Swahili: Everyday Phrases
My first useful sentences, corrected and translated. Each one shows a pattern you can reuse.
| Swahili | English | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Mimi ni Mhindi. | I am Indian. | X ni Y: X is Y |
| Ninaishi Dubai. | I live in Dubai. | ni-na-ishi: I live |
| Ninaipenda Tanzania. | I love Tanzania. | ni-na-i-penda: the -i- means “it” (Tanzania) |
| Familia yangu inaishi Dubai. | My family lives in Dubai. | familia is n- class, so yangu, inaishi |
| Kuna joto sana huko Dubai. | It’s very hot there in Dubai. | weather heat is joto; moto is fire or hot things |
| Benki iko wapi? | Where is the bank? | iko = it is (located) |
| Nina kiu. | I’m thirsty. | nina = I have; kiu = thirst |
| Naweza kupata maji? | Can I get some water? | naweza + infinitive |
| Nina njaa. | I’m hungry. | njaa = hunger |
| Mpaka tutakapofikia. | Until we get there. | -kapo- = “when” |
| Asante sana. | Thank you very much. | |
| Samahani, sielewi. | Sorry, I don’t understand. | si-elew-i: negative present |
| Sema polepole, tafadhali. | Speak slowly, please. | |
| Hii ni bei gani? | How much is this? | bei = price |
Fixes from my old notes: ninakiu is two words (nina kiu); niza njaa should be nina njaa; “it’s hot” (weather) is kuna joto rather than ni moto.