- Jambo? / hujambo? – (how are you?) – Sijambo (I am fine)
- Habari? – (how are you?) – nzuri (fine)
- Shikamoo – (a young person greeting an elder) – Marahaba
- Kwaheri – Goodbye
- Tutaonana baadaye – See you later – (often shortened to baadaye)
Basic Swahili Words To Learn When Travelling To Tanzania
Tanzania Travel basic Swahili words are useful phrases commonly used and helpful for any traveler who is about to visit Tanzania or East Africa.
If you are traveling to Tanzania or East Africa, soon then you may find it helpful to know how to say hello and goodbye as well as make a few exchanges with the locals in their language. By learning some basic Swahili words and phrases, you will make a local’s day by communicating with them in a word or two that they know. While it can be a little intimidating having someone talk to you in a language that you don’t know very well, people always appreciate even the littlest effort it takes to learn some basic Swahili words and Phrases.
Learn some basic Swahili words communication.
To make it extra easy for you, we have compiled a list of the most common and useful phrases you might hear and need to use while on your trip.
English to Swahili Translation
Greetings
For more casual interactions among peers while walking on the streets, you might also hear some of these Swahili greetings:
Mambo – What’s up?
Vipi – How?
Sema – Speak?
The replies to these greetings can be:
Safi – Clean; fine; cool
Poa – Cool
Freshi – Fresh (Swahili slang for the English word fresh).
Saying “thank you” and other courtesies in English to Swahili Translation
Thank you – Asante
Thank you – Asanteni (to more than one person)
No thank you – Hapana asante
Thank you very much – Asante sana
Please – Tafadhali
Sorry – Pole
Very Sorry – Pole sana
No worries – Hakuna matata
No problem – Hamna shida
Welcome – Karibu
Welcome – Karibuni (to more than one person )
Excuse me – Samahani
What is your name? – Jina lako nani?
My name is XX – Jina langu ni XX
Nice to meet you – Ninafuraha kukutana nawe
Agreements and disagreements in English to Swahili Translation
Ok – Sawa
Yes – Ndiyo
No – Hapana
I understand – Naelewa
I don’t understand – Sielewi
I like it – Ninaipenda
I don’t like it – Siipendi
Do you like it? – Je unaipenda?
Pronouns
Me – Mimi
You – Wewe
Him/Her – Yeye
Mine – Yangu
Yours – Yako
His/hers – Yake
Ours – Yetu
Questions in English to Swahili Translation
What? – Nini?
Where? – Wapi?
Which? – Ipi? (or Gani?)
Who? – Nani?
Happy Holidays in English to Swahili Translation
Happy birthday – Furaha ya siku ya kuzaliwa.
Merry Christmas – Krismasi njema.
Happy new year – Heri ya mwaka mpya.
Descriptions in English to Swahili Translation
Big – Kubwa
Small – Kidogo
Short – Fupi
Long – Ndefu
Color – Rangi
Black – Nyeusi
Red – Nyekundu
Blue – Buluu
White – Nyeupe
Green – Kijani
Days and months
Sunday – Jumapili
Monday – Jumatatu
Tuesday – Jumanne
Wednesday – Jumatana
Thursday – Alhamisi
Friday – Ijumaa
Saturday – Jumamosi
January – Januari
February – Februari
March – Marchi
April – Aprili
May – Mei
June – Juni
July – Julai
August – Agosti
September – Septemba
October – Oktoba
November – Novemba
December – Desemba
Shopping in English to Swahili Translation
Store/shop – Duka
Price – Bei
Money – Pesa
Cash – Pesa taslimu
How much? – Pesa ngapi?
It is cheap – Ni bei rahisi
It is expensive – Ni bei ghali
Do you give discounts? – Je, Unapunguza bei?
Please reduce the price – Tafadhali punguza bei
How do I pay? – Ninalipaje?
I have a credit/debit card – Nina kadi
Eating out in English to Swahili Translation
Eat – Kula
Food – Chakula
Menu – Menyu
Bill – Bili
Hot – Moto.
Cold – Baridi.
Drinks – Vinywaji
Cold drink – Kinywaji baridi
Fruit juice – Maji ya matunda
Beer – Bia
Cold beer – Bia baridi
Tea – Chai
Coffee – Kahawa
Soup – Supu
Chicken – Kuku
Meat – Nyama
Fish – Samaki
Rice – Wali
Vegetables – Mboga
Drinking water – Maji ya kunywa
I am vegetarian – Sili nyama
It is delicious – Ni tamu sana.