馃嚢馃嚜 Swahili phrases

How to Say "How are you?" in Swahili

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Habari gani?
"How are you?" in Swahili 路 say it like hah-bah-ree gah-nee

The most natural way to say "How are you?" in Swahili is Habari gani?. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

Mambo vipi?
Used in casual settings among friends.
Niaje?
Very informal, often used among younger people.

When to use it

You can use this phrase when greeting someone to ask about their well-being. It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. It shows that you care about the other person's state.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "How are you?" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Swahili

SwahiliEnglish
Habari gani, rafiki yangu?How are you, my friend?
Habari gani leo?How are you today?
Common mistake
Some learners might confuse it with 'Habari', which is a more general greeting.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Habari gani?, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Swahili with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'Habari gani?' used in all regions of Tanzania?

Yes, it is widely understood and used across Tanzania.

Learn Swahili by speaking it

Two free conversations. No card needed.