Are you planning a trip to East Africa? Or just interested in learning Swahili?
Swahili is spoken in more than 14 countries: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Somalia, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Comoros, and as far as Oman and Yemen in the Middle East.
We have put together a list of basic Swahili words and phrases to know that will be very helpful for travelling to Eastern Africa.
Practice a few phrases before you go, download and print-out with you. A little effort speaking the local language goes a long way and will be well received.
Pleasantries
Hello = Jambo
Friend = Rafiki
How are you? = Habari?
Very well = Mzuri sana
And you? = Na wewe?
Where are you from? = Unatoka wapi?
I’m from… = Natoka…
Good bye = Kwaheri
Yes = Ndiyo
No = Hapana
I = Mimi
You = Wewe
Excuse me = Samahani
Please = Tafadhali
Thank you (very much) = Asante (sana)
Okay = Sawa sawa
No problem = Hakuna matata
There is = Kuna
There is not = Hakuna
What? = Nini?
When? = Lini?
Where? = Wapi?
Which? = Ipi?
Who? = Nani?
Why? = Kwa nini?
How do you say? = Unasemaje?
I don’t know = Sijui
I don’t understand = Sielewi
Sir (polite) = Bwana
Transport & Travel
Car = Gari
Bicycle = Baiskeli
Motorbike = Pikipiki
Train = Gari la moshi
Boat = Mashua
Aeroplane = Ndege [Eropleni]
Petrol = Petroli
Mechanic = Fundi
Road = Barabara
River = Mto
Lake = Ziwa
Hill = Kilima
Valley = Bonde
Tent = Hema
Camp = Kambi
Room = Chumba
Shopping
Shop = Duka
Money = Pesa
How much/many? = Ngapi?
(Too) expensive = Ghali (sana)
I’m just looking = Mimi na angalia tu
I don’t want = Sitaki
Numbers
0 = Sifuri
1/4 = Robo
1/2 = Nusu
1 = Moja
2 = Mbili
3 = Tatu
4 = Nne
5 = Tano
6 = Sita
7 = Saba
8 = Nane
9 = Tisa
10 = Kumi
11 = Kumi na moja
20 = Ishirini
30 = Thelathini
40 = Arobaini
50 = Hamsini
60 = Sitini
70 = Sabini
80 = Themanini
90 = Tisini
100 = Mia
101 = Mia na moja
200 = Mia mbili
1000 = Elfu moja
Emergency
Danger! = Hatari!
Help! = Nisaidia!
Call the police = Ita polisi
Fetch a doctor = Ita daktari
Chemist = Duka la dawa
Stop thief! = Mwizi!
Telephone = Simu
Food
I am hungry = Nina njaa
I am thirsty = Nina kiu
Food = Chakula
Tin can = Kopo
Beef = Ng’ombei
Bread = Mkate
Chicken = Kuku
Eggs = Mayai
Fish = Samaki
Flour = Unga
Fruit = Matunda
Ice = Barafu
Meat = Nyama
Rice = Wali
Salt = Chumvi
Vegetables = Mboga
Water = Maji
Hot (spicey food) = Kali
Coffee = Kahawa
Tea = Chai
with/without = na/bila
milk/sugar = maziwa/sukari
I’d like a cold beer = Tafadhali nataka bia [pombe] baridi
Useful Words and Phrases
Where are the toilets? = Wapi choo?
Good = Mzuri
Bad = Mbaya
Quick = Upesi
Slow = Pole pole
Hot (object) = Moto
Hot (spicey food) = Kali
Cold = Baridi
Big = Kubwa
Small = Kidogo
Open = Fungua
Closed = Funga
Empty = Tupu
Full = Kujaa
Very = Sana
Absolutely = Kabisa
Days of the Week
Sunday = Jumapili
Monday = Jumatatu
Tuesday = Jumanne
Wednesday = Jumatano
Thursday = Alhamisi
Friday = Ijumaa
Saturday = Jumamosi
Today = Leo
Tonight = Usiku
Tomorrow = Kesho
Yesterday = Jana
Morning = Asubuhi
Afternoon = Alasiri
Evening = Jioni
Night = Usiku
Daytime = Mchana
Now = Sasa
Not yet = Bado
Soon = Sasa hivi
