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Msafiri’s Swahili Phrase guide
Kenya is a country made up of many tribes; 43 and more and swahili/ kiswahili (being the national language) stands out as the language that unifies these groups. Swahili has taken root in many countries as well and is widely spoken in regions of Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Congo and Zambia; it is the most widely spoken African language.
In Kenya, “JAMBO” swahili for “hello” is a greeting most commonly associated with tourists and is often the first word learnt …this is also evident in the famous welcoming song “Jambo Bwana” by them mushrooms.
While exploring the beautiful Kenya, learning a little swahili will come a long way in helping you enjoy a smooth and enjoyable adventure when interacting with the locals.
This guide will give you access to some helpful basic Swahili:
USEFUL GREETINGS
|
Jambo (informal used on tourists) or Hujambo? (Hello, good day, how are you?) |
Jambo or Sijambo (the response) I’m fine! |
|
Habari? How are things? |
Nzuri (Fine, good) |
|
Hodi! Hello? Anyone in? (said on knocking or entering) |
Karibu Come in, enter, welcome(also said on offering something) |
|
Kwaheri/ ni |
Goodbye to one/ many |
|
Asante/ ni |
Thank you to one/ many |
|
Bwana
Mama |
Mister, the equivalent of monsieur in French
Like the French madame or madamoiselle, for adult women |
|
Kijana
Mtoto |
Youth, teenager(plural,vijana)
Child, kid(plural,watoto) |
BASIC NEEDS
|
Where can I stay? |
Naweza Kukaa wapi? |
|
Can I stay here? |
Naweza kukaa hapa? |
|
Room/s |
Chumba/vyumba |
|
Bed/s |
Kitanda/vitanda |
|
Chair/s |
Kiti/viti |
|
Table/s |
Meza |
|
Toilet, bathroom |
Choo, bafu |
|
Washing water |
Maji ya kuosha |
|
Hot/cold water |
Maji moto/baridi |
|
I’m hungry |
Ninasikia njaa |
|
I’m thirsty |
Nina kiu |
|
Is there any? |
Iko… or Kuna?… |
|
Yes there is… |
Iko…or kuna… |
|
No there isn’t any |
Hakuna |
|
How much? |
Ngapi? |
|
money |
Pesa |
|
What price? |
Bei gani? |
|
How much does it cost? |
Pesa Ngapi? |
|
I want… |
Nataka |
|
I don’t want |
Sitaki |
|
Give me/Bring me (can I have?) |
Nipe/Niletee |
|
Again |
Tena |
|
Enough |
Tosha/basi |
|
Expensive |
Ghali/sana |
|
Cheap(also”easy”) |
Rahisi |
|
Fifty cents |
Sumni |
|
Reduce the price,come down a little |
Punguza kidogo |
|
Shop |
Duka |
|
Bank |
Benki |
|
Post office |
Posta |
|
Café,restaurant |
Hoteli |
|
Telephone |
Simu |
|
Cigarettes |
Sigara |
|
I’m ill |
Mimi mgonjwa |
|
Doctor |
Daktari |
|
Hospital |
Hospitali |
|
Police |
Polisi |
TRAVEL AND DIRECTIONS
|
Bus/es |
Bas,basi / mabasi |
|
Car /s, Vehicle/ s |
Gari/ Magari |
|
Taxi |
Teksi |
|
Bicycle |
Baiskeli |
|
Train |
Treni |
|
Plane |
Ndege |
|
Boat / Ship |
Chombo / Meli |
|
Petrol |
Petroli |
|
Road, path |
Njia/ ndia |
|
Highway |
Barabara |
|
On foot/ Walking |
Kwa miguu |
|
When does it leave |
Inaondoka lini? |
|
When will you arrive? |
Tutafika lini? |
|
Slowly |
Pole pole |
|
Fast, quickly |
Haraka |
|
Wait! / hang on a moment! |
Ngoja!/ ngoja kidogo! |
|
Stop! |
Simama! |
|
Where are you going |
Unaenda wapi |
|
To where? |
Mpaka wapi? |
|
From where? |
Kutoka wapi? |
|
How many kilometers? |
Kilometa ngapi? |
|
I’m going to |
Naenda |
|
Move along, squeeze up a little |
Songa!/ songa kidogo! |
|
Let’s go, carry on |
Twende, endelea |
|
Straight ahead |
Moja kwa moja |
|
Right |
Kulia |
|
Left |
Kushoto |
|
Up |
Juu |
|
Down |
Chini |
|
I want to get off here |
Nataka kushuka hapa |
|
The car has broken down |
Gari imearibika |
General Words and Phrases
|
English |
Swahili |
|
And |
Na |
|
Big |
kubwa |
|
Small |
ndogo |
|
A lot of |
nyingi |
|
Other/ Another |
Ingine |
|
Not bad |
Si mbaya |
|
Danger |
Hatari |
|
Drink (noun) |
Kinywaji |
|
Drink (verb) |
Kunywa |
|
Eat |
Kula |
|
Excuse me! |
Samahani! |
|
Food |
Chakula |
|
Friend |
Rafiki |
|
Good |
Nzuri |
|
Goodbye! |
Kwaheri! |
|
Help me, please! |
Nisaidie, tafadhali! |
|
Here |
Hapa |
|
Hot |
Moto |
|
How? |
Vipi? |
|
I am angry. |
Nimekasirika. |
|
I am traveling. |
Ninasafiri. |
|
I am happy. |
Nimefurahi. |
|
I can speak Swahili. |
Ninaweza kusema Kiswahili. |
|
I can’t speak Swahili. |
Siwezi kusema Kiswahili. |
|
I love you! |
Ninakupenda! |
|
Motorcycle |
Pikipiki |
|
No! |
Hapana! |
|
OK! |
Sawa! |
|
Please |
Tafadhali |
|
Sorry! (apologize) |
Samahani! |
|
Sorry! (sympathize) |
Pole! |
|
Sweet |
Tamu |
|
Thank you! |
Asante! |
|
Thank you very much! |
Asante sana! |
|
There |
Pale |
|
Very |
Sana |
|
Water |
Maji |
|
Welcome! |
Karibu! |
|
What? |
Nini? |
|
When? |
Wakati gani? |
|
Where? |
Wapi? |
|
Where are you going to? |
Unakwenda wapi? |
|
Which? |
Ipi? |
|
Yes! |
Ndio |
|
Fine, cool |
Safi |
|
Completely |
Kabisa |
|
Just, only |
Tu(kitanda kimoja tu-just ona bed) |
|
Thing/ s |
Kitu/ vitu |
|
Problems, hassles |
Wasiwasi, matata |
|
No problem |
Hakuna wasiwasi/ Hakuna matata |
|
Friend |
Rafiki |
|
Sorry, pardon |
Samahani |
|
It’s nothing |
Si kitu |
|
Excuse me (let me through) |
Hebu |
|
What’s up? |
Namna gani? |
|
If God wills it |
Inshallah (heard often on the coast) |
|
Please |
Tafadhali |
|
Take a picture of me! |
Piga picha mimi! |
|
Help the poor! |
Saidia maskini! |
|
Ok, right, fine |
Sawa |
Numbers
|
English |
Swahili |
English |
Swahili |
|
1 |
Moja |
40 |
Arubaini |
|
2 |
Mbili |
50 |
Hamsini |
|
3 |
Tatu |
55 |
Hamsini na tano |
|
4 |
Nne |
60 |
Sitini |
|
5 |
Tano |
70 |
Sabini |
|
6 |
Sita |
80 |
Thamanini |
|
7 |
Saba |
90 |
Tisini |
|
8 |
Nane |
100 |
Mia |
|
9 |
Tisa |
136 |
Mia moja thalathini na sita |
|
10 |
Kumi |
999 |
Mia tisa tisini na tisa |
|
11 |
Kumi na moja |
1000 |
Elfu |
|
12 |
Kumi na mbili |
1997 |
Elfu moja mia tisa tisini na saba |
|
17 |
Kumi na saba |
Half |
Nusu |
|
20 |
Ishirini |
Two and a half |
Mbili na nusu |
|
24 |
Ishirini na nne |
Quarter |
Robo |
|
30 |
Thalathini |
Forty seven and three quarters |
Arubaini na saba na robo tatu |
Time
|
English |
Swahili |
|
Time |
Saa |
|
Hour |
Saa |
|
Watch/Clock |
Saa |
|
Morning |
Asubuhi |
|
Evening |
Jioni/Usiku |
|
Afternoon |
Mchana |
|
Late afternoon |
Alasiri/Jioni |
|
Dusk |
Magharibi |
|
Night |
Usiku |
|
Late night |
Usiku wa manane |
|
Early morning |
Alfajiri |
|
What time is it? |
Saa ngapi? |
|
8 o’clock in the morning |
Saa mbili kamili asubuhi |
|
8 o’clock sharp |
Saa mbili barabara |
|
Noon |
Saa sita mchana |
|
4:25 p.m. |
Saa kumi na dakika ishirini na tano alasiri |
|
6:00 p.m. |
Saa kumi na mbili kamili jioni |
|
8:15 p.m. |
Saa mbili na robo usiku |
|
7:45 p.m. |
Saa mbili kasorobo usiku |
|
9:30 a.m. |
Saa tatu unusu asubuhi (also: Saa tatu na nusu asubuhi) |
|
Now |
Sasa |
|
Today |
Leo |
|
Yesterday |
Jana |
|
Tomorrow |
Kesho |
|
Day before yesterday |
Juzi |
|
Day after tomorrow |
Kesho-kutwa |
|
Day |
Siku |
|
Week |
Wiki |
|
Month |
Mwezi |
|
Year |
Mwaka |
|
Century |
Karne |
|
Sentence/Phrase |
Response |
|
Habari! (Hello!/Hi!) |
Nzuri! (Good!/Fine!) |
|
Ninaitwa Charles. Wewe unaitwaje? |
Ninaitwa Mary. Nimefurahi kukujua. |
|
Unazungumza Kiswahili? |
Ndio! Ninazungumza Kiswahili. Kidogo tu! Hapana! Sizungumzi Kiswahili. Ninazungumza Kiingereza tu! |
|
Ninatokea Marekani. Wewe unatokea wapi? |
Ninatokea Japani. Nipo hapa kwa matembezi. Ninatokea Uingereza. Nipo hapa kwa kazi. Ninatokea Ujerumani. Nimekuja kujifunza Kiswahili. |
|
Kwaheri! Nimefurahi kukutana na wewe. |
Karibu! Nimefurahi pia kukutana na wewe. |
|
Utapenda kunywa nini? |
Nitakunywa maji tu. Nina kiu sana! Nitakunywa kahawa bila maziwa. Nitakunywa chai na maziwa na sukari kidogo. Nitakunywa soda. CocaCola, tafadhali. |
|
Tafadhali niletee chakula moto haraka. Nina njaa sana! |
Huu hapa wali, samaki, mbatata, na saladi. Nitakuletea keki baadaye. |
Animals
|
English |
Picture |
Swahili |
|
Baboon |
|
|
|
Bird(s) |
|
|
|
Buffalo |
|
|
|
Cat |
|
|
|
Cheetah |
|
|
|
Chimpanzee |
|
|
|
Cow/Ox |
|
|
|
Deer |
|
|
|
Dog |
|
|
|
Donkey |
|
|
|
Elephant |
|
|
|
Giraffe |
|
|
|
Goat |
|
|
|
Hippopotamus |
|
|
|
Hyena |
|
|
|
Impala |
|
|
|
Leopard |
|
|
|
Lion |
|
|
|
Monkey |
|
|
|
Ostrich |
|
|
|
Peacock |
|
|
|
Pig |
|
|
|
Python |
|
|
|
Rhinoceros |
|
|
|
Sheep |
|
|
|
Snake |
|
|
|
Warthog |
|
|
|
Wild Boar |
|
|
|
Wild Dog |
|
|
|
Zebra |
|
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Miss Tourism Kenya set to take stage in September
Miss Tourism Kenya is geared towards promotion of Tourist attraction sites as well as creating awareness of Kenya’s diversity in flora and fauna. The event is globally recognized and its aim is to promote tourism both internationally and locally. This year’s contest will feature county competitions as Kenya has since recognized a new form of government.
The County Competitions will follow a ‘heats’ model whereby preliminary competitions will be organized and some contestants selected to go further to the County Final competition. At the County Final contest, every county will parade a minimum of 12 contestants from which a County Delegate will be selected to represent that county at the National Final competition in Nairobi. Heats therefore will be organized in the major towns of each county. Training for the competition will focus highly on Deportment, Beauty, Public Speaking and Personality.
To join the Miss Tourism Kenya Contest follow the link; http://misstourismkenya.co.ke/contest.html and apply!
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Kenya to host Africa’s Travel Industry ”Oscars”
The Kenya Tourism Board have been bestowed the owner of hosting this year’s World Travel Awards (WTA) – African region. The Awards, dubbed “Oscars of the Travel Industry” will be held on the 16th of October and are bound to highly boost Kenya’s tourist market. The hosts were awarded – Africa’s leading Tourism Board – by WTA last year in December and also scooped the – Best African Tourism Board – in the Africa Safari awards held in London in February; beginning of this year.
“That WTA has chosen Kenya for the African region ceremony as part of the world grand tour, is an endorsement of the country as a preferred tourism destination in the world”, Says KTB Managing Director Muriithi Ndegwa. Graham E. Cooke, President and Founder, WTA, added, “The selection of our hosts is fundamental to the success of our awards programme, and Kenya as a nation has all the ingredients to rise to the challenge of hosting our Africa Ceremony – a warm, vibrant and progressive nation, brimming with enthusiasm and creativity. Tourism is vital to Kenya’s economy, contributing 12 percent to its GDP and sustaining one in ten jobs. The future is bright for Kenya, given the nation’s overwhelming natural resources, its unrivalled wildlife experiences and pristine beaches.”
For further details, including entry forms and closing deadlines for nominations, visit www.worldtravelawards.com/nominate.
For further World Travel Awards press info contact:
t: +44 (0)20 7925 0000
e: pr@worldtravelawards.com
w: www.worldtravelawards.com
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KENYA
Kenya is world-famous for its diversity in cultures, wildlife and stunning landscapes which lend the countries placement as a top tourist destination not only in Africa but worldwide. The country has a range of famed national parks; Tsavo National Park, Amboseli National Park, Masai Mara, Samburu National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Aberdares National Park amongst others, making it the premier of wildlife safari.
Kenya has lots to offer under one roof and guests will not fall short of things to do here from bird-watching, trekking, ballooning over the Masai Mara, snorkelling at the Marine National Park in Malindi, Cultural safaris; getting to know the amazing people of Kenya to dining in the bush, staring at the African night sky in the wilderness, and lots…lots more.
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Tourism Cabinet Secretary Takes Oath of Office
Although amidst opposition, in reference to her suitability to take office by members of the committee on appointment, Mrs. Phyllis Kandie can finally breathe a sigh of relief as the new Tourism cabinet secretary. This docket also incorporates East African affairs and Commerce. Seeing as the ministerial positions are no longer politically based (cabinet secretaries are not inclined to any political party and/or are not politicians) Kenyans are hopeful to see immense growth and development having that the appointment of the new cabinet in place is mainly (the loyalty card was used on some obvious appointments) based on Merit.
Mrs. Kandie comes into office at a time when the tourism sector is experiencing major challenges that need to be dealt with immediately if growth in ratings and arrivals is to be expected. For instance the docket is at the moment lacking directors and members of various boards that fall under it after the outgoing minister Dan Mwazo went on a firing rampage in the name of transforming the ministry. Furthermore, the current insecurity situation in the country has proven to be a threat to tourism as well with the number of arrivals reducing by the day. Other challenges include; increase of wildlife poaching, poor marketing of Kenya as a tourism destination, Failure of implementing the Tourism Act and also the fact that this year was an election year, many tourists preferred to stay away in fear of a repeat post-election violence occurrence.
With this and many more other factors in tow, Mrs. Phyllis Kandie sure has her work cut out for her. As president Uhuru Kenyatta expressed, the tourism sector expects to expand to 3 million visitors and therefore she definitely has a lot of work to do; not time for dilly-dally. Hopefully her background and experience in various sectors will help catapult this industry to the top.
Zuru Kenya 