Sai da safe
The English phrase "good night" is translated into Hausa as Sai da safe.
Sai da safe is used as a farewell when parting ways at night or when someone is going to sleep.
Meaning: a farewell (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "Until the morning". The word sai means "until" or "except", da is a preposition meaning "with" or "at" and safe means "morning".
Did you know?
- Because Hausa is a tonal language, the pitch used when saying safe can change the meaning of the word entirely if mispronounced.
- Depending on the region, a person might respond to Sai da safe with Amin, which means 'Amen', treating the farewell as a blessing.
- If you are actually going to sleep rather than just parting ways, you might use the phrase Allah ya ba mu alheri which means 'May God grant us goodness' instead.
Examples in context
- Ina son zan kwanta. Sai da safe.I'm going to bed. Good night.Tatoeba #10850627 by ecorralest101, translation #2496951 by CK
- Idan zamu kwanta, muna cewa "sai da safe".When we go to bed, we say "good night".Tatoeba #10807277 by ecorralest101, translation #29083 by al_ex_an_der
- Sai da safe, mu huta.Good night, let's rest.
Example conversation
Zainab and Musa are leaving a friend's house late at night.
- ZainabLokaci ya yi, sai da safe.It is time, good night.
- MusaTo, sai da safe, Zainab.Okay, good night, Zainab.
- ZainabAllah ya ba mu alheri.May God grant us blessings.
- MusaAmin, sai da safe.Amen, good night.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
