| About Kenya |
Kenya is a country with more than 32 tribes all speaking different languages.
In Kenya the common language used by all the tribes to communicate with each other
Is Swahili.
In you stay in Kenya you will hear some common words like Jambo
If you make a little effort you will learn a few of them your safari in Kenya will be a lot more fun.
This will earn you a lot of appreciation and you will be glad that you did it.. |
| In Swahili, safari means "journey". Msafiri means one who goes on a journey |
| The are two ways of starting a greeting. One is just to say ' Jambo '( standing for "matters ") and the other term is to say "Habari" ( meaning "News") Both of them are applied in the same way as "hi" in English despite the meaning. |
| Habari Bwana - Hello, Sir |
| Habari Bibi - Hello, Madame |
| Hello - Habari |
| I am fine - Nzuri |
| Thank you - Asante |
| Good Bye - Kwaheri |
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| Here are the replies: |
| Nzuri , I am fine |
| Habari gani - How are you |
| Habari Yako, Bwana - Hello, Sir, what are your news |
| Nzuri tu - Just fine |
| Nzuri sana - Very fine |
| Jambo greetings change according to number and person. |
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| Hujambo,bwana - Hello, Sir |
| Sijambo, bibi - I am fine, Madam |
| Hamjambo, Mabwana - Hello, gentlemen |
| Hatujambo, bibi - We are fine, madam |
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Bibi is a term of respect used to address women.
Mama is a term of great respect and is usually used to address older women.
Bwana is a term of respect for men, meaning "sir" or "mister".
Mzee means "elder" or "senior".
Rafiki means "friend" |
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