Swahili is the language that predominates the East Coast of Africa. Spoken by an estimate of 5-10 million people, its derivation is Bantu, and it is the lingua franca of countries along the east coast from Kenya to Mozambique, also including the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Comoros Islands. It is the official language of four African nations, and is the only language of African origin amongst the official working languages of the African Union.  Africa has 49 countries and hundreds of tribes, each with a  language of its own, some so foreign to our ear that words and verbal communications are formed by clicking sounds.  Tanzania alone has over 120 tribes, and as visitors here, we even had the occasion to speak a few words of Masai ... similar to Swahili, but different. Following is a long list of  helpful words in Swahili, worth the trouble to learn, if only to see the bright happy smiles of the locals. The swahili sound is a lilt as musical as Italian, probably because Swahili words end in lovely vowels, with the occasional trill of the R.  For the words beginning in the letters M, the sound is “mm”; for the letter N, the sound is ”n”, considered a first syllable when followed by a consonant, the rest of the word, spoken as spelled.  Otherwise Mw, sounds like an air kiss and Mi is “me”, ni is “ne”, etc.

Words of Greeting & Response

Jambo = Hello     

Si Jambo = Response to Hello

Mambo! = How are things? How’s it going?

Mambo Poa = Things are cool/fine.

Habari?=How are you?

Nzuri = Good (same word also means beautiful)

Wewe? = And you?

Hakuna matata =No problem

Basic Words:

Jana = Yesterday

Leo = Today

Kesho = Tomorrow

Bado = Still

Ndiyo = Yes

Hapana = No

Hapana asante =No  thanks

Sawa = OK

Basi = Enough

Sina =  I don’t have

Sijui = I don’t know

Words of Politeness:

Umajali = You are very kind

Samahani = Excuse me (let me pass)

Tusahameheane = I apologize, I’m sorry

Karibu = Welcome!  & response to Thank you (singular)

Karibu sana = You are very welcomed: response to thank you    

Tafadhari = Please

Asante = Thanks

Asante Sana = Thank you very much

Shikimo = Respectful greetings to an elder

Marihaba = Response back

Words of Concern & Support:

Kwa heli? = Are you sick?

Kweli? = Is it true? True?

Uko sawa = Are you OK?

U hali gani?  = How are you?

Za kwako = And you?

Usilie  = Don’t cry

Usiwa na wasi wasi = Don’t worry

Killakitu sawa = Everything’s OK

Kuanafaraha = Be Happy

Morning Greeting & Partings:

Habari za Asubuhi = Good Morning

Na mimi neme La La

Salaama ... wewe? = I slept well, did you?      

Uwe na Siku njema = Have a nice/great day!

Tutaonana baadaye  =  See you later!

Tutaonana kesho  =  See you tomorrow!

Afternoon Greetings & Partings

Habari za Mchana = Afternoon

Mchana Mwema = Have a nice afternoon

Tutaonana kesho  = See you tomorrow!

Siku njema = Have a nice day.

Tutaonana baadaye = See you later!

Tutaonana kesho = See you tomorrow!

Evening Greetings & Partings

Habari za Jioni = Good Evening

Usiku Mwema = Good Night

La la Salaama = Goodnight & Sweet Dreams

“  kama Mtoto Mdogo = Goodnight & sleep like a baby.

Tutaonana kesho = See you tomorrow!

Final Words of Parting

Kesho unaondoka = Tomorrow I am leaving

Kwaheri  = Goodbye

Safari Njema = Have a nice trip

Mungu akubriatiki ... = May God bless you

Mungu akubriatiki keteka maishi yako  =  May God bless you in your life! 

Mungu awe nawe = May God be with you

Restaurant Swahili:

Una njaa? = Are you hungry??

Meza ya wawili, tafadhali  =  A table for us please.

Nataka Chai/Kawali? =  I would like to have tea/coffee?

Chai = Tea

Kahawai = Coffee Note below:

Kofi = A slap on the face ... (so don’t order coffee!)

Maziwa = Milk

Maziwa baridi/moto = Cold/Hot Milk

Chupa ya Maji = Bottle of water

Mvinyo Mweupe = White wine

Mvinyo Mwekundu = Red wine (literally, Black wine)

Kikombe = Cup

Uma/Kisu/Kijiko = Fork/Knife/Spoon                                      

Chakula = Food or meal

Chakula cha mchana = Lunch

Chakula cha jioni = Dinner

Chakula chema = Nice food

Chakula kitamu = Delicious food/meal

Pongezi Mpish = Congratulations to the Chef

Furahiya chai yako = Enjoy your breakfast (or I enjoyed my breakfast)

Nimeshiba = I am full!

Bili tafadhari  = The bill please

Nitalieta Sasa = I will bring (it) now.

Toasts & Love Notes:

Pongezi  = Congratulations

Maisha Marefu = Long Life! - a toast!

Raha Kamili =Abundant Happiness! (also a toast)        

Furaha = Joyful

Furahiya = Enjoy (verb)

Naku Mpenda!  = I love you!

Mimi Pia = Me too! (I love you too!)

Mpenzi = Loved one, dear friend the Arabic equivalent to habibi

Rafiki =  Friend

Mume Wangu Mpenzi = My beloved husband  (Mume)

Mke Wangu Mpenzi = My beloved wife  (Mke)

Relatives:

Baba = Father

Babu = Grandfather

Mama = Mother

Bibi = Grandmother

Mjomba = Uncle

Shangazi = Auntie

Numbers:

Moja, Mbili, Tatu, Nne, Tano        1.2.3.4.5

Sita, Saba, Nane, Tisa, Kumi          6,7,8,9,10   

Ishirini, Thelathini, Arobaini        20,30,40

Hamsini, Sitini, Sabini                    50,60,70

Themanini, Tisini, Mia                    80,90,100

Elfu                                                       1000

Elfumbili na kumi                             2010

 

PHOTOS: Some of my teachers ... everyone at Ras Nungwi Beach Hotel seemed to teach us some Swahili words as it is so much fun to “call & respond” to one another in passing one another  throughout the day.

Left: The restaurant staff: Richard, Asma, and Amos who taught us many Swahili words.

Right: Jourdan, with linguistic help from Janeth & Devota, housekeepers in the Ocean Suite.