Jambo is a Swahili greeting or salutation that is similar to the English word “hello”, or “how are you.”

In Swahili, jambo means:

1. Habari inayoongelewa au kujadiliwa. (Information that is spoken or discussed.)

Example

Nina Jambo fulani nataka kukuambia. (I have something I want to tell you.)

2. Tukio zuri au baya. (A good or bad event.)

Example

Usiwafanyie tena wenzio jambo kama hilo.( Don’t do that to your partner again.)

Jambo Swahili greetings

Here is how to greet someone with jambo

Jambo: A general greeting meaning “how are you”.

Jambo is pronounced as: JAHM-boh.

Example

Jambo bwana (How are you sir or hello sir).

Answer: Sijambo: (see-JAHM-boh) (I’m alright, no worries)

Hujambo: Meaning: How are you?

Pronunciation: Hoo-JAHM-boh

Example

Hujambo rafiki? (How are you, friend?)

Answer: Sijambo, nzuri tu! Nawewe? (I’m fine, just good! And you?)

Other greetings related to jambo in Swahili are:

Habari: (ha-BAH-ree) This is the most common greeting in Swahili.

Example

Habari yako? (How are you?)

Answer: Nzuri: (nZOO-ree) (Fine, good.)

U hali gani? (oo HA-lee GA-nee) More formal, like “how are you doing?”

Example

U hali gani leo? (How are you doing today?)

Answer: Njema: (NJEH-ma) (Good, well.)