Branding The United Republic of Tanzania

Learn Swahili Easily

Basic Greetings and Phrases:
    • Hello: Jambo / Hujambo
    • How are you?: Habari? / U hali gani?
    • I’m fine: Nzuri / Sijambo
    • Thank you: Asante
    • Please: Tafadhali
    • Yes: Ndiyo
    • No: Hapana
    • Welcome: Karibu
    • Goodbye: Kwaheri
    • 1: Moja
    • 2: Mbili
    • 3: Tatu
    • 4: Nne
    • 5: Tano
    • 6: Sita
    • 7: Saba
    • 8: Nane
    • 9: Tisa
    • 10: Kumi
Common Verbs:
    • To eat: Kula
    • To drink: Kunywa
    • To go: Kwenda
    • To come: Kuja
    • To speak: Kuongea
    • To understand: Kuelewa
    • To write: Kuandika
    • To read: Kusoma
    • To love: Kupenda
    • To sleep: Kulala
    • To jump: Kuruka
    • To cry: Kulia
    • To swimp: Kuogolea
    • To laugh: Kucheka
  1. Monday – Jumatatu
  2. Tuesday – Jumanne
  3. Wednesday – Jumatano
  4. Thursday – Alhamisi
  5. Friday – Ijumaa
  6. Saturday – Jumamosi
  7. Sunday – Jumapili

Swahili time is based on the Swahili clock, which starts at 6:00 AM (00:00) rather than midnight. So, the day begins at sunrise. Here’s how to tell time:

    1. 1:00 AM – Saa saba usiku
    2. 2:00 AM – Saa nane usiku
    3. 3:00 AM – Saa tisa usiku
    4. 4:00 AM – Saa kumi usiku
    5. 5:00 AM – Saa kumi na moja usiku
    6. 6:00 AM – Saa kumi na mbili alfajiri (Dawn/Morning)
    7. 7:00 AM – Saa moja asubuhi
    8. 8:00 AM – Saa mbili asubuhi
    9. 9:00 AM – Saa tatu asubuhi
    10. 10:00 AM – Saa nne asubuhi
    11. 11:00 AM – Saa tano asubuhi
    12. 12:00 PM – Saa sita mchana
    13. 1:00 PM – Saa saba mchana
    14. 2:00 PM – Saa nane mchana
    15. 3:00 PM – Saa tisa alasiri
    16. 4:00 PM – Saa kumi alasiri
    17. 5:00 PM – Saa kumi na moja jioni
    18. 6:00 PM – Saa kumi na mbili jioni (Sunset/Evening)
    19. 7:00 PM – Saa moja usiku
    20. 8:00 PM – Saa mbili usiku
    21. 9:00 PM – Saa tatu usiku
    22. 10:00 PM – Saa nne usiku
    23. 11:00 PM – Saa tano usiku
    24. 12:00 AM – Saa sita usiku
Practice Example:
  • Monday at 7:00 AM: Jumatatu saa moja asubuhi
  • Friday at 3:00 PM: Ijumaa saa tisa alasiri
  • Sunday at 10:00 PM: Jumapili saa nne usiku
Immediate Family
  • Family – Familia
  • Father – Baba
  • Mother – Mama
  • Parent(s) – Mzazi (singular), Wazazi (plural)
  • Child – Mtoto
  • Son – Mwana
  • Daughter – Binti
  • Brother – Kaka
  • Sister – Dada
  • Sibling(s) – Ndugu (can refer to both brother and sister)
  • Husband – Mume
  • Wife – Mke
  • Marriage – Ndoa
Extended Family
  • Grandfather – Babu
  • Grandmother – Bibi
  • Grandparent(s) – Mababu (grandfathers), Mabibi (grandmothers), Wazee (both)
  • Uncle – Mjomba (maternal), Baba mdogo/mkubwa (paternal, based on age)
  • Aunt – Shangazi (paternal), Mama mdogo/mkubwa (maternal, based on age)
  • Cousin – Binamu
  • Nephew – Mpwa (can refer to both nephew and niece)
  • Niece – Mpwa (same word as for nephew)
Relationships
  • Friend – Rafiki
  • Boyfriend/Girlfriend – Mpenzi
  • Fiancé (male) – Mchumba
  • Fiancée (female) – Mchumba
  • Partner – Mwenzangu/Mpenzi (depending on context)
  • Love – Upendo
  • Relationship – Uhusiano
  • Neighbor – Jirani
Family-related Phrases
  • This is my father. – Huyu ni baba yangu.
  • She is my sister. – Yeye ni dada yangu.
  • We are family. – Sisi ni familia.
  • I love my family. – Ninapenda familia yangu.
  • They are cousins. – Wao ni binamu.
  • My wife’s name is… – Jina la mke wangu ni…

These words and phrases should help you get started with talking about family and relationships in Swahili.

Common Foods
  • Food – Chakula
  • Bread – Mkate
  • Rice – Wali
  • Meat – Nyama
  • Chicken – Kuku
  • Fish – Samaki
  • Egg – Yai
  • Vegetables – Mboga
  • Fruits – Matunda
  • Banana – Ndizi
  • Orange – Chungwa
  • Mango – Embe
  • Apple – Tufaha
  • Potato – Kiazi
  • Beans – Maharagwe
  • Soup – Supu
  • Salad – Kachumbari
Common Drinks
  • Drink – Kinywaji
  • Water – Maji
  • Milk – Maziwa
  • Tea – Chai
  • Coffee – Kahawa
  • Juice – Juisi
  • Soda – Soda
  • Beer – Bia
  • Wine – Divai
Ordering in a Restaurant
  • Restaurant – Mgahawa
  • Waiter/Waitress – Mhudumu
  • Menu – Orodha ya vyakula
  • Bill/Check – Bili
  • Table – Meza
  • Chair – Kiti
  • Fork – Uma
  • Knife – Kisu
  • Spoon – Kijiko
  • Plate – Sahani
  • Cup – Kikombe
  • Glass – Glasi
Useful Phrases
  • Can I have the menu, please? – Naomba orodha ya vyakula, tafadhali?
  • What do you recommend? – Unapendekeza nini?
  • I would like… – Ningependa…
    • I would like chicken and rice. – Ningependa kuku na wali.
  • Do you have vegetarian options? – Mna chaguo za mboga tu?
  • Can I have a glass of water, please? – Naomba glasi ya maji, tafadhali?
  • How much is this? – Hii ni bei gani?
  • Is this spicy? – Je, hiki kina pilipili?
  • The food is delicious! – Chakula ni kitamu sana!
  • Can I get the bill, please? – Naomba bili, tafadhali?
  • Keep the change. – Baki ni yako.
Cultural Notes
  • In Swahili-speaking cultures, it’s polite to greet the waiter or waitress with “Hujambo” (How are you?) or “Habari” (What’s the news?).
  • When finished with a meal, you might say “Asante sana” (Thank you very much) to show appreciation.

These words and phrases should help you navigate ordering food and drink in a Swahili-speaking environment.

Common Locations
  • House – Nyumba
  • Home – Nyumbani
  • School – Shule
  • Market – Soko
  • Shop/Store – Duka
  • Hospital – Hospitali
  • Church – Kanisa
  • Mosque – Msikiti
  • Office – Ofisi
  • Bank – Benki
  • Hotel – Hoteli
  • Restaurant – Mgahawa
  • Post Office – Posta
  • Police Station – Kituo cha Polisi
  • Bus Station – Kituo cha basi
  • Airport – Uwanja wa ndege
  • Train Station – Stesheni ya treni
  • Park – Bustani
  • Beach – Ufukwe
  • Road/Street – Barabara
  • Bridge – Daraja
  • River – Mto
  • Mountain – Mlima
  • Village – Kijiji
  • City – Jiji
  • Town – Mji
Directions
  • Left – Kushoto
  • Right – Kulia
  • Straight – Moja kwa moja
  • North – Kaskazini
  • South – Kusini
  • East – Mashariki
  • West – Magharibi
  • Up – Juu
  • Down – Chini
  • Near – Karibu
  • Far – Mbali
  • In front of – Mbele ya
  • Behind – Nyuma ya
  • Next to – Karibu na
  • Between – Kati ya
  • Corner – Kona
  • Intersection – Makutano
Giving Directions
  • Where is…? – …iko wapi?
    • Where is the bank? – Benki iko wapi?
  • Turn left. – Geuka kushoto.
  • Turn right. – Geuka kulia.
  • Go straight. – Endelea moja kwa moja.
  • Take the first (second) left/right. – Chukua kushoto/kulia ya kwanza (ya pili).
  • It’s near the… – Iko karibu na…
    • It’s near the market. – Iko karibu na soko.
  • It’s far from here. – Iko mbali kutoka hapa.
  • It’s on the left/right side. – Iko upande wa kushoto/kulia.
  • Cross the road. – Vuka barabara.
  • Follow the road. – Fuata barabara.
  • You will see… – Utaona…
    • You will see a school. – Utaona shule.
Useful Phrases
  • How do I get to…? – Nitafikaje…?
    • How do I get to the hospital? – Nitafikaje hospitali?
  • Is it far? – Je, ni mbali?
  • Can you show me on the map? – Unaweza kunionyesha kwenye ramani?
  • I am lost. – Nimepotea.
  • Which way is it? – Ni njia gani?
Cultural Notes
  • When asking for directions, it’s common and polite to start with a greeting like “Hujambo” (How are you?) or “Habari” (What’s the news?).
  • People in Swahili-speaking regions are often very helpful, so don’t hesitate to ask for directions if you need them.

 

This vocabulary should help you navigate and give directions in Swahili.

When on a safari in Swahili-speaking regions, here’s a list of essential terms related to wildlife, nature, and safari activities:

Wildlife Vocabulary
  • Animal – Mnyama
  • Wildlife – Wanyama pori
  • Lion – Simba
  • Elephant – Tembo / Ndovu
  • Giraffe – Twiga
  • Zebra – Punda milia
  • Buffalo – Nyati
  • Leopard – Chui
  • Cheetah – Duma
  • Rhinoceros – Kifaru
  • Hippopotamus – Kiboko
  • Monkey – Tumbili
  • Baboon – Nyani
  • Antelope – Swalala
  • Wildebeest – Nyumbu
  • Crocodile – Mamba
  • Snake – Nyoka
  • Bird – Ndege
  • Eagle – Tai
  • Vulture – Tumbusi
  • Flamingo – Heroe
  • Ostrich – Mbuni
  • Hyena – Fisi
  • Jackal – Mbweha
  • Gazelle – Swala
Nature Vocabulary
  • Tree – Mti
  • Bush – Kichaka
  • Grass – Nyasi
  • River – Mto
  • Lake – Ziwa
  • Mountain – Mlima
  • Hill – Kilima
  • Forest – Msitu
  • Savannah – Mbuga
  • Waterfall – Maporomoko ya maji
  • Rock – Jiwe
  • Cave – Pango
  • Sand – Mchanga
  • Desert – Jangwa
Safari-Related Vocabulary
  • Safari – Safari (The word itself is Swahili and means “journey”)
  • Guide – Mwongoza (Short for Mwongoza safari)
  • Vehicle – Gari
  • Tent – Hema
  • Camp – Kambi
  • Binoculars – Darubini
  • Photograph – Picha
  • Footprint – Nyayo
  • Track – Njia
  • Tourist – Mtalii
  • Sunset – Machweo
  • Sunrise – Machweo ya jua
  • Map – Ramani
Useful Safari Phrases
  • What animal is that? – Huyo ni mnyama gani?
  • I want to see… – Nataka kuona…
    • I want to see lions. – Nataka kuona simba.
  • Is it safe? – Je, ni salama?
  • Where can we see elephants? – Tunaweza kuona tembo wapi?
  • Can we go closer? – Tunaweza kwenda karibu zaidi?
  • Let’s take a picture. – Tupige picha.
  • Watch out! – Angalia!
  • Be quiet, please. – Tafadhali kuwa kimya.
  • Look over there. – Tazama kule.
Safari Etiquette
  • “Pole pole” means “slowly” in Swahili. It’s a common phrase in safari contexts, reminding travelers to take things easy, enjoy the moment, and not disturb the animals.
  • “Harambee” means “pulling together” or “working together,” and while it’s not specific to safaris, it reflects the communal spirit often encouraged in group safari activities.

 

These words and phrases will help you navigate your safari experience and interact with guides and locals.