indodana
/indódaːna/
The Zulu word for son is indodana.
indodana is used to refer to a male person in relation to his parents.
Meaning: a male person in relation to his parents (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
indodana is a singular noun that follows the Zulu class 3/4 noun class pattern.
How do you pronounce it?
/indódaːna/
Did you know?
- The word indodana is a compound of indoda, meaning 'man', and the diminutive suffix '-ana', meaning 'small'.
- While indodana is the biological term for son, Zulu speakers use specific kinship terms to distinguish between a paternal and maternal uncle's son.
- Zulu is a tonal language, meaning the pitch used to say indodana can change the meaning of a sentence, even if the letters remain the same.
Examples in context
- Indodana yami iyakhula.My son is growing.
- Ubani indodana yakho?Who is your son?
Example conversation
Mlungisi and Zanele are talking about their children.
- MlungisiZanele, ubukeka ujabulile namuhla.Zanele, you look happy today.
- ZaneleYebo, indodana yami isifike ekhaya.Yes, my son has arrived home.
- MlungisiUhambe kanjani uhambo lwakhe?How was his journey?
- ZaneleUhambe kahle kakhulu.He traveled very well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “son” translations and entries indodana, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries indodana, CC BY-SA 4.0.
