Zikomo
/zíˈko.mo/
The Chichewa word for welcome is Zikomo.
Zikomo is a greeting used when someone arrives.
Meaning: greeting given upon someone's arrival (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /zíˈko.mo/.
Did you know?
- While 'Zikomo' is used to welcome and greet people, its primary meaning is actually 'thank you'.
- Because Zikomo functions as both 'thank you' and 'welcome', a conversation between two people can consist entirely of the word Zikomo repeated back and forth.
- In some Malawian social settings, responding to a greeting like 'Zikomo' involves a specific level of bowing or acknowledging the speaker's seniority.
Examples in context
- Zikomo polowa m'nyumba mwathu.Welcome to our home.
Example conversation
Lumbani welcomes Kondwani to her home.
- LumbaniZikomo, Kondwani! Bwerezani m'nyumba.Welcome, Kondwani! Come into the house.
- KondwaniZikomo kwambiri, Lumbani.Thank you very much, Lumbani.
- LumbaniKukhala bwino pakhomo paka.Make yourself at home.
- KondwaniNdine wokondwa kukhala pano.I am happy to be here.
Sources
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry zikomo.
