ube nobusuku obuhle
The English phrase "have a good evening" is translated into Zulu as ube nobusuku obuhle.
This phrase is used as a parting wish (a way to say goodbye) rather than a greeting when arriving at a location.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ube (may you be/have), no- (with), busuku (night/evening) and obuhle (which is good).
Did you know?
- The word 'obuhle' comes from the root 'hle', which is used to describe anything beautiful or aesthetically pleasing, not just 'good' in a moral or functional sense.
- Zulu is a tonal language, meaning the pitch used when saying busuku can change the perceived emotion or emphasis of the parting wish.
- While ube nobusuku obuhle is used when leaving, a person arriving in the evening would instead say sanibonani or sawubona, regardless of the time of day.
Examples in context
- Ngiyabonga, nawe ube nobusuku obuhle.Thank you, and may you also have a good evening.
Example conversation
Thandeka and Thulani are parting ways after a work meeting.
- ThandekaSiyabonana kusasa, ube nobusuku obuhle, Thulani.We will see each other tomorrow, have a good evening, Thulani.
- ThulaniNgiyabonga, Thandeka, nawe ube nobusuku obuhle.Thank you, Thandeka, may you also have a good evening.
- ThandekaNgiyabonga kakhulu.Thank you very much.
- ThulaniHamba kahle.Go well.
