Presence/Existence in Zulu

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This is an interactive Zulu lesson.

-khona- is existence, something that is there, presence.  The city sometimes cuts off the water supply to fix something or you might go to the stream and find it dry.
A-kho-na a-ma-nzi? is there water?

A-we-kho.  it’s not there.
Akhona is a popular girl’s name which means the presence of something.  When another girl is born, the family might call her Akhona, which means we have many daughters.  It could be many reasons.
A-kho-na.  You say the first part like Alice, the second like court, the third one like nice.
Interactive Lesson

Using -khona- in sentences might be a problem so we need 2 people in the kitchen, preparing a shopping list.  One will ask questions.

ZULU
ENGLISH
Lukhona ubisi?
Do we have milk?
Alukho.
(opens fridge) We don’t.
Akhona amasi?
Do we have yoghurt?
Akhona.
We have it.
Ukhona utamatisi?
Do we have tomatoes?
Ukhona.
We have tomatoes.
Likhona ithanga?
Do we have pumpkin?
Likhona.
We have it.


General Usage

Bakhona o-Michel no-Dayo?
Is Michel and Dayo there?
Bakhona.
Abekho.
They are there.
They are not there.
Bakhona abazali bakho?
Are your parents at home?
Bakhona.
Abekho.
They are.
They are not there.
Akhona amakhaza e-Kenya?
Is it cold in Kenya?
Awekho.
It is not.
Akhona amadoda?
Are men there?
Akhona.
Awekho.
They are there.
They are not there.

By:  Nonqaba waka Msimang.

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