The first time I came to East Africa, I travelled alone. I visited Zanzibar and as I walked along the beach ‘Jambo Mama, Jambo Mama’ was called out by everyone I passed. The Swahili language is beautiful and less challenging than you might think.
In Kenya the Swahili language is used everywhere after all it is the first language of the Swahili people, but if you are living in a big city in Kenya it’s not necessary to learn Swahili at all as most people speak English. Often you will find Swahili mixed with English words, the two languages have become so integrated.
Swahili or Kiswahili is an ancient dialect. The origin of the Swahili lanugage is a mixture of Bantu and Arabic. It is the most widely spoken language in East Africa, not just spoken in Kenya but other neighbouring countries as well.
Personally, whilst I am far from fluent in the Swahili language I abhor people that don’t at least make an effort to learn some words. If you are keen to learn the Swahil language then here is a list of the most commonly used words. If you are keen to learn more. Try an online language programme like Duolingo.
Greetings and responses in the Swahili language
Jambo or Hujambo – hello
Habari – How are things?
Nuri – Good
Karibu – Welcome (Karibuni -more than one person)
Kwaheri – Goodbye
Tafadahli – Please
Asante – Thank you
Sana – very (as in Asante Sana – thank you very much)
Hatari – Danger
Vipi – How?
Sema – Speak?
Poa – Cool
Pole – Sorry (Pole sana – very sorry)
Samahani – excuse me
Jina laki Nani? – What is your name?
Jina langu ni – my name is
How to address people in Swahili
Bwana – man (term of greeting)
Mama – woman (term of greeting)
Mtoto – child
Mimi – Me
Wewe – You
Yeye – Him/her
Yangu – Mine
Yako – Yours
Yake – Him/hers
Rafiki – friend
Basic words and questions in the Swahili language
Unatoka wapi? – where are you from?
Unakaa wap? – where do you stay
Ninatoka -I am from
Ninakaa – I am staying..
Ndiyo – Yes
Hapana – No
Sijui – I don’t know
Wapi? – Where?
Hapa – When?
Lini – When
Sasa – Soon
Hivi – Why?
Nani – Who
Nini – What
Zuri – good
Baya – bad
Kubwa – Big
Dogo – Small
Sifahamu – I dont understand
Pesa ngapi? – how much is it?
Names for things
Duka – Shop
Money – Pesa
Moto – Hot
Baridi – Cold
Chakula – Food
Vinywaji – Drinks
Swahili Numbers
1 Moja
2 Mbili
3 Tatu
4 Nne
5 Tano
6 Sita
7 Saba
8 Nane
9 Tisa
10 kumi
11 Kumi na moja
12 Kumi na mbili
20 Ishirini
21 Ishirini na moja
30 Thelathini
40 Arobaini
50 Hamsini
60 Sitini
70 Sabini
80 Themanini
90 Tisini
100 Mia moja
1000 Elfu
