Greetings and Introductions

How to initiate a conversation and exchange greetings

Greeting	Response
Habari za asubuhi?	Salama/ Njema/ Nzuri
Good Morning	Good/Fine
Habari za mchana?	Salama/ Njema/ Nzuri
Good Afternoon
Habari za jioni?	Salama/ Njema/ Nzuri
Good Evening
Hujambo	Sijambo
Are You Okay	I Am Okay
Hamjambo	Hatujambo
Are You Okay (Pl)	We Are Okay
Usiku mwema	Wewe Pia
Good Night	You Too
Umeshinda vipi?	Salama
How Has Your Day Been?	Peaceful
Shikamoo	Marahaba
I respect you elder	I accept your respect
Mambo/Sasa	Poa
What's Up	Cool

 

 

After greetings, it is important to give a brief introduction about yourself, especially when talking to strangers. The following statements can be used:

 

Swahili
Unaitwa nani? / Jina lako ni nani?	What is your name?
Ninaitwa.../Jina langu ni…	My name is…
Umetoka nchi gani?	Which country are you from?
Ninatoka Mali.	I am from Mali.
Unajua kuzungumza Kiswahili?	Do you know how to speak Swahili?
Ndio	Yes
Hapana/la	No
Unaishi wapi?	Where do you stay?
Unaenda wapi?	Where are you going?
Ulifika lini?	When did you arrive?
Unafanya kazi gani?	What do you do for work?
Kwa nini umekuja huku?	Why have you come here?
Utakaa hapa siku ngapi?	How many days will you be staying here?
Nitakaa wiki moja.	I will be here for a week.
Umeoa? (Question to a man)	Are you married?
Umeolewa? (Question to a woman)	Are you married?
Una Watoto?	Do you have children?

 

Some polite expressions must be used in a conversation. Polite language, just like greetings, is a sign of respect.  For example:

 

Swahili
Asante	Thank You
Hodi	Knock knock (requesting to enter a home or office)
Pole	Sorry
Samahani	Excuse me/ Forgive me
Karibu	Welcome
Tafadhali	Request/ Please
Naomba	Please (omba = pray)
Sawa	Okay
Nisaidie	Help/ assist me

 

When ending a conversation, you can end by thanking the person you were talking to or saying goodbye with a promise to see each other later. Sometimes just a goodbye will suffice if you are not sure about meeting another time.

 

Kwaheri	Goodbye
Tutaonana baadaye	See you later
Nimefurahia kukujua	Happy to know you

 

Thato arrived in Kenya yesterday evening. After alighting at the airport, he boarded a taxi to take him to the hotel where he is to spend his two weeks study trip. Read the conversation below between Thato and Amari the taxi driver.

Amari:   Habari ya jioni (Good evening)

Thato:    Salama (Fine)

Amari:   Jina langu ni Amari. (My name is Amari.)

Thato:    Mimi ninaitwa Thato. (My name is Thato.)

Amari:   Umekuja huku Kenya kufanya nini? (What have you come to do in                                     Kenya?)

Thato:    Nimekuja kuzuru na pia kusoma. (I have come to tour and also study.)

Amari:   Hivyo ni vizuri. (That is good)

Thato:    Nimeshukuru. (I'm grateful)

Amari:   Naona tumeshafika hotelini. Najua utafurahia sana huku                               kwetu. (I can see we have arrived at the hotel. I know you will enjoy your stay                                          here.)

Thato:    Nimesikia Kenya ni nchi nzuri. Najua nitafurahia. (I have heard                                that Kenya is a very nice country. I know I will enjoy it.)

Amari:   Sawa Thato. Nimefurahi kuonana na wewe. (It is okay Thato. I am                                        happy to see you.)                             

Thato:    Nimefurahi pia Amari. Tutaonana kesho. (I am happy to see you too                            Amari. See you tomorrow.)

Amari:  Sawa. Usiku mwema. (Okay. Good night.)

Thato:   Asante. Wewe pia. (Thank you. Goodnight too.)

 

Exercise

You are walking with your friend and you meet your friend's mother. write a short passage of the conversation between the three of you; greetings and introductions.