Learn Swahili
English is an official language of both Kenya and Tanzania and is understood by most people you will encounter. If you say it in Swahili, however, you may get special results.
Here is a simple guide to pronunciation of words in Swahili: a as in father, e as in bed, i as in tin, o as in or, u as in truth.
Helpful Words and Phrases
General
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Hello!
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Jambo!
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How are you?
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Habari?
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Good, fine, very well
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Nzuri
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Bad
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Mbaya
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Thank you (very much)
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Asante (sana)
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Please
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Tafadhali
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Good-bye
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Kwaheri
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Welcome!/Nearby
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Karibu
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Danger
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Hatari
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Friend
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Rafiki
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Sorry
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Samahimi, Pole
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Excuse me, please
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Nisamehe Samahani
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On Buying
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How much?
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Bei gani?
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Very Expensive
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Ghali (sana)
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Shilling(s)
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Shillingi
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Discount
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Duka
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Money
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Fedha (Pesa)
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Family Words
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Man (men)
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Mwanaume (Wanaume)
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Woman (women)
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Mwanamke (Wanawake)
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Child (children)
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Mtoto (Watoto)
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Old man/men Woman/women
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Mzee (Wazee)
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Girl(s)
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Msichana (Wasichana)
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Boy(s)
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Kijana (Vijana)
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Days of the Week
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Sunday
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Jumapili
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Monday
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Jumatatu
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Tuesday
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Jumanne
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Wednesday
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Jumatano
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Thursday
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Alhamisi
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Friday
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Ijumaa
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Saturday
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Jumamosi
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Numbers
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One
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Moji
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Two
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Mbili
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Three
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Tatu
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Four
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Nne
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Five
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Tano
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Six
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Sita
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Seven
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Saba
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Eight
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Nane
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Nine
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Tisa
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Ten
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Kumi
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Half
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Nusu
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Time
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Is it time?
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Saa ngapi
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Now
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Sasa
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Minute
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Dakika
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Morning
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Asubuhi
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Evening
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Jioni
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Afternoon
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Alasiri
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Today
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Leo
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Yesterday
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Jana
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Tomorrow
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Kesho
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Hour
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Saa
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Night
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Usiku
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Day
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Siku
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Everyday Words
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Post Office
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Posta
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Bank
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Benki
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Hotel
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Hoteli
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Freedom
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Uhuru
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Let’s all pull together
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Harambee
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Teacher(s)
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Mwalimu (Waalimu)
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Countryman (men)
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Mwananchi (Wnanume)
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Citizen(s)
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Wananhi
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Garden (farm)
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Bustani (shamba)
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Where?
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Wapi?
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Why?
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Kwa nini?
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When?
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Lini?
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How?
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Vipi?
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Self reliance
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Kujitegemea
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Bars and Restaurants
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A lot, plenty
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Nyingi
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Another/more
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Ingine
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Beer
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Pombe
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Bread
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Mkate
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Butter
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Siagi
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Coffee
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Kahawa
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Egg(s)
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Yai (Mayai)
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Enough
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Basi/Inatosha
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Fish
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Samaki
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Food
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Chakula
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Fruit(s)
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Tunda (Matunda)
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Ice/Cold
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Barafa/Baridi
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Meat
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Nyama
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Milk
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Maziwa
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Onion
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Kitunguu
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Potato(es)
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Kiazi (Viazi)
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Rice (cooked rice)
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Mchele (Wali)
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Sugar
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Sukari
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Sweets
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Peremenda
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Sweet
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Tamu
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Tea
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Chai
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Vegetables
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Mboga
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Warm, hot, fire
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Moto
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Water
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Maji
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Game Animals
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Leopard(s)
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Chui
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Rhinoceros
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Kifaru (Vifaru)
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Buffalo(s)
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Nyati
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Lion(s)
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Simba
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Elephant(s)
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Tembo, Ndovu
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Cheetah
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Duma
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Baboon, monkey
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Nyani
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Chimpanzee, apes
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Sokwe
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Zebra
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Punda Milia
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Giraffe
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Twiga
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Impala
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Swala
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Swala
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Fisi
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Wart Hog
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Ngiri
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Boar
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Nguruwe Mwitu
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Hippo(s)
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Kiboko (Viboko)
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