Tanzania Swahili

Local people will appreciate any attempt you make to speak the common language of Swahili.

• NOTE: Maasai for “hello” — Sobai
• Jambo Song >>

Swahili-English

BASIC PHRASES	TRAVEL
Jambo – hello, how are you	Teksi – taxi
Nzuri – ok, fine, good	Basi – bus
Jambo or sijambo – no problem	Gari – vehicle
Karibu – welcome, come in, also said when offering something	Ndege – plane
Kwaheri – goodbye	Njia – road/path
Asante – thank you	Kwa miguu – walking
Bwana – mister	Inaondoka lini – when does it leave
Mama – woman	Pole pole – slowly
Kijana – youth	Haraka – faster
Mtoto – child	Ngoja kidogo – wait on a moment
Jina lako Ni nani – what’s you name	Simama – Stop
Tafadhali – Please	Unaenda wapi – Where are you going
Samahani – Sorry	Kutoka wapi – from where
Ndiyo – yes	Kilomita ngapi – how many kilometers
Hapana – no	Twende – let’s go
Sijui – I don’t know	Kushoto – Left
Hapa – here	Kulia – right
Lini – when	Juu – up
Kwa Nini – why	Chini – down
Nani? – Who?	Gari imeharibika – car has broken down
Nini? – What?	TIME
Kweli – true	Leo – today
Naweza kukaa hapa? – Can I stay here?	Kesho – tomorrow
Choo – toilet	Mchana – daytime
Bafu – bathroom	Usiku – night time/at night
Ni Na njaa – I’m hungry	Asubuhi – morning/in the morning
Nina kiu – I am thirsty	Mapema – early
Nipe – give me	Dakika – minutes
Tena – again	Saa ngapi – what time
Mimi ni mgojwa – I am ill	ANIMALS (BIG FIVE)
Polisi – police	Chui – Leopard
VERBS	Ndovu – Elephant
To eat – ku-la	Nyati – Buffalo
To drink – Ku-nywa	Simba – Lion
To stay – Ku-kaa	Kifaru – Rhino
To see – kuona	MORE BASIC PHRASES
To look – kutazama	Sawa – ok
To buy – kununua	Habari –hello/hi
To love – kupenda	Habari za asubuhi – good morning
To be/become – kuwa	Habari za jioni – good evening
To come from – kutoka	Usiku mwema – good night
PRONOUNS	Kwaheri – god bye
Us – sisi	Tuonane – see you
We – tu	Samahani – excuse me
You – ninyi	Samahani – sorry
Them – wao	Nataka – I’d like
Me – mimi	Pombe – Beer
You – wewe	Kahwa – Coffee
Him/her – yeye	Ngapi? – How much/many?