Zulu Lesson Sleeping
Sleep is lala in Zulu. Actually, it is two words therefore, an explanation is in order.
Lala is to sleep. Go to sleep, it’s late. You pronounce it like lull.
Lele is the actual sleeping where the baby is asleep or someone sleeps in class. You pronounce it like leg.
ENGLISH | ZULU |
Tessa is sleeping. | Tessa u-lele. |
Themba is sleeping. | Themba u-lele. |
Uncle is asleep. | Umalume u-lele. |
Grandma is asleep. | Ugogo u-lele. |
The baby is sleeping. | Ingane ilele. |
The dog is sleeping. | Inja ilele. |
Sleep with mother. | Lala no-mama. |
Sleep with your sister. | Lala no-dadewenu. |
Go and sleep. | Hamba u-yolala. |
I’m sleepy. I’m going to sleep. | Ngiyo-zela. Ngiyo-lala. |
She sleeps during the day. | U-lala e-mini. |
Good night. | Lala kahle. |
Exercise
Somebody is looking for your friend or brother. Tell them they are asleep using their names. Remember you say -u- like Umar or uber. For example, Hans u-lele.
By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.
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