I am realizing there is a problem with my Swahili: it’s too cool. Niko juu tu sana (literally: I’m just too high up). It’s probably something that most Kenyan youths experience when talking to parents, teachers, or other adults in their lives. When I was living in Tala my limited interactions with adults — like in the market — were usually conducted in English or Kikamba. Now that I’ve moved to Nairobi I am constantly around adults, and they know I understand Swahili so we use that to exchange friendly banter. Here are a list of phrases someone can inquire of you at various time of the day:
- Umeamkaje? (how did you wake up?)
- Habari yako? (how are you?)
- Mambo vipi? (how are your issues?)
- Niaje? (how is it?)
- Niambie (tell me)
- Sema (literally: “say” or “speak”)
- Sasa? (literally: “now”)