Crying in Zulu
Crying is -khala in
Zulu.
It doesn’t have to be about bad news. You could be crying because of those onions
you are slicing, laughing at jokes delivered by Chris Rock, a stand-up comedian
or crying in a movie scene like Angela Bassett, a great actress.
Kha-la. The first part is pronounced as in car or
come, the second part as in lass.|
ZULU
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ENGLISH
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I-ngane i-ya-khala.
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The child is crying.
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I-khale-lani?
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Why is it crying?
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I-lambile.
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It is hungry.
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Ba-khale-lani?
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Why are they crying?
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U-khale-lani?
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Why are you crying?
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Ba-ya-khala. Ku-sho-ni-we.
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They are crying. Somebody
died.
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Musa u-ku-khala.
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Don’t cry.
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Thula. Musa u-ku-khala.
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Keep quiet. Don’t cry.
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I-nsimbi i-ya-khala.
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The bell is ringing.
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U-khala ngani?
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What do you need? What are
your concerns?
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U-zo-khala.
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You are going to cry (brother warning younger brother or sister).
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U-ya-khala ebusuku.
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She cries at night.
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Ngi-khala ngi-nga-shayiwe.
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I cry without anybody beating me (when you are broke or dirt poor).
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U-khala e-nga-sha-yiwe.
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He is broke, or dirt poor.
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Nonqaba waka Msimang
is the author of Sweetness, a South African novel.
www.amazon.com
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