Hujambo
polite, Kenya
In Kenya you can say Hujambo for "hello", and the reply is Sijambo. Habari is the other everyday greeting, and young people in cities often say Sasa, answered with Poa. It is also called Jambo.
Meaning: greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Swahili | Note |
|---|---|
| Hujambo | polite, Kenya |
| Habari | everyday |
| Sasa | slang, Sheng, youth |
| Jambo | common with visitors |
Hujambo is for one person and Hamjambo is for a group. Habari? means "news?" and is followed by an answer such as Nzuri, meaning good.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Sasa belongs to Sheng, the street slang of Nairobi that mixes Swahili and English. It is informal and best with people your own age.
When do people say it?
Kenyans like to greet properly before any request, so a short exchange of Habari and Nzuri is expected.
Did you know?
- Jambo is the form most visitors learn, but Kenyans themselves more often say Habari or Hujambo.
Examples in context
- Hujambo, rafiki yangu.Hello, my friend.
- Habari za asubuhi?How is your morning?
- Sasa! Poa!What's up! Cool!
Example conversation
Wanjiru greets a shopkeeper named Omar at a market in Nairobi.
- WanjiruHujambo, Omar.Hello, Omar.
- OmarSijambo, Wanjiru. Habari yako?I am fine, Wanjiru. How are you?
- WanjiruNzuri sana.Very good.
