Learn Swahili
Useful Phrases:
| Sisemi kiswahili | I don’t speak Swahili |
| Sifahamu/Sielewi | I don’t understand |
| Sema pole pole | Speak slowly |
| sijui | I don’t know |
| Nataka kushuka hapa | I want to get off here |
| Naenda | I’m going to |
| Twende | Let’s go (carry on, etc.) |
| Moja kwa moja | straight ahead |
Common Words:
| ndiyo | yes |
| hapana | no |
| asante sana | thank you |
| rafiki | friend |
| mimi | me |
| wewe | you |
| sababu | because |
| hapa | here |
| sasa | now |
| juu | up |
| chini | down |
| yangu | It is mine. |
| tafadhali | please |
| bana | man |
| mama | woman |
| mtoto/watoto | child/chlidren |
| leo | today |
| kesho | tommorrow |
| safari | journey |
| uhuru | freedom |
| nataka | I want |
| sitaki | I don’t want |
| mlima | mountain |
| hakuna matata | no problem |
Days, Numbers, Animals
Days Of The Week:
| Jumatatu | Monday |
| Jumanne | Tuesday |
| Jumatano | Wednesday |
| Alhamisi | Thursday |
| Ijumaa | Friday |
| Jumamosi | Saturday |
| Jumapili | Sunday |
Numbers 1 To 10:
| moja | one |
| mbili | two |
| tatu | three |
| nne | four |
| tano | five |
| sita | six |
| saba | seven |
| nane | eight |
| tisa | nine |
| kumi | ten |
Animal Names:
| simba | lion |
| tembo | elephant |
| kifaru | rhinoceros |
| chui | leopard |
| kiboko | hippopotamus |
| nyati | buffalo |
| twiga | giraffe |
| punda milia | zebra |
| fisi | hyena |
| swara | antelope |
| sungura | hare |
| mamba | crocodile |
| bwhea | jackal |
| ng’ombe | cattle |
| mbuzi | goat |
| nyoka | snake |
Common Questions:
| Bei gani? | How much does this cost? |
| ghali sana | expensive |
| pugunza bei kidogo | come down a little (in price) |
| rahisi | cheap |
| Nani? | Who? |
| Nini? | What? |
| Kwa nini? | Why? |
| Lini? | When? |
| Wapi? | Where? |
| Gani? | Which |
| Naweza kukaa wapi? | Where can I stay? |
| Naweza kukaa hapa? | Can I stay here? |
| Inaondoka lini? | When does it leave? |
| Tutafika lini? | When will we arrive? |
| Naenda wapi? | Where are you going? |
| Sema tena? | Could you repeat that? |
| Choo ni wapi? | Where is the bathroom? |
Greetings:
| Jambo | Hello |
| Habari gani? | How are you? |
| Nzuri sana | I’m fine, Thank you. |
| Jina lako nani? | What is your name? |
| Jina Lango ni | My name is …… |
| karibu | welcome |
| kwaheri | good bye |
