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Greeting people is considered very
important in Tanzania culture. So the first thing we learnt in
Swahili was how to greet someone.... and then the next day we were
taught another phrase... and then the next day another one... and it
keeps going. Just when you think you've got them all down, someone
comes by and greets you in a new way. It wouldn't surprise me if by
the end of the internship I knew a greeting for each day I had been
here.
So I thought I'd share some of the ones
we learnt so far (anyone who actually knows Swahili please excuse my
creative spelling).
| Greeting | Meaning | Appropriate Response | Meaning |
| Habari (Habari gani) | How are you? | Nzuri | Good |
| Habari + (work, weekend, bus ride, or anything else you want to ask about) | This one constantly confuses us because you never know what someone is tacking on to the end of it | So we just say "Nzuri" | “ |
| Jambo | Hello | Jambo | (same) |
| Mambo (not sure on the spelling on this one) | How are you? | Poa or Safi | Fine or okay |
| Shikamoo | Also how are you but more respectful... We were told to use it with people older than us | Nzuri | |
| Za asubuhi | Good Morning | Salaama | Peaceful |
| Memkadja |
How did you get up? which you only use with people you know | Salaama...this one apparently you don't ever use nzuri for (not sure why that is but you don't) | Peaceful |
| Asubuhi Njema Mchana Mwema Jioni Njema Usiku Mwema |
Good Morning Good Afternoon Good Evening Good Night |
(usually you just say this back to people) and you can add na pia (and you) or you say Asante |
Also everyone says “Karibu” or "Welcome" almost every time you enter anywhere. This includes the
guards at our building which welcome us every night and our office
mates who welcome us everyday.
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