Lugha ya kiswahili = (ki) swahili language
Kiswahili, or Swahili is most common language in East Africa. It is what I would really call the International Language, not that it is spoken around the world. But because it is made up from many languages of the world. Here are a few basic words and phrases you may want to know.. surprise your self... read more Swahili and you will find out you already know so much of it.
If its the first time you are visiting this page then please read on. If you have visited before and you just want to know vocabulary on specific subject then please click on the following link and go to 'Learners Index'.
The word 'Swahili' is derived from Arabic word 'Sawahil' which means, coastal area. In Swahili, our language is called 'Kiswahili' meaning 'of Swahili'. American English language when referred to in Swahili is called 'Kimarekani' meaning 'of America(ns)'
I was never good in Swahili / Kiswahili as far as grammar was concerned so what I am going to give you here is just the layman's language. That does not mean what I write is necessarily wrong, it only means that I cannot describe things in a grammatical way... hell I don't even know what the word 'noun' is in Swahili.
Pronunciation tips... Swahili is read and spoken just the same way as it is written, so Americans should find it much easier to read (especially those speaking Spanish)
The biggest difference in pronunciation lies in the way the vowels (a, e, i, o and u) are
pronounced in Swahili (very similar to Spanish)
(click on the vowel to hear Swahili pronunciation)
| A, a | ah | as in Africa |
| E, e | eh | as in Trey |
| I, i | ee | as in Miss |
| O, o | oh | as in Tone |
| U, u | uh | as in Flu |
Here it is in one go a, e, i, o, u /A,E,I,O,U
Most often sentence structure is very simple just as in basic English, so if you were translating word to word, and following the English structure the sentence would still remain correct in Swahili.
Lets start with very simple every day words and
phrases;
(click on the underlined word in Kiswahili to hear pronunciation)
| English | Kiswahili or Swahili | Pronunciation |
| How are you | Habari | Habaari |
| Fine | Nzuri | Nnzoori |
| How are you (how do you do) |
Hujambo | Hujaambo |
| I am fine | Sijambo | Sijaambo |
| Thank you | Ahsante | Asante |
| Sorry | Samahani | Samahaani |
| Friend | Rafiki | Rafeekee |
| My/mine | Yangu | Yangoo |
| Smile | Tabasamu | Tabasamoo |
| Laugh | Cheka | Chaka |
| Good | Nzuri (or) Vizuri | Nzoori (or) Vizoori |
| Bye | Kwaheri | Kwaheyree |
| Animals | Amphibians | Birds | Fish | Insects |
| Useful words and phrases | Body Parts | People | Proverbs | Important Places and Personnel |
| Fruits, vegetables, pulses and spices | See the Numbers | Listen to the Numbers from one to ten |
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Here are some words and phrases you might find rather useful, either as a tourist or just as a beginner. I have taken some of them from a book called 'Tourist Guide to Tanzania - by Gratian Luhikula' and published by 'Travel Promotion Services Ltd.'
| Hallo | Jambo | ||
| Good Morning | Habari za Asubuhi? | ||
| Good Afternoon | Habari za Mchana? | ||
| Good Evening | Habari za Jioni? | ||
| How are you? | Habari gani? | ||
| Very well / fine | Nzuri | ||
| Thank you (very much) | Ahsante (sana) | ||
| Welcome | Karibu | ||
| Please | Tafadhali | ||
| Sorry / Excuse me | Pole / Samahani, nisamehe | ||
| Do you speak Kiswahili? | Unazungumza Kiswahili?? | ||
| Yes (No) | Ndiyo (Hapana) | ||
| Just a little | Kidogo tu | ||
| What is your name? | Jina lako nani? | ||
| My name is _____ | Jina langu ni _____ | ||
| Meet my wife (husband) | Huyu ni mke (mume) wangu | ||
| Meet | MY Friend | Huyu ni | Rafiki YANGU |
| MY Teacher | Mwalimu WANGU | ||
| MY Driver | Dereva WANGU | ||
| MY Brother | Kaka YANGU | ||
| MY Sister | Dada YANGU | ||
| MY Uncle | Mjomba WANGU | ||
| Can you show me the | post office | Unaweza kunionyesha | posta |
| way | njia | ||
| bank | benki | ||
| hotel | hoteli | ||
| restaurant / café | mkahawa | ||
| church | kanisa | ||
| mosque | msikiti | ||
| way (of going) to the airport | njia ya kwenda uwanja wa ndege | ||
| school | shule / skuli | ||
| road (Rd.) | barabara (Br.) | ||
| street (St.) | mtaa (Mt.) | ||
| car | gari | ||
| room number | chumba nabari | ||
| toilet | msala / choo | ||
| Slowly | Polepole | ||
| Stop / Stand up | Simama | ||
| Let us (go) | Twende | ||
| Go | Nenda | ||
| Sit (down) | Kaa (chini) | ||
| Come (here) | Njoo (hapa) | ||
| Drive | Endesha | ||
| Rain | Mvua | ||
| Thunder | Radi | ||
| Wind | Upepo | ||
| Mud | Matope | ||
| Sun | Jua | ||
| Star | Nyota | ||
| Moon | Mwezi | ||
| Dark / darkness | Kiza / Giza | ||
| Cold | Baridi | ||
| Heat | Joto | ||
| Sea | Bahari | ||
| Sand | Mchanga | ||
| Burn (burning) | Choma (ungua) | ||
| Say (Talk) | Sema (zungumza) | ||
| Write | Andika | ||
| Letter | Barua | ||
| Envelope | Bahasha | ||
| Paper | Karatasi | ||
| Pen | Peni / Kalamu | ||
| River / Pillow | Mto | ||
| Lake | Ziwa | ||
| Plains | Mbuga | ||
| Forest | Msitu | ||
| Please give me | water | Tafadhali nipe | maji |
| milk | maziwa | ||
| egg / eggs | yai / mayai | ||
| tea | chai | ||
| coffee | kahawa | ||
| sugar | sukari | ||
| salt | chumvi | ||
| fruit / fruits | tunda / matunda | ||
| fish | samaki | ||
| pepper / chili | pilipili | ||
| chicken | kuku | ||
| onions | vitunguu(maji) | ||
| garlic (bulb) | kitunguu thomu | ||
| potato(es) | mbatata / kiazi (viazi) | ||
| rice (cooked rice) | mchele (wali) | ||
| spoon(s) | kijiko (vijiko) | ||
| fork | uma (nyuma) | ||
| knife (knives) | kisu (visu) | ||
| bread | mkate | ||
| butter | siagi | ||
| What time is it? | Saa ngapi? | ||
| At what time is | DINNER | CHAKULA CHA USIKU | kitakuwa saa ngapi? |
| LUNCH | CHAKULA CHA MCHANA | ||
| BREAKFAST | CHAKULA CHA ASUBUHI (or) KIFUNGUA KINYWA |
||
| When will you come again? | Utakuja lini tena? | ||
| I will come tomorrow | (in the) morning | Nitakuja kesho | asubuhi |
| (in the) after noon | mchana | ||
| (in the) evening | jioni | ||
| (at) night | usiku | ||
| later | baadae | ||
| today | leo | ||
| I will come on | Monday | Nitakuja | Jumatatu |
| Tuesday | Jumanne | ||
| Wednesday | Jumatano | ||
| Thursday | Alkhamisi | ||
| Friday | Ijumaa | ||
| Saturday | Jumamosi | ||
| Sunday | Jumapili | ||
| next week | juma lijalo / wiki ijayo | ||
| next month | mwezi ujao | ||
| next year | mwaka ujao | ||
| What do you drink? | Unakunywa nini? | ||
| I will have beer | Nitakunywa bia | ||
| Where are you going? | Unakwenda wapi? | ||
| I am going to | the shop | Ninakwenda | dukani |
| the market | sokoni / marikiti | ||
| Money | Pesa / Fedha | ||
| How much? | Bei gani? / kiasi gani? | ||
| How many? | Ngapi? | ||
| Expensive | Ghali | ||
| Cheap | Rahisi | ||
| Please give me discount | Tafadhali nipunguzie | ||
| May I see? | Naomba nione | ||
| Try (try on) | Jaribu | ||
| Put on | Vaa | ||
| Put off | Vua / Zima | ||
| Take off | Vua / Toa | ||
| Buy / Purchase | Nunua | ||
| Pay | Lipa | ||
| Choose | Chagua | ||
| Cash | Taslimu / keshi | ||
| Cheque | Hundi / cheki | ||
| Credit | Mkopo | ||
| Basket | Kikapu | ||
| Proverbs | Mithali | ||
| Let sleeping dogs lie | Usimuamshe alie lala | ||
| Haste makes waste | Haraka haraka haina baraka | ||
| Where there is a will, there is a way | Penye nia pana njia | ||
| Slow and steady wins the race | Polepole ni mwendo wa sawa | ||
| Have a good safari (journey / trip) | Safari njema | ||
| What is that animal? | Yule ni mnyama gani? | ||
| How far is the hotel? | Hoteli iko umbali gani? | ||
| How big is the Serengeti? | Serengeti ina ukubwa gani? | ||
| Where can I buy | fuel | Wapi ninaweza kununua | petroli |
| a tooth brush | mswaki | ||
| carving(s) | kinyago (vinyago) | ||
| shoes | viatu | ||
| cigarettes | sigara | ||
| a match box | kibiriti | ||
| Good night | Usiku mwema | ||
| Sleep well | Lala salama | ||
| I hope that now you can speak a little Kiswahili | Natumai sasa unaweza kuzungumza Kiswahili kidogo. |
Body |
Mwili |
External / Out side |
Nje |
Head |
Kichwa |
Hair |
Nwele |
Eye(s) |
Jucho (Macho) |
Eye brows |
Nyusi |
Eye lashes |
Kope |
Iris |
Kiini cha macho |
Ear(s) |
Sikio (Masikio) |
Nose |
Pua |
Mouth |
Mdomo |
Lips |
Midomo |
Tongue |
Ulimi |
Chin |
Kidevu |
Cheek(s) |
Shavu(Mashavu) / Chavu (Machavu) |
Neck |
Shingo |
Shoulder(s) |
Bega (Mabega) |
Arm(s) / Hand(s) |
Mkono (Mikono) |
Elbow(s) |
Kisugudi (Visugudi) |
Wrist(s) |
Kiganja (Viganja) |
Chest |
Kifua |
Breast(s) |
Ziwa (Maziwa) / Titi (Matiti) |
Nipple(s) |
Chuchu (Machuchu) |
Stomach / Belly |
Tumbo |
Navel |
Kitovu |
Back |
Mgongo |
Buttock(s) |
Tako (Matako) |
Anus / Buttocks |
Mkundu |
Thigh(s) |
Paja (Mapaja) |
Leg(s) / Foot (Feet) |
Mguu (Miguu) |
Knee(s) |
Goti (Magoti) |
Penis |
Mboo / Mboro / Ume / Dhakara |
Scrotum(s) / Balls |
Koro (makoro) / Korodani (makorodani) |
Vagina |
Kuma / Uke |
Clitoris |
Kilimi (cha kuma) |
Internal / Inside |
Ndani |
Brain |
Ubongo / Akili |
Rib(s) |
Ubavu (Mbavu) |
Bone(s) |
Mfupa (Mifupa) / Mafupa |
Muscles |
Misuli |
Heart |
Moyo |
Lung(s) |
Pafu (Mapafu) |
Liver(s) |
Ini (Maini) |
Kidney(s) |
Figo (Mafigo) |
Spinal Cord |
Ute wa mgongo |
| People | Watu |
| Male | Mvulana / Mwanaume |
| Female | Msichana / Mwanamke |
| Child(ren) | Mtoto (Watoto) |
| Boy(s) | Mtoto (watoto) wa kiume |
| Girl(s) | Mtoto (watoto) wa kike |
Family |
Femili / Familia |
| Father | Baba |
| Mother | Mama |
| Uncle (Mothers brother) | Mjomba |
| Uncle (Fathers brother) | Ami |
| Uncle (Fathers elder brother) | Baba mkubwa |
| Uncle (Fathers younger brother) | Baba mdogo |
| Auntie (Mothers sister) | Shangazi |
| Auntie (Fathers sister) | Amoo |
| Auntie (Fathers elder sister) | Mama mkubwa |
| Auntie (Fathers younger sister) | Mama mdogo |
| Brother / Sister (young) | Ndugu |
| Brother (elder) | Kaka |
| Sister (elder) | Dada |
| Grand father | Babu |
| Grand mother | Bibi |
| Grand son(s) / daughter(s) / child(ren) | Kijukuu (Vijukuu) |
| Last born of the family | Kitenda mimba |
| Step father | Baba wa kambo |
| Step mother | Mama wa kambo |
| In-laws | Shemegi |
| Neighbor(s) | Jirani |
| Friend(s) | Rafiki (Marafiki) |
| Enemy(ies) | Adui (Ma adui) |
Important places and personnel
| Office | Ofisi / Afisi |
| Worker | Mfanya kazi |
| Work | Kazi |
| Hospital | Hospitali |
| Doctor | Daktari / Mganga |
| Nurse | Nasi |
| Company | Kampani |
| Manager | Meneja |
| Head | Mkuu |
| Secretary | Sekretari |
| Helper | Msaidizi |
| Court | Korti |
| Judge | Jaji / Hakimu |
| Law | Sheria |
| Lawyer | Wakili / Mwana sheria |
| 1 | Moja |
| 2 | Mbili |
| 3 | Tatu |
| 4 | nne (n-ne) [say 'n' as in Now, then pause and say 'ne' as in next] said in 3/4th of second |
| 5 | Tano |
| 6 | Sita |
| 7 | Saba |
| 8 | Nane |
| 9 | Tisa |
| 10 | Kumi |
| 11 | Kumi na moja (look at the pattern = ten and one) |
| 12 | kumi na mbili (ten and two) |
| 13 | kumi na tatu (ten and three) |
| 19 | kumi na tisa (ten and nine) |
| 20 | Ishirini |
| 21 | Ishirini na moja (watch the pattern again = Twenty and one) |
| 30 | Thalathini (both 'th's pronounced as th in think) |
| 40 | Arbaini or Arubaini |
| 50 | Khamsini (kh sounds like when you are trying to call a flem before spitting out) |
| 60 | Sitini |
| 70 | Sabini |
| 80 | Thamanini (again th as in think) |
| 90 | Tisini |
| 100 | Mia moja = one hundred (mia = hundred) |
| 101 | Mia moja na moja |
| 102 | Mia moja na mbili |
| 200 | Mia mbili (watch the pattern = hundred & two) |
| 300 | Mia tatu (hundred & three) |
| 900 | Mia tisa |
| 1000 | Elfu moja (elfu = thousand) |
| 2000 | Elfu mbili (watch the pattern) |
| 9000 | Elfu tisa |
| 10,000 | Elfu kumi (thousand & ten) |
| 11,000 | Elfu kumi na moja (thousand & ten and one) |
| 11,001 | Elfu kumi na moja na moja (thosand & ten and one and one) |
| 12,105 | Elfu kumi na mbili, mia moja na tano (thousand & ten and two, hundred one and five) |
| 100,000 | Laki moja (one lakh) |
| 1,000,000 | Milioni moja |