View source for Zulu language

{{short description|Nguni language of eastern South Africa and neighbouring countries}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox language
| name             = Zulu
| nativename       = {{lang|zu|isiZulu}}
| pronunciation    = {{IPA|zu|isízṳːlu|}}
| states           = [[South Africa]], [[Lesotho]]
| region           = {{Plainlist|
* [[KwaZulu-Natal]] and southern [[Mpumalanga]]; scattered communities elsewhere
}}
| ethnicity        = [[Zulu people|Zulu]]
| speakers         = [[first language|L1]]: {{sigfig|12.104600|2}} million 
| date             = 2013–2017
| ref              = e27
| speakers2        = [[second language|L2]]: {{sigfig|15.700000|2}} million (2002)<ref name=e27/><br/>Total: {{sigfig|27.804600|2}} million<ref name=e27/>
| speakers_label   = Speakers
| familycolor      = Niger-Congo
| fam2             = [[Atlantic–Congo languages|Atlantic–Congo]]
| fam3             = [[Volta-Congo languages|Volta-Congo]]
| fam4             = [[Benue–Congo languages|Benue–Congo]]
| fam5             = [[Bantoid languages|Bantoid]]
| fam6             = [[Southern Bantoid languages|Southern Bantoid]]
| fam7             = [[Bantu languages|Bantu]]
| fam8             = [[Southern Bantu]]
| fam9             = [[Nguni languages|Nguni]]-[[Tswa-Ronga|Tsonga]]
| fam10            = [[Nguni languages|Nguni]]
| fam11            = [[Zunda languages|Zunda]]
| dia1             = KwaZulu Natal Zulu
| dia2             = Transvaal Zulu
| dia3             = Qwabe
| dia4             = Cele
| nation           = {{RSA}}
| agency           = [[Pan South African Language Board]]
| script           = [[Latin script|Latin]] ([[Zulu alphabet]])<br />[[Zulu Braille]]<br />[[Ditema tsa Dinoko]]
| sign             = [[Signed Zulu]]
| iso1             = zu
| iso2             = zul
| iso3             = zul
| glotto           = zulu1248
| glottorefname    = Zulu
| guthrie          = S.42
| lingua           = [http://linguasphere.info/?page=linguascale&linguacode=99-AUT-fg 99-AUT-fg] incl.<br />varieties 99-AUT-fga to 99-AUT-fge
| map              = South Africa Zulu speakers proportion map.svg
| mapcaption       = Proportion of the South African population that speaks Zulu at home
{{div col}}
{{legend|#EDF8E9|0–20%}}
{{legend|#BAE4B3|20–40%}}
{{legend|#74C476|40–60%}}
{{legend|#31A354|60–80%}}
{{legend|#006D2C|80–100%}}
{{colend}}
| notice           = IPA
}}
{{Infobox NC name||||||root=Zulu|person=umZulu|people=amaZulu|language=isiZulu|country=[[kwaZulu]]}}'''Zulu''' ({{IPAc-en|'|z|uː|l|uː}} {{respelling|ZOO|loo}}), or '''isiZulu''' as an [[endonym]], is a [[Southern Bantu languages|Southern Bantu]] language of the [[Nguni languages|Nguni branch]] spoken in, and indigenous to, [[Southern Africa]]. Nguni dialects are regional or social varieties of the Nguni language, distinguished by vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and other linguistic features. So, Zulu is one of the Nguni dialects which is spoken by the [[Zulu people]], with about 13.56 million native speakers, who primarily inhabit the province of [[KwaZulu-Natal]] in [[South Africa]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.worlddata.info/languages/zulu.php | title=Zulu speaking countries | website=www.worlddata.info | access-date=2024-08-16}}</ref> The word "KwaZulu-Natal" translates into English as "Home of the Zulu Nation is Natal". Zulu is the most widely spoken [[home language]] in South Africa (24% of the population), and it is understood by over 50% of its population.<ref>Ethnologue 2005</ref> It became one of [[languages of South Africa|South Africa's 12 official languages]] in 1994.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Carter|first=Phillip M.|title=Languages In The World: How History, Culture, and Politics Shape Language|publisher=Wiley|year=2016|isbn=9781118531280|pages=139}}</ref>

According to [[Ethnologue]], it is the second-most widely spoken of the [[Bantu languages]], after [[Swahili language|Swahili]].{{efn|Ethnologue estimates (calculated between 2000 and 2015):
* [[Swahili language|Swahili]]: 98 million (L1: 16 million, L2: 80 million)<ref>[https://www.ethnologue.com/language/swh Swahili], ''Ethnologue'' (18th ed., 2015): "47,000,000 in Tanzania, all users. L1 users: 15,000,000 (2012), increasing. L2 users: 32,000,000 (2015 D. Nurse). Total users in all countries: 98,310,110 (as L1: 16,010,110; as L2: 82,300,000)."</ref>
* Zulu: 27 million (L1: 11 million, L2: 16 million)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/zul|title=Ethnologue: Zulu|publisher=Ethnologue|access-date=2017-03-05}}</ref>
* [[Shona language|Shona]] 9 million (L1: 7 million, L2: 2 million)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/sna|title=Ethnologue: Shona|access-date=2017-03-06}}</ref>}} Like many other Bantu languages, it is written with the [[Latin alphabet]].

In [[South African English]], the language is often referred to in its native form, ''isiZulu''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/article/zulu|title=Zulu|last=sahoboss|date=2011-04-03|work=South African History Online|access-date=2018-06-17|language=en}}</ref>

== Geographical distribution ==
[[File:South Africa Zulu speakers density map.svg|thumb|upright=1.2|Geographical distribution of Zulu in South Africa: density, of Zulu home-language speakers. 
{{Div col|small=yes|colwidth=10em}}
{{legend|#ffffcc|&lt;1 /km<sup>2</sup>}}
{{legend|#ffeda0|1–3 /km<sup>2</sup>}}
{{legend|#fed976|3–10 /km<sup>2</sup>}}
{{legend|#feb24c|10–30 /km<sup>2</sup>}}
{{legend|#fd8d3c|30–100 /km<sup>2</sup>}}
{{legend|#fc4e2a|100–300 /km<sup>2</sup>}}
{{legend|#e31a1c|300–1000 /km<sup>2</sup>}}
{{legend|#bc0026|1000–3000 /km<sup>2</sup>}}
{{legend|#800026|&gt;3000 /km<sup>2</sup>}}
{{div col end}}]]

Zulu migrant populations have taken it to adjacent regions, especially [[Zimbabwe]], where the [[Northern Ndebele language]] ([[Northern Ndebele language|isiNdebele]]) is closely related to Zulu.

[[Xhosa language|Xhosa]], the predominant language in the [[Eastern Cape]], is often considered [[Mutual intelligibility|mutually intelligible]] with Zulu, as is [[Northern Ndebele language|Northern Ndebele]].<ref name="NorthernNdebeleBlog">NorthernNdebele.blogspot.com ''NorthernNdebele.blogspot.com''</ref><ref>{{cite conference |url=http://www.aclweb.org/anthology/C10-1115 |title=Ukwabelana – An open-source morphological Zulu corpus |last1=Spiegler|first1=Sebastian |last2=van der Spuy|first2=Andrew |last3=Flach |first3=Peter A.|date=August 2010 |publisher=Tsinghua University Press |book-title=Proceedings of the 23rd International Conference on Computational Linguistics |pages=1020 |location=Beijing, China}}</ref>

Maho (2009) lists four dialects: central KwaZulu-Natal Zulu, northern Transvaal Zulu, eastern coastal Qwabe, and western coastal Cele.<ref name="Guthrie"/>

==History==
Like [[Xhosa people|Xhosa]] and other [[Nguni people]], the Zulu have lived in South Africa for hundreds of years. The Zulu language possesses several [[Alveolar click|click sounds]] typical of Southern African languages, which are not found in the rest of Africa. The Nguni people have coexisted with other Southern tribes like the San and Khoi.

Zulu, like most indigenous Southern African languages, was not a [[written language]] until the arrival of European missionaries, who documented the language using the [[Latin script]]. The first grammar book of the Zulu language was published in [[Norway]] in 1850 by the Norwegian missionary [[Hans Paludan Smith Schreuder|Hans Schreuder]].<ref>Rakkenes, Øystein (2003) ''Himmelfolket: En Norsk Høvding i Zululand'', Oslo: Cappelen Forlag, pp. 63–65</ref> The first written document in Zulu was a Bible translation that appeared in 1883. In 1901, [[John Dube]] (1871–1946), a Zulu from Natal, created the Ohlange Institute, the first native educational institution in South Africa. He was also the author of ''Insila kaShaka'', the first novel written in Zulu (1930). Another pioneering Zulu writer was [[Rolfes Robert Reginald Dhlomo|Reginald Dhlomo]], author of several historical novels of the 19th-century leaders of the Zulu nation: ''U-Dingane'' (1936), ''U-Shaka'' (1937), ''U-Mpande'' (1938), ''U-Cetshwayo'' (1952) and ''U-Dinizulu'' (1968). Other notable contributors to Zulu literature include [[Benedict Wallet Vilakazi]] and, more recently, [[Oswald Mbuyiseni Mtshali]].

The written form of Zulu was controlled by the Zulu Language Board of [[KwaZulu-Natal]]. This board has now been disbanded and superseded by the [[Pan South African Language Board]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pansalb.org.za/ |title=pansalb.org.za |access-date=17 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217141039/http://www.pansalb.org.za/ |archive-date=17 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> which promotes the use of all eleven official languages of South Africa.

==Contemporary usage==
English, Dutch  ( later [[Afrikaans]] ) had been the only official languages used by all South African governments before 1994. However, in the [[Kwazulu]] [[bantustan]], the Zulu language was widely used. All education in the country at the high school level was in English or Afrikaans. Since the fall of apartheid in 1994, Zulu has been enjoying a marked revival. Zulu-language television was introduced by the [[SABC]] in the early 1980s and it broadcasts news and many shows in Zulu. Zulu radio is very popular and newspapers such as ''isoLezwe'',<ref>[http://www.isolezwe.co.za/ isolezwe.co.za]</ref> ''Ilanga''<ref>[http://www.ilanganews.co.za/ ilanganews.co.za]</ref> and ''UmAfrika'' in the Zulu language are available in [[Kwazulu-Natal]] province and [[Johannesburg]]. In January 2005 the first full-length feature film in Zulu, ''[[Yesterday (2004 film)|Yesterday]]'', was nominated for an [[Academy Awards|Oscar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brandsouthafrica.com/south-africa-fast-facts/arts-facts/oscars-261005&grqid=VQcz2QAd&s=1&hl=en-ZA|title=Oscar nomination for SA film – Brand South Africa|publisher=brandsouthafrica.com|date=2005-01-26|access-date=2020-08-21}}</ref>

In the 1994 film ''[[The Lion King]]'', in the "[[Circle of Life]]" song, the phrases ''Ingonyama nengw' enamabala'' (English: ''A lion and a leopard spots''), ''Nans' ingonyama bakithi Baba'' (English: ''Here comes a lion, Father'') and ''Siyonqoba'' (English: ''We will conquer'') was used. In some movie songs, like "This Land", the voice says ''Busa leli zwe bo'' (''Rule this land'') and ''Busa ngothando bo'' (''Rule with love'') were used too.

The song ''[[Siyahamba]]'' is a South African hymn originally written in the Zulu language that became popular in North American churches in the 1990s.

The remix of the 2019 worldwide hit ''[[Jerusalema]]'' contains lyrics in Zulu language.

===Standard vs Urban Zulu===
[[standard language|Standard]] Zulu as it is taught in schools, also called "deep Zulu" (''isiZulu esijulile''), differs in various respects from the language spoken by people living in cities (Urban Zulu, ''isiZulu sasedolobheni''). Standard Zulu tends to be [[Linguistic purism|purist]], using derivations from Zulu words for new concepts, whereas speakers of Urban Zulu use [[loan words]] abundantly, mainly from English. For example: 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Standard Zulu
! Urban Zulu
! English
|-
| ''umakhalekhukhwini''
| ''iselula''
| mobile(cellular) phone
|-
| ''Ngiyezwa''
| ''Ngiya-andastenda''
| I understand
|}
This situation has led to problems in education because standard Zulu is often not understood by young people.<ref>{{cite book|last=Magagula|first=Constance Samukelisiwe|title=Standard Versus Non-standard IsiZulu: A Comparative Study Between Urban and Rural Learners' Performance and Attitude|year=2009|publisher=University of KwaZulu-Natal|location=Durban}}</ref>

==Phonology==

===Vowels===
[[File:Zulu vowel chart.svg|right|upright=1.13|thumb|Zulu vowel chart, from {{Harvcoltxt|Wade|1996}}]]
The vowel system of Zulu consists of five vowels.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!
! [[Front vowel|Front]]
! [[Central vowel|Central]]
! [[Back vowel|Back]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
! [[Close vowel|Close]]
| {{IPA link|i}}
|
| {{IPA link|u}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
! [[Mid vowel|Mid]]
| {{IPA link|ɛ}}
|
| {{IPA link|ɔ}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
! [[Open vowel|Open]]
|
| {{IPA link|ä|a}}
|
|}

{{IPA|/ɛ/}} and {{IPA|/ɔ/}} are pronounced [{{IPA link|e}}] and [{{IPA link|o}}], respectively, if the following syllable contains the [+[[Advanced and retracted tongue root|ATR]]] vowels {{IPA|/i/}} or {{IPA|/u/}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=PHOIBLE 2.0 -|url=https://phoible.org/inventories/view/147#tipa|access-date=2020-10-10|website=phoible.org}}</ref> They are {{IPA|[ɛ]}} and {{IPA|[ɔ]}} otherwise:
* ''umgibeli'' "passenger", phonetically {{IPA|[úm̩̀ɡìɓé(ː)lì]}}
* ''ukupheka'' "to cook", phonetically {{IPA|[ùɠúpʰɛ̀(ː)ɠà]}}

There is limited [[vowel length]] in Zulu, as a result of the contraction of certain syllables. For example, the word ''ithambo'' {{IPA|/íːtʰámbó/}} "bone", is a contraction of an earlier ''ilithambo'' {{IPA|/ílítʰámbó/}}, which may still be used by some speakers. Likewise, ''uphahla'' {{IPA|/úːpʰaɬa/}} "roof" is a contraction of the earlier ''uluphahla'' {{IPA|/ulúpʰaɬa/}}. In addition, the vowel of the penultimate syllable is allophonically lengthened phrase- or sentence-finally.

===Consonants===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+Zulu phonemes
|-
! rowspan="2" colspan="2" |
! rowspan="2" | [[Labial consonant|Labial]]
! colspan="2" | [[Dental consonant|Dental]]/[[Alveolar consonant|Alveolar]]
! rowspan="2" | [[Postalveolar consonant|Postalveolar]]
! rowspan="2" | [[Velar consonant|Velar]]
! rowspan="2" | [[Glottal consonant|Glottal]]
|-
! {{small|[[Central consonant|central]]}}
! {{small|[[Lateral consonant|lateral]]}}
|-
! rowspan="5" | [[Click consonant|Click]]
! {{small|plain}}
|
| {{IPAlink|ᵏǀʼ}}
| {{IPAlink|ᵏǁʼ}}
| {{IPAlink|ᵏǃʼ}}
|
|
|-
! {{small|aspirated}}
|
| {{IPAlink|ᵏǀʰ}}
| {{IPAlink|ᵏǁʰ}}
| {{IPAlink|ᵏǃʰ}}
|
|
|-
! {{small|nasalised}}
|
| {{IPAlink|ᵑǀ}}
| {{IPAlink|ᵑǁ}}
| {{IPAlink|ᵑǃ}}
|
|
|-
! {{small|slack-voiced oral}}
|
| {{IPAlink|ᶢǀʱ}}
| {{IPAlink|ᶢǁʱ}}
| {{IPAlink|ᶢǃʱ}}
|
|
|-
! {{small|slack-voiced nasal}}
|
| {{IPAlink|ᵑǀʱ}}
| {{IPAlink|ᵑǁʱ}}
| {{IPAlink|ᵑǃʱ}}
|
|
|-
! rowspan="2" | [[Nasal consonant|Nasal]]
! {{small|modally voiced}}
| {{IPAlink|m}}
| {{IPAlink|n}}
|
| {{IPAlink|ɲ}}
|
|
|-
! {{small|slack-voiced}}
| {{IPAlink|m̤}}
| {{IPAlink|n̤}}
|
|
| ({{IPAlink|ŋ̈}})
|
|-
! rowspan="4" | [[Plosive]]
! {{small|plain}}
| {{IPAlink|pʼ}}
| {{IPAlink|tʼ}}
|
|
| {{IPAlink|kʼ}}
|
|-
! {{small|aspirated}}
| {{IPAlink|pʰ}}
| {{IPAlink|tʰ}}
|
|
| {{IPAlink|kʰ}}
|
|-
! {{small|slack-voiced}}
| {{IPAlink|b̤}}
| {{IPAlink|d̤}}
|
|
| {{IPAlink|ɡ̈}}
|
|-
! {{small|implosive}}
| {{IPAlink|ɓ}}
|
|
|
| {{IPAlink|ɠ}}
|
|-
! rowspan="2" | [[Affricate]]
! {{small|plain}}
|
| {{IPAlink|tsʼ}}
|
| {{IPAlink|tʃʼ}}
| {{IPAlink|kxʼ}}~{{IPAlink|k𝼄ʼ}}
|
|-
! {{small|slack-voiced}}
|
|
|
| {{IPAlink|dʒ̈}}
|
|
|-
! rowspan="2" | [[Fricative]]
! {{small|voiceless}}
| {{IPAlink|f}}
| {{IPAlink|s}}
| {{IPAlink|ɬ}}
| {{IPAlink|ʃ}}
|
| {{IPAlink|h}}
|-
! {{small|slack-voiced}}
| {{IPAlink|v̤}}
| {{IPAlink|z̤}}
| {{IPAlink|ɮ̈}}
|
|
| {{IPAlink|ɦ̥}}
|-
! colspan="2" | [[Liquid consonant|Liquid]]
|
| {{IPAlink|r}}
| {{IPAlink|l}}
|
|
|
|-
! rowspan="2" | [[Semivowel]]
! {{small|modally voiced}}
|
|
|
| {{IPAlink|j}}
| {{IPAlink|w}}
|
|-
! {{small|slack-voiced}}
|
|
|
| {{IPAlink|j̈}}
| {{IPAlink|w̤}}
|
|}

# The plain voiceless plosives, affricates and clicks are realised phonetically as ejectives {{IPAblink|pʼ}}, {{IPAblink|tʼ}}, {{IPAblink|kʼ}}, {{IPAblink|tsʼ}}, {{IPAblink|tʃʼ}} {{IPAblink|kxʼ}}.
# When not preceded by a nasal, {{IPA|/ɠ/}} is almost in complementary distribution with {{IPA|/k/}} and {{IPA|/kʰ/}}. The latter two phonemes occur almost exclusively root-initially, while {{IPA|/ɠ/}} appears exclusively medially. Recent loanwords contain {{IPA|/k/}} and {{IPA|/kʰ/}} in other positions, e.g. ''isekhondi'' {{IPA|/iːsekʰoːndi/}} "second", ''ibhayisikili'' {{IPA|/iːbajisikiːli/}} "bicycle".
# The [[slack voice|slack-voiced]] consonants are [[depressor consonant]]s. These have a lowering effect on the tone of their syllable. 
# The consonant {{IPA|/ŋ/}} occurs in some dialects as a reduction of the cluster {{IPA|/nɡ/}} when it is not in stem-initial position, and is therefore always slack-voiced.
# The trill {{IPA|/r/}} is not native to Zulu and occurs only in expressive words and in recent borrowings from European languages.

The use of [[click consonant]]s is one of the most distinctive features of Zulu. This feature is shared with several other languages of Southern Africa, but it is very rare in other regions. There are three basic articulations of clicks in Zulu:
* [[Dental click|Denti-alveolar]] {{IPA|/ǀ/}}, comparable to a sucking of teeth, as the sound one makes for 'tsk tsk'.
* [[Postalveolar click|Postalveolar]] {{IPA|/!/}}, comparable to a bottle top 'pop'.
* [[Alveolar lateral click|Lateral]] {{IPA|/ǁ/}}, comparable to a click that one may do for a walking horse.

Each articulation covers five click consonants, with differences such as being slack-voiced, [[aspiration (phonetics)|aspirated]] or [[nasalisation|nasalised]], for a total of 15.

===Phonotactics===

Zulu syllables are canonically (N)C(w)V{{Clarify|reason=context gives examples where initial syllable consists of only V, cf. umpetshisi and impoko|date=August 2020}}, and words must always end in a vowel. Consonant clusters consist of any consonant, optionally preceded by a [[homorganic]] nasal consonant (so-called "prenasalisation", described in more detail below) and optionally followed by the consonant {{IPA|/w/}}.

In addition, syllabic {{IPA|/m̩/}} occurs as a reduction of former {{IPA|/mu/}}, and acts like a true syllable: it can be syllabic even when not word-initial, and can also carry distinctive tones like a full syllable. It does not necessarily have to be homorganic with the following consonant, although the difference between homorganic nonsyllabic {{IPA|/mC/}} and syllabic {{IPA|/m̩C/}} is distinctive, e.g. ''umpetshisi'' {{IPA|/um̩pétʃiːsi/}} "peach tree" (5 syllables) versus ''impoko'' {{IPA|/ímpoːɠo/}} "grass flower" (3 syllables). Moreover, sequences of syllabic ''m'' and homorganic ''m'' can occur, e.g. ''ummbila'' {{IPA|/úm̩mbíːla/}} "maize" (4 syllables).

Recent loanwords from languages such as English may violate these constraints, by including additional consonant clusters that are not native to Zulu, such as in ''igremu'' {{IPA|/iːgreːmu/}} "[[gram]]". There may be some variation between speakers as to whether clusters are broken up by an [[epenthetic vowel]] or not, e.g. ''ikhompiyutha'' {{IPA|/iːkʰompijuːtʰa/}} or ''ikhompyutha'' {{IPA|/iːkʰompjuːtʰa/}} "computer".

===Prosody===

====Stress====

Stress in Zulu words is mostly predictable and normally falls on the penultimate syllable of a word. It is accompanied by an allophonic lengthening of the vowel. When the final vowel of a word is long due to contraction, it receives the stress instead of the preceding syllable.

Lengthening does not occur on all words in a sentence, however, but only those that are sentence- or phrase-final. Thus, for any word of at least two syllables, there are two different forms, one with penultimate length and one without it, occurring in complementary distribution. In some cases, there are morphemic alternations that occur as a result of word position as well. The remote demonstrative pronouns may appear with the suffix ''-ana'' when sentence-final, but only as ''-ā'' otherwise. Likewise, the recent past tense of verbs ends in ''-ile'' sentence-finally, but is reduced to ''-ē'' medially. Moreover, a falling tone can only occur on a long vowel, so the shortening has effects on tone as well.

Some words, such as ideophones or interjections, can have stress that deviates from the regular pattern.

====Tone====

Like almost all other [[Bantu languages|Bantu]] and other [[African languages]], Zulu is [[tonal Languages|tonal]]. There are three main ''tonemes'': low, high and falling. Zulu is conventionally written without any indication of tone, but tone can be distinctive in Zulu. For example, the words "priest" and "teacher" are both spelt ''umfundisi'', but they are pronounced with different tones: {{IPA|/úm̩fúndisi/}} for the "priest" meaning, and {{IPA|/úm̩fundísi/}} for the "teacher" meaning.

In principle, every syllable can be pronounced with either a high or a low tone. However, low tone does not behave the same as the other two, as high tones can "spread" into low-toned syllables while the reverse does not occur. A low tone is therefore better described as the ''absence'' of any toneme; it is a kind of default tone that is overridden by high or falling tones. The falling tone is a sequence of high-low and occurs only on long vowels. The penultimate syllable can also bear a falling tone when it is long due to the word's position in the phrase. However, when it shortens, the falling tone becomes disallowed in that position.{{clarify|reason=What happens to it?|date=December 2016}}

In principle, every [[morpheme]] has an inherent underlying tone pattern which does not change regardless of where it appears in a word. However, like most other Bantu languages, Zulu has [[word tone]], meaning that the pattern of tones acts more like a template to assign tones to individual syllables, rather than a direct representation of the pronounced tones themselves. Consequently, the relationship between underlying tone patterns and the tones that are pronounced can be quite complex. Underlying high tones tend to surface rightward from the syllables where they are underlyingly present, especially in longer words.

====Depressor consonants====

The breathy consonant phonemes in Zulu are [[depressor consonant]]s or depressors for short. Depressor consonants have a lowering effect on pitch, adding a non-phonemic low-tone onset to the normal tone of the syllable. Thus, in syllables with depressor consonants, high tones are realised as rising, and falling tones as rising-then-falling. In both cases, the pitch does not reach as high as in non-depressed syllables. The possible tones on a syllable with a voiceless consonant like ''hla'' are {{IPA|[ɬá ɬâ ɬà]}}, and the possible tones of a breathy consonant syllable, like ''dla'', are {{IPA|[ɮǎ̤ ɮa̤᷈ ɮà̤]}}. A depressor does not affect a syllable that's already low, but it blocks assimilation to a preceding high tone so that the tone of the depressor syllable and any following low-tone syllables stays low.

===Phonological processes===

====Prenasalisation====

Prenasalisation occurs whenever a consonant is preceded by a homorganic nasal, either lexically or as a consequence of prefixation. The most notable case of the latter is the class 9 noun prefix ''in-'', which ends in a homorganic nasal. Prenasalisation triggers several changes in the following consonant, some of which are phonemic and others allophonic. The changes can be summed as follows:<ref>Rycroft & Ngcobo (1979) ''Say it in Zulu'', p. 6</ref><ref>''Zulu-English dictionary'', C.M. Doke & B.W. Vilakazi</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! Normal
! Prenasalised
! Rule
|-
| {{IPA|/pʰ/}}, {{IPA|/tʰ/}}, {{IPA|/kʰ/}}
| {{IPA|/mp/}}, {{IPA|/nt/}}, {{IPA|/ŋk/}}
| Aspiration is lost on obstruents.
|-
| {{IPA|/ǀʰ/}}, {{IPA|/ǁʰ/}}, {{IPA|/ǃʰ/}}
| {{IPA|/ᵑǀ/}}, {{IPA|/ᵑǁ/}}, {{IPA|/ᵑǃ/}}
| Aspiration is replaced by nasalisation of clicks.
|-
| {{IPA|/ǀ/}}, {{IPA|/ǁ/}}, {{IPA|/ǃ/}}
| {{IPA|/ᵑǀʱ/}}, {{IPA|/ᵑǁʱ/}}, {{IPA|/ᵑǃʱ/}}
| Plain clicks become breathy nasal.
|-
| {{IPA|/ɓ/}}
| {{IPA|/mb/}}
| Implosive becomes breathy.
|-
| {{IPA|/f/}}, {{IPA|/s/}}, {{IPA|/ʃ/}}, {{IPA|/ɬ/}}<br />{{IPA|/v/}}, {{IPA|/z/}}, {{IPA|/ɮ/}}
| {{IPA|[ɱp̪fʼ]}}, {{IPA|[ntsʼ]}}, {{IPA|/ntʃ/}}, {{IPA|[ntɬʼ]}}<br />{{IPA|[ɱb̪vʱ]}}, {{IPA|[ndzʱ]}}, {{IPA|[ndɮʱ]}}
| Fricatives become affricates. Only phonemic, and thus reflected orthographically, for {{IPA|/ntʃ/}}.
|-
| {{IPA|/h/}}, {{IPA|/ɦ/}}, {{IPA|/w/}}, {{IPA|/wʱ/}}
| {{IPA|[ŋx]}}, {{IPA|[ŋɡʱ]}}, {{IPA|[ŋɡw]}}, {{IPA|[ŋɡwʱ]}}
| Approximants are [[Fortition|fortified]]. This change is allophonic, and not reflected in the orthography.
|-
| {{IPA|/j/}}
| {{IPA|/ɲ/}}
| Palatal approximant becomes palatal nasal.
|-
| {{IPA|/l/}}
| {{IPA|/l/}} or rarely {{IPA|/nd/}}
| The outcome {{IPA|/nd/}} is a fossilised outcome from the time when {{IPA|/d/}} and {{IPA|/l/}} were still one phoneme. See [[Proto-Bantu language]].
|-
| {{IPA|/m/}}, {{IPA|/n/}}, {{IPA|/ɲ/}}
| {{IPA|/m/}}, {{IPA|/n/}}, {{IPA|/ɲ/}}
| No change when the following consonant is itself a nasal.
|}

====Tone assimilation====

Zulu has tonic [[assimilation (linguistics)|assimilation]]: high tones tend to spread allophonically to following low-tone syllables, raising their pitch to a level just below that of adjacent high-tone syllables. A toneless syllable between a high-tone syllable and another tonic syllable assimilates to that high tone. That is, if the preceding syllable ends on a high tone and the following syllable begins with a high tone (because it is high or falling), the intermediate toneless syllable has its pitch raised as well. When the preceding syllable is high but the following is toneless, the medial toneless syllable adopts a high-tone onset from the preceding syllable, resulting in a falling tone contour.

For example, the English word ''spoon'' was borrowed into Zulu as {{lang|zu|isipunu}}, phonemically {{IPA|/ísipúnu/}}. The second syllable {{lang|zu|si}} assimilates to the surrounding high tones, raising its pitch, so that it is pronounced {{IPA|[ísípʼúːnù]}} sentence-finally. If tone pitch is indicated with numbers, with 1 highest and 9 lowest pitch, then the pitches of each syllable can be denoted as 2-4-3-9.<ref>''Zulu-English Dictionary'', Doke, 1958</ref> The second syllable is thus still lower in pitch than both of the adjacent syllables.

====Tone displacement====

Depressor consonants have an effect called ''tone displacement''. Tone displacement occurs whenever a depressor occurs with a high tone, and causes the tone on the syllable to shift rightward onto the next syllable. If the next syllable is long, it gets a falling tone, otherwise a regular high tone. If the penultimate syllable becomes high (not falling), the final syllable [[dissimilation|dissimilates]] and becomes low if it was not already. Tone displacement is blocked under the following conditions:
* When the syllable has a long vowel.
* When the following syllable also has a depressor consonant.
* When the following syllable is the final syllable and is short.

Whenever tone displacement is blocked, this results in a depressor syllable with a high tone, which will have the low-tone onset as described above. When the following syllable already has a high or falling tone, the tone disappears from the syllable as if it had been shifted away, but the following syllable's tone is not modified.

Some examples:
* {{lang|zu|izipunu}} "spoons", the plural of {{lang|zu|isipunu}} from the previous section, is phonemically {{IPA|/ízipúnu/}}. Because {{IPA|/z/}} is a depressor consonant, tone assimilation is prevented. Consequently, the word is pronounced as {{IPA|[ízìpʼúːnù]}} sentence-finally, with a low tone in the second syllable.
* {{lang|zu|izintombi}} "girls" is phonemically {{IPA|/izíntombí/}}. {{IPA|/z/}} is a depressor, and is not blocked, so the tone shifts to the third syllable. This syllable can be either long or short depending on sentence position. When long, the pronunciation is {{IPA|[ìzìntômbí]}}, with a falling tone. However, when the third syllable is short, the tone is high, and dissimilation of the final syllable occurs, resulting in {{IPA|[ìzìntómbì]}}.
* {{lang|zu|nendoda}} "with a man" is phonemically {{IPA|/nʱéndoda/}}. {{IPA|/nʱ/}} is a depressor, but so is {{IPA|/d/}}, so tone displacement is blocked. Consequently, the pronunciation is {{IPA|[nʱěndɔ̀ːdà]}}, with rising pitch in the first syllable due to the low-onset effect.

====Palatalization====

[[Palatalization (sound change)|Palatalization]] is a change that affects labial and alveolar consonants whenever they are immediately followed by {{IPA|/j/}}. While palatalization occurred historically, it is still productive and occurs as a result of the addition of suffixes beginning with {{IPA|/j/}}. A frequent example is the diminutive suffix {{lang|zu|-yana}}.

Moreover, Zulu does not generally tolerate sequences of a labial consonant plus {{IPA|/w/}}. Whenever {{IPA|/w/}} follows a labial consonant, it changes to {{IPA|/j/}}, which then triggers palatalization of the consonant. This effect can be seen in the locative forms of nouns ending in {{lang|zu|-o}} or {{lang|zu|-u}}, which change to {{lang|zu|-weni}} and {{lang|zu|-wini}} respectively in the locative. If a labial consonant immediately precedes, palatalization is triggered. The change also occurs in nouns beginning in {{lang|zu|ubu-}} with a stem beginning with a vowel.

The following changes occur as a result of palatalization:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
! Original<br />consonant
! Palatalized<br />consonant
! Examples
|-
| {{IPA|pʰ}}
| rowspan="2" | {{IPA|ʃ}}
| style="text-align: left;" |
* {{lang|zu|impuphu}} → {{lang|zu|impushana}} (diminutive)
* {{lang|zu|izipho}} → {{lang|zu|ezisheni}} (locative)
|-
| {{IPA|tʰ}}
| style="text-align: left;" |
* {{lang|zu|umuthi}} → {{lang|zu|umshana}} (diminutive; also {{lang|zu|umthana}})
|-
| {{IPA|p}}
| rowspan="3" | {{IPA|tʃʼ}}
| style="text-align: left;" |
* {{lang|zu|umtapo}} → {{lang|zu|emtatsheni}} (locative)
|-
| {{IPA|t}}
| style="text-align: left;" |
* {{lang|zu|ikati}} → {{lang|zu|ikatshana}} (diminutive)
|-
| {{IPA|bʱ	}}
| style="text-align: left;" |
* {{lang|zu|intaba}} → {{lang|zu|intatshana}} (diminutive)
* {{lang|zu|ingubo}} → {{lang|zu|engutsheni}} (locative)
* {{lang|zu|ubu-}} + {{lang|zu|-ani}} → {{lang|zu|utshani}} ({{lang|zu|ubu-}} + vowel)
|-
| {{IPA|b}}
| rowspan="2" | {{IPA|dʒ}}
| style="text-align: left;" |
* {{lang|zu|isigubhu}} → {{lang|zu|isigujana}} (diminutive)
|-
| {{IPA|d}}
| style="text-align: left;" |
* {{lang|zu|incwadi}} → {{lang|zu|incwajana}} (diminutive; also {{lang|zu|incwadana}})
|-
| {{IPA|m}}
| rowspan="2" | {{IPA|ɲ}}
| style="text-align: left;" |
* {{lang|zu|inkomo}} → {{lang|zu|inkonyana}} (diminutive)
* {{lang|zu|umlomo}} → {{lang|zu|emlonyeni}} (locative)
|-
| {{IPA|n}}
| style="text-align: left;" |
* {{lang|zu|inyoni}} → {{lang|zu|inyonyana}} (diminutive)
|-
| {{IPA|mp}}
| rowspan="2" | {{IPA|ntʃʼ}}
| style="text-align: left;" |
* {{lang|zu|inswempe}} → {{lang|zu|inswentshana}} (diminutive)
|-
| {{IPA|nt}}
| style="text-align: left;" |
* {{lang|zu|umkhonto}} → {{lang|zu|umkhontshwana}} (diminutive)
|-
| {{IPA|mb}}
| rowspan="2" | {{IPA|ndʒ}}
| style="text-align: left;" |
* {{lang|zu|ithambo}} → {{lang|zu|ethanjeni}} (locative)
|-
| {{IPA|nd}}
| style="text-align: left;" |
* {{lang|zu|isondo}} → {{lang|zu|isonjwana}} (diminutive; also {{lang|zu|isondwana}})
|}

==Orthography==
Zulu employs the 26 letters of the [[ISO basic Latin alphabet]]. However, some of the letters have different pronunciations than in English. Additional phonemes are written using sequences of multiple letters. Tone, stress and vowel length are not indicated.

{| class="wikitable"
! Letter(s)
! Phoneme(s)
! Example
|-
! a
| {{IPA|/a/}}
| ''[[wikt:amanzi#Zulu|amanzi]]'' {{IPA|/ámáːnzi/}} "water"
|-
! b
| {{IPAslink|ɓ}}
| ''[[wikt:ubaba#Zulu|ubaba]]'' {{IPA|/úɓaːɓá/}} "my/our father"
|-
! bh
| {{IPAslink|b}}
| ''[[wikt:ukubhala#Zulu|ukubhala]]'' {{IPA|/úɠubâːla/}} "to write"
|-
! c
| {{IPAslink|ǀ}}
| ''[[wikt:icici#Zulu|icici]]'' {{IPA|/îːǀíːǀi/}} "earring"
|-
! ch
| {{IPA|/ǀʰ/}}
| ''[[wikt:ukuchaza#Zulu|ukuchaza]]'' {{IPA|/uɠúǀʰaːza/}} "to fascinate/explain"
|-
! d
| {{IPAslink|d}}
| ''[[wikt:idada#Zulu|idada]]'' {{IPA|/íːdaːda/}} "duck"
|-
! dl
| {{IPAslink|ɮ}}
| ''[[wikt:ukudla#Zulu|ukudla]]'' {{IPA|/úɠuːɮá/}} "to eat"
|-
! e
| {{IPA|/e/}}
| ''[[wikt:ibele#Zulu|ibele]]'' {{IPA|/îːɓéːle/}} "breast"
|-
! f
| {{IPAslink|f}}
| ''[[wikt:ifu#Zulu|ifu]]'' {{IPA|/íːfu/}} "cloud"
|-
! g
| {{IPAslink|ɡ}}
| ''[[wikt:ugogo#Zulu|ugogo]]'' {{IPA|/úɡóːɡo/}} "grandmother"
|-
! gc
| {{IPA|/ᶢǀʱ/}}
| ''[[wikt:isigcino#Zulu|isigcino]]'' {{IPA|/isíᶢǀʱiːno/}} "end"
|-
! gq
| {{IPA|/ᶢǃʱ/}}
| ''[[wikt:uMgqibelo#Zulu|uMgqibelo]]'' {{IPA|/umúᶢǃʱiɓéːlo/}} "Saturday"
|-
! gx
| {{IPA|/ᶢǁʱ/}}
| ''[[wikt:ukugxoba#Zulu|ukugxoba]]'' {{IPA|/uɠúᶢǁʱoːɓa/}} "to stamp"
|-
! h
| {{IPAslink|h}}
| ''[[wikt:ukuhamba#Zulu|ukuhamba]]'' {{IPA|/úɠuháːmba/}} "to go"
|-
! hh
| {{IPAslink|ɦ}}
| ''[[wikt:ihhashi#Zulu|ihhashi]]'' {{IPA|/îːɦáːʃi/}} "horse"
|-
! hl
| {{IPAslink|ɬ}}
| ''[[wikt:ukuhlala#Zulu|ukuhlala]]'' {{IPA|/uɠúɬaːla/}} "to sit"
|-
! i
| {{IPA|/i/}}
| ''[[wikt:imini#Zulu|imini]]'' {{IPA|/ímíːni/}} "daytime"
|-
! j
| {{IPAslink|dʒ}}
| ''[[wikt:uju#Zulu|uju]]'' {{IPA|/úːdʒu/}} "honey"
|-
! rowspan="2" | k
| {{IPAslink|k}}
| ''[[wikt:ikati#Zulu|ikati]]'' {{IPA|/îːkáːti/}} "cat"
|-
| {{IPA|/ɠ/}}
| ''[[wikt:ukuza#Zulu|ukuza]]'' {{IPA|/uɠúːza/}} "to come"
|-
! kh
| {{IPA|/kʰ/}}
| ''[[wikt:ikhanda#Zulu|ikhanda]]'' {{IPA|/îːkʰâːnda/}} "head"
|-
! kl
| {{IPAslink|kx}}
| ''[[wikt:umklomelo#Zulu|umklomelo]]'' {{IPA|/umukxómeːlo/}} "prize"
|-
! l
| {{IPAslink|l}}
| ''[[wikt:ukulala#Zulu|ukulala]]'' {{IPA|/úɠuláːla/}} "sleep"
|-
! rowspan="2" | m
| {{IPAslink|m}}
| ''[[wikt:imali#Zulu|imali]]'' {{IPA|/ímaːlí/}} "money"
|-
| {{IPA|/mʱ/}}
| ''[[wikt:umama#Zulu|umama]]'' {{IPA|/úmʱáːma/}} "my/our mother"
|-
! mb
| {{IPA|/mb/}}
| ''[[wikt:imbube#Zulu|imbube]]'' {{IPA|/ímbuːɓé/}} "lion"
|-
! rowspan="2" | n
| {{IPAslink|n}}
| ''[[wikt:unina#Zulu|unina]]'' {{IPA|/úniːna/}} "his/her/their mother"
|-
| {{IPA|/nʱ/}}
| ''[[wikt:nendoda#Zulu|nendoda]]'' {{IPA|/nʱéndoːda/}} "with a man"
|-
! nc
| {{IPA|/ᵑǀ/}}
| ''[[wikt:incwancwa#Zulu|incwancwa]]'' {{IPA|/íᵑǀwáːᵑǀwa/}} "sour corn meal"
|-
! ng
| {{IPA|/ŋ(ɡ)/}}
| ''[[wikt:ingane#Zulu|ingane]]'' {{IPA|/ínɡáːne/}} "child"
|-
! ngc
| {{IPA|/ᵑǀʱ/}}
| ''[[wikt:ingcosi#Zulu|ingcosi]]'' {{IPA|/íᵑǀʱoːsí/}} "a bit"
|-
! ngq
| {{IPA|/ᵑǃʱ/}}
| ''[[wikt:ingqondo#Zulu|ingqondo]]'' {{IPA|/íᵑǃʱoːndo/}} "brain"
|-
! ngx
| {{IPA|/ᵑǁʱ/}}
| ''[[wikt:ingxenye#Zulu|ingxenye]]'' {{IPA|/íᵑǁʱéːɲe/}} "part"
|-
! nj
| {{IPA|/ɲdʒ/}}
| ''[[wikt:inja#Zulu|inja]]'' {{IPA|/îːɲdʒá/}} "dog"
|-
! nk
| {{IPA|/ŋk/}}
| ''[[wikt:inkomo#Zulu|inkomo]]'' {{IPA|/íŋkoːmó/}} "cow"
|-
! nq
| {{IPA|/ᵑǃ/}}
| ''[[wikt:inqola#Zulu|inqola]]'' {{IPA|/íᵑǃóːla/}} "cart"
|-
! ntsh
| {{IPA|/ɲtʃ/}}
| ''[[wikt:intshe#Zulu|intshe]]'' {{IPA|/îːɲtʃé/}} "ostrich"
|-
! nx
| {{IPA|/ᵑǁ/}}
| ''[[wikt:inxeba#Zulu|inxeba]]'' {{IPA|/íːᵑǁeːɓa/}} "wound"
|-
! ny
| {{IPAslink|ɲ}}
| ''[[wikt:inyoni#Zulu|inyoni]]'' {{IPA|/íɲoːni/}} "bird"
|-
! o
| {{IPA|/o/}}
| ''[[wikt:uphondo#Zulu|uphondo]]'' {{IPA|/úːpʰoːndo/}} "horn"
|-
! p
| {{IPAslink|p}}
| ''[[wikt:ipipi#Zulu|ipipi]]'' {{IPA|/îːpíːpi/}} "pipe for smoking"
|-
! ph
| {{IPA|/pʰ/}}
| ''[[wikt:ukupheka#Zulu|ukupheka]]'' {{IPA|/uɠúpʰeːɠa/}} "to cook"
|-
! q
| {{IPAslink|ǃ}}
| ''[[wikt:iqaqa#Zulu|iqaqa]]'' {{IPA|/íːǃaːǃá/}} "polecat"
|-
! qh
| {{IPA|/ǃʰ/}}
| ''[[wikt:iqhude#Zulu|iqhude]]'' {{IPA|/îːǃʰúːde/}} "rooster"
|-
! r
| {{IPAslink|r}}
| ''[[wikt:iresiphi#Zulu|iresiphi]]'' {{IPA|/iːrésiːpʰi/}} "recipe"
|-
! s
| {{IPAslink|s}}
| ''[[wikt:isisu#Zulu|isisu]]'' {{IPA|/isíːsu/}} "stomach"
|-
! sh
| {{IPAslink|ʃ}}
| ''[[wikt:ishumi#Zulu|ishumi]]'' {{IPA|/îːʃûːmi/}} "ten"
|-
! t
| {{IPAslink|t}}
| ''[[wikt:itiye#Zulu|itiye]]'' {{IPA|/îːtíːje/}} "tea"
|-
! th
| {{IPA|/tʰ/}}
| ''[[wikt:ukuthatha#Zulu|ukuthatha]]'' {{IPA|/úɠutʰáːtʰa/}} "to take"
|-
! ts
| {{IPAslink|ts}}
| ''[[wikt:itswayi#Zulu|itswayi]]'' {{IPA|/íːtswaːjí/}} "salt"
|-
! tsh
| {{IPAslink|tʃ}}
| ''[[wikt:utshani#Zulu|utshani]]'' {{IPA|/útʃaːní/}} "grass"
|-
! u
| {{IPA|/u/}}
| ''[[wikt:ubusuku#Zulu|ubusuku]]'' {{IPA|/úɓusûːɠu/}} "night"
|-
! v
| {{IPAslink|v}}
| ''[[wikt:ukuvala#Zulu|ukuvala]]'' {{IPA|/uɠúvaːla/}} "to close"
|-
! rowspan="2" | w
| {{IPAslink|w}}
| ''[[wikt:ukuwela#Zulu|ukuwela]]'' {{IPA|/uɠúweːla/}} "to cross"
|-
| {{IPA|/wʱ/}}
| ''[[wikt:wuthando#Zulu|wuthando]]'' {{IPA|/wʱúːtʰâːndo/}} "It's love."
|-
! x
| {{IPAslink|ǁ}}
| ''[[wikt:ixoxo#Zulu|ixoxo]]'' {{IPA|/íːǁoːǁo/}} "frog"
|-
! xh
| {{IPA|/ǁʰ/}}
| ''[[wikt:ukuxhasa#Zulu|ukuxhasa]]'' {{IPA|/úɠuǁʰáːsa/}} "to support"
|-
! rowspan="2" | y
| {{IPAslink|j}}
| ''[[wikt:uyise#Zulu|uyise]]'' {{IPA|/újiːsé/}} "his/her/their father"
|-
| {{IPA|/jʱ/}}
| ''[[wikt:yintombazane#Zulu|yintombazane]]'' {{IPA|/jʱintómbazâːne/}} "It's a girl"
|-
! z
| {{IPAslink|z}}
| ''[[wikt:umzuzu#Zulu|umzuzu]]'' {{IPA|/umúzuːzú/}} "moment"
|}

Reference works and older texts may use additional letters. A common former practice was to indicate the implosive {{IPA|/ɓ/}} using the special letter {{lang|zu|ɓ}}, while the digraph {{lang|zu|bh}} would then be simply written as {{lang|zu|b}}. Some references may also write {{lang|zu|h}} after letters to indicate that they are of the depressor variety, e.g. {{lang|zu|mh}}, {{lang|zu|nh}}, {{lang|zu|yh}}, a practice that is standard in [[Xhosa language|Xhosa]] orthography.

Very early texts, from the early 20th century or before, tend to omit the distinction between plain and aspirated voiceless consonants, writing the latter without the {{lang|zu|h}}.

Nouns are written with their prefixes as one orthographical word. If the prefix ends with a vowel (as most do) and the noun stem also begins with a vowel, a hyphen is inserted in between, e.g. {{lang|zu|i-Afrika}}. This occurs only with loanwords.

==Morphology==
{{main|Zulu grammar}}
Here are some of the main features of Zulu:

* Word order is [[subject–verb–object]].
* Morphologically, it is an [[agglutinative language]].
* As in other Bantu languages, Zulu nouns are classified into [[noun class|morphological classes]] or ''[[grammatical gender|genders]]'' (16 in Zulu), with different prefixes for singular and plural. Various parts of speech that qualify a noun must agree with the noun according to its gender. Such agreements usually reflect part of the original class with which it is agreeing. An example is the use of the class "aba-":

::{{lang|zu|'''B'''onke '''aba'''ntu '''aba'''qatha '''ba'''sepulazini '''ba'''yagawula}}.

::''All the strong people on the farm are felling (trees).''

:The various agreements that qualify the word "abantu" (people) can be seen in effect.

* Its verbal system shows a combination of temporal and aspectual categories in their finite paradigm. Typically verbs have two stems, one for present-undefinite and another for perfect. Different prefixes can be attached to these verbal stems to specify subject agreement and various degrees of past or future tense. For example, in the word {{lang|zu|uyathanda}} ("he loves"), the present stem of the verb is {{lang|zu|-thanda}}, the prefix {{lang|zu|u-}} expresses the third-person singular subject and {{lang|zu|-ya-}} is a filler that is used in short sentences.
:Suffixes are also put into common use to show the causative or reciprocal forms of a verb stem.
* Most property words (words encoded as adjectives in English) are represented by relatives. In the sentence {{lang|zu|umuntu ubomvu}} ("the person is red"), the word {{lang|zu|ubomvu}} (root {{lang|zu|-bomvu}}) behaves like a verb and uses the agreement prefix {{lang|zu|u-}}. however, there are subtle differences; for example, it does not use the prefix {{lang|zu|ya-}}.

===Morphology of root ''Zulu''===
The root can be combined with several prefixes and thus create other words. For example, here is a table with some words constructed from the roots -{{lang|zu|Zulu}} and {{lang|zu|-ntu}} (the root for ''person/people''):

{|class="wikitable"
! Prefix !! {{lang|zu|-zulu}} !! {{lang|zu|-ntu}}
|-
| {{lang|zu|'''um(u)'''}} || {{lang|zu|um|italic=no}}{{lang|zu|Zulu}} (a Zulu person) || {{lang|zu|umu|italic=no}}{{lang|zu|ntu}} (a person)
|-
| {{lang|zu|'''ama, aba'''}} || {{lang|zu|ama|italic=no}}{{lang|zu|Zulu}} (Zulu people) || {{lang|zu|aba|italic=no}}{{lang|zu|ntu}} (people)
|-
| {{lang|zu|'''isi'''}} || {{lang|zu|isi|italic=no}}{{lang|zu|Zulu}} (the Zulu language) || {{lang|zu|isi|italic=no}}{{lang|zu|ntu}} (culture, heritage, mankind)
|-
| {{lang|zu|'''ubu'''}} || {{lang|zu|ubuZulu|italic=no}} (personification/Zulu-like tendencies) || {{lang|zu|ubu|italic=no}}{{lang|zu|ntu}} (humanity, compassion)
|-
| {{lang|zu|'''kwa'''}} || {{lang|zu|kwa|italic=no}}{{lang|zu|Zulu}} (place of the Zulu people) || –
|-
| {{lang|zu|'''i(li)'''}} || {{lang|zu|i|italic=no}}{{lang|zu|zulu}} (the weather/sky/heaven) || –
|-
| {{lang|zu|'''pha'''}} || {{lang|zu|phe|italic=no}}{{lang|zu|zulu}} (on top) || –
|-
| {{lang|zu|'''e'''}} || {{lang|zu|e|italic=no}}{{lang|zu|zul}}{{lang|zu|wini|italic=no}} (in, at, to, from heaven) || –
|-
|}

==Sample phrases and text==
The following is a list of phrases that can be used when one visits a region whose primary language is Zulu:

{| class = "wikitable"
|+
! Zulu
! English
|-
| {{lang|zu|Sawubona}} || ''Hello'', to one person
|- 
| {{lang|zu|Sanibonani}} || ''Hello'', to a group of people
|-
| {{lang|zu|Unjani?}} / {{lang|zu|Ninjani?}} || ''How are you (sing.)? / How are you (pl.)?''
|-
| {{lang|zu|Ngiyaphila}} / {{lang|zu|Siyaphila}} || ''I'm okay / We're okay''
|-
| {{lang|zu|Ngiyabonga (kakhulu)}} || ''Thanks (a lot)''
|-
| {{lang|zu|Ngubani igama lakho?}} || ''What is your name?''
|-
| {{lang|zu|Igama lami ngu...}} || ''My name is...''
|-
| {{lang|zu|Isikhathi sithini?}} || ''What's the time?''
|- 
| {{lang|zu|Ngingakusiza?}} || ''Can I help you?''
|-
| {{lang|zu|Uhlala kuphi?}} || ''Where do you stay?''
|-
| {{lang|zu|Uphumaphi?}} || ''Where are you from?''
|-
| {{lang|zu|Hamba kahle}} / {{lang|zu|Sala kahle}} || ''Go well / Stay well'', used as goodbye. The person staying says "{{lang|zu|Hamba kahle}}", and the person leaving says "{{lang|zu|Sala kahle}}". Other translations include ''Go gently'' and ''Walk in peace''.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/zuluenglishdict01colegoog/zuluenglishdict01colegoog_djvu.txt Zulu English Dictionary]</ref> 
|-
| {{lang|zu|Hambani kahle}} / {{lang|zu|Salani kahle}} || ''Go well / Stay well'', to a group of people
|-
| {{lang|zu|Eish!}} || ''Wow!'' (No real European equivalent, used in [[South African English]]) (you could try a semi-expletive, such as ''oh my gosh'' or ''what the heck''. It expresses a notion of shock and surprise)
|-
| {{lang|zu|Hhayibo}} || ''No! / Stop! / No way!'' (used in South African English too)
|-
| {{lang|zu|Yebo}} || ''Yes''
|-
| {{lang|zu|Cha}} || ''No''
|-
| {{lang|zu|Angazi}} || ''I don't know''
|-
| {{lang|zu|Uyasikhuluma isiNgisi na?}} || ''Do you speak English?''
|-
| {{lang|zu|Ngisaqala ukufunda isiZulu}} || ''I've just started learning Zulu''
|-
| {{lang|zu|Uqonde ukuthini?}} || ''What do you mean?''
|-
| {{lang|zu|Ngiyakuthanda.}} || ''I love you''
|}

The following is from the preamble to the [[Constitution of South Africa]]:

{|
|
{{lang|zu|Thina, bantu baseNingizimu Afrika, Siyakukhumbula ukucekelwa phansi kwamalungelo okwenzeka eminyakeni eyadlula; Sibungaza labo abahluphekela ubulungiswa nenkululeko kulo mhlaba wethu; Sihlonipha labo abasebenzela ukwakha nokuthuthukisa izwe lethu; futhi Sikholelwa ekutheni iNingizimu Afrika ingeyabo bonke abahlala kuyo, sibumbene nakuba singafani.}}
|}
'''Translation:'''
{|
|
We, the people of South Africa, Recognise the injustices of our past; Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.
|}

== Counting in Zulu ==

=== Counting from 1 to 10 ===
The digital numerical counting etiquette on the fingers begins with the little finger of the left hand to the left thumb and then continues with the right-hand thumb towards the right little finger. Starting with a closed left hand, each finger is extended with each subsequent number from one to five. Once the left hand is open, then counting continues on the right hand with each finger opening in turn. It is noteworthy that in Zulu, the names for the numbers six to nine reflect either the anatomical name of the digit (six, {{lang|zu|isithupha}}, means "thumb"), action (seven, {{lang|zu|isikhombisa}}, means "the one that points out"), or position/placement (eight or {{lang|zu|isishiyagalombili}}, means "two remaining", and nine or {{lang|zu|isishiyagalolunye}}, indicating "one remaining").<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Ayonrinde|first1=Oyedeji A.|last2=Stefatos|first2=Anthi|last3=Miller|first3=Shadé|last4=Richer|first4=Amanda|last5=Nadkarni|first5=Pallavi|last6=She|first6=Jennifer|last7=Alghofaily|first7=Ahmad|last8=Mngoma|first8=Nomusa|date=2020-06-12|title=The salience and symbolism of numbers across cultural beliefs and practice|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2020.1769289|journal=International Review of Psychiatry|volume=33|issue=1–2|pages=179–188|doi=10.1080/09540261.2020.1769289|issn=0954-0261|pmid=32527165|s2cid=219605482|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
!IsiZulu
!English
|-
|{{lang|zu|Kunye}}
|One
|-
|{{lang|zu|Kubili}}
|Two
|-
|{{lang|zu|Kuthathu}}
|Three
|-
|{{lang|zu|Kune}}
|Four
|-
|{{lang|zu|Isihlanu}}
|Five
|-
|{{lang|zu|Isithupha}}
|Six
|-
|{{lang|zu|Isikhombisa}}
|Seven
|-
|{{lang|zu|Isishiyagalombili}}
|Eight
|-
|{{lang|zu|Isishiyagalolunye}}
|Nine
|-
|{{lang|zu|Ishumi}}
|Ten
|}

==Months==
'''Months in Zulu'''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! English !! Zulu
|-
| January || {{lang|zu|uMasingana}}
|-
| February || {{lang|zu|uNhlolanja}}
|-
| March || {{lang|zu|uNdasa}}
|-
| April || {{lang|zu|uMbasa}}
|-
| May || {{lang|zu|uNhlaba}}
|-
| June || {{lang|zu|uNhlangulana}}
|-
| July || {{lang|zu|uNtulikazi}}
|-
| August || {{lang|zu|uNcwaba}}
|-
| September || {{lang|zu|uMandulo}}
|-
| October || {{lang|zu|uMfumfu}}
|-
| November || {{lang|zu|uLwezi}}
|-
| December || {{lang|zu|uZibandlela}}
|}

==Oral literature==

===Proverbs===
In 1912, Franz Mayr, an Austrian missionary in southern Africa from 1890 until his death in 1914,<ref>[https://fhya.uct.ac.za/reverend-father-franz-mayr Reverend Father Franz Mayr] ''Five Hundred Year Archive (FHYA)''. Retrieved July 14, 2024.</ref> published a collection of 150 proverbs in Zulu with an English translation.<ref>Mayr, Fr. (1912). [https://archive.org/details/anthropos_1912_7/page/956/mode/2up "Zulu Proverbs"]. ''Anthropos''. 7: 957-963.</ref> The proverbs include:
*"''Inhlwa aibanjwa ngekanda isavela''." "The winged termite is not caught by its head as soon as it appears (i.e. wait till you have heard the whole story before you judge or even answer)."
*"''Aku 'qaqa lazizwa ukunuka''." "No polecat ever smelt its own stink (i.e. nobody recognises his own faults)."
*"''Aku'nkwali epandela enya''." "There is no partridge that scratches for another (i.e. everyone looks after his own interests)."
*"''Ikot'eyikotayo''." "The cow licks the one that licks her (said of people who help one another)."

[[John Colenso]] also included a selection of Zulu proverbs with English translations in his ''[https://archive.org/details/colenso-zulu-english-dictionary-1884/Colenso%2C%20Zulu-English%20Dictionary%20%281884%29%20-%20copy%20A/page/n13/mode/2up?view=theater Zulu-English Dictionary],'' first published in 1884.<ref>Colenso, John W. (1884). ''[https://archive.org/details/colenso-zulu-english-dictionary-1884/Colenso%2C%20Zulu-English%20Dictionary%20%281884%29%20-%20copy%20A/page/n13/mode/2up?view=theater Zulu-English Dictionary]''. Natal. pp. i-xv. See also the [https://archive.org/details/zuluenglishdict01colegoog/page/725/mode/2up?view=theater 1905 edition], pp. 725-728.</ref> Here are some of those proverbs:
*"''Iqina lipum'embizeni.''" "The buck has jumped out of the pot (i.e. it has escaped the hunter just when he thought he had it)."
*"''Izubela ladhl'indhlovu.''" "The wood-shaving killed the elephant (by striking it in the eye; used of a small matter producing a very serious result)."
*"''Aku'mmango ungena'liba.''" "There is no hill without a grave (i.e. death is everywhere)."

===Tales===

In 1868, [[Henry Callaway]] published a collection of traditional Zulu tales told by storytellers in the [[Colony of Natal]]; the book includes the Zulu text accompanied by an English translation.<ref>Callaway, Henry (1868). ''[https://archive.org/details/cu31924026950968/ Nursery Tales, Traditions, and Histories of the Zulus]''.</ref> The stories include the Tale of Uhlakanyana, a long cycle narrating the adventures of the famous [[Uhlakanyana|Zulu trickster figure]];<ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924026950968/page/n25/mode/2up?view=theater Callaway 1868], pp. 3-40.</ref> the story of the Zulu hero Usikulumi and his family;<ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924026950968/page/n64/mode/2up?view=theater Callaway 1868], pp. 41-72.</ref> the story of Usitungusohenthle who was carried away by pigeons;<ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924026950968/page/n101/mode/1up?view=theater Callaway 1868], pp. 78-85.</ref> and the legend of the mythical bird that gave milk,<ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924026950968/page/n122/mode/1up?view=theater Callaway 1868], pp. 99-104.</ref> along with an account of the very real [[honeyguide]] bird, called ''inhlamvu'' in Zulu.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924026950968/page/n158/mode/1up?view=theater Callaway 1868], pp. 135-140.</ref>
There are many cannibal stories, including ''Itshe Likantunjambili'', "The Cannibal's Cave;" ''Intombi Namazimu'', "The Girl and the Cannibals;" "Umbadhlanyana and the Cannibal;" and ''Amazimu,'' "Cannibals," along with an appendix on cannibalism.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924026950968/page/n181/mode/1up?view=theater&q=cannibal Callaway 1868], pp. 140-141, 142-152, 154-155, 155-158, and 158-164.</ref> Women are the main characters in many of the stories, such as ''Ugungqu-Kubantwana,'' the popular folktale of the old woman who must seek a pond of clear water;<ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924026950968/page/n187/mode/1up?view=theater Callaway 1868], pp. 164-176.</ref> the tale of Princess Umkxakaza-Wakogingqwayo;<ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924026950968/page/n204/mode/1up?view=theater Callaway 1868], pp. 181-217.</ref> the tale of Princess Umdhlubu;<ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924026950968/page/n260/mode/1up?view=theater Callaway 1868], pp. 237-253.</ref> and the tale of Princess Untombi-Yapansi,<ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924026950968/page/n319/mode/1up?view=theater Callaway 1868], pp. 296-317.</ref> along with the story of ''Ununana-Bosele'', the woman who defeated a swallowing monster in the form of an elephant.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924026950968/page/n354/mode/1up?view=theater Callaway 1868], pp. 331-335.</ref> Some stories, like ''Ubongopa-Kamagadhlela'',<ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924026950968/page/n244/mode/1up?view=theater Callaway 1868], pp. 221-237.</ref>
feature numerous songs in Zulu, for which Callaway provides the lyrics but not the music.

In 1870, Callaway published ''[https://archive.org/details/relamazulu00calluoft/ The Religious System of the Amazulu]''<ref>Callaway, Henry (1870). ''[https://archive.org/details/relamazulu00calluoft/ The Religious System of the Amazulu]''.</ref> which also contains Zulu texts and English translations, including ''Unkulunkulu'', "The Tradition of Creation,"<ref>[https://archive.org/details/relamazulu00calluoft/page/n7/mode/2up?view=theater Callaway 1870], pp. 1-104.</ref> along with lengthy Zulu testimony regarding ancestor worship, dream interpretation, divination, and medicine.

===Riddles===

Callaway's 1868 collection of Zulu texts also contains 12 riddles in Zulu with an English translation.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924026950968/page/n387/mode/2up?view=theater Callaway 1868], pp. 364-374.</ref> The riddles include:
*"''Kqandela ni inkomo e hlatshelwa 'zibayeni zibili (intwala, ngokuba umuntu u ya i tata engutsheni, ka namandhla oku i bulala ngesitupa si sinye; uma e nga hlanganisi izitupa zozibili, a i kcindezele, i fe''." "Guess ye an ox which is slaughtered in two cattle-pens (a louse, for a man takes it out of his blanket, but he cannot kill it with one thumb; but only by bringing the two thumbs together, and squeezing it between them that it may die)."
*"''Kqandela ni indoba e nga lali; ku ze ku se i mi, i nga lele (insika a i lali, ngokuba i y' ema njalo, i linde indhlu)''." "Guess ye a man who does not lie down; even when it is morning he is standing, he not having lain down (a pillar does not lie down, for it stands constantly and watches the house)."
There are six Zulu riddles reported in the ''Folklore Journal'' of the South African Folklore Society in 1880.<ref>Carbutt, Mrs Hugh Lancaster. (1880). "Six Zulu Riddles". ''Folklore Journal of the South African Folklore Society''. 2: 60-61.</ref> Here are two of them:  
*"''Ngi tshele ibizo le'nyoka ende e dhlula izinyoka ezinye? (indhlela).''" "Tell me the name of the longest snake? (a road)."
*"''Ngu bani oma njalo a ngez'a hlala pansi? (ishilahla).''" "Who is it that stands always and never sits? (a tree)."

===Songs===
[[File:Photograph of Madikane Čele.jpg|thumb|Photograph of Madikane Čele in Zulu clothing, holding a spear (assegai)]]In 1920, Madikane Čele contributed Zulu song lyrics and music to [[Natalie Curtis|Natalie Curtis Burlin's]] book ''[https://archive.org/details/songstalesfromda00burl/view=theater Songs and Tales from the Dark Continent]''.<ref>Burlin, Natalie Curtis; Simango, C. Kamba; Čele, Madikane (1920). ''[https://archive.org/details/songstalesfromda00burl/page/n99/mode/2up?view=theater Songs and Tales from the Dark Continent]''. pp. 57-76.</ref> Zulu texts and English translations, plus commentary, are provided for "''Iga'ma Le 'Mpi,''" "A Song of War;"<ref>[https://archive.org/details/songstalesfromda00burl/page/62/mode/2up?view=theater Burlin 1920], pp. 63-66.</ref> "''Iga'ma La Bantwa'na,''" "A Song of Children" (lullaby);<ref>[https://archive.org/details/songstalesfromda00burl/page/66/mode/2up?view=theater Burlin 1920], pp. 66-68.</ref> "''Iga'ma Lo Kusi'na,''" "A Dance-Song;"<ref>[https://archive.org/details/songstalesfromda00burl/page/68/mode/2up?view=theater Burlin 1920], pp. 68-71.</ref> "''Iga'ma Lo Ta'ndo,''"<ref>[https://archive.org/details/songstalesfromda00burl/page/70/mode/2up?view=theater Burlin 1920], pp. 71-76.</ref> "A Love-Song," along with the  music for the songs.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/songstalesfromda00burl/page/132/mode/2up?view=theater Burlin 1920], pp. 133-149.</ref>

==Zulu words in South African English==
[[South African English]] has absorbed many words from the Zulu language. Others, such as the names of local animals ({{lang|zu|[[impala]]}} and {{lang|zu|[[mamba]]}} are both Zulu names) have made their way into standard English. A few examples of Zulu words used in South African English:

* [[muti]] (from {{lang|zu|umuthi}}) – medicine
* donga (from {{lang|zu|udonga}}) – ditch ({{lang|zu|udonga}} means "wall" in Zulu and is also the name for ditches caused by soil erosion)
* {{lang|zu|[[indaba]]}} – conference (it means "an item of news"' in Zulu)
* {{lang|zu|[[induna]]}} – chief right handman or leader
* shongololo (from {{lang|zu|ishongololo}}) – millipede
* {{lang|zu|[[ubuntu (ideology)|ubuntu]]}} – compassion/humanity.

==See also==
{{Portal|South Africa|Languages}}
* [[Impi]]
* [[Shaka|Shaka kaSenzangakhona]]
* [[Tsotsitaal]] – a Zulu-based [[creole language]] spoken in [[Soweto]]
* [[Xhosa language]]
* [[Northern Ndebele language]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Sources ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060720065425/http://www.pavelicpapers.com/documents/odpor/index.html UCLA Language Materials Project] – [http://www.lmp.ucla.edu/Profile.aspx?LangID=23&menu=004 Zulu] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703223945/http://www.lmp.ucla.edu/Profile.aspx?LangID=23&menu=004 |date=3 July 2014 }}).

==Bibliography==
{{Refbegin|30em}}
* Canonici, Noverino, 1996, ''Imisindo YesiZulu: An Introduction to Zulu Phonology'', University of Natal
* Canonici, Noverino, 1996, ''Zulu Grammatical Structure'', University of Natal
* {{Cite thesis
|last=Wade
|first=Rodrik D.
|date=1996
|title=An Investigation of the Putative Restandardisation of South African English in the Direction of a 'New' English, Black South African English
|chapter=Structural characteristics of Zulu English
|place=Durban
|publisher=University of Natal
|chapter-url=http://www.und.ac.za/und/ling/archive/wade_pre.html
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013143757/http://www.und.ac.za/und/ling/archive/wade_pre.html
|archive-date=13 October 2008
}}
{{Refend}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book|last=Colenso|first=John William|title=First steps in Zulu: being an elementary grammar of the Zulu language|publisher=Davis|location=Martizburg, Durban|year=1882|edition=Third|url=https://archive.org/details/firststepsinzulu00coleuoft}}
* Dent, G.R. and [[Sibusiso Nyembezi|Nyembezi, C.L.S.]] (1959) ''Compact Zulu Dictionary''. Pietermaritzburg: Shuter & Shooter. {{ISBN|0-7960-0760-8}}
* Dent, G.R. and [[Sibusiso Nyembezi|Nyembezi, C.L.S.]] (1969) ''Scholar's Zulu Dictionary''. Pietermaritzburg: Shuter & Shooter. {{ISBN|0-7960-0718-7}}
* Doke, C.M. (1947) ''Text-book of Zulu grammar''. London: Longmans, Green and Co.
* Doke, C.M. (1953) ''Zulu–English Dictionary''. Johannesburg: Witwatersrand University Press. {{ISBN|1-86814-160-8}}
* Doke, C.M. (1958) ''Zulu–English Vocabulary''. Johannesburg: Witwatersrand University Press. {{ISBN|0-85494-009-X}}
* Doke, C.M. (2014) ''[https://witspress.co.za/catalogue/english-isizulu-isizulu-english-dictionary/ English-Zulu/Zulu-English Dictionary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813131220/https://witspress.co.za/catalogue/english-isizulu-isizulu-english-dictionary/ |date=13 August 2022 }}''. Johannesburg: Witwatersrand University Press. {{ISBN|978-1-86814-738-0}}
* [[Sibusiso Nyembezi|Nyembezi, C.L.S.]] (1957) ''Learn Zulu''. Pietermaritzburg: Shuter & Shooter. {{ISBN|0-7960-0237-1}}
* [[Sibusiso Nyembezi|Nyembezi, C.L.S.]] (1970) ''Learn More Zulu''. Pietermaritzburg: Shuter & Shooter. {{ISBN|0-7960-0278-9}}
* Wilkes, Arnett, ''Teach Yourself Zulu''. {{ISBN|0-07-143442-9}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{interwiki|code=zu}}
{{Wikibooks|Zulu}}
{{Wikivoyage|Zulu phrasebook|Zulu|a phrasebook}}
{{commons category}}
*{{WALS|zul|Zulu}}
*{{UDHR|zuu|Zulu}} <!-- Leave the Яг 639-3 as is. That's how OHCHR named it -->
*[http://salanguages.com/isizulu/ South African Languages: IsiZulu]
*[http://zipangz.homestead.com/untitled4.html A short English–isiZulu–Japanese phraselist] incl. sound file
*[http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Zulu_Swadesh_list Zulu Swadesh list of basic vocabulary wordРЬs] (from Wiktionary's [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Swadesh_lists Swadesh-list appendix])
*[http://www.languagesandnumbers.com/how-to-count-in-zulu/en/zul/ Counting in Zulu]

===Courses===
*[https://www.linguashop.com/learn-zulu/ TeachMe! Zulu – PDF Zulu workbook]
*[http://www.memrise.com/course/82/zulu-with-dingani/ Zulu With Dingani – Online beginner's course] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160728025632/http://www.memrise.com/course/82/zulu-with-dingani/ |date=28 July 2016 }}
*[http://www.unisa.ac.za/Free_online_course/Zulu/Zulu.html University Of South Africa, free online course]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050306060945/http://www.newt.clara.co.uk/isizulu/ Sifunda isiZulu!]

===Grammar===
*[http://learn101.org/zulu.php Zulu Grammar with Audio!]

===Dictionaries===
*[https://isizulu.net/ isiZulu.net Zulu–English Online Dictionary]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040413044749/http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definition/Zulu-english/ Zulu–English Dictionary]

===Newspapers===
*[https://www.isolezwe.co.za/ Isolezwe]
*[https://ilanganews.co.za/ Ilanga]
*UmAfrika
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120206125747/http://isizulu.news24.com/ Izindaba News24]

===Software===
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070114015602/http://translate.org.za/content/view/1610/54/ Spell checker for OpenOffice.org and Mozilla], [https://web.archive.org/web/20070324112647/http://translate.org.za/content/view/17/32/ OpenOffice.org], [https://web.archive.org/web/20070210160756/http://translate.org.za/content/view/1611/54/ Mozilla Firefox web-browser], and [https://web.archive.org/web/20070324203655/http://translate.org.za/content/view/1612/54/ Mozilla Thunderbird email program] in Zulu
* [http://translate.org.za/ Translate.org.za] Project to translate Free and Open Source Software into all the official languages of South Africa including Zulu
*[http://www.panafril10n.org/wikidoc/pmwiki.php/PanAfrLoc/Zulu PanAfrican L10n wiki page on Zulu]

===Literature and culture===
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051027002008/http://literature.kzn.org.za/lit/index.html KwaZulu-Natal Literary Map]

{{Languages of Lesotho}}
{{Languages of South Africa}}
{{Languages of Swaziland}}
{{Languages of Mozambique}}
{{Narrow Bantu languages (Zones N–S)}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zulu language}}
[[Category:Zulu language| ]]
[[Category:Subject–verb–object languages]]
[[Category:Agglutinative languages]]
[[Category:Languages of South Africa]]