isiNgisi
/ísinɡíːsi/
isiNgisi is the Zulu word for the English language.
isiNgisi is the name used to refer to the English language.
Meaning: the English language (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The word consists of the prefix isi-, which is a noun class marker used for languages and Ngisi, which is the Zulu adaptation of the word 'English'.
How does it change in a sentence?
isiNgisi belongs to the noun class 7/8 category, which is the standard class for names of languages in Zulu.
How do you pronounce it?
/ísinɡíːsi/
Did you know?
- If you were to talk about an 'English person' in Zulu, you would not use the same word as the language, as the noun class for people is different from the noun class for languages.
- In Zulu, the prefix isi- is used for both languages and tools, suggesting a conceptual link between a language and the instrument used to communicate.
- The word isiNgisi has siblings in many other African languages, such as the Xhosa ísíNgêsi and the Swahili Kiingereza, which all trace back to the same source.
Examples in context
- Lesi sichazamazwi senzelwe ukusiza izingane ezineminyaka ephansi, ezisaqala ukufunda isiNgisi noma isiZulu njengolimi olwengeziwe.This dictionary has been designed to help children in their first few years of learning English or IsiZulu as an additional language.This sentence shows how isiNgisi is used when discussing the learning of an additional language.Tatoeba #9204361 by Monde, translation #9204365 by Monde
- Ngifunda isiNgisi esikoleni.I study English at school.
- Ingabe uyakwazi ukukhuluma isiNgisi?Do you know how to speak English?
Example conversation
Thandeka and Sipho are talking about their school classes.
- ThandekaSipho, uyafundisa isiNgisi?Sipho, do you teach English?
- SiphoYebo, ngifundisa isiNgisi kanye nesiZulu.Yes, I teach English and Zulu.
- ThandekaNgicela ungisize ngesiNgisi.Please help me with English.
- SiphoKulungile Thandeka, ngizokusiza.Alright Thandeka, I will help you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “english” translations and entries isiNgisi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
