ilanga
/íːlaːnɡa/class 5, class 6
The Zulu word for sun is ilanga. Wiktionary also lists ililanga.
Meaning: the star around which the Earth revolves (name)
Ways to say it
| Zulu | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ilanga | /íːlaːnɡa/ | class 5, class 6 |
| ililanga |
ilanga refers to the star around which the Earth revolves. It can also refer to the light and warmth received from the sun, or more broadly to a star seen as the centre of a solar system. Additionally, ilanga is the word used for a "day".
Which one should you use?
The forms provided are ilanga and ililanga.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
ilanga belongs to noun classes 5 and 6.
How do you pronounce it?
/íːlaːnɡa/
Did you know?
- The Zulu noun class system treats ilanga as a Class 5 noun, which is a category that often includes animals or fruits, rather than a dedicated 'celestial' class.
- In Zulu, describing the sunset is often phrased as ilanga liyaphela, which literally means 'the sun is finishing'.
- The term ilanga can be used as a metaphor for a person's brilliance or radiant personality, treating the sun as a symbol of intellectual or spiritual light.
Examples in context
- Ilanga liyakhanya kakhulu namuhla.The sun is shining very brightly today.
Example conversation
Nomalusa and Bandile are walking outside on a bright day.
- NomalusaBandile, ilanga liphuma kakhulu.Bandile, the sun is coming out strongly.
- BandileYebo, kudingeka siphathe izigqoko.Yes, we need to carry hats.
- NomalusaIlanga lingasishisa emzimbeni.The sun could burn us on the body.
- BandileAsiye ngaphansi kwesihlahla.Let's go under the tree.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sun” translations and entries ilanga, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
