Jabulela uKhisimusi
The English phrase "merry Christmas" is translated into Zulu as Jabulela uKhisimusi.
This phrase is used to offer good wishes during the Christmas season. You may also encounter Ukhisimusi omuhle, which translates to "A beautiful Christmas."
Meaning: good wishes at Christmas time (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb jabulela, meaning "rejoice" or "be happy for" and the noun uKhisimusi, which means "Christmas".
Which one should you use?
Ukhisimusi omuhle literally means "A beautiful Christmas".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase Jabulela uKhisimusi, the verb jabulela is in the imperative mood, which is used here to express a wish for someone to be happy.
Did you know?
- The Zulu word uKhisimusi belongs to a noun class typically used for people, effectively treating the holiday as a persona.
- In many parts of South Africa, the term uKhisimusi is synonymous with a time of family homecoming, so the phrase often carries an unstated meaning of 'welcome home'.
- The word uKhisimusi is an additive loanword, meaning it was borrowed directly from the English pronunciation of 'Christmas' rather than being adapted from a different European language.
Examples in context
- Ukhisimusi omuhle!Merry Christmas!
Example conversation
Nomalusa and Bandile greet each other at a family gathering.
- NomalusaSawubona Bandile, Jabulela uKhisimusi!Hello Bandile, Merry Christmas!
- BandileNgiyabonga Nomalusa, nawe Jabulela uKhisimusi!Thank you Nomalusa, Merry Christmas to you too!
- NomalusaUvukile kanjani namhlanje?How did you wake up today?
- BandileNgivukile kahle kakhulu, ngiyabonga.I woke up very well, thank you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jabulela, uKhisimusi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
