Basic Swahili Phrases for Your Tanzania Safari
Swahili, a Bantu language spoken in much of east Africa with more than 140 million people. Swahili is an official language alongside English, and primary school children are usually taught in Swahili. Any tourists/ travelers must have a little understanding/ basic useful swahili words and phrases learning for s broad exposure.
What to learn useful swahili words and phrases? Tanzania is open the borders since June 28th. All Kilimanjaro and Safari Activities have been resumed for all tourists. Also, all International Airlines have resumed their flights to Tanzania.
English Words |
Swahili Words |
| Welcome | Karibu |
| Good morning (Morning greeting) | Habari ya asubuhi |
| Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting) | Habari ya mchana |
| Good evening (Evening greeting) | Habari ya jioni |
| Good night | Usiku mwema Lala salama (sleep well) |
| Goodbye | Kwaheri |
| Good luck! | Kila la heri( |
| Have a nice day | Nakutakia siku njema! |
| Have a nice meal | Ufurahie chakula chako (sg) Furahieni chakula chenu (pl) Chakula chema |
| Have a good journey | Safari Njema |
| Do you understand? | Umeelewa? |
| Yes | Ndiyo |
| No | Hapana |
| Hello | Habari, hujambo(sg) hamjambo (pl) |
| What is your name? | Jina lako nani? |
| Am fine | Salama, nzuri |
| Where are you from? | Umetoka wapi? |
| Am from… | Nimetoka.. |
| I understand | Nimeelewa |
| I don’t understand | Sielewi |
| I don’t know | Sijui |
| No thank you | Hapana Asante |
| Stop | Acha/ Usiendelee |
| Sorry | Samahani |
| Thank you | Asante, Asante Sana, sg(Asanteni(pl) |
| Congratulation | Hongera |
Day |
Siku |
| Monday | Jumatatu |
| Tuesdays | Jumanne |
| Wednesday | Jumatano |
| Thursday | Alhamisi |
| Friday | Ijumaa |
| Saturday | Jumamosi |
| Sunday | Jumapili |
Month |
Mwezi |
| Junuary | Mwezi wa kwanza |
| February | Mwezi wa pili |
| March | Mwezi wa tatu |
| April | Mwezi wa nne |
| May | Mwezi wa Tano |
| June | Mwezi wa sita |
| July | Mwezi wa Saba |
| August | Mwezi wa Nane |
| September | Mwezi wa Tisa |
| October | Mwezi wa Kumi |
| November | Mwezi wa kumi na moja |
| December | Mwezi wa kumi na mbili |
| Year | Mwaka |
| Month | Mwezi |
| Sun | Jua |
| Moon | Mbalamwezi |
Numbers |
Namba |
| One | Moja |
| Two | mbili |
| Three | Tatu |
| Four | Nne |
| Five | Tano |
| Six | Sita |
| Seven | Saba |
| Eight | Nane |
| Nine | Tisa |
| Ten | Kumi |
| Twenty | Ishirini |
| Thirty | Thelathini |
| Fourth | Arobaini |
| Fifty | Hamsini |
| Sixty | Sitini |
| Seventy | Sabini |
| Eighty | Themanini |
| Ninety | Tisini |
| One Hundred | Mia moja |
| Two hundred | Mia mbili |
| Three hundred | Mia tatu |
| Four Hundred | Mia nne |
| Five Hundred | Mia Tano |
| Six hundred | Mia Sita |
| Seven hundred | Mia Saba |
| Eight hundred | Mia Nane |
| Nine hundred | Mia Tisa |
| One thousand | Elfu moja |
| Head | Kichwa |
| Hair | Nywele |
| Face | Uso |
| Hand /hands | Mkono (sg) Mikono (pl) |
| Stomarch | Tumbo |
| Leg/s | Mguu(gl) Miguu(pl) |
| Chakula | Food |
| Tea | Chai |
| Water | Maji |
| Father | Baba |
| Mother | Mama |
| Grand father | Babu |
| Gand mother | Bibi |
| Kids/Children | Mtoto/Watoto |
| Aunt | Shangazi |
| Cloth/ Clothes | Nguo |
| Shoe/ Shoes | Kiatu (sg) Viatu (pl) |
| Car/s | Gari/sg) Magari (pl) |
| Dark /Darkness | Giza |
| Light | Mwanga |
| bird/s | Ndege |
Animals-
|
Wanyama (Mnyama-Animal) |
| Buffalo | Mbogo au Nyati |
| Cheetah | Duma |
| Elephant | Tembo/ Ndovu |
| Giraffe | Twiga |
| Hippo | Kiboko |
| Hyena | Fisi |
| Leopard | Chui |
| Lion | Simba |
| Rhino | Kifaru |
| Warthog | Ngiri |
| Wildebeest | Nyumbu |
| Zebra | Punda milia |
| Ng’ombe | Cow |
| Mbuzi | Goat (sgl) Goats (pl) |
| Kondoo | Sheep |
| Chichen | Kuku |
| Bull | Ng’ombe Dume |
| cock | Jogoo |
| Baby Elephant
|
Mtoto wa tembo |
| Cat | Paka |
| Dog | Mbwa |
Learn More about Basic Swahili Phrases for Your Tanzania Safari.