USEFUL SWAHILI PHRASES
While many East Africans speak some English or French, knowing a few words of Swahili will really help you out in the more rural areas and along the coast.
| ENGLISH | SWAHILI |
|---|---|
| Welcome | Karibu |
| Hello | Habari (inf) Hujambo (sg) Hamjambo (pl) Sijambo (reply) |
| How are you? | Habari yako? , Habari gani? |
| Fine | Mzuri / Nzuri |
| What is your name? | Jina lako nani? |
| My name is ... | Jina langu ni ... |
| Where are you from? | Unatoka wapi? |
| I'm from ... | Natoka ... |
| Pleased to meet you | Nafurahi kukuona / Nimefurahi kukutana nawe |
| Good morning | Habari ya asubuhi |
| Good afternoon | Habari ya mchana |
| Good evening | Habari ya jioni |
| Good night | Usiku mwema / Lala salama (sleep well) |
| Good bye | Kwa heri |
| Good luck | Kila la kheri! |
| Cheers/Good health! | Maisha marefu! Afya! Vifijo! |
| Have a nice day | Nakutakia siku njema! |
| Bon appetit | Ufurahie chakula chako (sg), Furahieni chakula chenu (pl) |
| Bon voyage | Safari njema! |
| I understand | Naelewa |
| I don't understand | Sielewi |
| Please speak more slowly | Tafadhali sema polepole |
| Please write it down for me | Waweza kuiandika? |
| Do you speak English? | Unazungumza kiingereza? |
| Do you speak Swahili? | Unazungumza kiSwahili? |
| Yes, a little | Ndiyo, kidogo tu |
| Excuse me | Samahani nipishe (to get past), Samahani (to get attention or say sorry) |
| How much is this? | Hii ni bei gani? |
| Sorry | Samahani |
| Thank you, Response | Asante / Asante sana (sg) / Asanteni (pl), Asante kushukuru |
| No thanks | La asante |
| Where's the toilet? | Choo kiko wapi? |
| This gentleman/lady | will pay for everything Mtu huyu atalipia kila kitu |
| Would you like to dance with me? | Tucheze ngoma? Utapenda kudansi? |
| I love you | Ninakupenda |
| Get well soon | Ugua pole |
| How do you say ... in Swahili? | Unasemaje ... kwa Kiswahili? |
| Help!, Fire!, Stop! | Msaada!, Moto!, Usifanye hivyo! |
| Call the police! | Mwite polisi! |
| Merry Christmas and Happy NewYear | Krismasi Njema / Heri ya krismas Heri ya mwaka mpya |
| Happy Easter | Heri kwa sikukuu ya Pasaka |
| Happy Birthday | Nakutakia mema kwa siku yako ya kuzaliwa!, Siku-kuo ya zaliwa njema! Furaha Ya Siku Ya Kuza Liwa! |
| My hover craft is full of eels | Gari langu linaloangama limejaa na mikunga |
| One language is never enough | Lugha moja haitoshi |
