Ways to say it
| Swahili | IPA |
|---|---|
| jambo | /ˈʄɑ.ᵐbɔ/ |
| salaam | /sɑˈlɑːm/ |
The word jambo is a friendly, informal greeting frequently used when greeting tourists or in very casual social settings. Other ways to greet people include Sasa? (What's up?) which is popular among the younger generation, and Mambo? (What's happening?) which is used among friends or peers. You can also use Mambo vipi? to ask what is happening or how things are. If you are knocking on a door, you should say Hodi! to mean "May I enter?"
Which one should you use?
While jambo is used for casual social settings and tourists, salaam is a more formal or respectful greeting often used in more serious or traditional contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The greeting Shikamoo is commonly used in Zanzibar and the coastal areas of Tanzania and Kenya.
How do you pronounce it?
jambo is pronounced /ˈʄɑ.ᵐbɔ/. The first of two syllables is stressed.
When do people say it?
In highly respectful situations involving seniors or people of authority, the term Shikamoo is used, which means "I hold your feet."
Did you know?
- While jambo is a common greeting for visitors, native speakers rarely use it to greet each other in daily life.
- The greeting shikamoo requires a specific response, marahaba, which translates to 'I accept your respect'.
- In many East African cultures, it is considered impolite to greet someone without first asking about their health or family.
Examples in context
- Jambo!Hi!This sentence shows how to use jambo as a simple greeting.Tatoeba #4201653 by daviddenboer, translation #2742244 by MTC
- Jambo, rafiki yangu!Hi, my friend!
Example conversation
Two neighbors meet on a sunny street.
- JumaJambo, Fatuma!Hi, Fatuma!
- FatumaJambo, Juma!Hi, Juma!
- JumaHabari za asubuhi?How is the morning?
- FatumaNzuri sana, asante.Very good, thanks.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hi” translations and entries jambo, salaam, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
