fws programs are designed within a local context,
for the local community - so we are naturally keen to expand our knowledge in this area and continue to foster local culture.
A big part of this is taking the time to learn (and practise) the local lingo of the community in which we work. At Kesho Leo
children's village, this language is Kiswahili (or Swahili in English) - a Bantu language that
is spoken widely throughout East Africa.
So, whether you're a
fws volunteer, visitor, supporter, or just plain curious: we've put together the
fws Kiswahili Guide for Beginners, to help you get started!
If you have any key Swahili phrases you think deserve a listing, please feel free to email your additions to:
website@foodwatershelter.org.au. Asante sana.
Greetings
Tanzanians love greetings, and there is a multitude of ways to greet each other. A short walk to the
sokoni (market), and you're bound to be stopped along the way by plenty of friendly locals who are keen for a chat.
Locals love it when people make the effort to try their language...so
don't worry about being laughed at (it's inevitable!) as you test out
your newly found Kiswahili pronunciation prowess.
Karibu: Welcome
Asante: Thank you
(people say thank you all the time and please - tafadhali - is rarely used)
Asante sana: Thank you very much
Karibuni: Welcome
(to two or more people)
Asanteni: Thank you
(to two or more people)
Shikamoo: Respectful greetings
(said to elders)
Marahaba: I accept and return your respect
Nimefurahi kukutana na wewe: I'm happy to meet you
Na mimi pia: And me also
Hodi:
(Expression used when asking to enter a house or room)
Habari za asubuhi: How is your morning?
Salama: Peaceful / safe
Habari za leo: How is today?
Nzuri: Good
Nzuri sana: Very good
Safi sana: Great
Habari yako: How are things with you?
Nzuri: Good
Mambo / Mambo vipi: How's it going?
(Colloquial, said to young people)
Poa, Freshi, Safi: Cool / Fine
Hujambo: How are you?
Sijambo: I am fine
Hamjambo: How are you?
(to two or more people)
Hatujambo: We are fine
Useful words & phrases
Pole sana: I feel bad / very sorry for you
(it means empathy)
Asante: Thank you
Naomba: I would like
Nataka: I want
Ndiyo: Yes
Hapana: No
Labda: Maybe
Sitaki asante: I don't want it / no thank you
Sijui: I don't know
Najua: I know
Sielewi: I don't understand
Naelewa: I understand
Unasema Kiswahili: Do you speak Swahili?
Kidogo sana: Very little
Shillingapi: How much?
Ni bei gani: What price?
Sawa: OK
Samahani: Excuse me / I'm sorry
(when something is your fault)
Nani: Who?
Nini: What?
Gani: Which?
Wapi: Where?
Lini: When?
Kwa nini: Why?
Kwa sababu: Because
Wewe: You
Mimi: Me
Yeye: Him/Her
Sisi: Us
Njoo: Come!
Ninakuja: I come / I'm coming
Unatoka wapi: Where do you come from?
Ninatoka ..........: I come from .........
Umetoka wapi: Where are you coming from?
Nimetoka shule: I'm coming from school
Unakwenda wapi: Where are you going?
Ninakwenda nyumbani: I'm going home
Jina lako nani: What is your name?
Jina langu ..........: My name is ..........
Unafanya nini: What are you doing?
Ninafanya kazi: I am working
Una miaka mingapi: How old are you?
Nina miaka ..........: I'm .......... years old
Mzungu: Foreigner
Wazungu: Foreigners
Polepole: Slowly slowly
kwa haraka: In a hurry
Usiku mwema: Good night
Na wewe pia: And you also
Lala salama: Sleep safely
Ndoto njema: Dream well
Tutaonana kesho: See you tomorrow
Hakuna matata: No worries
Hamna shida: No problem
Hamna tatizo: No problem
Family & people
Familia: Family
Jamaa: Family / relatives
Mama: Mother
Baba: Father
Dada: Sister
Kaka: Brother
Bibi: Grandmother
Babu: Grandfather
Mtoto: Child
Watoto: Children
Msichana: Girl
Mvulana: Boy
Mwanamke: Woman
Mwanamume: Man
Mke: Wife
Mume: Husband
Rafiki: Friend
Mwalimu: Teacher
Mwanafunzi: Student
Numbers
Moja: One
Mbili: Two
Tatu: Three
Nne: Four
Tano: Five
Sita: Six
Saba: Seven
Nane: Eight
Tisa: Nine
Kumi: Ten
Ishirini: Twenty
Thelathini: Thirty
Arobaini: Forty
Hamsini: Fifty
Sitini: Sixty
Sabini: Seventy
Themathini: Eighty
Tisini: Ninety
Mia: Hundred
Elfu: Thousand
Laki: Hundred thousand
Milioni: Million
Days and time
Leo: Today
Kesho: Tomorrow
Jana: Yesterday
Asubuhi: Morning
Mchana: Noon
Jioni: Afternoon
Usiku: Night
Siku: Day
Sasa: Now
Sasa hivi: Right Now
Baadaye: Later
Sekunde: Second
Dakika: Minute
Saa: Hour, clock
Saa ngapi: What's the time?
Sasa ni saa ..........: The time now is ..........
Dakika moja: Just a moment
Subiri kidogo: Wait a little
Jumapili: Sunday
Jumatatu: Monday
Jumanne: Tuesday
Jumatano: Wednesday
Alhamisi: Thursday
Ijumaa: Friday
Jumamosi: Saturday
Weather
Baridi: Cold
Joto: Hot
Jua: Sun
Jua kali: Fierce sun
Mvua: Rain
Mvua inanyesha: It's raining
Kuna upepo: It's windy
Farewells
Kwaheri: Goodbye
Kwaherini: Goodbye all
Tutaonana tena: See you again
Tutaonana baadaye: See you later
Nimefurahi sana kukufahamu: I'm very happy to know you
Safari njema: Good journey
Sasa tutaendelea kujifunza pamoja!
(Now we'll continue to learn together!)