SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/sw-karibu-welcome

A shopkeeper calls out 'Karibu!' as you walk past. What are they saying?

Welcome! Karibu invites you in.

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  1. Welcome ✔
  2. Goodbye
  3. Excuse me

Why: Karibu means welcome, and you will hear it in shops, homes and hotels. Answer with asante. 'Karibu ndani' means welcome inside, and karibu also answers 'asante', like 'you're welcome'.

Huh, didn't know that: When you visit a home, call 'Hodi!' at the door; the host answers 'Karibu!'

The dad joke
Every shop in Zanzibar said karibu. I've never felt so welcome while holding so little money.
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References

Answer: Welcome. Karibu means welcome, and you will hear it in shops, homes and hotels. Answer with asante. 'Karibu ndani' means welcome inside, and karibu also answers 'asante', like 'you're welcome'.

  1. Northwestern University, Elementary Swahili: Welcoming the Visitor nulib-oer.github.io/swahili/topics/welcoming-the-visitor
    Karibu welcome Asante thank you
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  2. University of Wisconsin-Madison LCTL Resources: Swahili Greetings wisc.pb.unizin.org/lctlresources/chapter/swahili-greetings
    Greeting/invitation to enter is karibu (welcome) or karibu ndani (welcome inside).
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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