Greetings

Question 1

Shikamoo

Answer 1

I respect you.

Proper greeting of younger to elder person. Always used to initiate greeting between younger and elder

Question 2

Marahaba

Answer 2

I accept your respect.

The only response to “Shikamoo”

Question 3

Hujambo

Answer 3

Greeting literally meaning, “Is anything wrong with you?”

Question 4

Sijambo

Answer 4

Response to “Hujambo”

Question 5

Habari za ____ ?
* asubuhi
* mchana
* leo
* jioni
* nyumbani
* shamba

Answer 5

Literally “News of”, but generally means “how is/are ____”

Question 6

Nzuri

Answer 6

Good (response to “habari” questions)

Question 7

Njema

Answer 7

Good / Well (response to “habari” questions)

Question 8

Salama

Answer 8

Peaceful (response to “habari” questions)

Question 9

Mambo

Answer 9

Casual greeting. Can also mean “things” or “issues”

Question 10

Vipi

Answer 10

Casual greeting

Question 11

Sema

Answer 11

Say! (What’s up?)

Question 12

Niambie

Answer 12

Tell me!

Question 13

Poa

Answer 13

Cool (response to “mambo”, “vipi”, or “mambo vipi”)

Question 14

Safi

Answer 14

Clean (response mambo/vipi, also used as casual response to “habari”)

Question 15

Umeamkaje?

Answer 15

How have you woken up?

Question 16

Umeshindaje?

Answer 16

How have you passed the day?

Question 17

Mzima

Answer 17

Healthy / Whole

Question 18

Kwema

Answer 18

Rough translation: Are things well where you are/were?

Question 19

Unaitwaje?

Answer 19

What is your name? (Who are you called?)

Question 20

Kwaheri

Answer 20

Goodbye

Question 21

Mchana mwema

Answer 21

Good day (as a goodbye)

Question 22

Jioni njema

Answer 22

Good evening (as a goodbye)

Question 23

Usiku mwma

Answer 23

Goodnight

Question 24

Baadaye

Answer 24

Later