Basic greetings in Swahili

Greetings in Swahili

Part 1

English        Swahili

Greeting       Hujambo –

Answer         Sijambo

 

Hujambo bibi? – How are you madam

Sijambo bwana? – I am fine sir

When greeting more than one person

Hamjambo?    -    How are you?

Hatujambo – We are fine

A teacher greeting students

Teacher: Hamjambo wanafunzi – How are you students?

Students: Hatujambo mwalimu – We are fine teacher.

When inquiring about another person not around

Hajambo? – How is he/she?

Hajambo – He/ She is fine

Inquiring about 3^rd person plural

Hawajambo? – How are they?

Hawajambo – They are fine.

Inquiring about children

Watoto hawajambo? – How are the children?

Je, watoto hawajambo? – How are the children?

Watoto hawajambo – The children are fine.

 

You can reverse the words

Hawajambo watoto? - How are the children?

Hawajambo watoto. – The children are fine.