Ukwenzela Abanye
Chapter Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Recognize the applicative extension, and understand how it changes a plain verb into one that means doing something for, to, with, or because of someone.
- Use a small, controlled set of applicative verbs to talk about actions done on someone's behalf.
- Combine an applicative verb with an object concord, to say exactly for whom an action is done.
- Connect an applicative clause to a reason with ngoba, joining what you already practiced in Chapter 12 to this chapter's new verb forms.
- Ask who an action was done for, and answer using an applicative verb.
- Read and listen to short passages describing everyday favors and services.
- Write a short paragraph describing something you did, or something someone did, for another person.
Communication Scenario
Thandeka has decided to introduce Nomvula to her new neighbor properly. As the two of them plan a small visit, the conversation keeps returning to small favors, who bought bread for whom, who is cooking for the gathering, and who will carry the chairs for the elderly guests. Talking about actions done for other people needs a verb form that Thandeka and Nomvula have not yet used together, the applicative.
- Before you begin, think, in English, about how often you describe an action as being done for someone, rather than simply done. Notice how naturally that idea appears in everyday planning.
- Look back briefly at the reasons and opinions you built in Chapter 12. This chapter asks you to use ngoba again, now paired with a new kind of verb.
Where This Chapter Fits
Chapter 13 continues Unit 3 of Volume II. It builds directly on the ngoba reason clauses from Chapter 12, and introduces the applicative extension for the first time, in a small, controlled set of verbs. The passive extension, already glimpsed in earlier chapters as receptive material, will be developed on its own terms in Chapter 14.
From Chapter 12
Reason clauses with ngoba, opinion clauses with ukuthi, and a first, controlled set of causative verbs, fundisa, sindisa, and hlalisa.
New in This Chapter
The applicative extension, added to a small set of verb roots, to talk about doing something for, to, with, or because of someone.
Looking Forward
Chapter 14 develops the passive extension, building on the object concords you already control from Chapter 7.
Core Vocabulary
This chapter introduces a small set of verb roots for building applicative forms, along with a few words for talking about favors and shared tasks. Most of the surrounding vocabulary was already active in earlier chapters, so that your attention can stay on the new grammar.
| isiZulu | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| thenga, thengela | to buy, to buy for | plain root and applicative pair |
| pheka, phekela | to cook, to cook for | plain root and applicative pair |
| bhala, bhalela | to write, to write for | plain root and applicative pair |
| enza, senzela | to do or make, to do for | irregular applicative, used very often |
| usizo | help, assistance | Class 11 |
| umsebenzi wesandla | a favor, literally work of the hand | everyday expression |
| obani | for whom, on whose behalf | question form, used with applicative verbs |
Thengela, phekela, bhalela, and senzela are the four applicative forms you will use most often in this chapter's grammar and practice.
Pronunciation Review
No new click series is introduced in this chapter. This chapter reviews the voiced click series, gc, gq, and gx, and reminds you to keep the extra syllable of an applicative verb clear, rather than letting it blur into the syllable before it.
An applicative verb is one syllable longer than the plain verb it comes from, for example thenga becomes thengela. Read the model dialogue below aloud, and take care to pronounce that added syllable clearly, with the penultimate lengthening now falling on the new second-to-last syllable, not on the one you would use for the plain verb.
Grammar: The Applicative Extension
13.1 What the applicative extension does
Purpose: describe an action performed for the benefit of someone, directed toward someone, done with something, or done because of a particular reason or goal.
The applicative extension changes the meaning of a verb by adding a beneficiary, a goal, an instrument, or a reason into the action itself, without needing a separate word for for or to. This chapter introduces the applicative in a small, controlled set of verbs only, so that you can recognize the pattern and use a handful of common applicative forms correctly, without yet building new applicative verbs freely.
The applicative adds -el- before the final vowel. Compare thenga, to buy, with thengela, to buy for. The root thenga stays recognizable, and the extra -el- carries the new meaning. This is why an applicative verb is always one syllable longer than the plain verb it comes from.
| Plain verb | Meaning | Applicative form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| thenga | to buy | thengela | to buy for |
| pheka | to cook | phekela | to cook for |
| bhala | to write | bhalela | to write for |
| enza | to do, to make | senzela | to do for |
Notice the extra -el- added before the final vowel in each applicative form. This chapter asks you only to recognize and use these four applicative verbs correctly. Building new applicative forms from other verb roots will be developed in a later chapter.
13.2 Naming the beneficiary with an object concord
Purpose: say exactly for whom, or for what, the action is being done.
An applicative verb is often paired with the object concord you already practiced in Chapter 7, placed before the verb root to name the beneficiary directly, without repeating the person's name in every sentence.
You can combine an applicative clause with a reason from Chapter 12, so that a single sentence explains both who benefits from an action, and why it is being done.
- UThandeka umphekela ukudla umakhelwane wakhe, ngoba ubegula ngesonto eledlule. Thandeka is cooking food for her neighbor, because he was sick last week. Applicative phekela + object concord m- + ngoba reason clause
- Ngicabanga ukuthi kufanele simbhalele incwadi umsizi, ngoba usisiza njalo. I think that we should write him a letter, the assistant, because he helps us all the time. Opinion clause (Chapter 12) + applicative bhalela + object concord m- + ngoba reason clause
13.3 Asking for whom something was done
Purpose: ask who benefits from an action, or on whose behalf it is done.
To ask for whom an action is done, use an applicative verb together with the question word obani, for whom. The rest of the sentence keeps its ordinary word order, so this question is built from pieces you already know.
- Uthengela obani ubisi lolu? Who are you buying this milk for? Applicative thengela + obani question word
Model Dialogue
Isimo: UThandeka noNomvula balungiselela ukuvakashela umakhelwane omusha kaThandeka, becabanga ngezinto okufanele bazenzele khona.
Setting: Thandeka and Nomvula are preparing to visit Thandeka's new neighbor, thinking about the things they should do for him.
Nomvula ties up the bag of milk, thinking about what else they could do for the neighbor.
This dialogue combines the applicative forms thengela, phekela, and bhalela, an object concord naming the beneficiary, and a ngoba reason clause from Chapter 12.
Imibuzo yokuqonda — Comprehension questions:
- UThandeka umthengela obani ubisi? (Who is Thandeka buying milk for?)
- UNomvula uzomenzela ni umakhelwane? (What will Nomvula do for the neighbor?)
- UThandeka uzobhalela ini incwadi? (What is the letter Thandeka will write about?)
Listening
Ask your instructor, a study partner, or a qualified isiZulu speaker to read the following short passage aloud at a natural, measured pace. Listen twice. On the first listen, note who is doing each favor. On the second listen, note who each favor is done for.
If no speaker is available, this is a Listening Script for Independent Use. Read the passage aloud yourself at a measured pace, pausing naturally between each sentence. All audio models must be verified by a qualified isiZulu speaker before being treated as a pronunciation model.
Umsebenzi wesandla — Everyday favors:
"UThandeka umthengela ubisi umakhelwane wakhe, ngoba ubegula ngesonto eledlule. UNomvula umphekela ukudla, ngoba ufuna ukumsiza. UThandeka futhi umbhalela incwadi encane, emtshela ukuthi bazomvakashela ngeSonto."
Umsebenzi wokulalela — Listening task:
Complete the table with the details you hear.
| Isenzo (Action) | Owenzelwa (Who it is done for) |
|---|---|
| Ukuthengela ubisi | ______ |
| Ukuphekela ukudla | ______ |
| Ukubhalela incwadi | ______ |
Reading
Read the following short passage, which describes several favors done for a neighbor. Read it aloud twice before answering the comprehension questions.
Umakhelwane osizwayo — A neighbor who is helped
Umakhelwane kaThandeka ubegula ngesonto eledlule, ngakho abantu abaseduze naye bamenzela izinto eziningi. UThandeka wamthengela ubisi nesinkwa, ngoba efuna angalambi. UNomvula wamphekela ukudla okushisa, ngoba engakwazi ukupheka yena ngenxa yobugula bakhe. Omunye umakhelwane wambhalela incwadi encane, emtshela ukuthi umphakathi ucabanga ngaye. Ngenxa yalezizenzo, umakhelwane waqala ukuzizwa kangcono, futhi wabonga bonke abamsizile.
Imibuzo yokuqonda — Comprehension questions:
- Kungani umakhelwane wenzelwa izinto eziningi? (Why is the neighbor having many things done for him?)
- UThandeka wamenzela ni? (What did Thandeka do for him?)
- Kungani uNomvula engamphekelanga yena ukudla okuqandile? (Why did Nomvula not cook him cold food?)
- Umakhelwane wazizwa kanjani ekugcineni? (How did the neighbor feel in the end?)
Writing Workshop
In this chapter, you will write a short paragraph describing something you did, or something someone else did, for another person, using at least one applicative verb and at least one ngoba reason clause from Chapter 12.
Umsebenzi wokubhala — Writing task: Write six to eight sentences describing a favor, real or invented. Name who did the favor, who benefited from it, and use ngoba to explain why it was done. Use at least two of the applicative verbs from this chapter, thengela, phekela, bhalela, or senzela.
- Choose your favor. In English, note who did something for whom, and what it was.
- Name the people involved. Decide whether you will use names, or an object concord once the person has already been named.
- Describe the first favor. Use an applicative verb, and an object concord if the beneficiary is already known from an earlier sentence.
- Give the reason. Add a ngoba clause, explaining why the favor was needed.
- Describe a second favor. Use a different applicative verb from this chapter's set.
- Audit your draft. Confirm that each applicative verb still ends with the ordinary final vowel, and that every object concord matches the noun class of the person or thing it refers to.
Isikhungo sokuhlola — Editing checklist:
- At least two applicative verbs from this chapter are used correctly.
- Each applicative verb is paired with a clear beneficiary, either named or marked with an object concord.
- At least one ngoba reason clause explains why a favor was done.
- Every object concord matches the noun class it refers to.
- Standard isiZulu spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are used throughout.
Speaking Practice
Ukuzilolonga — Controlled practice: asking for whom
With a partner, take turns naming an everyday action, such as thenga, pheka, or bhala, then ask Wenzela obani? (Who are you doing this for?), and answer using the matching applicative form, such as Ngiphekela umama wami, ngoba usebenza kade namuhla.
Umsebenzi wokuxhumana — Communicative task: planning a favor
Working with a partner, imagine that a person you both know needs help this week. Decide together, in isiZulu, who will do what for that person, and why, using at least two applicative verbs and one ngoba clause each.
Useful checking expressions: Ngingakwenzela lokho. (I can do that for you.) | Ubani ozomenzela lokho? (Who will do that for him?) | Kulungile, ngizokusiza. (Alright, I will help you.)
Ukuzilolonga wedwa — Solo alternative
Record yourself describing three favors you have done, or could do, for people you know, each with a reason. Listen back, and check that each applicative verb keeps its extra syllable clear.
Culture and Communication
In many communities, checking on a neighbor who has been unwell, or offering to cook, buy, or write something on their behalf, is treated as an ordinary part of good neighborliness, rather than as an unusual act of generosity. Describing these small favors accurately is therefore useful everyday language, not only vocabulary for special occasions.
It is common, in many everyday interactions, to offer a favor before the other person has directly asked for one, particularly among neighbors, family members, and close colleagues. The applicative forms in this chapter give you the tools to describe that kind of unprompted help clearly.
Some speakers announce a favor plainly and directly, while others prefer to mention it briefly, almost in passing, so as not to draw attention to their own generosity. Both approaches are common, and this textbook models a direct, clearly stated pattern to give learners solid practice with the applicative form itself.
Common Mistakes
Error: Using the plain verb where the applicative meaning is needed, for example saying ngiyamthenga ubisi to mean I am buying milk for him, instead of using the applicative form.
Correction: Add the applicative extension when the sentence names a beneficiary: ngiyamthengela ubisi, I am buying him milk, with -el- clearly present before the final vowel.
Error: Repeating the beneficiary's full name in every sentence, for example saying ngiphekela umakhelwane, ngithengela umakhelwane, ngibhalela umakhelwane, instead of using an object concord once the person is already known.
Correction: Once the beneficiary is clear from context, use the matching object concord: ngiyamphekela, ngiyamthengela, ngiyambhalela, all referring back to the same person.
Error: Attempting to add -el- to a verb root not yet covered in this chapter's table, by guessing a pattern from thengela or phekela.
Correction: Use only thengela, phekela, bhalela, and senzela productively at this stage. Building new applicative forms from other roots will be developed in a later chapter.
Chapter Review
Ingxenye A — Ukwakha (Building applicative sentences)
1. Bhala umusho owodwa osebenzisa isenzo esinesandiso sesenzelo, unikeze obani okwenzelwe: (Write one sentence using an applicative verb, naming who it is done for.)
Ingxenye B — Isigabisigabi (Grammar)
1. Guqula amagama la abe izinsizwa ezinesandiso sesenzelo: (Change these words into their applicative form.)
thenga → ______ pheka → ______ bhala → ______ enza → ______
2. Gcwalisa isikhala ngegama elifanele: (Fill in the blank with the correct word.)
- Ngiyam___ ubisi umakhelwane, ngoba ubegula. (thenga / thengela / thengile)
- UNomvula um___ ukudla, ngoba efuna ukumsiza. (pheka / phekela / phekile)
- ___ obani ubhala incwadi lena? (Uthenga / Ubhalela / Kufanele)
Ingxenye C — Ukufunda (Reading)
1. Buyela ohlangothini lokufunda, uphendule: (Return to the reading section, and answer.)
- UThandeka wamenzela ni umakhelwane?
- Kungani umakhelwane enzelwa izinto eziningi?
Ingxenye D — Ukubhala (Writing)
1. Bhala umusho owodwa osebenzisa isenzo esinesandiso sesenzelo, nomusho owodwa onikeza isizathu ngoba. (Write one sentence using an applicative verb, and one sentence giving a reason with ngoba.)
Ingxenye E — Ukukhuluma (Speaking)
1. Tshela umngane wakho ngento oyenzele umuntu othile, unikeze isizathu. (Tell your partner about something you did for someone, and give a reason.)
Ukubuyekezwa okuhlanganisiwe — Cumulative review from Chapters 8 through 12
Choose the correct word or form in brackets to complete this short account, drawing on object concords, relative concords, reason clauses, and this chapter's applicative forms together.
UThandeka [uyamthengela / uyathenga] umakhelwane [osebenza / obegula] ubisi, [ngoba / ukuthi] efuna angalambi. UNomvula [uyamphekela / uyapheka] ukudla, [ngoba / ukuthi] engakwazi ukuzipheka yena.
Answer Key
Dialogue — Comprehension
- Umthengela umakhelwane wakhe, ngoba ubegula ngesonto eledlule.
- Uzomphekela ukudla.
- Uzobhalela incwadi emtshela ukuthi bazomvakashela ngeSonto.
Listening
- Ukuthengela ubisi — umakhelwane kaThandeka.
- Ukuphekela ukudla — umakhelwane kaThandeka.
- Ukubhalela incwadi — umakhelwane kaThandeka.
Reading — Comprehension
- Ngoba ubegula ngesonto eledlule.
- Wamthengela ubisi nesinkwa.
- Ngoba engakwazi ukupheka yena ngenxa yobugula bakhe, ngakho udinga ukudla okushisa.
- Waqala ukuzizwa kangcono, futhi wabonga bonke abamsizile.
Chapter Review — Ingxenye B
- thenga → thengela, pheka → phekela, bhala → bhalela, enza → senzela
- (a) thengela (b) phekela (c) Ubhalela
Chapter Review — Ingxenye C
- (a) Wamthengela ubisi nesinkwa. (b) Ngoba abantu abaseduze naye bafuna ukumsiza, ngenxa yokuthi ubegula.
Cumulative Review — Correct answers
uyamthengela / obegula / ngoba / uyamphekela / ngoba
Looking Ahead
Okungakwenzeka manje — What you can do now
You can now recognize and use a small set of applicative verbs, name a beneficiary with an object concord, and combine an applicative clause with a reason from Chapter 12. Together with your existing noun-class, concord, and causative control, this lets you describe not only what people do, but who benefits from it, and why.