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Elementary Zulu Trivia Quiz

Zulu (called isiZulu in the native tongue) is a southern Bantu language spoken by the Zulu people. It is the most widely spoken native language of South Africa's 11 official languages (9 of which are native). This quiz is a basic introduction.

A multiple-choice quiz by JCSon. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
JCSon

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
264,149

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
637

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 207 (3/10), Guest 41 (6/10), Guest 211 (3/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of these is the correct way to say 'hello' in Zulu to a group of two or more persons? Hint

sawubona

sanibona

sangoma

sala kahle

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Which of these is Zulu for 'how are you'? Hint

ngifuna

ngiyabonga

wenzani

unjani

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. What is the Zulu word for 'yes'? Hint

yebo

siza

cha

woza

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Suppose someone speaking to you in Zulu uses a Zulu word you are not familiar with, say 'ushukela'. How might you respond to communicate your lack of understanding? Hint

leyinto uyisho kanjani ngesiNgisi

angizwa

ushukela ukusho kanjani ngesiNgisi

any of these

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Which Zulu word is an interjection meaning 'wow', 'no', 'stop', 'or 'no way' and is also used in South African English? Hint

hhayibo

eish

yebo

wena

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Question 6 of 10

6. What does the Zulu word 'ngiyakuthanda' mean? Hint

I love you

thank you

congratulations

I'm hungry

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Some Zulu words sound similar to their English analogs. Which of the following pairs are NOT matched correctly? Hint

none of these are correct

computer / ikhompiyutha

both of these are correct

internet / i-intanethi

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which of the following is the correct way to refer to the country of South Africa in Zulu? Hint

iNingizimu Afrika

Suid Afrika

Sikelel' iAfrika

Umzantsi Afrika

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. What does the Zulu word 'uxolo' mean? Hint

Good luck

Excuse me

Hurry up

Danger

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Suppose you've just finished having dinner with a Zulu couple, and they're leaving. How would you say goodbye to them in Zulu? Hint

hambani kahle

lala kahle

hamba kahle

salani kahle

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 20 2024 : Guest 207: 3/10
Nov 19 2024 : Guest 41: 6/10
Nov 09 2024 : Guest 211: 3/10
Nov 06 2024 : Guest 171: 2/10
Nov 05 2024 : Magwaza: 7/10
Nov 03 2024 : Guest 197: 5/10
Nov 02 2024 : Guest 102: 5/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of these is the correct way to say 'hello' in Zulu to a group of two or more persons?

Answer: sanibona

'Sanibona' or 'sanibonani' is the first person plural greeting, while 'sawubona' is the first person singular. A 'sangoma' is a traditional healer in Zulu (and other native African) society who practices herbal medicine, counseling, and divination. 'Sala kahle' is a goodbye to a person staying, i.e. 'stay well'.

2. Which of these is Zulu for 'how are you'?

Answer: unjani

'Unjani' is used when speaking to one person. The prefix will change based on context. 'Ngifuna' means 'I want'. 'Wenzani' means 'what are you doing'. 'Ngiyabonga' is Zulu for 'thank you'.

3. What is the Zulu word for 'yes'?

Answer: yebo

'Cha' is the Zulu word for 'no'. 'Siza' means 'help' and 'woza' means 'come'.

4. Suppose someone speaking to you in Zulu uses a Zulu word you are not familiar with, say 'ushukela'. How might you respond to communicate your lack of understanding?

Answer: any of these

'Leyinto uyisho kanjani ngesiNgisi' tranlsates to 'what's that called in English'. Alternatively, one might use the phrase, 'ushukela ukusho kanjani ngesiNgisi', which is to say, 'what does "ushukela" mean in English'. 'Angizwa' means 'I don't understand'. Incidentally, 'ushukela' is the Zulu word for sugar.

5. Which Zulu word is an interjection meaning 'wow', 'no', 'stop', 'or 'no way' and is also used in South African English?

Answer: hhayibo

'Eish' is another Zulu interjection also used in South African English that expresses resignation. 'Wena' is Zulu for 'you'.

6. What does the Zulu word 'ngiyakuthanda' mean?

Answer: I love you

The Zulu equivalents to 'congratulations', 'thank you', and 'I'm hungry' are 'ngiyakuhalalisela', 'ngiyabonga', and 'ngilambile', respectively.

7. Some Zulu words sound similar to their English analogs. Which of the following pairs are NOT matched correctly?

Answer: both of these are correct

Zulu words that are based on recent phenomena such as the internet and e-mail ('i-imeyili') are more likely to closely match their English analogs. Another example is the Zulu word for 'website' ('i-webhusayithi').

8. Which of the following is the correct way to refer to the country of South Africa in Zulu?

Answer: iNingizimu Afrika

'Sikelel' iAfrika' is taken from the national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, which means, 'Lord Bless Africa'. 'Suid Afrika' is Afrikaans for 'South Africa' and 'Umzantsi Afrika' is Xhosa (another of the native languages). Interestingly, this last is very similar to 'uMzansi Afrika', another Zulu translation of 'South Africa'.

9. What does the Zulu word 'uxolo' mean?

Answer: Excuse me

'Good luck' would be said 'ngikufisela inhlanhla'. 'Juhela' is the Zulu word for 'hurry up'. The analog of 'danger' is 'ingozi'.

10. Suppose you've just finished having dinner with a Zulu couple, and they're leaving. How would you say goodbye to them in Zulu?

Answer: hambani kahle

You might have said 'lalani kahle' for 'good night', 'lala kahle' being the singular (i.e. used when addressing one person). 'Hamba kahle' is the singular form of 'go well'. 'Salani khale' means 'stay well', and would be said to a group if you were the one leaving.

Source: Author JCSon

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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