Swahili: Everyday Phrases
Everyday phrases by situation. Practise them on the Swahili practice page (Phrases deck).
Greetings and politeness
| Swahili | English | Note |
|---|
| Habari gani? | What’s the news? (how are you?) | |
| Habari za asubuhi? | Good morning (how’s the morning?) | |
| Habari za jioni? | Good evening | |
| Nzuri. | Fine, good. | the usual reply to habari |
| Salama. | Fine, peaceful. | |
| Mambo? | What’s up? | reply: poa |
| Poa. | Cool, fine. | |
| Hamjambo? | How are you all? | reply: hatujambo |
| Hatujambo. | We are fine. | |
| Karibu sana. | You’re very welcome. | |
| Asante sana. | Thank you very much. | |
| Si kitu. | It’s nothing; you’re welcome. | |
| Pole. | Sorry (sympathy). | for someone’s trouble, not an apology |
| Pole sana. | I’m so sorry for you. | |
| Tutaonana. | See you. | |
| Tuonane kesho. | Let’s see each other tomorrow. | |
| Lala salama. | Sleep well. | |
| Siku njema. | Have a good day. | |
| Safari njema. | Have a good journey. | |
Getting to know someone
| Swahili | English | Note |
|---|
| Jina lako nani? | What’s your name? | |
| Jina langu ni… | My name is… | |
| Unatoka wapi? | Where are you from? | |
| Ninatoka… | I come from… | |
| Unaishi wapi? | Where do you live? | |
| Ninaishi Dubai. | I live in Dubai. | |
| Unafanya kazi gani? | What work do you do? | |
| Una miaka mingapi? | How old are you? | |
| Nina miaka thelathini. | I’m thirty years old. | |
| Unasema Kiingereza? | Do you speak English? | |
| Ninasema Kiswahili kidogo. | I speak a little Swahili. | |
| Ninajifunza Kiswahili. | I’m learning Swahili. | |
Understanding
| Swahili | English | Note |
|---|
| Sielewi. | I don’t understand. | |
| Rudia, tafadhali. | Repeat, please. | |
| Sema polepole, tafadhali. | Speak slowly, please. | |
| Maana yake nini? | What does it mean? | |
| Unasemaje … kwa Kiswahili? | How do you say … in Swahili? | |
| Sijui. | I don’t know. | |
| Nadhani hivyo. | I think so. | |
| Bila shaka. | Without doubt, of course. | |
| Kweli. | True, really. | |
| Ni kweli. | It’s true. | |
| Hakuna matata. | No problem. | |
| Hakuna shida. | No problem. | |
| Haidhuru. | It doesn’t matter. | |
| Inategemea. | It depends. | |
| Hongera! | Congratulations! | |
Getting around
| Swahili | English | Note |
|---|
| Choo kiko wapi? | Where is the toilet? | |
| Kituo cha basi kiko wapi? | Where is the bus stop? | |
| Nitafikaje…? | How will I get to…? | |
| Ni mbali? | Is it far? | |
| Ni karibu. | It’s near. | |
| Nenda moja kwa moja. | Go straight on. | |
| Geuka kushoto. | Turn left. | |
| Geuka kulia. | Turn right. | |
| Simama hapa. | Stop here. | |
| Saa ngapi? | What time is it? | |
| Ni saa tatu asubuhi. | It’s nine in the morning. | hours are counted from 6 a.m., so saa tatu = 9 a.m. |
| Nimepotea. | I’m lost. | |
| Swahili | English | Note |
|---|
| Bei gani? | What’s the price? | |
| Ni shilingi ngapi? | How many shillings is it? | |
| Ni ghali sana. | It’s very expensive. | |
| Punguza bei. | Lower the price. | |
| Ninaangalia tu. | I’m just looking. | |
| Nataka… | I want… | |
| Ninaomba… | May I have… | polite request |
| Una…? | Do you have…? | |
| Lete bili, tafadhali. | Bring the bill, please. | |
| Chakula ni kitamu. | The food is tasty. | |
| Karibu chakula. | Come and eat with us. | |
| Nimeshiba. | I’m full. | |
Feelings and help
| Swahili | English | Note |
|---|
| Nina njaa. | I’m hungry. | literally I have hunger |
| Nina kiu. | I’m thirsty. | |
| Nina baridi. | I’m cold. | |
| Nimechoka. | I’m tired. | |
| Niko tayari. | I’m ready. | |
| Ninapenda. | I like it. | |
| Sipendi. | I don’t like it. | |
| Nisaidie! | Help me! | |
| Ninahitaji daktari. | I need a doctor. | |
| Mwite polisi! | Call the police! | |
| Angalia! | Look out! | |
| Twende! | Let’s go! | |
| Ngoja kidogo. | Wait a little. | |
| Subiri kidogo. | Wait a moment. | |
| Kuna nini? | What’s the matter? | |
| Nini kimetokea? | What happened? | |
| Heri ya siku ya kuzaliwa! | Happy birthday! | |
| Bahati njema! | Good luck! | |
| Upone haraka. | Get well soon. | |
| Mungu akubariki. | God bless you. | |
| Haraka haraka haina baraka. | Hurry hurry has no blessing. | proverb |
| Unaitwa nani? | What are you called? | |
| Ninaitwa… | I am called… | |
| Ninafurahi kukutana nawe. | I’m happy to meet you. | |
| Unaweza kunisaidia? | Can you help me? | |
| Tafadhali, andika. | Please write it down. | |
| Kwa heri ya kuonana. | Goodbye, until we meet again. | |
| Hodi! | May I come in? | said at the door; reply: karibu |
| Ninakupenda. | I love you. | |
| Usijali. | Don’t worry. | |
| Pamoja. | Together; agreed. | |
Last edited
Tags: #Languages
