lala kahle
The Swati way to say goodnight is lala kahle.
You use lala kahle to wish someone a good sleep before they go to bed. It is specifically focused on the act of sleeping rather than the time of day.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "sleep well".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb lala is in the imperative mood, which is used here to express a wish for the person to sleep well.
Did you know?
- The verb lala can also mean 'to lie down' or 'to be idle'. In some contexts, it describes someone who is lazy or wasting time rather than just someone who is sleeping.
- The word lala comes from the Proto-Bantu root *-dáada. This means it shares an ancient linguistic ancestor with similar words for sleep in hundreds of other languages across Central and Southern Africa.
- Because lala is an imperative, using it with a stranger or an elder requires a certain level of social familiarity or a specific respectful tone to avoid sounding like a command.
Examples in context
- Lala kahle, mntfwanami.Goodnight, my child.
- Lala kahle, sishana.Goodnight, young man.
Example conversation
Thandiswa and Bandile are finishing their evening chores.
- ThandiswaBandile, sengiya lala.Bandile, I am going to sleep now.
- BandileHamba kahle, Thandiswa.Go well, Thandiswa.
- ThandiswaLala kahle nawe.Goodnight to you too.
- BandileNgiyabonga, lala kahle.Thank you, goodnight.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kahle, lala, CC BY-SA 4.0.
