kale
KAH-leh
How to say it
SwahilikaleKAH-lehsoon
Englisholden times, long ago; ancient, oldsoon
Frenchautrefois, jadis ; anciensoon
Meaning
The distant past; with ya or za it describes things from long ago, such as ancient buildings or old customs.
Good to know
Mostly heard as zamani za kale (long, long ago), ya kale (ancient: majengo ya kale) and tangu kale (from of old). Agano la Kale is the Old Testament.
Examples
- Hapo zamani za kale paliishi mfalme mmoja.Long, long ago there lived a king.
- Tulitembelea magofu ya kale ya Kilwa.We visited the ancient ruins of Kilwa.
- Desturi hii imekuwepo tangu kale.This custom has existed since olden times.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.