Mambo definition 1
Literally 'things/affairs' in Swahili, used as a casual 'hi.' One says 'mambo?' and the other might reply 'poa' or 'freshi.'
"Mambo vipi? (How are things?) – Poa, poa."
Mambo definition 2
Informal 'hi' similar to saying 'things?' to check in.
"Mambo vipi bro?"
Mambo definition 3
Habari (What's up / greetings)
"Mambo vipi? (What's up?)"
Word Details
- Country
- 🇰🇪 Kenya
- Definitions
- 3 community definitions
- Added
- August 2025
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🇰🇪 About Kenya Slang
Kenyan slang is led by Sheng, a vibrant urban creole born in Nairobi's Eastlands that blends Swahili, English, and Kikuyu, spoken by millions of young Kenyans.
KASINARY has 2011 Kenya slang words collected from native speakers.
Browse all Kenya slang (2011 words)🌍 "Mambo" Across Africa
This word is also used in 6 other countries, sometimes with a different meaning.
Informal 'hi' similar to saying 'things?' to check in.
Keif el hal? (How are things? - from Swahili)
Borrowed from Swahili (through Tanzania), mambo means 'thing' or 'matter' – similar to cena
Assunto / situação (Matter / situation)
Mambo (What's up - from Swahili)
Koza/assuntu (Coisa/assunto) (Thing/matter)
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