phumula
To relax in Zulu is to say phumula.
The verb refers to the act of resting and becoming relieved of stress.
Meaning: (intransitive) to rest and become relieved of stress (verb)
Which one should you use?
The form phumula is used as a direct command, while phumulani is used when addressing a group of people or when you wish to be polite. The form uphumule is used specifically to express a wish or a polite suggestion for someone to relax.
How does it change in a sentence?
phumula can be used as a direct imperative or command. phumulani is the imperative used for a group or for polite address. uphumule is used to express the wish 'may you relax' or to say 'please relax'.
Did you know?
- The word phumula can be used to describe a person who is 'resting' in a way that implies they are dead, a common euphemism in many Bantu languages.
- While phumula describes resting, if you want to tell someone to 'relax' because they are being too tense or agitated, you might use thula, which means 'be quiet' or 'be still'.
- In some Zulu contexts, telling someone to phumula might be a polite way to suggest they stop working or stop interfering in a matter.
Examples in context
- Khuluma kancane, phumula.Speak softly and relax.
