Sula bulungi
In Luganda, the phrase for "good night" is Sula bulungi.
This phrase is used specifically as a farewell when someone is going to sleep.
Meaning: a farewell (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb sula (sleep) and the adverb bulungi (well/good).
Which one should you use?
While Sula bulungi means "Sleep well" as a farewell for the night, the phrase Osiibye bulungi is used during the evening to say "Good day" (meaning "Have had a good day").
How does it change in a sentence?
To address more than one person or to show respect to an elder, you add the prefix mu- to the verb to make it Musula bulungi.
Did you know?
- The word bulungi used in Sula bulungi is related to the word for 'beauty', implying that sleeping well is a beautiful or aesthetically pleasing act.
- If you are speaking to a very high-ranking royal or chief, a simple Musula bulungi might be too casual, requiring additional honorific titles before the phrase.
- While Sula bulungi is used for the night, the root verb sula also means 'to stay' or 'to remain' in certain contexts, shifting the meaning from sleeping to simply staying well.
Examples in context
- Sula bulungi.Good night.
- Sula bulungi, mukwano gwange.Good night, my friend.
Example conversation
Babirye and Kato are going to bed.
- BabiryeSula bulungi, Kato.Good night, Kato.
- KatoSula bulungi, Babirye.Good night, Babirye.
- BabiryeTunaalabikira enkya.We will see each other tomorrow.
- KatoYee, enkya.Yes, tomorrow.
