Africa’s top 10 languages
Africa’s top 10 languages
Swahili
Hello – “Hujambo,” but if you’re greeting elders or people older than you, say “Habari,” which also means “Good morning.”
How are you? – “Habari gani”
I am fine – “Nzuri”
Thank you – “Asante,” and “Thank you very much” is “Asante sana.”
Hausa
Hello – “Sannu” or “Salama alaikum.”
How are you? – “Kana lahiya?” when asking men and “Kina lahiya” when asking women.
I am fine – “Lafiya.”
Thank you – “Na gode.”
Amharic
Hello – “Selam” or “Iwi selami newi.”
How are you? – “Inidēti nehi?” or “tenastalign?”
I am fine – “Dehina nenyi.”
Thank you – “Ameseginalehu.”
Oromo
Hello – “Akkam” or “Attam”
How are you? – “Akkam jirtuu?”
Thank you – “Galatoomi.”
Yoruba
Hello – “Ẹ nlẹ o” for a general greeting; however, when greeting elders, the general greeting is “E nle ma” for women and “E nle sir” for men.
How are you? – “Ṣe daadaa ni o wa?” or “Bawo ni o se wa?”
Thank you – “E dupe” or “O se” or “E se.”
Zulu
Hello – “Sawubona” when greeting one person and “Sanibonani” when greeting two or more people.
How are you? – “Unjani?” but when asking elders, you say “Ninjani?”
I am fine – “Ngiyaphila”
Thank you – “Ngiyabonga.”
Shona
Hello – “Kanjan” or “Mhoro.”
How are you? – “Wakadii?” or “Makadinizvako?”
I am fine – “Ndiripo.”
Thank you – “Tatenda.”
Igbo
Hello – “Kodi” for a general greeting. If you want to be more specific, say “Ibọlachi,” when saying “Good morning,” “Efife oma” when saying “good afternoon,” and “Mgbede ọma” when saying “good evening.”
How are you? – “Kedu ka idị?”
I am fine – “Ọdi mma.”
Thank you – “Dalu” or “Imela.”
French
The most populous francophone country in the world is the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where 40% of the total population can speak French.
Hello – “Salut” for an informal greeting and “Bonjour” for a formal greeting.
How are you? – “ça va?”
I am fine – “ça va bien.”
Thank you – “Merci.”
Portuguese
Hello – “Ola.”
How are you? – “Como esta?”
I am fine – “Estou bem obrigado.”
Thank you – “Obrigado.”
