Greetings [maamkio; salamu]
There are at least five ways of greeting in Kiswahili:
A). Habari gani?
B). Hujambo?
C). U hali gani?
D). Shikamoo.
E). Mambo? / Vipi?
A). Habari gani?
Example 1 ‐ Two people greeting each other
Person A: Habari gani?
Person B: Nzuri!
Sentensi:
a). Nzuri / njema / salama / safi / sawa / poa.
[Good / nice / peaceful / clean / fine / cool.]
b). Nzuri / njema / salama / safi / sawa / poa sana...
[Very good / nice / peaceful / clean / fine / cool.]
c). Nzuri / njema / salama / safi / sawa / poa tu...
[Just good / nice / peaceful / clean / fine / just cool.]
B). Hujambo?
Example 1 ‐ Two people greeting each other Example 2 ‐ Teacher greeting students
Person A: Hujambo? Teacher: Hamjambo?
Person B: Sijambo! Students: Hatujambo!
Sentensi:
Hujambo? [Any issue(s)? / How are you doing?]
Sijambo! [No issue(s)! / I am okay/fine!]
Hamjambo? [Any issue(s)? / How are you doing?]
Hatujambo! [No issue(s)! / We are okay/fine!]
C). U hali gani?
Example 1 ‐ Two people greeting each other Example 2 ‐ One person greeting many people
Person A: U hali gani? Person A: M hali gani?
Person B: Njema. Persons B, C, & D: Salama.
Sentensi:
1. U hali gani? / M hali gani? What’s your condition? / How are you?]
a). Nzuri / njema / salama / safi / sawa / poa.
[Good / nice / peaceful / clean / fine / cool.]
b). Nzuri / njema / salama / safi / sawa / poa sana...
[Very good / nice / peaceful / clean / fine / cool.]
c). Nzuri / njema / salama / safi / sawa / poa tu...
[Just good / nice / peaceful / clean / fine / just cool.]
D.) Shikamoo.
Example 1 ‐ A youth greeting an elder person
Youth: Shikamoo.
Elder Person: Marahaba.
Sentensi:
Shikamoo. [I touch your feet.]
Marahaba. [I am delighted.]
E). Vipi? / Mambo?
Example 1 ‐ A youth greeting another youth Example 2 ‐ A youth greeting another
youth
Youth A: Vipi? Youth A: Mambo?
Youth B: Poa. Youth B: Safi.
Sentensi:
Vipi? / Mambo? [What’s up?]
Poa / Safi / Sawa. [Cool / Clean / Fine.]
Additional Vocabulary
Mifano:
1. Hodi!
[Requests permission to enter a
house.]
2.Karibu! [Welcome!]
3.Karibu ndani! [Welcome inside!]
4.Asante. [Thank you.]
5.Asante sana. [Thank you very much.]
6.Kwaheri. [Be blessed. / Goodbye.]
7.Tutaonana baadaye.
8.Habari za asubuhi/
mchana/jioni/usiku?
9.Habari za
mama/baba/kaka/dada/
ndugu/mjomba
[We will see each other later.]
[How is the news of the
morning/afternoon/evening/night?]
[How is the news of
mother/father/brother/sister/
comrade/uncle]
10.Habari za
nyumbani/shuleni/chuoni/
masomo/Amerika
[How is the news at
home/at school/at college/
studies/America]
Other Forms of Greetings
Greetings
Mifano:
Waambaje? [How are you doing?]
Salaamaleikum. [Peace be upon you.]
Upo? [Are you there?]
Lala salama. [Sleep peacefully.]
Tuonane kesho. [See you tomorrow.]
Ndoto njema. [Dream well.]
Lala unono. [Sleep comfortably.]
Usiku mwema. [Good night.]
Usingizi mwema. [Sleep well.]
Habari za kutwa? [How was your day?]
Jioni njema. [Good Evening]
Uende salama [Go with peace.]
Sina la kuamba. [I have nothing to say.]
Aleikumsalaam. [And also with you.]
Nipo. [I am here.]
Nawe pia. [And you also.]
Inshallah. [God willing.]
Za mafanikio. [Of success.]
Nawe pia. [And you also.]
Wa buraha. [With tranquility.]
Wa buraha. [With tranquility.]
Njema/Nzuri. [Good.]
Salama! [Peaceful!]
Tuonane inshallah! [We will see each. other God willing]
Respectful Terms That Accompany Greetings
Respectful Terms Salamu, Adabu, Heshima , Tafsida [Peace, Politeness, Honorable, Civil] |
| Mifano: |
Samahani [Excuse me]
Niwie radhi [My apologies/Pardon me]
Tafadhali [Please]
Pole [Sorry]
Makiwa [Term used to express condolences]
Asante [Thank you]
Heko/Hongera [Congratulations]
Shukrani [Thanks]
Inshallah [God willing]
Binti [Daughter of]
Bin [Son of]
Bi/Biti [Miss/Ms.]
Bibi [Mrs.]
Bwana [Mr./Sir]
Marehemu [The late]
Bimdogo [Little miss / young lady]
Bwanamdogo [Little sir / young man ]
Bimkubwa [Middle aged/ elderly woman]
Bwanamkubwa [Middle aged / elderly man]]
Hayati [Distinguished deceased person]
Ustadh [Distinguished scholar]
Guru [Spiritual leader / expert
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