kale
The Luganda word for okay is kale.
kale is used as an interjection meaning 'OK', 'alright' or 'fine'.
Meaning: OK (intj)
When do people say it?
When someone makes a suggestion or gives an instruction, responding with kale is a natural way to signal your agreement or acceptance.
Did you know?
- While kale is a standard response, Luganda speakers often repeat it as kale kale to show much more enthusiasm or sincere agreement with a suggestion.
- The word kale can function as a conversational filler, used by speakers to signal they are listening and following the story without necessarily agreeing to a proposal.
- In some Ugandan dialects, kale is used to end a conversation or signal a departure, functioning similarly to 'alright then' in English.
Examples in context
- Kale, sija.Okay, I am going.
- Kale, nnyinza okugenda.Okay, I can go.
Example conversation
Namono asks Mukasa to help her with a task.
- NamonoMukasa, nnyamba okugenda?Mukasa, can you help me go?
- MukasaKale, nze njija.Okay, I am coming.
- NamonoWebale nnyo.Thank you very much.
- MukasaKale.Okay.
