Swahili

24 Swahili phrases for greetings and everyday courtesy, from Hello (Habari / Jambo) to Nice to meet you (Nimefurahi kukuona).

Hello

Habari / Jambo, pronounced ha-BA-ri / JAM-boHabari is what speakers say to each other; Jambo is mostly heard with visitors.

Hello (to an elder)

Shikamoo, pronounced shi-ka-MOA respectful greeting to someone older. The reply is Marahaba (ma-ra-HA-ba).

Hi, what's up? (casual)

Mambo, pronounced MAM-boCasual, among friends. The reply is Poa.

Cool, fine (reply to Mambo)

Poa, pronounced PO-a

No worries

Hakuna matata, pronounced ha-KU-na ma-TA-ta

Good morning

Habari za asubuhi, pronounced ha-BA-ri za a-soo-BOO-hi

Good evening

Habari za jioni, pronounced ha-BA-ri za ji-O-ni

Good night

Lala salama, pronounced LA-la sa-LA-ma

Goodbye

Kwaheri, pronounced kwa-HE-ri

See you later

Tutaonana baadaye, pronounced too-ta-o-NA-na ba-a-DA-ye

How are you?

Habari yako?, pronounced ha-BA-ri YA-ko

I'm fine, thank you

Nzuri, asante, pronounced NZOO-ri, a-SAN-te

Please

Tafadhali, pronounced ta-fa-DHA-li

Thank you

Asante, pronounced a-SAN-te

Thank you very much

Asante sana, pronounced a-SAN-te SA-na

You're welcome

Karibu, pronounced ka-RI-boo

Excuse me

Samahani, pronounced sa-ma-HA-ni

I'm sorry

Pole / Samahani, pronounced PO-le / sa-ma-HA-ni

Yes

Ndiyo, pronounced NDI-yo

No

Hapana, pronounced ha-PA-na

I don't understand

Sielewi, pronounced si-e-LE-wi

Do you speak English?

Unazungumza Kiingereza?, pronounced oo-na-ZOON-goom-za ki-in-ge-RE-za

My name is...

Jina langu ni..., pronounced JI-na LAN-goo ni

Nice to meet you

Nimefurahi kukuona, pronounced ni-me-foo-RA-hi koo-koo-O-na

20 Swahili phrases for getting around, from Where is...? (...iko wapi?) to Check-in please (Ingia tafadhali).

Where is...?

...iko wapi?, pronounced I-ko WA-pi

How much does it cost?

Inagharimu kiasi gani?, pronounced i-na-gha-RI-moo ki-A-si GA-ni

I need a taxi

Ninahitaji teksi, pronounced ni-na-hi-TA-ji TEK-si

Where is the airport?

Uwanja wa ndege uko wapi?, pronounced oo-WAN-ja wa NDE-ge OO-ko WA-pi

Where is the hotel?

Hoteli iko wapi?, pronounced ho-TE-li I-ko WA-pi

I'm lost

Nimepotea, pronounced ni-me-po-TE-a

Can you help me?

Unaweza kunisaidia?, pronounced oo-na-WE-za koo-ni-sa-i-DI-a

I'd like a ticket

Ningependa tiketi, pronounced nin-ge-PEN-da ti-KE-ti

Where is the train station?

Stesheni ya treni iko wapi?, pronounced ste-SHE-ni ya TRE-ni I-ko WA-pi

Turn left

Pinda kushoto, pronounced PIN-da koo-SHO-to

Turn right

Pinda kulia, pronounced PIN-da koo-LI-a

Go straight

Nenda moja kwa moja, pronounced NEN-da MO-ja kwa MO-ja

Stop here

Simama hapa, pronounced si-MA-ma HA-pa

I need a room

Ninahitaji chumba, pronounced ni-na-hi-TA-ji CHOOM-ba

How far is it?

Iko mbali kiasi gani?, pronounced I-ko MBA-li ki-A-si GA-ni

One way ticket

Tiketi ya njia moja, pronounced ti-KE-ti ya NJI-a MO-ja

Return ticket

Tiketi ya kwenda na kurudi, pronounced ti-KE-ti ya KWEN-da na koo-ROO-di

Is there Wi-Fi?

Kuna Wi-Fi?, pronounced KOO-na WI-fi

I have a reservation

Nina uhifadhi, pronounced NI-na oo-hi-FA-dhi

Check-in please

Ingia tafadhali, pronounced in-GI-a ta-fa-DHA-li

20 Swahili phrases for eating and drinking, from A table for two, please (Meza kwa watu wawili, tafadhali) to Very tasty (Kitamu sana).

A table for two, please

Meza kwa watu wawili, tafadhali, pronounced ME-za kwa WA-too wa-WI-li ta-fa-DHA-li

The menu, please

Orodha ya chakula, tafadhali, pronounced o-RO-dha ya cha-KOO-la ta-fa-DHA-li

I'd like to order

Ningependa kuagiza, pronounced nin-ge-PEN-da koo-a-GI-za

What do you recommend?

Unapendekeza nini?, pronounced oo-na-pen-de-KE-za NI-ni

I'm vegetarian

Mimi ni mboga mboga, pronounced MI-mi ni MBO-ga MBO-ga

I'm allergic to...

Nina mzio wa..., pronounced NI-na MZI-o wa

No meat please

Bila nyama, tafadhali, pronounced BI-la NYA-ma ta-fa-DHA-li

Water please

Maji, tafadhali, pronounced MA-ji ta-fa-DHA-li

The bill please

Bili, tafadhali, pronounced BI-li ta-fa-DHA-li

Delicious!

Kitamu sana!, pronounced ki-TA-moo SA-na

Can I have more bread?

Naweza kupata mkate zaidi?, pronounced na-WE-za koo-PA-ta MKA-te za-I-di

I'd like coffee

Ningependa kahawa, pronounced nin-ge-PEN-da ka-HA-wa

I'd like tea

Ningependa chai, pronounced nin-ge-PEN-da CHA-i

Without sugar

Bila sukari, pronounced BI-la soo-KA-ri

Is service included?

Huduma imejumuishwa?, pronounced hoo-DOO-ma i-me-joo-MOO-ish-wa

I'd like the fish

Ningependa samaki, pronounced nin-ge-PEN-da sa-MA-ki

Is it spicy?

Ni kali?, pronounced ni KA-li

No onions please

Bila vitunguu, tafadhali, pronounced BI-la vi-TOON-goo ta-fa-DHA-li

To go please

Kuchukua, tafadhali, pronounced koo-choo-KOO-a ta-fa-DHA-li

Very tasty

Kitamu sana, pronounced ki-TA-moo SA-na

20 Swahili phrases for emergencies and health, from Help! (Msaada!) to Is there a doctor here? (Kuna daktari hapa?).

Help!

Msaada!, pronounced msa-A-da

Call the police!

Piga simu polisi!, pronounced PI-ga SI-moo po-LI-si

I need a doctor

Ninahitaji daktari, pronounced ni-na-hi-TA-ji dak-TA-ri

Call an ambulance!

Piga simu ambulensi!, pronounced PI-ga SI-moo am-boo-LEN-si

Fire!

Moto!, pronounced MO-to

I've been robbed

Nimeibwa, pronounced ni-me-IB-wa

I'm lost

Nimepotea, pronounced ni-me-po-TE-a

I need help

Ninahitaji msaada, pronounced ni-na-hi-TA-ji msa-A-da

Where is the hospital?

Hospitali iko wapi?, pronounced hos-pi-TA-li I-ko WA-pi

I'm injured

Nimeumia, pronounced ni-me-oo-MI-a

I feel sick

Sijisikii vizuri, pronounced si-ji-si-KI-i vi-ZOO-ri

I'm having an allergic reaction

Nina mmenyuko wa mzio, pronounced NI-na mme-NYU-ko wa MZI-o

Stop thief!

Mwizi!, pronounced MWI-zi

I need the embassy

Ninahitaji ubalozi, pronounced ni-na-hi-TA-ji oo-ba-LO-zi

Please call my family

Tafadhali piga simu familia yangu, pronounced ta-fa-DHA-li PI-ga SI-moo fa-MI-li-a YAN-goo

Where is the pharmacy?

Duka la dawa liko wapi?, pronounced DOO-ka la DA-wa LI-ko WA-pi

I need my medication

Ninahitaji dawa zangu, pronounced ni-na-hi-TA-ji DA-wa ZAN-goo

Don't touch me

Usiguse, pronounced oo-si-GOO-se

I need water

Ninahitaji maji, pronounced ni-na-hi-TA-ji MA-ji

Is there a doctor here?

Kuna daktari hapa?, pronounced KOO-na dak-TA-ri HA-pa

18 Swahili phrases for work and money, from Nice to meet you (Nimefurahi kukuona) to Let's discuss this (Tujadili hili).

Nice to meet you

Nimefurahi kukuona, pronounced ni-me-foo-RA-hi koo-koo-O-na

Here is my business card

Hii ni kadi yangu ya biashara, pronounced HI-i ni KA-di YAN-goo ya bi-a-SHA-ra

I have a meeting

Nina mkutano, pronounced NI-na mkoo-TA-no

Let's schedule a call

Tuandae simu, pronounced too-an-DA-e SI-moo

I'm interested in your proposal

Ninapendezwa na pendekezo lako, pronounced ni-na-pen-DEZ-wa na pen-de-KE-zo LA-ko

What is your budget?

Bajeti yako ni ngapi?, pronounced ba-JE-ti YA-ko ni NGA-pi

We can negotiate

Tunaweza kujadiliana, pronounced too-na-WE-za koo-ja-di-LI-a-na

Send me the contract

Nitumie mkataba, pronounced ni-too-MI-e mka-TA-ba

We have a deal

Tumekubaliana, pronounced too-me-koo-ba-LI-a-na

I agree

Nakubaliana, pronounced na-koo-ba-LI-a-na

I disagree

Sikubaliani, pronounced si-koo-ba-LI-a-ni

Can you repeat that?

Unaweza kurudia?, pronounced oo-na-WE-za koo-roo-DI-a

I'll get back to you

Nitakujibu, pronounced ni-ta-koo-JI-boo

What are your terms?

Masharti yako ni nini?, pronounced ma-SHAR-ti YA-ko ni NI-ni

Please sign here

Tafadhali tia sahihi hapa, pronounced ta-fa-DHA-li TI-a sa-HI-hi HA-pa

Do you have a business card?

Una kadi ya biashara?, pronounced OO-na KA-di ya bi-a-SHA-ra

Thank you for your time

Asante kwa muda wako, pronounced a-SAN-te kwa MOO-da WA-ko

Let's discuss this

Tujadili hili, pronounced too-ja-DI-li HI-li

20 Swahili phrases for numbers, days and time, from One (Moja) to Weekend (Wikendi).

One

Moja, pronounced MO-ja

Two

Mbili, pronounced MBI-li

Three

Tatu, pronounced TA-too

Four

Nne, pronounced NNE

Five

Tano, pronounced TA-no

Six

Sita, pronounced SI-ta

Seven

Saba, pronounced SA-ba

Eight

Nane, pronounced NA-ne

Nine

Tisa, pronounced TI-sa

Ten

Kumi, pronounced KOO-mi

What time is it?

Ni saa ngapi?, pronounced ni SA-a NGA-pi

Today

Leo, pronounced LE-o

Tomorrow

Kesho, pronounced KE-sho

Yesterday

Jana, pronounced JA-na

Monday

Jumatatu, pronounced joo-ma-TA-too

Tuesday

Jumanne, pronounced joo-MAN-ne

Wednesday

Jumatano, pronounced joo-ma-TA-no

Thursday

Alhamisi, pronounced al-ha-MI-si

Friday

Ijumaa, pronounced i-joo-MA-a

Weekend

Wikendi, pronounced wi-KEN-di

house

nyumba, pronounced NYOOM-ba

water

maji, pronounced MA-ji

man

mwanaume, pronounced mwa-na-OO-me

woman

mwanamke, pronounced mwa-nam-KE

child

mtoto, pronounced m-TO-to

friend

rafiki, pronounced ra-FEE-ki

time

wakati, pronounced wa-KA-ti

day

siku, pronounced SEE-koo

life

maisha, pronounced ma-EE-sha

world

ulimwengu, pronounced oo-lim-WEN-goo

country

nchi, pronounced n-CHEE

city

mji, pronounced m-JEE

work

kazi, pronounced KA-zi

money

pesa, pronounced PE-sa

food

chakula, pronounced cha-KOO-la

family

familia, pronounced fa-MEE-li-a

car

gari, pronounced GA-ri

book

kitabu, pronounced ki-TA-boo

school

shule, pronounced SHOO-le

street

barabara, pronounced ba-ra-BA-ra

to be

kuwa, pronounced KOO-wa

to have

kuwa na, pronounced KOO-wa na

to do

kufanya, pronounced koo-FA-nya

to go

kwenda, pronounced KWEN-da

to come

kuja, pronounced KOO-ja

to speak / say

kusema, pronounced koo-SE-ma

to see

kuona, pronounced koo-O-na

to know

kujua, pronounced koo-JOO-a

to eat

kula, pronounced KOO-la

to drink

kunywa, pronounced KOON-ywa

to sleep

kulala, pronounced koo-LA-la

to work

kufanya kazi, pronounced koo-FA-nya KA-zi

to think

kufikiria, pronounced koo-fi-ki-REE-a

to love

kupenda, pronounced koo-PEN-da

to take

kuchukua, pronounced koo-choo-KOO-a

to give

kutoa, pronounced koo-TO-a

to understand

kuelewa, pronounced koo-e-LE-wa

to want

kutaka, pronounced koo-TA-ka

to read

kusoma, pronounced koo-SO-ma

to write

kuandika, pronounced koo-an-DEE-ka

big

kubwa, pronounced KOOB-wa

small

ndogo, pronounced n-DO-go

good / beautiful

nzuri, pronounced n-ZOO-ri

bad

mbaya, pronounced m-BA-ya

new

mpya, pronounced m-PYA

old

kizee, pronounced ki-ZEH-e

young

kijana, pronounced ki-JA-na

happy

furaha, pronounced foo-RA-ha

sad

huzuni, pronounced hoo-ZOO-ni

strong

nguvu, pronounced n-GOO-voo

fast

haraka, pronounced ha-RA-ka

slow

polepole, pronounced po-le-PO-le

hot

moto, pronounced MO-to

cold

baridi, pronounced ba-REE-di

easy

rahisi, pronounced ra-HEE-si

difficult

ngumu, pronounced n-GOO-moo

important

muhimu, pronounced moo-HEE-moo

free

huru, pronounced HOO-roo

true

kweli, pronounced KWE-li

elderly / wise

mzee, pronounced m-ZEH-e

very / a lot

sana, pronounced SA-na

also / too

pia, pronounced PEE-a

always

daima, pronounced da-EE-ma

never

kamwe, pronounced KAM-we

often

mara nyingi, pronounced MA-ra NYIN-gi

now

sasa, pronounced SA-sa

already

tayari, pronounced ta-YA-ri

still / yet

bado, pronounced BA-do

maybe

labda, pronounced LAB-da

well

vizuri, pronounced vi-ZOO-ri

quickly

haraka, pronounced ha-RA-ka

here

hapa, pronounced HA-pa

there

pale, pronounced PA-le

together

pamoja, pronounced pa-MO-ja

only / just

tu, pronounced too

really

kweli kweli, pronounced KWE-li KWE-li

a little

kidogo, pronounced ki-DO-go

too much

kupita kiasi, pronounced koo-PEE-ta ki-A-si

immediately

mara moja, pronounced MA-ra MO-ja

all together

pamoja pamoja, pronounced pa-MO-ja pa-MO-ja