Impilo Nosizo
Chapter Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Say what you need, using idinga and related patterns, in a clear and natural way.
- Express obligation and necessity, using kufanele and kumele, in everyday and slightly more formal contexts.
- Ask for help politely, and offer help to someone else, using controlled request and offer patterns.
- Give simple advice, using ungase and kungcono, when a friend or family member describes a problem.
- Understand and use a small set of health related vocabulary, for describing common symptoms and everyday concerns.
- Continue a connected story, using the sequencing and quoting patterns from Chapter 16, to narrate a moment when help was needed or given.
- Write a short supportive message, offering help or advice to someone facing a problem.
Communication Scenario
A few days after hearing Thandeka's story about the meeting, Sipho calls her again, but this time the news is not about a meeting. His younger brother has not been feeling well, and Sipho is not sure whether the family needs to see a doctor, whether they can manage things at home, or what to say to their grandmother, who is worried. Thandeka listens, asks a few careful questions, and offers some practical advice, drawing on the same careful, respectful tone that shaped their earlier conversation. Between them, the two cousins move from describing a need, to weighing an obligation, to settling on a plan.
- Before you begin, think, in English, about a time you asked someone for advice about a health or family concern. Notice how you described the problem, and how the other person responded.
- Look back briefly at the applicative forms from Chapter 13, and the sequencing and quoting patterns from Chapter 16. This chapter shows you how these systems support a conversation about need and support.
Where This Chapter Fits
Chapter 17 continues Unit 3 of Volume II. It draws on the sequencing and quoting patterns from Chapter 16, and the applicative forms from Chapter 13, and applies them to a new communicative purpose, describing need, expressing obligation, and offering practical support. Chapter 18 then moves from everyday support language toward culture, proverbs, and expressive language.
From Earlier Chapters
Sequencing connectors and quoted speech, from Chapter 16, and the applicative extension, from Chapter 13, used here for doing something for the benefit of someone else.
New in This Chapter
Expressing need with idinga, expressing obligation with kufanele and kumele, requesting and offering help, and giving simple advice with ungase and kungcono.
Looking Forward
Chapter 18 moves from everyday support language toward culture, proverbs, and expressive language.
Core Vocabulary
This chapter introduces vocabulary for describing need, expressing obligation, offering and requesting help, and naming a few common, everyday health concerns.
| isiZulu | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| idinga | need, requirement | class 5 noun, also used as a verb root, dinga, to need |
| ngidinga | I need | subject concord ngi- plus dinga |
| kufanele | must, should, it is necessary that | impersonal obligation form, followed by a subjunctive style clause |
| kumele | must, should | close in meaning to kufanele, common in everyday speech |
| ungase | you might, you could | tentative advice form, class 2 person singular |
| kungcono | it would be better | used to introduce a piece of advice |
| ukugula | to be sick, to fall ill | common health verb |
| udokotela | doctor | class 1a noun |
| umtholampilo | clinic | class 3 noun |
| ukukhathazeka | to be worried, to be troubled | common in describing family concern |
Kufanele and kumele overlap closely in meaning. Kufanele is slightly more careful and slightly more common in writing, while kumele is common in relaxed, everyday speech.
Pronunciation Review
No new click series is introduced in this chapter. This chapter reviews the plain, aspirated, and voiced click series once again, since words such as ukukhathazeka and umtholampilo combine aspiration with familiar syllable patterns, and deserve careful, unhurried practice.
Longer words such as ukukhathazeka contain more than one aspirated consonant. Practice the word slowly, syllable by syllable, then at a natural pace, keeping each aspirated sound clearly audible, rather than letting it soften as the word speeds up.
Grammar: Need, Obligation, and Offering Help
17.1 Expressing need with idinga
Purpose: state clearly what a person needs, whether an object, an action, or a form of support.
Dinga functions as an ordinary verb, taking a subject concord in the usual way, and it can be followed either by a noun phrase or by a further clause describing what is needed.
Ngidinga introduces a need belonging to the speaker, and the subject concord changes for other people in the usual way, giving forms such as udinga, you need, or udinga, he or she needs, for class 1 subjects.
- Umfowethu udinga ukuphumula. My brother needs to rest. u- (class 1 subject) + dinga + infinitive
- Sidinga usizo lwakho. We need your help. si- (we) + dinga + noun phrase
17.2 Obligation with kufanele and kumele
Purpose: express that an action is necessary, expected, or the right thing to do.
Kufanele and kumele both introduce a clause describing the action that is necessary. The subject of the following clause carries its own subject concord, so the obligation form itself does not change for person or class.
- Kumele aphumule ekhaya namuhla. He should rest at home today. kumele + a- (class 1 subject) + phumula
- Kufanele sihambe naye emtholampilo. We must go with him to the clinic. kufanele + si- (we) + hamba, with applicative style companion phrase naye
17.3 Requesting and offering help
Purpose: ask someone for assistance politely, and offer assistance to someone else in a natural way.
Ngicela, I would like to ask, or please, softens a request, and can be followed by a further verb describing the help needed. Offers often use ngingakusiza, may I help you, or ake ngikusize, let me help you, both of which draw on the applicative pattern introduced in Chapter 13.
- Ngicela ungisize ngalolu daba. Please help me with this matter. ngicela + u- (you) + applicative -el- + sika, to help
- Ake ngikusize ngokushayela udokotela. Let me help you by calling the doctor. ake, softener + ngi- (I) + ku- (object concord, you) + applicative -el-
17.4 Giving advice with ungase and kungcono
Purpose: suggest a course of action gently, without stating it as a strict obligation.
Ungase softens a suggestion, presenting it as a possibility rather than a requirement, while kungcono introduces the idea that one option would be better than another. Both are common when a friend or family member describes a problem and expects thoughtful, unforced advice rather than an instruction.
- Ungase umyise emtholampilo, uma engatholi kangcono. You might take him to the clinic, if he does not get better. ungase + object concord m- (him) + yisa, to take
- Kungcono nimtshele ugogo, ukuze angakhathazeki. It would be better to tell grandmother, so that she does not worry. kungcono + ni- (you plural) + tshela, to tell
Model Dialogue
Isimo: USipho ushayela ucingo kuThandeka, ekhathazekile ngomfowabo ogulayo, futhi ecela iseluleko sakhe.
Setting: Sipho phones Thandeka, worried about his younger brother who is unwell, and asks for her advice.
Sipho breathes with difficulty, speaking slowly.
This dialogue combines idinga and dinga forms, the obligation words kufanele and kumele, the advice forms ungase and kungcono, and one applicative offer of help, ake ngikusize, alongside the sequencing connector base from Chapter 16.
Imibuzo yokuqonda — Comprehension questions:
- Umfowabo kaSipho ugula njani? (How is Sipho's brother sick?)
- UThandeka usikeluleka ngani uSipho, uma umfowabo engatholi kangcono? (What does Thandeka advise Sipho, if his brother does not get better?)
- UThandeka uzomsiza ngani uSipho? (How will Thandeka help Sipho?)
Listening
Ask your instructor, a study partner, or a qualified isiZulu speaker to read the following short passage aloud, at a natural, conversational pace. Listen twice. On the first listen, note what the problem is. On the second listen, note the advice that is given.
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 ideas. All audio models must be verified by a qualified isiZulu speaker before being treated as a pronunciation model.
Ingxoxo emfushane — A short passage:
"Udadewethu ubekhathazekile ngengane yakhe, eyayigula kusukela ngoMsombuluko. Ngamtshela ukuthi kumele ayiphe amanzi amaningi, futhi ayiyeke iphumule ekamelweni layo. Kodwa base ngathi, uma ingatholi kangcono ngomhlaka mbili, kungcono ayise emtholampilo, ukuze udokotela ayibone. Wangibonga, wathi, "Ngizokwenza njengoba usho."
Umsebenzi wokulalela — Listening task:
Complete the table with the details you hear.
| Umbuzo (Question) | Impendulo (Answer) |
|---|---|
| Ingane yayigula kusukela nini? | ______ |
| Kumele iphiwe ini, futhi yenzeni? | ______ |
| Kungcono kwenzekeni, uma ingatholi kangcono? | ______ |
Reading
Read the following short message, which combines need, obligation, and advice language with a relative clause and a sequencing connector from earlier chapters. Read it aloud twice before answering the comprehension questions.
"Udokotela owelapha umndeni wakithi" uses a relative clause from Chapter 11 to describe the family doctor.
Imibuzo yokuqonda — Comprehension questions:
- Udokotela uthe kumele kwenzekeni? (What did the doctor say should happen?)
- Kufanele kwenzekeni, uma umfowabo kaSipho engakabi ngcono? (What must happen, if Sipho's brother is not better?)
- UThandeka umtshela ukuthi enzeni ngokukhathazeka? (What does Thandeka tell him to do about worrying?)
Writing Workshop
In this chapter, you will write a short supportive message, offering advice or help to someone facing a small, everyday problem, using at least one need form, one obligation form, and one advice form.
Umsebenzi wokubhala — Writing task: Choose a small, everyday problem, being unwell, feeling tired, having too much work, or another situation of your choice, and write a short message offering advice and help to the person facing it.
- Plan your message. In English, note the problem, and one or two pieces of advice you want to give.
- Name the need. Use ngidinga, udinga, or a related form to state clearly what is needed.
- State an obligation. Use kufanele or kumele to describe what the person should do.
- Add a softer suggestion. Use ungase or kungcono, to offer a gentler, optional piece of advice.
- Offer your help. Use a phrase such as ake ngikusize, or ngingakusiza, to offer direct assistance.
- Audit your draft. Confirm that your need, obligation, and advice forms are used correctly, and that the tone remains warm and supportive throughout.
Isikhungo sokuhlola — Editing checklist:
- The message states a clear need, using idinga or dinga.
- At least one obligation form, kufanele or kumele, is used correctly.
- At least one advice form, ungase or kungcono, is used correctly.
- The message includes an offer of direct help.
- Standard isiZulu spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are used throughout.
Speaking Practice
Ukuzilolonga — Controlled practice: stating obligation
With a partner, take turns describing a small everyday problem, and responding with a sentence using kufanele or kumele. Alternate roles so that each partner both describes a problem and states an obligation.
Umsebenzi wokuxhumana — Communicative task: asking for and offering help
Working with a partner, one of you describes a problem you are facing, real or invented, and asks for help. The other partner responds with a piece of advice, using ungase or kungcono, and then offers direct help.
Ukuzilolonga wedwa — Solo alternative
Record yourself describing a small problem, then giving yourself advice aloud, as though speaking to a friend. Include at least one need form, one obligation form, and one advice form, then listen back and check your pronunciation.
Culture and Communication
Deciding when, and how, to share worrying news with an older family member, such as a grandmother, is often treated as a careful judgment, balancing honesty with a wish not to cause unnecessary distress. Phrases such as kungcono nimtshele, it would be better to tell her, reflect this careful weighing of concern and respect.
Offering direct, practical help, such as making a phone call on someone's behalf, is commonly seen as a natural and expected form of support among close family and community members, rather than as an intrusion. A phrase such as ake ngikusize, let me help you, is often welcomed rather than questioned.
Some speakers use kufanele and kumele almost interchangeably in everyday speech, while others reserve kufanele for slightly more careful or formal contexts, such as written messages or public announcements. Both forms are correct, and either is appropriate for this chapter's tasks.
Common Mistakes
Error: Using kufanele where idinga would fit better, so that a simple need is expressed as though it were a strict duty, for example saying kufanele amanzi instead of describing the need directly.
Correction: Use idinga or dinga to describe a plain need, and reserve kufanele or kumele for genuine obligations, for example udinga amanzi amaningi, he needs plenty of water, rather than an obligation form alone.
Error: Using kufanele or kumele for every piece of advice, even gentle, optional suggestions, so that the advice sounds more forceful than intended.
Correction: Use ungase or kungcono for softer, optional advice, for example ungase umyise emtholampilo, you might take him to the clinic, keeping kufanele and kumele for genuine necessity.
Error: Offering help without including the object concord that refers to the person being helped, for example saying ngingasiza instead of clearly including the person.
Correction: Include the object concord for the person receiving help, for example ngingakusiza, may I help you, where ku- refers clearly to the listener.
Chapter Review
Ingxenye A — Ukuqonda (Comprehension)
1. Buyela emlayezweni kaThandeka, uphendule le mibuzo emifushane: (Return to Thandeka's message, and answer these short questions.)
- Udokotela uthe kumele kwenzekeni izinsuku ezimbili?
- Kufanele kwenzekeni ngentambama yakusasa?
Ingxenye B — Isigabisigabi (Grammar)
1. Gcwalisa isikhala ngesixhumanisi esifanele: kufanele, kumele, noma ungase. (Fill in the blank with the correct form: kufanele, kumele, or ungase.)
- ______ ambheke kahle usuku lonke.
- ______ umyise emtholampilo, uma engatholi kangcono.
- ______ sishayele udokotela masinyane.
2. Guqula lawa magama abe umusho onesicelo sosizo, usebenzisa u-ngicela noma u-ake ngikusize: (Turn these into a sentence requesting or offering help, using ngicela or ake ngikusize.)
wena / ngisize / ngalolu daba
Ingxenye C — Ukufunda (Reading)
1. Buyela emlayezweni, uphendule: (Return to the message, and answer.)
- Ubani oshayele udokotela?
- UThandeka umtshelani uSipho ngokukhathazeka?
Ingxenye D — Ukubhala (Writing)
1. Bhala umlayezo omfushane, ohlanganisa idinga, isibopho, kanye neseluleko, kumngane noma isihlobo esinenkinga. (Write a short message, combining need, obligation, and advice, to a friend or relative facing a problem.)
Ingxenye E — Ukukhuluma (Speaking)
1. Chaza inkinga yakho kumngane wakho, base umtshele okungenani isibopho esisodwa neseluleko esisodwa. (Describe your problem to your partner, then tell them at least one obligation and one piece of advice.)
Ukubuyekezwa okuhlanganisiwe — Cumulative review from Chapters 13 through 16
Choose the correct word or form in brackets to complete this short account, drawing on the applicative, passive, and narrative sequencing forms together.
Udadewethu [wangisiza / wangenzela] ngokushayela udokotela, base [kwathi / owathi] ngoLwesibili, ingane [yatholakala / yatholwa] ingcono kancane. Udokotela [othi / owathi], "Kufanele iphumule izinsuku ezimbili."
Answer Key
Listening
- Kusukela ngoMsombuluko.
- Kumele iphiwe amanzi amaningi, futhi iphumule ekamelweni layo.
- Kungcono kwenzekeni, iyiswe emtholampilo, ukuze udokotela ayibone.
Dialogue — Comprehension
- Une mikhuhlane, futhi ukhala ekhanda.
- Uthi ungase umyise emtholampilo.
- Uzomshayela udokotela wakubo.
Reading — Comprehension
- Uthe kumele aphumule izinsuku ezimbili, futhi anwabe amanzi amaningi.
- Kufanele bamtshele uThandeka, uma engakabi ngcono.
- Umtshela ukuthi angasakhathazeki kakhulu, kodwa abe nesineke.
Chapter Review — Ingxenye B
- (a) Kufanele, or Kumele (b) Ungase (c) Kufanele, or Kumele
- Ngicela ungisize ngalolu daba.
Chapter Review — Ingxenye C
- (a) UThandeka. (b) Umtshela ukuthi angasakhathazeki kakhulu, kodwa abe nesineke.
Cumulative Review — Correct answers
wangenzela / kwathi / yatholakala / owathi
Looking Ahead
Okungakwenzeka manje — What you can do now
You can now state a need clearly, express obligation with kufanele and kumele, give gentler advice with ungase and kungcono, and ask for or offer help in a natural way. You can also combine these forms with the sequencing and quoting patterns from Chapter 16, to talk about a moment when help was needed or given.