my-server
← Wiki

List of English words of Zulu origin

This is a list of words of Zulu origin attested in use by speakers of South African English.

abatagati: (from abathakathi, a word also used in Xhosa; cf. synonymous umtagati, a borrowing into South African English from other Nguni languages) witches, warlocks, or other practitioners of magic for evil purposes
aikona: (from hhayi khona "not here") no; certainly not; not at all
baba: (from baba "father," a respectful form of address toward an older man) sir, mister
Fanagalo: (from the phrase fana ga lo "like this") a Zulu-based pidgin spoken primarily by South African miners
madumbi: (from amadumbe "taro tubers") taro tuber
umfundisi: a teacher, priest, or missionary

See also

References