Overview
The Swahili word 'kule' translates to 'over there (distant)' in English. It is an adverb of place, indicating a location that is far away from both the speaker and the listener. It is part of a system of demonstrative adverbs in Swahili that denote proximity or distance.
Usage and Context:
- 1Indicating a distant location: 'Kule' is used when referring to a place that is clearly far off. For instance, if you are pointing to a mountain in the distance, you would say 'Mlima uko kule,' meaning 'The mountain is over there (distant).'
- 1Contrast with 'hapa' and 'hapa hapa': 'Hapa' means 'here,' indicating a very close proximity. 'Hapa hapa' means 'right here,' emphasizing immediate presence. 'Kule' provides a strong contrast to these, signifying significant distance.
- 1Contrast with 'pale': 'Pale' also means 'over there,' but it indicates a less distant location than 'kule.' 'Pale' suggests a place that is visible and within a reasonable range, while 'kule' implies a place that might be barely visible or quite a distance away. For example, if a shop is across the street, you might say 'Duka liko pale.' If the shop is in another town, you would say 'Duka liko kule.'
- 1Figurative use: Sometimes 'kule' can be used figuratively to refer to a past time or a future event, implying a distance in time rather than space. For example, 'Kule zamani' could mean 'back in the old days,' or 'Kule mbeleni' could mean 'further on (in the future).'
- 1With verbs of motion: 'Kule' is often used with verbs of motion to specify the destination. For example, 'Naenda kule' means 'I am going over there (to a distant place).'
Grammatical Structure:
'Kule' does not change its form based on the noun class or number of the object it refers to, as it is an adverb. It directly modifies verbs or indicates the location of a noun.
Examples:
- Watoto wanacheza kule shuleni. (The children are playing over there at school.) - Implies the school is a noticeable distance away.
- Nyumba yetu iko kule, karibu na mto. (Our house is over there, near the river.) - Indicates the house is not immediately visible or close.
- Alipanda basi akaenda kule kijijini. (He boarded a bus and went over there to the village.) - Suggests the village is a considerable distance.
- Angalia kule juu mawinguni. (Look over there up in the clouds.) - Points to a distant point in the sky.
Understanding the nuanced difference between 'hapa,' 'pale,' and 'kule' is crucial for accurate and natural communication in Swahili, as they convey different degrees of spatial distance.
Exemples
Jana niliweka kitabu changu juu ya meza, na leo sioni. Labda niliacha kule shuleni.
referring to a distant place previously mentionedYesterday I put my book on the table, and today I don't see it. Maybe I left it over there at school.
Angalia! Ndege wale wanaruka juu kule milimani.
pointing to a distant visible locationLook! Those birds are flying high over there in the mountains.
Watoto walicheza mpira kule uwanjani hadi jua likazama.
describing an activity at a distant but known locationThe children played soccer over there at the field until the sun set.
Nataka kwenda likizo kule Mombasa, nimeambiwa kuna fukwe nzuri sana.
expressing a desire to travel to a distant placeI want to go on holiday over there in Mombasa, I've been told there are very beautiful beaches.
Hakuweza kuona vizuri kwa sababu mawingu yalikuwa mazito kule angani.
referring to a distant and elevated locationHe couldn't see well because the clouds were heavy up there in the sky.
Collocations courantes
Modèles grammaticaux
How to Use It
Notes d'usage
'Kule' is an adverb of place in Swahili, specifically indicating a location that is far from both the speaker and the listener. It is part of a demonstrative system that includes 'hapa' (here, near speaker), 'hapo' (there, near listener), and 'pale' (there, a bit further than 'hapo' but not as distant as 'kule'). 'Kule' is typically used when the location is out of immediate reach or sight, requiring a gesture or further description to pinpoint. For example, 'Nyumba yetu iko kule' (Our house is over there, in the distance). It can also be used figuratively to refer to a more abstract 'there,' such as a distant past or future event, though its primary use remains spatial. When describing movement towards a distant place, 'kule' often pairs with verbs of motion, as in 'anaenda kule' (he/she is going over there).
Erreurs courantes
Origine du mot
Bantu, Common to many Bantu languages, cognate with Zulu 'khona' (there) and Ganda 'wali' (there).
Contexte culturel
In Swahili culture, spatial relationships are often expressed with a high degree of specificity, and 'kule' plays a crucial role in this. Unlike English, which might simply use 'over there,' Swahili differentiates between 'hapa' (here), 'hapo' (there, near the speaker), and 'kule' (over there, distant from both speaker and listener). This linguistic precision reflects a cultural emphasis on clarity and exactness in communication. When pointing out something distant, using 'kule' is not just grammatically correct but also culturally appropriate, as it avoids ambiguity. It can also subtly convey a sense of awe or reverence when referring to grand, distant landmarks or natural features, like 'milima kule' (the mountains over there).
Astuce mémo
Visualize something far away and point to it while saying 'kule.'
Teste-toi
Mtoto yuko wapi? Yuko ______ (Over there - distant).
Weka kitabu ______ (Over there - distant) juu ya meza.
Je, unaona mlima ______ (Over there - distant)?
Score : /3
Exemples
5 sur 5Jana niliweka kitabu changu juu ya meza, na leo sioni. Labda niliacha kule shuleni.
Yesterday I put my book on the table, and today I don't see it. Maybe I left it over there at school.
Angalia! Ndege wale wanaruka juu kule milimani.
Look! Those birds are flying high over there in the mountains.
Watoto walicheza mpira kule uwanjani hadi jua likazama.
The children played soccer over there at the field until the sun set.
Nataka kwenda likizo kule Mombasa, nimeambiwa kuna fukwe nzuri sana.
I want to go on holiday over there in Mombasa, I've been told there are very beautiful beaches.
Hakuweza kuona vizuri kwa sababu mawingu yalikuwa mazito kule angani.
He couldn't see well because the clouds were heavy up there in the sky.
