Swahili phrasebook

Table of Contents

Pronunciation guide / Vowels / Consonants / Common diphthongs / Phrase list / Basics / Problem.28s.29 / Numbers / Time / Clock time / Duration / Days / Months / Writing time and date / Colors / Transportation / Bus and train / Directions / Taxi / Lodging / Money / Eating / Swahili phrasebook nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs. / Shopping / Driving / Authority / On safari

Pronunciation guide

Vowels

Consonants

Common diphthongs

Phrase list

Basics

Note that greetings is Swahili are very important, and long and drawn out - you can go back and forth several times, using not one but all of the greetings you know.

Hello.: Hujambo (response: Sijambo)
Hello to an older person or authority figure.: Shikamoo (she-ka-moe) (response: Marhaba)
Hello. (informal): Sasa / Mambo / Jambo (generally said only to tourists)
Response to informal hello: Nzuri (fine), Safi (clean/in order), Poa (cool), Poa kichizi kama ndizi (cool like a crazy banana)
How are you?: Habari (ha-ba-ree)
How are you today?: Habari za leo?
How are you this morning?: Habari za asubuhi
How are you this afternoon?: Habari za mchana
How are you this evening?: Habari za jioni
How was your journey / trip / safari?: Habari za safari
How have you been today?: Umeshindaje leo?
Fine, thank you.: Nzuri, asante
What is your name?: Jina lako nani?
My name is ______ .: Jina langu ______
Where are you from?: Unatoka wapi?
I am from _______.: Ninatoka _______(your country)
Please.: Tafadhali
Thank you (very much).: Asante (sana)
You're welcome.: Karibu.
Yes.: Ndiyo
No.: Hapana
I don't need. (Polite way of saying you don't want to buy anything): Sihitaji
Excuse me. (getting attention): Samahani
I'm sorry (in the sense of "pardon me"; used for minor transgressions).: Samahani
I'm sorry (in the sense of "please forgive me for wronging you"; used for major transgressions): Nasikitika.
Goodbye: Kwa heri.
Good night.: Usiku mwema
Sleep well.: Lala Salama
Did you sleep well?: Umelalaje?; Umeamkaje (lit.: did you wake up well?)
See you later.: Tutuonana
Later.: Baadaye
See you tomorrow.: Tutuonana kesho
My Swahili is terrible: Kiswahili yangu ni mbaya sana.
I can't speak Kiswahili.: Siwezi kusema Kiswahili
I only speak a little Kiswahili.: Ninasema Kiswahili kidogo tu
Do you speak English?: Wasema Kiingereza?
Bathroom: Maliwato.
Toilet: Choo
Help!: Msaada!
Where is the _______?: Iko wapi _____(e.g. bathroom, police station...)

Problem(s)

(Ma)tatizo

Shida

Shida kidogo (small problem)

Shida kubwa (big problem)

Numbers

One.: Moja
Two.: Mbili
Three.: Tatu
Four.: Nne
Five.: Tano
Six.: Sita
Seven.: Saba
Eight.: Nane
Nine.: Tisa
Ten.: Kumi
Twenty.: Ishirini
Thirty.: Thelathini
Forty.: Arobaini
Fifty.: Hamsini
Sixty.: Sitini
Seventy.: Sabini
Eighty.: Themanini
Ninety.: Tisini
One Hundred.: Mia moja
One Thousand.: Elfu moja

Time

What time is it? - Saa ngapi?

Clock time

Duration

Days

monday : Jumatatu
tuesday : Jumanne
wednesday : Jumatano
thursday : Alhamisi
friday : Ijumaa
saturday : Jumamoshi
Sunday : Jumapili

Months

Writing time and date

Colors

Transportation

Bus and train

Minibus: Matatu (Kenya, Uganda)
Minibus: Daladala (Tanzania)
Passenger: Abiria

Directions

Taxi

Lodging

Money

Hela/ Pesa

Eating

Banana: Ndizi
Goat: Mbuzi
Water: Maji