labeka

Swahili

Etymology

Borrowed from Arabic لَبَّيْكَ (labbayka).

Pronunciation

• Audio (Kenya)

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Interjection

labeka!

1. answer given in response to being called

   Synonyms: abee, naam

   1. at your service
   2. yes sir, yes madam

References

• Eastman, Carol M. (1983) “Exclamations in Standard Swahili as Cultural Communication”, in Journal of African Languages and Linguistics‎^[1], volume 5, number 2, →DOI, page 162 of 157-180:

  When someone wants you to do something for him or her you may indicate willingness by saying labeka! or abee! Abee! is more general and has the sense of 'at your service'. Labeka! is the response used when a superior calls on you. It is a response often associated with women only - particularly as a polite response made by a woman who hears her name called.