moni
/ˈmó.ni/
The Chichewa word for hello is moni.
moni is used as a greeting to say hello. If you wish to greet a group of people, you can say moni nonse.
Meaning: greeting (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of moni is /ˈmó.ni/. The stress is on the first of two syllables.
When do people say it?
When someone greets you with moni, it is natural to respond with moni.
Did you know?
- The possible origin of 'moni' as a shortened form of 'morning' reflects the heavy historical influence of English in certain Malawian social circles.
- In many Malawian contexts, a greeting like moni is often accompanied by a slight bow or a specific hand gesture to show respect to elders.
- In Chichewa culture, failing to respond to a 'moni' is often considered a significant social snub rather than just a missed greeting.
Examples in context
- Uli bwanji? Ndimadzuka bwino!How are you? I woke up well!
- Moni kwa onse.Hello to everyone.
- Moni, kodi muli bwanji?Hello, how are you?
Example conversation
Chikondi and Chimwemwe meet on the street.
- ChikondiMoni, Chimwemwe!Hello, Chimwemwe!
- ChimwemweMoni, Chikondi!Hello, Chikondi!
- ChikondiMuli bwanji lero?How are you today?
- ChimwemweNdili bwino, zikomo.I am well, thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hello” translations and entries moni, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries moni, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Douglas, thank you for sharing of the Chichewa language here. I am grateful to learn what i can. Your teaching is clear and simple. Grateful for your work.