sabalkheri
sah-bah-LKHEH-ree
How to say it
Swahilisabalkherisah-bah-LKHEH-ree
Englishgood morning (formal greeting)
Frenchbonjour (le matin, formule polie)
Meaning
A polite greeting used in the morning, taken from Arabic and heard most on the coast and among older people.
Good to know
The reply is the same word, sabalkheri. It is more formal than habari za asubuhi; its evening pair is masalkheri.
Examples
- Sabalkheri mzee, umeamkaje leo?Good morning, sir, how did you wake up today?
- Aliingia ofisini akasema sabalkheri kwa wote.He came into the office and said good morning to everyone.
- Bibi alitujibu sabalkheri kwa tabasamu.Grandmother answered our good morning with a smile.
The same word in
Forms
Not yet checked by a native speaker.