Health & Hospital

1. Ngiyagula.

   I am sick.

   Usage

   Says you are unwell

   Grammar Note

   Composed by regular grammar rather than a fixed set phrase. ngi-ya-gula (I am sick).

2. Ngidzinga dokotela.

   I need a doctor.

   Usage

   When you need a doctor

   Grammar Note

   Composed by regular grammar rather than a fixed set phrase. ngi-dzinga (I need) + dokotela (doctor, a loanword). The plural is "bodokotela"

3. Ngiva buhlungu enhloko.

   I have a headache.

   Usage

   Tells someone about a headache

   Grammar Note

   Composed by regular grammar rather than a fixed set phrase. ngi-va (I feel) + buhlungu (pain) + e-nhloko (in the head).

4. Ngidzinga umutsi.

   I need medicine.

   Usage

   Says you need medicine

   Grammar Note

   Composed by regular grammar rather than a fixed set phrase. ngi-dzinga (I need) + umutsi (medicine)

5. Ngicela ungisite.

   Please help me.

   Usage

   A polite request for help

   Grammar Note

   ngicela + u-ngi-site (you help me, subjunctive). Do not use Zulu "siza"

6. Sifuba semoya

   Asthma

   Usage

   Names a medical condition

   Grammar Note

   "sifuba semoya" (literally chest of air).

7. Kukhwehlela

   Cough

   Usage

   Names a symptom

   Grammar Note

   "ku-khwehlela" is coughing.

8. Buhlungu

   Pain

   Usage

   Names a symptom: pain

   Grammar Note

   "bu-hlungu" is a class 14 noun, pain. "Maye kubuhlungu!" = that hurts!

9. Angikwati kuphefumula.

   I cannot breathe.

   Usage

   Reports difficulty breathing; an emergency

   Grammar Note

   Composed by regular grammar rather than a fixed set phrase. angi-kwati (I cannot) + ku-phefumula (to breathe).

10. Ngiphuma ingati.

    I am bleeding.

    Usage

    Reports bleeding

    Grammar Note

    Composed by regular grammar rather than a fixed set phrase. ngi-phuma (comes out of me) + ingati (blood).

11. Silondza

    Wound / sore

    Usage

    Names a wound

    Grammar Note

    "si-londza" is a class 7 noun, wound; plural "tilondza"

12. Umshwalensi

    Insurance

    Usage

    Names insurance, e.g. travel insurance

    Grammar Note

    "umshwalensi" is a loanword from English "insurance"

13. Phumula kahle.

    Take care. Rest well.

    Usage

    Said to someone who is unwell

    Grammar Note

    Composed by regular grammar rather than a fixed set phrase. phumula (rest) + kahle (well).

Browse all TravelPhrases languages