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Zulu dialect

Standard Zulu

Also known as: isiZulu

The largest Bantu language by first-language speakers in South Africa. Used widely as a second language across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

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Frequently asked questions

What language is Standard Zulu?

Standard Zulu is a dialect of the Zulu language.

Where is Standard Zulu spoken?

Standard Zulu is primarily spoken in South Africa.

Which region is Standard Zulu associated with?

Standard Zulu is part of the East & Southern Africa region on DialectAtlas.

Is Standard Zulu known by other names?

Yes — Standard Zulu is also referred to as isiZulu.

What are the other dialects of Zulu?

Zulu also includes Urban Zulu. Each variety has its own vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural context.

Other Zulu dialects

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Nearby dialects

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Sesotho

348 km away

A Sotho-Tswana Bantu language and the national language of Lesotho. Also one of the official languages of South Africa, where it is widely spoken in the Free State and Gauteng.

Xhosa

459 km away

A Nguni Bantu language of the Eastern Cape and one of the official languages of South Africa. Famous for its 18 distinct click consonants borrowed from neighbouring Khoisan languages.

Sepedi

681 km away

The Sotho-Tswana variety of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in north-eastern South Africa. One of the eleven official languages of South Africa; mutually distinct enough from Sesotho to be treated separately.

Tsonga

729 km away

A Bantu language of the Limpopo lowveld, spoken across north-eastern South Africa, southern Mozambique, and south-eastern Zimbabwe. Around 7 million speakers.

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