asubuhi
/ɑ.suˈɓu.hi/
The Swahili word for morning is asubuhi.
asubuhi refers to the part of the day between dawn and midday.
Meaning: part of the day between dawn and midday (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
While asubuhi functions as a noun, it is frequently used as an adverbial of time without a preposition to express the meaning 'in the morning'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɑ.suˈɓu.hi/. The word has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 3rd syllable.
When do people say it?
Habari za asubuhi is a common formal way to greet someone in the morning. While it is a standard greeting, many people also use the informal Mambo to ask how things are throughout the day.
Did you know?
- The word asubuhi is a direct loanword from Arabic, derived from the word aṣ-ṣubḥ which specifically refers to the break of dawn.
- If you use the formal greeting Habari za asubuhi, you are literally asking for the 'news of the morning', which is a common way to inquire about someone's well-being.
- In Swahili culture, a greeting like Habari za asubuhi is often more than a formality and can be used to initiate a longer social exchange before discussing business.
Examples in context
- Habari za asubuhi watu!Good morning, people!This sentence shows how to use asubuhi in a greeting.Tatoeba #8998955 by Nyambura, translation #9014280 by liztrigger
- Ujumbe huu uliletewa asubuhi.This came for you this morning.This sentence demonstrates using asubuhi to indicate when something happened.Tatoeba #10855935 by ecorralest101, translation #3096383 by CK
- Nitakuwepo hapa asubuhi yote.I'm going to be here all morning.This sentence shows how to use asubuhi to describe a duration of time.Tatoeba #10889094 by ecorralest101, translation #6663178 by CK
- Habari ya asubuhi, rafiki yangu!Good morning, my friend!
- Mambo, asubuhi njema!What's up, good morning!
- Nzuri sana, asubuhi njema!Very well, good morning!
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zuwena and Bakari are talking at a bus stop.
- ZuwenaHabari za asubuhi, Bakari.Good morning, Bakari.
- BakariNjema, Zuwena. Unaenda wapi leo?Fine, Zuwena. Where are you going today?
- ZuwenaNinaenda kazini asubuhi hii.I am going to work this morning.
- BakariSawa, nenda salama.Okay, go safely.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “morning” translations and entries asubuhi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries asubuhi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
