This website uses cookies.We use cookies to analyze our traffic, enhance our website’s functionality and performance and better experience for our users. If you require more information, please view our Cookie Policy.

mobile-logo
  • Safaris
    • Safaris
    • 2023 Safaris
    • 2024 Safaris
    • Exclusive Vacation Packages
    • Specials
    • Get a Quote
  • Destinations
    • Destinations
    • Botswana
    • Egypt
    • Jordan
    • Kenya
    • Mauritius
    • Mozambique
    • Namibia
    • Rwanda
    • Seychelles
    • South Africa
    • Tanzania and Zanzibar
    • Zambia
    • Zimbabwe & Victoria Falls
  • Experiences
    • Experiences
    • Adventure
    • Autumn Joi & Lorenzo Ice-Tea Thomas
    • Celebration Travel
    • Cruises
    • Culture
    • Family Travel
    • Food & Wine
    • Group Travel
    • Honeymoon
    • Platinum Itineraries
    • Single Room Specials
    • Trains
  • logo
  • What to Expect
    • What To Expect
    • A Day on Safari in South Africa
    • A Day on Safari in East Africa
    • Documents & Downloads
    • FAQ - Know Before You Go
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Travel Restrictions
    • How to Pack for Your Safari
  • Community
    • Community
    • MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Safari Blog
    • Sundowners with Lucille
    • Traveler Reviews
  • About
    • About
    • About Us
    • Animal Welfare Policy
    • Awards & Accolades
    • Lion World Cares
    • Meet the Team
    • TTC Loyalty
    • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
  • Travel Alert
  • Contact Us
  • Safaris
    • Safaris
    • 2023 Safaris
    • 2024 Safaris
    • Exclusive Vacation Packages
    • Specials
    • Get a Quote
  • Destinations
    • Destinations
    • Botswana
    • Egypt
    • Jordan
    • Kenya
    • Mauritius
    • Mozambique
    • Namibia
    • Rwanda
    • Seychelles
    • South Africa
    • Tanzania and Zanzibar
    • Zambia
    • Zimbabwe & Victoria Falls
  • Experiences
    • Experiences
    • Adventure
    • Autumn Joi & Lorenzo Ice-Tea Thomas
    • Celebration Travel
    • Cruises
    • Culture
    • Family Travel
    • Food & Wine
    • Group Travel
    • Honeymoon
    • Platinum Itineraries
    • Single Room Specials
    • Trains
  • logo
  • What to Expect
    • What To Expect
    • A Day on Safari in South Africa
    • A Day on Safari in East Africa
    • Documents & Downloads
    • FAQ - Know Before You Go
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Travel Restrictions
    • How to Pack for Your Safari
  • Community
    • Community
    • MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Safari Blog
    • Sundowners with Lucille
    • Traveler Reviews
  • About
    • About
    • About Us
    • Animal Welfare Policy
    • Awards & Accolades
    • Lion World Cares
    • Meet the Team
    • TTC Loyalty
    • Contact Us

Call Today!:1-800-387-2706

An African Languages Lesson for World Hello Day

November 21, 2020

By Sara Verk

Can you say HELLO in a few different languages? Can you say hello in any African languages? Saying hello is a common practice when we meet people. Be the first to say hello!

Saying Hello in Africa - photo by Vicki Pittman

Jambo! World Hello Day is observed on November 21. On this day we are encouraged to express the importance of personal communication in preserving world peace. World Hello Day was first created in 1973 in order to show people, especially the people of the Middle East that conflicts can and should be resolved through communication and not violence. The idea is that clear, honest communication breeds peace.

Thornybush

Molo - photo by Thornybush

Africa is home to the highest linguistic diversity in the world with over 1,500 different languages. Even though the continent has a wide range of languages, the principal languages found across all 54 countries include Arabic, French and English. The top 10 languages spoken on the continent, besides English and Arabic are Swahili, Amharic, Yoruba, Oromo, Hausa, Igbo, isiZulu, Shona, Portuguese and French.

Matetsi

Sawubona - photo by Matetsi

 

Part of the delight of international travel is experiencing another country's culture, and the best way to do that is to interact with the local people. A few words or phrases go a long way, and the best place to start is at the beginning, with "hello."

Belmond Botswana

Dumela - photo by Belmond Botswana

 

Here is how to say hello in several African languages (some of which may be repeated from one country to the next).
Botswana – Setswana: Dumela mma (hello to a woman), Dumela rra (hello to a man)
Kenya – Swahili: Jambo
Lesotho – Sesotho: Lumela
Mozambique – Portuguese: Olá
Rwanda
French: Bonjour (along with many other countries in Africa)
Kinyarwanda: Muraho
South Africa
Zulu: Sawubona
Xhosa: Molo
Afrikaans: Hallo
English: Hello
Tanzania – Swahili: Jambo
Zimbabwe
Shona: Mhoro
Ndebele: Sawubona

Rekeko Camp

Jambo - photo by Rekeko Camp

 

However, you say hello, may you do it with a smile!

Your Peace Of Mind

peace-of-mind-logo
To learn more visit ttc.com/comfort

Safaris

  • All African Safaris
  • Exclusive Vacation Packages
  • Experiences in Africa
  • Day Tours in South Africa
  • Get a Quote

What to Expect

  • A Day on Safari in South Africa
  • A Day on Safari in East Africa
  • FAQs - Know Before You Go
  • Traveler Reviews

Help

  • Cookie Policy
  • Covid Privacy Notice
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Travel Alert
  • Travel Restrictions

About

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Lion World Cares
Newsletter
1-800-387-2706
Call Now

#LIONWORLDTALES

#LIONWORLDTALES

Subscribe to
our Newsletter
Subscribe to our Newsletter
 
Subscribe
SUBSCRIBE

Find your Safari

African Safaris Exclusive Vacation Packages Safari Experiences Request a Safari Quote

What to Expect

Your Travel Well Being View Brochure FAQ-Know Before You Go A Day On Safari Travel Restrictions Terms & Conditions

Community 

Newsletter Signup #Lionworldtales Contest Traveler Reviews Safari Blog MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Animal Welfare Policy

About

About Us Lion World Cares TTC Loyalty Contact Us Privacy Policy Covid Privacy Notice Cookie Policy Do Not Sell My Personal Information

Exclusive Vacation Packages

Celebration Travel

Agent Login

↑ top
© 2023 Lion World Travel Ltd. part of the Travel Corporation family of brands

© 2023 Lion World Travel. All Rights Reserved.
Use of this website constitutes acceptance of Lion World Travel’s Privacy Policy.
TICO #1004818 and #1031815