How to say hello in Swahili, Luo, Kikuyu and Sheng
The first minute of a call home is mostly greetings. Getting them right tells the person on the other end that you made an effort, and in most Kenyan families that matters more than a perfect sentence afterwards. Here are the four phrases that carry a call from hello to goodbye in each language Weche covers: a hello, a question about how someone is, a thank you, and a way to hang up.
Swahili (Kiswahili)
Swahili greetings are a small exchange rather than a single word: a question, an answer, and often a second question about home and family.
Habari /ha-BA-ri/ hello (what news?)
Opens almost every conversation. The answer is usually "nzuri", good.
Shikamoo /shee-ka-MO-oh/ respectful greeting to an elder
Said first by the younger person. She answers "Marahaba".
Asante sana /a-SAN-teh SA-na/ thank you very much
For anything she does or sends, however small.
Kwaheri /kwa-HEH-ree/ goodbye
To end the call. To more than one person, "kwaherini".
Luo (Dholuo)
In Dholuo the greeting sets the pace of the whole call, and elders notice when it is hurried.
Misawa /mi-SA-wa/ hello
Take your time with it. A rushed greeting reads as rude.
Idhi nade? /ee-THEE NA-deh/ how are you?
Asked right after the greeting. "Adhi maber" means I am well.
Erokamano /eh-ro-ka-MA-no/ thank you
For her blessings, her advice, her food.
Oriti /oh-REE-tee/ goodbye
To end the call.
Kikuyu (Gikuyu)
Gikuyu opens with a greeting that is also a question about wellbeing, so it expects an answer.
Wîmwega /wee-MWEH-ga/ hello (are you well?)
A greeting and a blessing at once. Answer "Ĩĩ, ndĩ mwega".
Ũhoro waku? /oo-HO-ro WA-koo/ how are you? (your news?)
After the greeting, asking after her life.
Nĩ wega /nee WEH-ga/ thank you
For her blessings, her advice, her food.
Tigwo na wega /TEE-gwo na WEH-ga/ stay well (goodbye)
Said by the one leaving, or hanging up.
Sheng
Sheng is for friends and cousins, not for elders. Use it to sound like Nairobi, and switch to Swahili when a grandparent comes on the line.
Niaje /nee-AH-jeh/ hi, what's up
Casual. With an elder, switch to Swahili "Shikamoo".
Shosh /SHOSH/ grandmother
Affectionate, the way grandchildren talk about her.
Poa /POH-a/ fine, cool
The answer to "niaje?" or "sasa?".
Uko fiti? /OO-ko FEE-tee/ are you well?
Checking in. "Fiti" is from English "fit".
Say each greeting slowly, and let the other person answer before you move on. Weche gives the pronunciation of every word, and plays it aloud where a voice exists for the language.