English→Zulu

Translate English to Zulu like a local.

This KwaZulu-Natal IsiZulu uses sanibonani for groups, South African code-switching such as sharp, and hlonipha forms for elders.

Going the other way? Zulu to English

474 local dialects

What locals actually say

Cool, see you later.

Sharp, sizobonana.

Sharp is a South African colloquial acknowledgement, while sizobonana means “we will see each other” in an everyday farewell.

Gogo, have you eaten?

Gogo, senidlile?

Senidlile uses the respectful second-person plural form when addressing an elder, rather than the casual usudlile.

Please take me to the taxi rank.

Ngicela ungiyise erankini yamatekisi.

Erankini uses the South African loanword renki with the isiZulu locative ending -ini, while amatekisi is the local plural for taxis.

How much does this cost?

Kubiza malini lokhu?

Malini is the Zulu question word for an amount, and lokhu is the proximal demonstrative meaning this.

I’m on my way to work.

Ngisendleleni eya emsebenzini.

Emsebenzini is a locative form signaling the workplace or destination, while eya means going toward.

It looks like rain today.

Kubonakala sengathi kuzokuna namuhla.

Kuzokuna uses the impersonal ku- construction for weather, with zo- marking the near future.

I’m feeling tired today.

Ngizizwa ngikhathele namuhla.

Ngizizwa ngikhathele uses the reflexive verb -zizwa to make the speaker’s felt state explicit.

What are we doing this weekend?

Sizokwenzani kule mpelasonto?

Sizokwenzani combines si- for we, zo- for the future, and -ni for what in an everyday plan question.

Notes like these come with every AIRTranslate translation, so you learn why locals phrase it that way as you go.

IsiZulu (KwaZulu-Natal standard); sawubona/sanibonani greetings; hlonipha respect register with elders.

Every one of 474 dialects, with voice, camera, a keyboard for any app, and offline packs.