Swahili, the language of Tanzania
Helpful list of Swahili words
The Swahili phrases, terms and words listed in the table below, were compiled to help you to communicate more effectively during your wildlife safaris and tours in Tanzania. Most of the local population and more specifically those involved in the tourism industry, can all communicate in basic English, but for obvious reasons it is greatly appreciated in Tanzania, if you can master a couple of basic Swahili words and phrases. The Swahili language is also spoken extensively in Kenya and Malawi.
|
General terms |
|
| Child | Mtoto |
| Come in / Welcome | Karibu |
| Fine | Nzuri |
| Good-bye | Kwaheri |
| Hello | Jambo |
| How are you? | Habari Yako? |
| How much? | Ngapi? |
| May I take your picture? | Nikupige picha? |
| Mister | Bwana |
| Madam | Bibi |
| No | Hapana |
| Please | Tafadhali |
| Slow | Pole pole |
| Today | Leo |
| Thank you very much | Asante Sana |
| Tomorrow | Kesho |
| Tonight | Leo usiku |
| Wait | Ngojea |
| What does it cost? | Shilingi Ngapi? |
| Where is …? | Iko wapi …? |
| Yes | Ndio |
|
Numbers |
|
| One | Moja |
| Two | Mbili |
| Three | Tatu |
| Four | Nne |
| Five | Tano |
| Six | Sita |
| Seven | Saba |
| Eight | Nane |
| Nine | Tisa |
| Ten | Kumi |
|
Animals |
|
| Cheetah | Duma |
| Elephant | Tembo |
| Giraffe | Twiga |
| Hippo | Kiboko |
| Lion | Simba |
| Wildebeest | Kongoni / nyumbu |
|
Food and drink |
|
| Beef | Nyama |
| Beer | Pombe |
| Bread | Mkate |
| Chicken | Kuku |
| Coffee | Kahwa |
| Cold | Baridi |
| Eggs | Mayai |
| Finished | Kuisha |
| Fish | Samaki |
| Ice | Barafu |
| Lamb | Kondoo |
| Milk | Maziwa |
| Sugar | Sukari |
| Tea | Chai |
|
More general terms |
|
| Do you speak English? | Unazungumza Kiingereza? |
| Stop | Simama |
| Bring me hot water please! | Lete maji moto, tafadhali! |
| Porter | Mpagazi |
| Rope | Kamba |
| Slowly | Pole pole |
| Drinking water | Maji ya kunywa |
| Toilet paper | Karatasi ya choo |
| Left | Kushoto |
| Right | Kulia |
| Carry on straight | Nenda mojakwa moja |
| I am lost | Nimepotea |
| I want to go down | Ninataka kwenda chini |
| Do you have a map? | Unayo ramani? |
| Where are we? | Sisi tupa wapi? |
| How far is it? | Ni umbali gani? |
| I am thirsty | Naona kiu |
| I am tired | Nimechoka |
| I am cold | Ninahisi baridi |
| My head aches | Kickwa kinauma |
| Diarrhea | Kuhara |
| Nausea | Nataka kutapika |
| Vomiting | Kutapika |
| I feel better | Afadhali sana |
| There has been an accident | Pametokea ajali |
| Don’t move him | Usimsogeze |
| Get a doctor | Umwite daktari |
| Please bring blankets | Tafadhali ulete blanketi |
| He has fallen | Ameanguka |
| He has fainted | Amepoteza fahamu |
