Permissive questions and requests are made using the present tense ending with -e - NB: the subject concord for people nouns is a-
Ngibuye kusasa dokotela? Must I come back
tomorrow doctor?
Silinde noma sihambe? Must we wait or
leave?
Ngimbize? Must I call him?
UJabu angene na? Must Jabu come in?
UMavis alethe itiye na? Must Mavis bring
the tea?
UNkulunkulu ahambe nawe God must be with
you = walk with you
Usale khale Stay well
Uqede masinyane James You must finish
quickly James
To suggest or ask people to do something together use the suffix ma-:
Masihambe Let's go
Masidle Let's eat
Sihambe, masikushiye We're going, let
us part
Masiphumule lapha isikashana Let's
rest here for a little while
Mangikusize James Let me help you,
James
Mangibize udokotela Let me call a doctor
This page- www.newt.clara.co.uk/isizulu/usale.htm
6 August 2002