Swahili Phrasebook: Greetings & Essential Phrases
The most useful Swahili words and phrases for travelers — greetings, polite basics, numbers, directions and more — each with a simple pronunciation guide. This is a preview of the full phrasebook content.
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Greetings & IntroductionsCommon Words & QuestionsNumbersDays & TimeDirectionsLocationsFoodLodgingMedicalBody PartsEmergenciesWeatherDescriptionsFamilyOccupationsCustomsFuel & Vehicle
Greetings & Introductions 10 phrases
Welcome.karibukaaReeboo
Hello.jambojaambo
Good morning.habari ya asubuhihabaaRee yaa aasuboohee
Good night.usiku mwemaooseekoo mweyma
Good bye.kwa herikwaa heRee
How are you?habari yako?habaaRee yaako?
I'm fine, thanks, and you?sijambo, asante, na wewe je?nzooRee, asaantey, naa weywey dyey?
I'm pleased to meet you.nimefurahi kukutana naweneemefooRaahee kookootaana naawey
Thank you for your help.asante kwa msaada wakoasaantey kwaa msaada waako
My name is ___.jina langu ni ___jeena laangoo nee ___
Common Words & Questions 30 phrases
Please.tafadhalitaafaThaalee
Thank you.asanteasaantey
Can someone assist us?tunaweza kupata msaada?toonaaweyza kupaata msaada?
OK.hayahaaya
Excuse me. / I'm sorry.samahanisamahaanee
Yes.ndiyondeeyo
No.hapanahaapaana
Maybe.labdalaabdaa
Right.sawasaawa
Wrong.ni kosanee kosa
Here.hapahaapa
There.palepaaley
I want.ninatakaneenataaka
I do not want.sitakiseetaakee
Danger.hatarihataaRee
OK, no problem.haya, hakuna matatahaaya, haakoona maataata
Who?nani?naanee?
What?nini?neenee?
When?lini?leenee?
Where?wapi?waapee?
Why?kwa nini?kwaa neenee?
How?namna gani?naamna gaanee?
What happened?kitu gani kilitokea?keetoo gaanee keeleetokeya?
Do you have ___?una ___?oona ___?
Do you need help?unahitaji msaada?oonaaheetaadyee msaada?
I ammimi nimeemee nee
You arewewe niweywey nee
He / She isyeye niyeyey nee
We aresisi niseesee nee
They arewao niwaa-o nee
Numbers 41 phrases
0 Zero0 sifurisifooRee
1 One1 mojamoja
2 Two2 mbilimbeelee
3 Three3 tatutaatoo
4 Four4 nnein-ney
5 Five5 tanotaano
6 Six6 sitaseeta
7 Seven7 sabasaaba
8 Eight8 nanenaaney
9 Nine9 tisateesa
10 Ten10 kumikoomee
11 Eleven11 kumi na mojakoomee naa moja
12 Twelve12 kumi na mbilikoomee naa mbeelee
13 Thirteen13 kumi na tatukoomee naa taatoo
14 Fourteen14 kumi na nnekoomee naa in-ney
15 Fifteen15 kumi na tanokoomee naa taano
16 Sixteen16 kumi na sitakoomee naa seeta
17 Seventeen17 kumi na sabakoomee naa saaba
18 Eighteen18 kumi na nanekoomee naa naaney
19 Nineteen19 kumi na tisakoomee naa teesa
20 Twenty20 ishirinieeshiReenee
30 Thirty30 thelathinithelaatheenee
40 Forty40 arobainiaaRobaa-eenee
50 Fifty50 hamsinihaamseenee
60 Sixty60 sitiniseeteenee
70 Seventy70 sabinisaabeenee
80 Eightythemaninithemaaneenee
90 Ninety90 tisini/tisainiteeseenee
100 Hundred100 mia mojameeya moja
1,000 Thousand1,000 elfu mojaelfoo moja
10,000 Ten Thousand10,000 elfu kumielfoo koomee
100,000 Hundred Thousand100,000 laki mojalaakee moja
1,000,000 Million1,000,000 milioni mojameelyon moja
Plusongezaongeyza
Minustoato-aa
More (than)zaidi (ya)zaa-eedee yaa
Less (than)chini (ya)cheenee yaa
ApproximatelykaribukaaReeboo
Firstkwanzakwaanzaa
Secondpilipeelee
Thirdtatutaatoo
Days & Time 25 phrases
Sundayjumapilijoomaapeelee
Mondayjumatatujoomaataatoo
Tuesdayjumannejoomaa-in-ney
Wednesdayjumatanojoomaataano
Thursdayalhamisialhaamees
Fridayijumaaeejoomaa
Saturdayjumamosijoomaamosee
Yesterdayjanajaanaa
Todayleoleyo
Tomorrowkeshokeysho
Daysikuseekoo
Nightusikuooseekoo
Weekwikiweekee
Monthmwezimwezee
Yearmwakamwaaka
Secondsekundesekoondey
Minutedakikadaakeeka
Hoursaasaa
Morningasubuhiaasooboohee
Eveningjionijeeyonee
NoonadhuhuriaaThoohooRee
Afternoonmchanamchaana
Midnightsaa sita usikuooseekoo waa manaaney
Nowsasasaasaa
Laterbaadayebaadaayey
Directions 26 phrases
Above / Overjuujooyaa ___
After / Pastbaada ya ___baa-aadayaa ___
Back / Behindnyumanyoomaa
Before / In front of / Forwardkabla / mbele ya / mbelekaablaa ___ / mbeley yaa ___ / mbeley ___
Betweenkati yakaatee yaa
Coordinatesmaelekeomaa-eleykeyo
DegreesdigriidigRee
Downchinicheenee
EastmasharikimaashaaReekee
Farmbalimbaalee
Longitudelongitudolongeetoodo
Leftkushotokooshoto
Latitudelatitudolaateetoodo
My position is ___.mahali ni lipo ni ___mahaalee nee leepo nee ___
NearkaribukaaReeboo
Northkaskazinikaaskaazeenee
Northeastkaskazini masharikikaaskaazeenee maashaaReekee
Northwestkaskazini magharibikaaskaazeenee maagaaReebee
Rightkuliakooleeya
Southkusinikooseenee
Southeastkusini masharikikooseenee maashaaReekee
Southwestkusini magharibikooseenee maagaaReebee
Straight ahead.moja kwa mojamoja kwaa moja
Underchini ya ___cheenee yaa ___
Upjuujoo
WestmagharibimaagaaReebee
Locations 25 phrases
Beachpwanipwaanee
Bordermpakampaakaa
BridgedarajadaaRaajaa
Campkambikaambee
Dirt roadbarabara ya udongobaaRabaaRa yaa oodongo
Forestmsitumseetoo
HarborbandaribandaaRee
Hillkilimakeeleema
Housenyumbanyoomba
Lakeziwazeewa
Meadowmalishomaaleesho
Mountainmlimamleema
OceanbaharibahaaRee
Pathnjianjeeya
Paved roadnjia ya laminjeeya yaa laamee
Placemahalimahaalee
Positioncheocheyo
Rivermtomto
RoadbarabarabaaRabaaRa
SeabaharibahaaRee
SquaremrabamRaaba
Treemtimtee
Valleybondebondey
Villagekijijikeejeejee
Where?wapi?waapee?
Food 45 phrases
Foodchakulachaakoolaa
Canmkebemkebey
Cupkikombekeekombey
Forkumaoomaa
Knifekisukeesoo
Platesahanisahaanee
Spoonkijikokeejeeko
BeansmaharagwemaahaRaagwey
Beerbiabeeya
Breadmkatemkaatey
Buttersiagiseeyaagee
Cheesejibinijibeenee
Coffeekahawakahaawaa
Fishsamakisamaakee
Flourungaoongaa
Fruitmatundamaatoondaa
Meatnyamanyaamaa
Milkmaziwamaazeewaa
Oilmafutamaafoota
Potatoesviaziveeyaazee
Ricemchelemcheley
Saltchumvichoomvee
Soupsupusoopoo
SugarsukarisookaaRee
Teachaichaay
Vegetablesmbogamboga
Watermajimaajee
Winemvinyomveenyo
Drink.kinywajikeenwaajee
Eatkulakoolaa
Don't push! We have plenty of food.usisukume! tuna chakula kingi.ooseesookoomey! toonaa chaakoolaa kingee
Give me your bowl.nipe bakuli yako.neepey baakoolee yaako
Is the water safe to drink?maji ni salama kunywa?maajee nee salaama koonwaa?
Boil the water.chemsha majichemshaa maajee
Wash your hands.nawa mikono yakonaawaa meekono yaako
Wash yourself here.jioshe hapajeeyoshey haapaa
We need ___ liters of potable water.tunahitaji lita ___ za maji safi ya kunywatoonaaheetaadyee leeta ___ zaa maajee saafee yaa koonwaa
Where is the latrine?choo kiko wapi?cho-o keeko waapee?
The latrine is to the ___.choo kiko upande wa ___cho-o keeko oopaandey waa ___
The latrine is to the left.choo kiko upande wa kushotocho-o keeko oopaandey waa kooshoto
The latrine is to the right.choo kiko upande wa kuliacho-o keeko oopaandey waa kooleeya
The latrine is straight ahead.choo kiko moja kwa moja mbelecho-o keeko moja kwaa moja mbeley
Is the food fresh?chakula ni freshi?chaakoola nee fResh?
Is the food spoiled?chakula kimeoza?chaakoola keeme-oza?
Burn this ___.choma ___ hizichoma ___ heezee
Lodging 9 phrases
We must spend the night here.lazima tulale hapalaazeema toolaaley haapaa
Is there a dining facility here?kuna mahali pa kula hapa?koona mahaalee paa koola haapaa?
How many kilometers to the nearest town?kilomita ngapi kutoka mji ulio karibu sana?keelomeeta ngaapee kootoka mjee ooleeyo kaaReeboo saanaa?
Are there any hotels near here?kuna hoteli karibu na hapa?koona hotelee kaaReeboo naa haapa?
Are there any restaurants near here?kuna mikahawa karibu na hapa?koona meekahaawa kaaReeboo naa haapa?
We want to go to ___.tunataka kwenda ___toonataaka kweyndaa ___
Are there rental cars available?magari ya kukodi yanapatikana?magaaRee yaa kookodee yaanapaateekaana?
Is there a telephone available?simu iko?seemoo eeko?
We need ___ gallons of potable water.tunahitaji galoni ___ za majitoonaheetaadyee gaalonee ___ zaa maajee
Medical 33 phrases
Antibioticskiuavijasumukeewaaveejaasoomoo
Bandagebendejibendej
Blooddamudaamoo
Burnchomachoma
Cleansafishasaafeesha
Deadamekufaaameykoofa
DoctordaktaridaaktaaRee
Feverhomahomaa
Hospitalhospitalihospeetaalee
Infectionmaambukizomaa-ambookeezo
InjuredamejeruhiwaaamedyeRooheewa
Malnutritionutapiamloootaapee-aamlo
Medicmsaidizi wa tibamsaaydeezee waa teeba
Medicinedawadaawaa
Nursenesi / mwuguzinesee
Poisonsumusoomoo
Sickmgonjwamgonjwaa
Vitaminsvitaminiveetaameen
WoundjerahajeyRaaha
I am a doctor.mimi ni daktarimeemee nee daaktaaRee
I am not a doctor.mimi si daktarimeemee see daaktaaRee
I am going to help.nitasaidianeetasaaydeeya
Can you walk?unaweza kutembea?oonaaweyza kootembeya?
Can you sit?unaweza kukaa?oonaaweyza kookaa?
Can you stand?unaweza kusimama?oonaaweyza kooseemaama?
Are you in pain?una maumivu?oona maa-oomeevoo?
You will get a shot. (injection)utapigwa sindanoootaapeegwa seendaano
I will take you to the hospital.nitakupeleka hospitalineetaakoopeleyka hospeetaalee
What is wrong?kuna shida gani?koonaa sheedaa gaanee?
Are you injured?umejeruhiwa?oomedyeRooheewa?
Can you feed yourself?unaweza kujilisha?oonaaweyza koojeeleesha?
Open your mouth.fungua mdomo wakofungoowa mdomo waako
Are you pregnant?una mimba?oona meemba?
Body Parts 36 phrases
Abdomenfumbatiofoombaateeyo
Anklekifundo cha mguukeefoondo chaa mgoo
Armmkonomkono
Bonemfupamfoopaa
Brainubongooobongo
Chestkifuakeefoo-aa
Earsikioseekee-o
Elbowkiwikokeeweeko
Eyesmachomaacho
Faceusoooso
Fingerkidolekeedoley
Footmguumgoo
Hairnywelenweley
Handmkonomkono
Headkichwakeechwaa
Heartmoyomoyo
Kidneyfigofeego
Kneegotigotee
Legmguumgoo
Lipsmidomomeedomo
Livermainimaa-eenee
Lungsmapafumaapaafoo
Mouthmdomomdomo
Neckshingosheengo
Nosepuapoo-aa
Pelvis / Groinfupanyonga / kinenafoopaanyonga / keenena
Ribsmbavumbaavoo
Shoulderbegabegaa
Skullfuu la kichwafoo laa keechwaa
Spineuti wa mgongoootee waa mgongo
Stomach (area)tumbo (sehemu)toombo
Stomach (organ)tumbo (ogani)toombo
Teethmenomeyno
Toekidole cha mguukeedoley chaa mgoo
Tongueulimiooleemee
Wristkifundo cha mkonokeefoondo chaa mkono
Emergencies 5 phrases
Emergency!hatari!hataaRee!
We need a doctor!tunahitaji daktari!toonaaheetaadyee daaktaaRee!
Distress signalishara ya dharuraeeshaaRa yaa Theekee
Help!saidia!saaydeeya!
Evacuate the area!hamisha kutoka sehemu hiyo!haameesha kootoka seheymoo heeyo!
Weather 20 phrases
ColdbaridibaaReedee
Drykavukaavoo
Earthquaketetemeko la ardhititemeko laa aRThee
Fogukunguookoongoo
High windsupepo mkalioopeypo mkaalee
Hotmotomoto
Humidityunyevuoonyevoo
IcebarafubaRaafoo
LightningradiRaadee
Rainmvuamvoowa
Sandstormdhoruba ya mchangaThoRooba yaa mchaanga
Severekalikaalee
Snowthelujitheloojee
StormdhorubaThoRoobaa
Temperaturehalijotohaaleejoto
Thunderstormmvua ya radimvoowa yaa Raadee
Weatherhali ya hewahaalee yaa heywaa
Wetmajimajimaajeemaajee
Typhoontufanitoofaanee
Tornadokimbungakeemboonga
Descriptions 69 phrases
Blackrangi nyeusiRaangee nye-oosee
Bluerangi ya buluuRaangee yaa bloo
Brownrangi ya kahawiaRaangee yaa kaahaaweeya
Grayrangi ya kijivuRaangee yaa keejeevoo
Greenrangi ya kijaniRaangee yaa keejaanee
Orangerangi ya machungwaRaangee yaa maachoongwaa
Purplerangi ya zambarauRaangee yaa zaambaRaw
Redrangi nyekunduRaangee nyekoondoo
Whiterangi nyeupeRaangee nye-oopey
Yellowrangi ya manjanoRaangee yaa maanjaano
Bigkubwakoobwaa
Deepchini sanacheenee saanaa
Longndefundeyfoo
Narrownyembambanyembaamba
Short (in height)fupifoopee
Short (in length)fupifoopee
Small, littlendogo, kidogondogo, keedogo
TallrefuReyfoo
Thickneneneney
Thinnyembambanyembaamba
Widepanapaanaa
Roundduaradoo-aaRa
Straightnyofunyofoo
SquaremrabamRaaba
Triangularyenye pembetatuyenyey pembeytaatoo
Bitterchunguchungoo
FreshfreshifReshee
Saltyya chumviyaa choomvee
Sourchachuchaachoo
Spicykalikaalee
Sweettamutaamoo
Badmbayambaayaa
Cleansafisaafee
Darkya gizayaa geeza
Difficultvigumuveegoomoo
Dirtychafuchaafoo
Drykavukaavoo
EasyrahisiRaaheesee
Emptytuputoopoo
Expensiveghalighaalee
Fastkasikaasee
Foreignya kigeniyaa keegenee
Fullimejaaeemeyjaa
GoodvizuriveezooRee
Hard (firm)imaraeemaaRa
Heavynzitonzeeto
Inexpensivebei rahisibey Raaheesee
Light (illumination)nurunooRoo
Light (weight)nyepesinyepesee
Localya ndaniyaa ndaanee
Newmpyaimpeeyaa
Noisyya makeleleyaa maakeleyley
Old (about things)kuukuukooh-kooh
Old (about people)mzee / wazeeem-zeeh/ Wuh-zeeh
Powerfulyenye nguvuyeh-nyeh ngoo-voo
Quietkimyakee-miah
Right / Correctsawasuh-wuh
Slowpolepolepoh-leh poh-leh
Softlainiluh-e-knee
VerysanaSuh-nuh
WeakdhaifuThuh-e-fooh
Wetya majimajiyuh muh-gee-muh-gee
Wrong / Incorrectsi sawasee- suh-wuh
Youngkijanakey-juh-nuh
Few / Littlechachechaachey
Many / Muchnyinginyingee
Partsehemuseheymoo
Some / A fewnyingine / chachenyingeeney / chaachey
Wholezimazeemaa
Family 21 phrases
Auntshangazishaangaazee
Brotherkakakaakaa
Childmtotomtoto
Childrenwatotowaatoto
Cousinbinamubeenaamoo
Daughterbintibeentee
Familyfamiliafaameeliya
Fatherbababaabaa
Grandfatherbabubaaboo
Grandmothernyanyanyaanyaa
Husbandmumemoomey
Manmwanamumemwaanaa-oomey
Menwanaumewaana-oomey
Mothermamamaamaa
Relativesjamaajamaa
Sisterdadadaadaa
Sonmtoto wa kiumemtoto waa keeyoomey
Unclemjombamjombaa
Wifemkeoomkey
Womanmwanamkemwaanamkey
Womenwanawakewaanaawaakey
Occupations 25 phrases
Air Forcejeshi la angadyeshee laa aanga
Armyjeshidyeshee
Marinesaskari wa manowariaaskaaRee waa maaReen
Navyjeshi la wanamajidyeshee laa waanamaajee
Air Defenseulinzi wa angaooleenzee waa aangaa
Commanderkamandakamaandaa
Dentistdaktari wa menodaaktaaRee waa meyno
DoctordaktaridaaktaaRee
DriverderevadeReyva
Farmermkulimamkooleema
Fishermanmvuvimvoovee
Government employeemtumishi wa serikalimtoomeeshee waa seReekaalee
Guardmlinzimleenzee
Housewifemke nyumbanimkey nyoombaanee
LaborerkibaruakeebaaRoowa
Mechanicmakanikamaakaaneeka
Messengermjumbemjoombey
PilotrubaniRoobaanee
Policemanpolisipoleesee
SailorbahariabaahaReeya
BusinessmanmfanyabiasharamfaanyibeeyashaaRa
Shopkeepermwenye dukamwenyey dooka
Soldieraskarimwaanadyeshee
Studentmwanafunzimwaanafoonzee
Teachermwalimumuwaaleemoo
Customs 67 phrases
Where is my customs declaration?fomu yangu ya mali ya forodha iko wapifomoo yaangoo yaa maalee yaa foRoTha eeko waapee?
I do not have anything to declare.sina cho chote cha kuonyeshaseena cho chotey chaa kuwonyesha
These goods are personal.bidhaa hizi ni binafsibeeThaa heezee nee beenaafsee
Not for sale.si ya kuuzwasee yaa koo-oozwaa
Can you help me fill out the forms?unaweza kunisaidia kujaza fomu?oonaaweyza koonisaayideeya koojaaza fomoo?
Is this correct?hii ni sahihi?hee nee saaheehee?
Here is my passport.hii ni pasipoti yanguhee nee paaspotee yaangoo
Here is my visa.hii ni viza yangu.hee nee veesa yaangoo
I have no shilings.sina shilingi.seena sheelingee
Ad valoremthamani za tangazothamaanee zaa taangaazo
AmmunitionrisasiReesaasee
Baggagemizigomeezeegoo
Bill of ladinghati ya mizigohaatee yaa meezeego
Cargoshehenasheheynaa
Customsidara ya forodhaeedaaRa yaa foRoTha
Customs declarationkukagua mali forodhanikuwonyesha maalee oompyaa foRoThaanee
Customs taxushuru wa forodhaooshooRoo waa foRoTha
Customs workermfanyakazi wa forodhamfaanyakaazee waa foRoTha
DamagedimeharibikaeemehaaReebeeka
Deliverykuwasilishakuwaaseeleeshaa
DutyushuruooshooRoo
Expendituresmatumizimaatoomeezee
ExportusafirishajioosaafiReeshaajee
Falseuwongooowongo
Foreign currencyfedha za kigenifeyTha zaa keegenee
Form (document)fomu (hati)fomoo
Holdingmalimaalee
Importuingizajiuwingeezaajee
Insurancebimabeema
Kiswahilisisemikeeswaaheelee
Loadingkupakiakoopaakeeya
Name of goodsjina la bidhaajeenaa laa beeThaa
Narcoticsmadawa ya kulevyamadaawa yaa kooleyvya
National treasurehazina ya taifafahaaRee yaa taayfaa
Nomenclaturemfumo wa majina na istilahimfoomo waa maajeena naa eesteelaahee
On-Boardmelinimeyleenee
Originasiliaaseelee
Ownermwenyewemweynyey maalee
Packing listorodha ya kufunga mizigooRoTha yaa koofoonga meezeego
Passportpasipotipaasipotee
PermissionruhusaRuhoosaa
Personal usematumizi binafsimaatoomeezee beenaafsee
Personnelwatumishiwaatoomeeshee
Prohibitedimekatazwaeemekataazwaa
Propertymalimaalee
Ratekiasikeemaa
Rate of exchangekima cha mabadilishanokeemaa chaa mabaadeeleeshaano
ReceiptrisitiReeseetee
Relicsmakumbushomaakoomboosho
Restrictedimezuiwaeemezoo-eewa
Souvenirukumbushoookumboosho
Specificationainishoaayneesho
Storageuwekajiuweykaajee
Tariffushuru wa forodhaooshooRoo waa foRoTha
Tax-freeisiyolipiwa kodieesiyoleepeewa kodee
To answerkujibukoojeeboo
To be responsible forkuwajibikiakuwaajeebeekaa
To exportkusafirisha njekusaafeeReesha
To fill outkujazakoojaaza
To present for customs inspection.kukabidhi kwa ukaguzi forodhanikutaambooleesha Raasmee kwaa ookaagoozee foRoThaanee
TransportationusafirishajioosaafiReeshaajee
Unloadingkushusha bidhaakooshoosha beeThaa
Valuablesvitu vya thamaniveetoo vyaa thamaanee
Valuethamanithamaanee
Visavizaveesaa
Weaponssilahaseelaaha
X-ray machinemashine ya eksireimaasheeney yaa eksRey
Fuel & Vehicle 14 phrases
GasolinepetrolipetRolee
Oilmafutamaafoota
Dieseldizelideezel
Gas (propane)gesigesee
Literslitaleetaa
Do you have ___?una ___?oona ___?
Hydraulic fluidmafuta ya haidrolimaafoota yaa haaydRolee
Hydraulic systemmfumo wa haidrolimfoomo waa haaydRolee
We need maintenance support.tunahitaji msaada wa kukimutoonaaheetaadyee msaada waa kookeemoo
We need ___.tunahitaji ___toonaaheetaadyee ___
400-cycleduru ya mia nnedooRoo yaa meeya in-ney
3-phaseawamu tatuawaamoo taatoo
Alternating currentmkondo geumkondo geyoo
115-voltya volti mia moja kumi na tanoyaa voltee meeya moja koomee naa taano
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