Swahili · Greetings & Phrases
habari
News; how are you?
Beginnernoun
Definition
Literally news; habari yako asks how you are, answered with nzuri.
Example
Habari ya asubuhi? — Nzuri sana.
How is your morning? — Very good.
Etymology
'Habari' comes from the Kiswahili word for 'news' or 'information', derived from the Arabic 'خبر' (khabar), indicating its historical exchange of knowledge and communication.
How & Where It’s Used
It is often used in both formal and informal settings as a greeting, functioning as a way to ask about someone's well-being. Regional variations exist, but it is widely recognized across Swahili-speaking regions.