While it is impossible to cover all African languages in a single article, we aim to provide a glimpse into the diversity and beauty of greetings in a selection of languages.
In this article, we embark on a linguistic journey to explore how "hello" is expressed across a selection of African languages.
Language | Hello in different languages |
Dholuo | Nang’o |
Kikuyu | Úhoro |
Maasai | Supa (an elder greeting a young boy/girl), Yieyio takwenya (greeting an old lady) |
Shona | mhoro |
Ndebele | sawubona/salibonani |
Runyankole | Agaandi |
Bemba | mwapoleni |
Acholi | Jal lok ngo ma tye |
Sukuma | Ulimola |
Nyiha | upozile |
Chaga | Nikja |
Suba | Igake.Response: Vuroothu/Vuya/Igano. |
Gogo | Hujambo |
Jita | ulimuhanga |
Ngoni | Hujambo |
Nyamwezi | Ulimola |
Haya | Waguma |
Pare | Urewedi |
Tugen | Chamngee |
Makua | Haleke nihuku njema |
Hehe | Unogage |
Kimeru/Kirwa | Naare/ kwiifo kisha |
Kimaragoli | Milembe |
Kitharaka | Nata |
Abatiriki | Ndina |
Olutsotso | Orie |
Luganda | Abeyo |
Kerewe | Ulimzima |
Ekegusii | Naki |
Giriama | Vidze |
Kamba | Ûvoo waku |
Kipsigis | Chamgei |
Silozi | Yeela!/Lumela |
Setwana | Dumelang/Dumela/Eitah/Ola |
Swahili | Habari |