sula bulungi
The English phrase goodnight is translated into Luganda as sula bulungi.
This phrase is used to wish someone a good night's sleep before they go to bed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase sula bulungi literally means 'sleep well'.
Which one should you use?
To say 'goodnight' to more than one person or to show respect to an elder, you use the plural form musule bulungi.
Did you know?
- While sula bulungi is for the night, the word bulungi comes from the root for 'beauty', meaning you are essentially wishing someone a 'beautiful' sleep.
- The word sula describes the state of staying or remaining through the night, meaning you can sula in a place even if you do not actually fall asleep.
- The word bulungi carries a sense of 'wholeness' and 'integrity' that extends far beyond the English definition of 'well'.
Examples in context
- Sula bulungi.Goodnight.
- Sula bulungi, mwana wange.Goodnight, my child.
- Webale nnyo, sula bulungi.Thank you very much, goodnight.
Example conversation
Kato and Nantongo are finishing their evening chores before bed.
- KatoNantongo, sula bulungi.Nantongo, goodnight.
- NantongoWebale, Kato. Nawe sula bulungi.Thank you, Kato. You also goodnight.
- KatoTujulire emmanti.Let us wake up early.
- NantongoYee, tuzajjako.Yes, we shall.
