ulale kahle
singular
In Zulu, 'good night' is expressed as ulale kahle. If unsure, use ulale kahle. Wiktionary also lists lala kahle and lalani kahle.
Meaning: a farewell (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Zulu | Note |
|---|---|
| ulale kahle | singular |
| lala kahle | |
| lalani kahle | |
| nilale kahle | plural |
These phrases are used specifically as a farewell when someone is going to bed or at the end of the night.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally a command or wish meaning 'sleep well'.
Which one should you use?
While ulale kahle is a polite wish, the shorter lala kahle is often used as a direct imperative or in more casual settings. nilale kahle is used when addressing more than one person.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ulale kahle uses the subjunctive mood to express a wish or prayer for the listener's well-being. When addressing a group, use the plural form nilale kahle to say 'may you (plural) sleep well'.
Did you know?
- The root of the word lala can be traced back to the Proto-Bantu term *-dáada, connecting the modern Zulu word for 'sleep' to ancient linguistic ancestors.
- The root word lala is used not only for sleeping but also to describe the act of lying down or reclining in any context.
- The suffix '-hle' in kahle is a common way in Bantu languages to denote something that is beautiful, pleasant, or good.
Examples in context
- Siyabonga, ulale kahle.Thank you, sleep well.
Example conversation
Thandeka is leaving Mlungisi's house late at night.
- MlungisiHamba kahle, Thandeka.Go well, Thandeka.
- ThandekaNgiyabonga, Mlungisi.Thank you, Mlungisi.
- MlungisiUlale kahle.Sleep well.
- ThandekaNawe, ulale kahle.You too, sleep well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “good night” translations and entries ulale kahle, lala kahle, lalani kahle, nilale kahle, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kahle, lala, CC BY-SA 4.0.
