Body Parts

1. Inhloko

   Head

   Usage

   Point at your own head when you report pain there

   Grammar Note

   inhloko (head) is a class 9 noun. Zulu would say ikhanda.

2. Tinwele

   Hair

   Usage

   Used at a salon or barber when you talk about hair

   Grammar Note

   tinwele (hair) is a class 10 plural noun. The singular lunwele is rare.

3. Buso

   Face

   Usage

   Used to show where a skin problem is, or to mark the face

   Grammar Note

   buso (face) is a class 14 noun.

4. Liso

   Eye

   Usage

   Used to report eye pain or irritation

   Grammar Note

   liso (one eye) is a class 5 noun; the plural is emehlo. Zulu spells it iso.

5. Indlebe

   Ear

   Usage

   Used to report earache or trouble hearing

   Grammar Note

   indlebe (ear) is a class 9 noun; the plural is tindlebe.

6. Imphumulo

   Nose

   Usage

   Used for a blocked nose or a nosebleed

   Grammar Note

   imphumulo (nose) is a class 9 noun. Zulu spells it impumulo.

7. Umlomo

   Mouth

   Usage

   Used for mouth sores or pain inside the mouth

   Grammar Note

   umlomo (mouth) is a class 3 noun. Same form as Zulu.

8. Litinyo

   Tooth

   Usage

   Used at a dentist or to report toothache

   Grammar Note

   litinyo (a tooth) is a class 5 noun; the plural is ematinyo.

9. Umphimbo

   Throat

   Usage

   Used at a pharmacy or clinic for a sore throat

   Grammar Note

   umphimbo (throat) is a class 3 noun.

10. Intsamo

    Neck

    Usage

    Used for a stiff neck after a long journey

    Grammar Note

    intsamo (neck) is a class 9 noun.

11. Lihlombe

    Shoulder

    Usage

    Used to report shoulder pain

    Grammar Note

    lihlombe (shoulder) is a class 5 noun. "shayela lihlombe" also means to applaud.

12. Umkhono

    Arm

    Usage

    Used to report an injured or painful arm

    Grammar Note

    umkhono (arm) is a class 3 noun.

13. Sandla

    Hand

    Usage

    Used to report an injured or painful hand

    Grammar Note

    sandla (hand) is a class 7 noun without the initial vowel; Zulu has isandla.

14. Umunwe

    Finger

    Usage

    Used to point out an injured finger

    Grammar Note

    umunwe (finger) is a class 3 noun; the plural is iminwe.

15. Sifuba

    Chest

    Usage

    Used to report chest pain or breathlessness

    Grammar Note

    sifuba (chest) is a class 7 noun without the initial vowel. Zulu has isifuba.

16. Sisu

    Stomach / belly

    Usage

    Used for stomach ache or diarrhoea

    Grammar Note

    sisu (stomach, belly) is a class 7 noun. It can also mean pregnancy.

17. Umhlane

    Back

    Usage

    Used to report back pain

    Grammar Note

    umhlane (back) is a class 3 noun.

18. Umlente

    Leg

    Usage

    Used to report an injured or painful leg

    Grammar Note

    umlente (leg) is a class 3 noun.

19. Lidvolo

    Knee

    Usage

    Used to report a hurt or sore knee

    Grammar Note

    lidvolo (knee) is a class 5 noun; the plural is emadvolo. "dv" is one sound. Zulu has idolo.

20. Lunyawo

    Foot

    Usage

    Used to report a foot injury or pain

    Grammar Note

    lunyawo (foot) is a class 11 noun; the plural is tinyawo.

21. Sikhumba

    Skin

    Usage

    Used for a rash or sunburn on the skin

    Grammar Note

    sikhumba (skin) is a class 7 noun. It can also mean hide or leather.

22. Ingati

    Blood

    Usage

    The base word for bleeding or a blood test

    Grammar Note

    ingati (blood) is a class 9 noun.

23. Litsambo

    Bone

    Usage

    Used when you suspect a fracture

    Grammar Note

    litsambo (bone) is a class 5 noun.

24. Inhlitiyo

    Heart

    Usage

    Used to describe a heart condition to a doctor

    Grammar Note

    inhlitiyo (heart) is a class 9 noun. Zulu spells it inhliziyo.

25. Liphaphu

    Lung

    Usage

    Used to tell a doctor about a cough or breathing trouble

    Grammar Note

    liphaphu (lung) is a class 5 noun; the plural is emaphaphu.

26. Sibindzi

    Liver

    Usage

    Used to explain a liver condition to a doctor

    Grammar Note

    sibindzi (liver) is a class 7 noun. It also means courage.

27. Inso

    Kidney

    Usage

    Used to explain a kidney condition or stones

    Grammar Note

    inso (kidney) is a class 9 noun.

28. Umtimba

    Body

    Usage

    The base word for feeling unwell all over

    Grammar Note

    umtimba (body) is a class 3 noun.

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