Keep Quiet in Zulu

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Kawhi Leonard. He's so quiet, his second name should be Thula, the quiet one.

Shut up is thula in Zulu.

Thulani, which means many people should keep quiet is also a popular boy’s name. Maybe there was a family misunderstanding when he was born. The family is hoping his birth will bring peace, people will shut up and reconcile. Please note that -ni at the end is plural, many people.

Kawhi Leonard, who plays for LA Clippers, an NBA team should have a second name: Thula. He’s so quiet, a breath of fresh air.

Thu-la-ni can also be used in politics. During elections, polls interview a few people over the phone, then publish blanket statements about winners and losers.

Polls are outdated measurements that have been replaced by social media, Twitter in particular. Anyway, when the underdog party wins, it tells pollsters, thu-la-ni (shut up). 

Death is inevitable but we still cry when a loved one passes on, to the next life. Friends and neighbors come to the house to console the grieving family, asking them to thu-la (stop crying).

Thu-la. You say the first part like tool, the second like lass.

Thu-la-ni. You say the first part like tool, the second like lark, the third like nickel.

ZULU

ENGLISH

Thula. Sizwile.

Keep quiet. We heard you.

Thula tu!

Shut up (angrily). Not a word from you.

Thula, umkhwenyana uyeza.

Stop crying. The bridegroom is coming. (bride scared groom will run away).

Vladimir, thula. Kwenele.

Vladimir, stop crying. It’s enough.

Sean, thula. Kwenele.

Sean stop crying. It’s enough.

Phumi, thula. Kwenele.

Phumi, stop crying. It’s enough.

Thulani. Uthisha u-yakhuluma.

Keep quiet. Teacher is talking.

Thulani. Ingane ilele.

Keep quiet. The child is asleep.

U-Jacques uya-thula.

Jacques is a quiet person.

U-LeRoy uya-thula.

LeRoy is a quiet person.

Ba-thula abantu befa.

They kept quiet when people were dying.

Ba-thula bewazi amanga.

They kept quiet even though they knew it was all lies.

U-makoti uya-thula.

My sister-in-law is a quiet person.


By: Nonqaba waka Msimang. 

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