We begin the Learn Kiswahili journey as a standard course, this includes exchanging the appropriate greetings and talking about daily activities and progress to an intermediate level with exercises and practical application.
LESSON ONE : MAAMKIZI/ GREETINGS
#CreatePreneurAfrica from the foothills of Kilimanjaro- Joseph Adelard Sarimbo
In Kiswahili we have two types of Greetings:
1: General Greetings.
2: Specific Greetings.
1: GENERAL GREETINGS
This is types of greetings which you can use at any time of the day, be it morning, afternoon, evening or night.
a) Scene One : Let’s launch into greetings between two people ( Joni and Maria), that meet each other
Joni: Habari za leo? How are you today?
An alternative is Habari Gani? How are things?
Maria: Nzuri sana , hujambo? Very Good , how are you?
Joni: Sijambo , Asante I am fine, thanksMaria : Haya, Kwa heri Ok, Goodbye
Joni : Asante, Kwa heri Thanks , Goodbye!
Vocabulary Habari news - zuri good Hujambo How are you? Sijambo I am fine Asante Thank you Jambo Matter /problem
Scene Two : Baraka meets Maria
Baraka: Habari gani ndugu? How are you friend.
Maria: Nzuri, hujambo? Am good, how are you?
Baraka: Sijambo I am fine
Vocabulary: Ndugu : relative, friend, comrade
More Greetings………….
Habari za saa hizi? How are you this time?
Nzuri , hujambo? Good , how are you?
Sijambo I am fine.Salama? Are you fine?
Salama Fine
Mzima? Mzima
U hali gani? How are you? Whats your condition
Umelalaje? How have you slept
Umeamkaje? How did you wake up?
Mzima /Salama/Safi
Youth Greetings
Mambo vipi? How are you?
Poa cool/ fine
Greetings from young to elders
This greeting is used from young person to adult as respect.
Shikamoo I respect you
Marahaba I accept your respect.
You can mention the title of a person. For example, Shikamoo mama, Shikamoo baba, Shikamoo kaka etc
Part One of Greeting! Taking it step by step..Part Two of Kiswahili greetingS
SPECIFIC GREETINGS
This is types of Greetings which are used at a specific time. Example: Asubuhi, Mchana, Jioni or Usiku
Morning Greetings - Joni: Habari za asubuhi? How are you this morning? Maria: Nzuri, hujambo? Am good , how are you? Joni: sijambo sana Am very fine. Asubuhi - Morning
Afternoon greetings: Joni: Habari za mchana? How are you this afternoon? Maria: Nzuri sana. Hujambo? I am very fine. How are you? Joni: Sijambo dada Am fine sister.
Evening Greetings Maria: habari za jioni? How are you this evening? Joni: nzuri dada, hujambo? Am fine sister, hows you? Maria: Sijambo kabisa I am absolutely fine
Night Greetings Maria:Habari za usiku ndugu? How are you this night friend? Joni: nzuri, hujambo? Am good , How are you? Maria : sijambo rafiki I am good friend.
Vocabulary Jioni : Evening Usiku: Night Rafiki : Friend
Other Greetings
Umeshindaje? How are you conquer your day
Salama Well/good
Uko poa? Are you fine?
Nipo poa I am fine
KUJITAMBULISHA/ SELF INTRODUCTION Before we go to self introduction lets see personal pronouns in Swahili: we have six personal pronouns in Swahili. MIMI I, ME WEWE YOU YEYE HE/SHE SISI WE/US NINYI YOU (Plr) WAO THEY/THEM
Subject prefix MIMI NI WEWE U YEYE A SISI TU NINYI M(U) WAO WA
Amani: Jina langu ni Amani My name is Amani. Na wewe je? And what about you? Joseph: Jina langu ni Joseph My name is Joseph. Amani: Umetoka nchi gani? Which country are you from? Joseph: Nimetoka marekani I am from USA. Amani: Nimefurahi kukutana na wewe I am happy to meet you. Joseph: asante ndugu Thank you friend
Vocabulary: Jina Name -angu my Kutoka To come out of Nchi Country Gani? What kind/ which Kufurahi to glad / to be happy Kukutana to meet Kuitwa to be called Nani who -ako your
Joseph: Naitwa Joseph I am called Joseph. Wewe waitwa nani? Who are you called? (Whats your name?) Amani: Naitwa Amani I am called Amani. Joseph: Umetoka nchi gani? Which country are you from? Amani: Nimetoka Uingereza I am from England. Na wewe je? What about you? Joseph:Nimetoka Tanzania I am from Tanzania.
Jina lako nani? Whats your name? Jina langu ni Amani My name is Amani. Na wewe je? What about you? Jina langu ni Joseph My name is Joseph
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