Saying I can is based around the formative -nga- and many polite expressions use the form -ngathanda can (would) like
-nga- can be
ukuthanda to like
ukuthengela to buy
ukutphuza to drink
ukufuna to want
ukulunga to be correct
ukuwanela to be full
isiphuzo drink
Ngingajabula I can be happy
Ungathanda You (would) like eg ngingakuthengela isiphuzo na? can I buy you a
drink? Ngingajabula yes = lit. I can be
happy.
Sifuna we want, need Singathanda we would like
Sifun'ukudla We want, need to eat
Ufunani? what do you need? Ngifuna imoto I need a car Ngingathanda
okuphuzwayo? Would you like something to drink? Ngingathanda inkomishi yetiye I would like a cup of
tea
Ungathanda ukuphuzani? What would like to
drink?
Ngithanda ... I would like... eg ngithanda ifanta or -zolunga ... will be fine = correct eg uwiski uzolunga a whiskey will be fine
Ngicela ukuthanda I ask what would you
like eg ngicela uthand'esinye isiphuzo?
would you like another drink? or ngicela
usithanda? would you like another? (drink, nb: agreement =
u-si-thanda) Yebo ngingajabula or yebo ngingathanda yes, please Angijabuli or angithandi =
negative
Uwanelisiwe na? Are you full? = passive
past perfect
Wanela na? You are full? Yebo nganelisiwe Yes I'm full or yebo ngonela I am full or cha
anganelisiwe no I'm not full or cha
anganeli no I am not full
This page- www.newt.clara.co.uk/isizulu/nginga.htm
6 August 2002