Swahili = a spoken African language

Swahili, also known as Kiswahili, is a Bantu language originally spoken by the Swahili people, who are found primarily in Tanzania, Kenya, and Mozambique. Estimates of the number of Swahili speakers, including both native and second-language speakers, generally range from 150 million to 200 million. Swahili is the most widely spoken language in sub-Saharan Africa and is the common tongue for most East Africans (although it's not necessarily their first language). Swahili is an official language alongside English in Kenya and Tanzania, and primary school children are usually taught in Swahili.

Greetings

  • Hello: jambo/ hujambo/ ​salama

  • How are you?: habari gani

  • Fine (response): nzuri

  • Goodbye: kwa heri/ kwa herini (more than one person)

  • See you later: tutaonana

  • Nice to meet you: nafurahi kukuona

  • Goodnight: lala salama

Civilities

  • Yes: ndiyo

  • No: hapana

  • Thank you: asante

  • Thank you very much: asante sana

  • Please: tafadhali

  • OK: sawa

  • Excuse me: samahani

  • You're welcome: starehe

Days of the Week Numbers

  • Monday: Jumatatu

  • Tuesday: Jumanne

  • Wednesday: Jumatano

  • Thursday: Alhamisi

  • Friday: Ljumaa

  • Saturday: Jumamosi

  • Sunday: Jumapili

  • 1: moja

  • 2: mbili

  • 3: tatu

  • 4: nne

  • 5: tano

  • 6: sita

  • 7: saba

  • 8: nane

  • 9: tisa

  • 10: kumi

Food and Drinks

  • I'd like: nataka

  • Food: chakula

  • Hot/cold: ya moto/baridi

  • Water: maji

  • Hot water: maji ya moto

  • Drinking water: maji ya kunywa

  • Soda: soda

  • Beer: bia

  • Milk: maziwa

  • Meat: nyama

  • Chicken: nyama kuku

  • Fish: sumaki

  • Beef: nyama ng'ombe

  • Fruit: matunda

  • Vegetables: mboga

Animals

  • Animal: wanyama

  • Buffalo: nyati/mbogo

  • Cheetah: duma/ chita

  • Cow: n'gombe

  • Elephant: tembo/ndovuh

  • Giraffe: twiga

  • Goat: mbuzi

  • Hippo: kiboko

  • Hyena: fisi

  • Leopard: chui

  • Lion: simba

  • Rhino: kifaru

  • Warthog: ngiri

  • Wildebeest: nyumbu

  • Zebra: punda milia