Short introduction to swahili
Kenya is a multi-ethnic state home to more than 40 tribes. Each tribe speaks its own unique dialect such as ‘Maa’ by the Maasai. Despite having so many different languages, Kenyans use English and Kiswahili as their official languages, with Kiswahili also being the National Language. The ability to speak some basic Swahili can win you many smiles, not to mention the fact that it is a fun language to speak and learn! The following guide will help you try out some basic Swahili.
Greetings
Greetings are important in East Africa
Hello = Jambo
Fine (response) = Nzuri
How are you? = Habari gani
Fine (response) = Nzuri
Goodbye = Kwa heri
Goodnight = Lala salama
Civilities
Yes = Ndiyo
No = Hapana
Thank you = Asante
Thank you very much = Asante sana
Please = Tafadhali
OK = Sawa
Excuse me = Samahani
What is your name? = Jina lako nani?
My name is = Jina langu ni …
Where are you from? = Unatoka wapi?
May I take a picture? = Naomba kupiga picha
Friend = Rafiki
Getting Around
Is it near = Ni karibu?
Is it far = Ni mbali
Airport = uwanja wa ndege
Taxi stand = stendi ya teksi
Plane = ndege
Ticket = tikiti
Bank = benki
Market = soko
Toilet/bathroom = choo
Hotel = hoteli
Room = chumba
Today -Leo
Tomorrow – Kesho
Yesterday- Jana
Now- Sasa
Later- Baadaye
Numbers
0- sufuri/ziro
1- moja
2- mbili
3- tatu
4- nne
5- tano
6- sita
7- saba
8- nane
9- tisa
10- kumi