NYAHN-gah) in-the-month edlule (eh-DLOO-leh) that-passed — kwaba (KWAH-bah) it-was umcimbi (oom-TSEEM-bee) a-ceremony omuhle (oh-MOO-hleh) beautiful kakhulu (kah-KOO-loo) very .
43.28a Abadala the-elders bazokwethula they-will-present izipho the-gifts nini when ?
43.28b Abadala (ah-bah-DAH-lah) the-elders bazokwethula (bah-zoh-kweh-TOO-lah) they-will-present izipho (ee-ZEE-poh) the-gifts nini (NEE-nee) when ?
43.29a Bazokwethula they-will-present ngemuva after kokudla of-the-eating — wonke all umuntu the-person uzobona will-see .
43.29b Bazokwethula (bah-zoh-kweh-TOO-lah) they-will-present ngemuva (ngeh-MOO-vah) after kokudla (koh-KOOD-lah) of-the-eating — wonke (WOHN-keh) all umuntu (oo-MOON-too) the-person uzobona (oo-zoh-BOH-nah) will-see .
43.30a Ngizobuza I-will-ask ugogo grandmother ukuthi that sidla we-eat nini when — ngilambile I-am-hungry !
43.30b Ngizobuza (ngee-zoh-BOO-zah) I-will-ask ugogo (oo-GOH-goh) grandmother ukuthi (oo-koo-tee) that sidla (SEE-dlah) we-eat nini (NEE-nee) when — ngilambile (ngee-lahm-BEE-leh) I-am-hungry !
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
43.16 Sawubona, mfowethu — ufikile nini? “Hello, my brother — when did you arrive?”
43.17 Ngifikile ekuseni kakhulu, ngesikhathi ilanga liphuma. “I arrived very early in the morning, when the sun was rising.”
43.18 Umakoti uphuma nini endlini yakhe? “When does the bride come out of her house?”
43.19 Uzophuma ntambama — kodwa angazi nini ngqo. “She will come out in the afternoon — but I don’t know exactly when.”
43.20 Abantu bazocula nini amaculo omshado? “When will the people sing the wedding songs?”
43.21 Sebezoqula uma umakoti esefikile endaweni. “They will soon sing when the bride has arrived at the place.”
43.22 Ukudla kuphekwe nini? Kuyanuka kamnandi! “When was the food cooked? It smells delicious!”
43.23 Omama bapheke izolo nobusuku bonke. “The mothers cooked yesterday and all through the night.”
43.24 Ukhuluma nini nomkhwenyana? Ubukeka ejabule kakhulu. “When did you speak with the groom? He looks very happy.”
43.25 Ngikhulume naye ekuseni — ubethakasile futhi enovalo. “I spoke with him in the morning — he was excited and also nervous.”
43.26 Umcimbi wokulobola wawenziwa nini? “When was the lobola ceremony performed?”
43.27 Wawenziwa ngenyanga edlule — kwaba umcimbi omuhle kakhulu. “It was done last month — it was a very beautiful ceremony.”
43.28 Abadala bazokwethula izipho nini? “When will the elders present the gifts?”
43.29 Bazokwethula ngemuva kokudla — wonke umuntu uzobona. “They will present them after the meal — everyone will see.”
43.30 Ngizobuza ugogo ukuthi sidla nini — ngilambile! “I will ask grandmother when we eat — I’m hungry!”
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
43.16 Sawubona, mfowethu — ufikile nini? Sawubona, mfowethu — ufikile nini?
43.17 Ngifikile ekuseni kakhulu, ngesikhathi ilanga liphuma. Ngifikile ekuseni kakhulu, ngesikhathi ilanga liphuma.
43.18 Umakoti uphuma nini endlini yakhe? Umakoti uphuma nini endlini yakhe?
43.19 Uzophuma ntambama — kodwa angazi nini ngqo. Uzophuma ntambama — kodwa angazi nini ngqo.
43.20 Abantu bazocula nini amaculo omshado? Abantu bazocula nini amaculo omshado?
43.21 Sebezoqula uma umakoti esefikile endaweni. Sebezoqula uma umakoti esefikile endaweni.
43.22 Ukudla kuphekwe nini? Kuyanuka kamnandi! Ukudla kuphekwe nini? Kuyanuka kamnandi!
43.23 Omama bapheke izolo nobusuku bonke. Omama bapheke izolo nobusuku bonke.
43.24 Ukhuluma nini nomkhwenyana? Ubukeka ejabule kakhulu. Ukhuluma nini nomkhwenyana? Ubukeka ejabule kakhulu.
43.25 Ngikhulume naye ekuseni — ubethakasile futhi enovalo. Ngikhulume naye ekuseni — ubethakasile futhi enovalo.
43.26 Umcimbi wokulobola wawenziwa nini? Umcimbi wokulobola wawenziwa nini?
43.27 Wawenziwa ngenyanga edlule — kwaba umcimbi omuhle kakhulu. Wawenziwa ngenyanga edlule — kwaba umcimbi omuhle kakhulu.
43.28 Abadala bazokwethula izipho nini? Abadala bazokwethula izipho nini?
43.29 Bazokwethula ngemuva kokudla — wonke umuntu uzobona. Bazokwethula ngemuva kokudla — wonke umuntu uzobona.
43.30 Ngizobuza ugogo ukuthi sidla nini — ngilambile! Ngizobuza ugogo ukuthi sidla nini — ngilambile!
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Cultural Vocabulary Introduced: -
umakoti — bride (Class 1a noun) -
umkhwenyana — groom (Class 1 noun) -
umshado — wedding (Class 3 noun, from -shada “to marry”) -
ukulobola — the bride-price custom, a fundamental Zulu marriage tradition -
ugogo — grandmother (Class 1a noun) -
abadala — elders (Class 2, plural of omdala) -
izipho — gifts (Class 8/10 noun)
Grammatical Points Illustrated:
1. Passive Voice (43.22, 43.26, 43.27):
The passive suffix -w- appears in forms like: -
kuphekwe (it was cooked) — from -pheka “to cook” -
wawenziwa (it was done) — from -enza “to do/make”
The passive is extremely common in Zulu and allows focus on the action rather than the agent.
2. Temporal Adverbs as Answers (43.17, 43.19, 43.23, 43.25):
Notice how questions with nini receive answers using temporal expressions: -
ekuseni (in the morning) -
ntambama (in the afternoon) -
izolo (yesterday) -
ngenyanga edlule (last month)
3. The Distinction Between nini and uma (43.21):
The answer in 43.21 uses uma (when/if) rather than nini because it describes a conditional temporal relationship (”when the bride arrives”) rather than asking about a specific time.
4. Embedded Questions with ukuthi (43.30):
The structure “Ngizobuza ugogo ukuthi sidla nini” shows how nini appears in indirect questions introduced by ukuthi (”that”).
5. Locative Forms (43.18, 43.21): -
endlini — in/from the house (locative of indlu) -
endaweni — at the place (locative of indawo)
The locative suffix -ini transforms nouns to indicate location.
6. Compound Temporal Expressions (43.23):
“izolo nobusuku bonke” (yesterday and all night) shows how multiple time references combine with the conjunction na- (and/with).
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
/hl/ — The lateral fricative in words like namhlanje, umhlangano. Place your tongue as if to say “l” but blow air past the side of your tongue, creating a breathy “hl” sound. This does not exist in English.
/ng/ — At word-beginning (as in ngesikhathi, ngibuze), this is the same sound as at the end of English “sing” — but Zulu places it at the start of words.
/nini/ — Both syllables have the vowel /i/ as in “see.” Stress falls on the first syllable: NEE-nee.
Click sounds — This lesson does not feature click consonants extensively, but remember that “c” (dental click), “q” (palatal click), and “x” (lateral click) are distinctive Zulu sounds.
Vowels — Zulu has five pure vowels similar to Italian or Spanish: -
a as in “father” -
e as in “bed” -
i as in “see” -
o as in “sort” -
u as in “boot”
Tone — Zulu is a tonal language. High and low tones distinguish meanings. While this lesson does not mark tones explicitly, learners should be aware that tone patterns are meaningful and should seek audio resources for proper intonation.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
The Latinum Institute has been creating language learning materials since 2006, specializing in classical and modern languages through the interlinear construed text methodology. This approach, refined over nearly two decades, accelerates comprehension by presenting vocabulary in meaningful context rather than isolated word lists.
Course Index:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
Trust Pilot Reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
This lesson follows a frequency-based curriculum, teaching the most common words first. By lesson 43, learners encounter nini — a fundamental interrogative that appears constantly in everyday communication. The systematic progression through high-frequency vocabulary ensures rapid development of practical comprehension skills.
The interlinear format — presenting each word with its grammatical function and English equivalent — enables learners to decode authentic language from the first lesson. Rather than memorizing rules in isolation, students internalize patterns through repeated exposure to meaningful examples.
isiZulu is spoken by over 12 million first-language speakers and millions more as a second language, making it South Africa’s most widely spoken home language. Learning Zulu opens doors to rich literary traditions, from the praise poetry (izibongo) of royal courts to contemporary novels, music, and media.
After completing this lesson on nini, continue with the next frequency-ranked word in the series. Supplement these lessons with: -
Audio resources from native speakers -
Zulu radio and television programs (SABC offers Zulu content) -
Contemporary Zulu music and film -
Conversation practice with native speakers
The foundation built through systematic vocabulary acquisition and grammatical pattern recognition will serve you throughout your journey with this beautiful language.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
✓ Lesson 43 isiZulu complete
© Latinum Institute Modern Language Course Series
---