lala salama
To say "sleep well" in Swahili, you say lala salama.
The phrase is used as a parting wish when someone is going to bed, similar to "goodnight" in English.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb lala (sleep) and the adverb salama (peacefully/safely).
Did you know?
- In some contexts, salama is used as a response to the question 'how are you?', meaning everything is 'peaceful' or 'fine'.
- Because Swahili is a Bantu language, the word lala is an ancient term inherited from Proto-Bantu, the ancestor of hundreds of languages across Central and Southern Africa.
- Because salama is an Arabic loanword, it is recognizable to many speakers across the wider Indian Ocean trade network, not just in East Africa.
Examples in context
- Lala salama, rafiki yangu.Sleep well, my friend.
- Usiku mwema na lala salama.Good night and sleep well.
- Lala salama, watoto.Sleep well, children.
Example conversation
Juma is saying goodnight to Aisha before they go to their separate rooms.
- JumaNimechoka sana leo.I am very tired today.
- AishaPole, lala salama.Sorry, sleep well.
- JumaAsante, lala salama pia.Thanks, sleep well too.
- AishaHaya, tuonane kesho.Okay, see you tomorrow.
