Although Swahili takes its roots from the African Bantu language, it is heavily influenced by Arabic — a result of the long-standing trading relationships in the region — and many contemporary words are adapted from English.
| Greetings | ||
| Hello |  Jambo |
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| Good morning | Habari za asubuhi? |
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| Good afternoon | Habari za mchana? |
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| Good evening | Habari za jioni? |
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| Good night | Habari za usiku? |
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| Goodbye | Kwa heri (one), Kwa herini (many) |
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| What is your name? | Jina lako nani? Wewe nani? |
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| My name is Michael Jordan. | Jina langu ni Michael Jordan. |
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Politeness |
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| Nice to meet you. | Nafurahi kukuona. |
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| How are you? | Habari gani? Uhali gani? |
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| Good, fine | Njema, Nzuri, Salama |
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| Bad | Mbaya |
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| So so | Hivi, hivi |
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| Thank you | Asante |
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| Thank you very much | Asante Sana |
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| You’re welcome | Karibu |
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| Please | Tafadhali |
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| Excuse me | Samahani |
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| So long | Tutaonana |
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| Yes | Ndiyo |
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| No | Hapana |
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Common Phrases |
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| I do not understand | Sifahamu |
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| How do you say this in English? | Unasemaje kwa Kiingereza? |
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| Do you speak English? | Una sema Kiingereza |
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| I can speak Swahili! | Ninaweza kusema Kiswahili! |
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| Where do you live? | Unaishi wapi? |
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| I am from the United States. | Ninatoka Marekani. |
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| I am American. | Mimi ni Mmarekani. |
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| Where is Mombasa? | Mombasa iko wapi? |
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| How much is the fare? | Nauli ni kiasi gani? |
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| One ticket to Nairobi, please. | Tikiti moja kwenda Nairobi, tafadhali. |
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| Where are you going? | Unakwenda wapi? |
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| Where is the bathroom? | Choo kiko wapi? |
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| Call the police! | Ita polisi! |
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| You are pretty. | Wewe ni mrembo. |
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| Happy Birthday! | Furaha Ya Siku Ya Kuza Liwa! |
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| What time is it? | Ni saa ngapi sasa? |
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| 1:45 | saa nane kasoro robo. |
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Shopping |
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| How much does this cost? | Hii ni bei gani? |
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| What is this? | Hii ni nini? |
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| I’ll buy it. | Nitainunua. |
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| I would like to buy some clothes. | Ninataka kununua nguo. |
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| Do you have any bread? | Unayo mkate? |
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| Do you accept credit cards? | Naweza kutumia kadi ya benki? |
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| I’d like a cold beer. | Tafadhali nataka bia baridi. |
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| Cheers! | Afya! Vifijo! |
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| Please bring the bill | Tafadhali, lete checki. |
Pronouns |
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| I | Mimi |
Husband | Mume |
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| We | Sisi |
Daughter | Binti |
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| You (singular) | Wewe |
Son | Mwana |
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| You (plural) | Nyinyi |
Mother | Mama |
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| They | Wao |
Father | Baba |
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| Wife | Mke |
Friend | Rafiki |
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Quantity |
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| Open | Imefunguliwa, Wazi |
A lot | Nyingi |
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| Closed | Imefungwa |
All | Yote |
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| A little | Kidogo |
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Food and Drink |
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| Breakfast | Kifungua kinywa. |
Wine | Muinyo |
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| Lunch | Chakula cha mchana |
Meat | Nyama |
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| Dinner | Chakula cha usiku |
Fruit | Tunda |
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| Bread | Mkate |
Fruits | Matunda |
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| Water | Maji |
Salad | Saladi |
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| Ice cream | Aiskrimu |
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Transport |
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| Train | Treni |
Airport | Kiwanja cha ndege |
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| Bus | Basi |
Train station | stesheni ya treni |
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Time and Dates |
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| Day | Siku |
Monday | Jumatatu |
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| Week | Wiki |
Tuesday | Jumanne |
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| Month | Mwezi |
Wednesday | Jumatano |
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| Year | Mwaka |
Thursday | Alhamisi |
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| Today | Leo |
Friday | Ijumaa |
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| Yesterday | Jana |
Saturday | Jumamosi |
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| Tomorrow | Kesho |
Sunday | Jumapili |
