"How are you students?"
Translation:Hamjambo wanafunzi?
9 CommentsThis discussion is locked.
I heard that a lot of Swahili words are made up of other parts, maybe I missed it, but how would you break up "Hamjambo"?
If I understand it correctly, ham- is the negative prefix for the 2nd person plural. (Or it's an abbreviation of hamna 'you do not have'.) When you add that to -jambo 'thing, matter, affair' what you're asking is something like "Is nothing wrong?" https://forum.duolingo.com/comment/21139696
Yes, it is an abbreviation of hamna. On a verb, ham- is the second person plural prefix, but jambo is a noun.
So in essence, "habari ya/za...", is a polite way in Swahili of someone enquiring about your business; AKA being nosey.
Asking how someone is would definitely not be considered being nosey.
It is being respectful and that is very important in Swahili culture
Would"Umeshindaje wanafunzi," be an acceptable answer in this case?
