inkawu
/ínkâːwu/
The Zulu word for monkey is inkawu.
inkawu is a noun used to refer to a primate.
Meaning: primate (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ínkâːwu/
Did you know?
- In Zulu, the word inkawu is often used metaphorically to describe someone who is mischievous or prone to playing pranks.
- In Zulu folklore, monkeys are often depicted as clever characters that outsmart larger, stronger animals through trickery.
- The term inkawu is closely related to words in other Nguni languages like Xhosa, showing how these languages shared early descriptors for local wildlife.
Examples in context
- Ngibone inkawu ebusuku.I saw a monkey at night.
- Inkawu idla amabhanana.The monkey is eating bananas.
Example conversation
Nomusa and Bandile are visiting a wildlife park.
- NomusaBandile, ubona inkawu lapha?Bandile, do you see a monkey here?
- BandileYebo, ishaya isikhathi emthini.Yes, it is playing in the tree.
- NomusaInkawu inhle kakhulu.The monkey is very beautiful.
- BandileIyaqina futhi iyalula.It is strong and flexible.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry inkawu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
