Zulu Khuluma

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Khuluma is to speak, to talk.  Two or more people can have a conversation.  We also see folks talking to themselves on the street.  No.  They are not crazy, just broke.  You’ll never see Bill Gates talking to himself, counting his billions.
Khu- as in the English word could.  Lu- as in look. -ma- as in manna.

ZULU
ENGLISH
Khuluma. Ngilalele.
Speak or talk.  I’m listening.
Khuluma naye Boris.
Talk to her Boris.
Khuluma naye Femi.
Talk to him Femi.
Khuluma naye Samir.
Talk to him Samir.
Ngi-khuluma nawe.
I’m talking to you.
U-mama ukhuluma nawe.
Ma is talking to you.
Baya-khuluma.
They are talking.
Khuluma kancane.
Speak softly. (especially when baby is asleep)
U-yathanda uku-khuluma.
She likes talking.
Ba-yathanda uku-khuluma.
They like talking.
Ba-khuluma ngami.
They are talking about me.
Ba-khuluma ngawe.
They are talking about you.
Ngi-khulumele.
Put in a good word for me.


Nonqaba waka Msimang is the author of the South African novel, Sweetness.

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