Important: Wikitravel is exploring a license upgrade to CC by-sa 3.0, please give your consent or refusal here.

Swahili phrasebook

From Wikitravel

Jump to: navigation, search

Swahili or Kiswahili, is the official language of Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. Swahili speakers can also be found in surrounding countries, such as Burundi, Rwanda, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While only 5-10 million people speak Swahili as their first language, but as a second language, there are over 50 million speakers, making it the most widely spoken African language in the world. As a part of the Bantu language family, Swahili is related to a variety of languages from Southern Africa to West Africa. While some Bantu languages, like Xhosa and Zulu are click languages, Swahili does not use clicks, so pronunciation is generally not difficult for English speakers.

[edit] Pronunciation guide

[edit] Vowels

Swahili has five vowels: a, e, i, o, u. If you are familiar with Spanish or Japanese, the vowels are pronounced the same. If not, they are pronounced:

A - ah (Like the "a" in "father")
E - eh (Like the "e" in "bench")
I - ee (Like the "ee" in "see")
O - oh (Like the "o" in "cone")
U - oo (Like the "oo" in "doom")

Vowels in Swahili always make the same sounds, even when combined with other vowels. There are no silent letters or diphthongs in Swahili, so vowels will always make the same sound, and it is important that you pronounce each vowel, even when one vowel follows another. For example, in the word "daawa" (lawsuit), you must say "dah-ah-wah", pronouncing both of the a's. Simply saying "dah-wah" (dawa) changes the meaning to "drug/medicine".

[edit] Consonants

The following consonants are pronounced the same as in English:

like the "b" in "bay"
like the "d" in "dog"
like the "f" in "fun"
like the "g" in "gut"
like the "h" in "hen"
like the "j" in "jam"
like the "k" in "kit"
like the "l" in "lump"
like the "p" in "pot"
like the "s" in "sun"
like the "t" in "tip"
like the "v" in "van"
like the "w" in "win"
like the "y" in "yellow"
like the "z" in "zebra"

Other consonants

like the "m" in "mop".
like the "n" in "numb"

Although "m" and "n" are pronounced the same in Swahili as they are in English, unlike English, these letters can often be found at the beginning of words followed by other consonants, such as "t", "d", etc. Since Swahili has no silent letters, it is important to pronounce these letters. So for words like "Mchana" (afternoon) and "Ndugu" (sibling/relative), you needs to pronounce the "m" and "n" sounds along with the following consonant sounds.

The "r" sound is not pronounced as it is in English. Actually, like the vowels, the "r" sound is the same as Spanish and Japanese; a soft "r" that sometimes sounds like a "d".

[edit] Consonant pairings

ch 
like the "ch" in "chat"
ng 
like the "ng" in "sing"
ny 
like the "ni" in "onion"
gh 
officially pronounced similiar to the "ch" in "loch", you can alternatively just pronounce it with a hard "g", like the "g" in "gut" (as mentioned above)
sh 
like the "sh" in "dash"
th 
like the "th" in "thank". It is never pronounced like the "th" in "those". That "th" is spelled "dh" in Swahili.
dh 
like the "th" in "the". It is important not to confuse "dh" with the Swahili "th" above.

[edit] Common diphthongs

There are no diphthongs in Swahili however, foreign names and loan words may contain them.

[edit] Phrase list

[edit] Basics

Note that greetings is Swahili are very important, and long and drawn out - you can go back and forth several times, using not one but all of the greetings you know.

Hello. 
Hujambo (response: Sijambo)
Hello to an older person or authority figure. 
Shikamoo (she-ka-moe) (response: Marhaba)
Hello. (informal
Sasa / Mambo / Jambo (generally said only to tourists)
Response to informal hello 
Nzuri (fine), Safi (clean/in order), Poa (cool), Poa kichizi kama ndizi (cool like a crazy banana)
How are you? 
Habari (ha-ba-ree)
How are you today? 
Habari za leo?
How are you this morning? 
Habari za asubuhi
How are you this afternoon? 
Habari za mchana
How are you this evening? 
Habari za jioni
How was your journey / trip / safari? 
Habari za safari
How have you been today? 
Umeshindaje leo?
Fine, thank you. 
Nzuri, asante
What is your name? 
Jina lako nani?
My name is ______ . 
Jina langu ni ______
Where are you from? 
Unatokea wapi?
I am from _______. 
Ninatokea _______(your country)
Please. 
Tafadhali
Thank you (very much). 
Asante (sana)
You're welcome. 
Karibu.
Yes. 
Ndiyo
No. 
Hapana
I don't need. (Polite way of saying you don't want to buy anything) 
Sihitaji
Excuse me. (getting attention
Samahani
I'm sorry (in the sense of "pardon me"; used for minor transgressions). 
Samahani
I'm sorry (in the sense of "please forgive me for wronging you"; used for major transgressions) 
Nasikitika.
Goodbye 
Kwa heri.
Good night. 
Usiku mwema
Sleep well. 
Lala Salama
Did you sleep well? 
Umelalaje?
Umeamkaje (lit.: did you wake up well?)
See you later. 
Tutuonana
Later. 
Baadaye
See you tomorrow. 
Tutuonana kesho
My Swahili is terrible 
Kiswahili changu ni kibaya sana.
I can't speak Kiswahili. 
Siwezi kusema Kiswahili
I only speak a little Kiswahili. 
Ninaongea Kiswahili kidogo tu
Do you speak English? 
Wazungumza Kiingereza?
Bathroom 
Maliwato.
Toilet 
Choo
Help! 
Msaada!
Where is the _______? 
Iko wapi _____(e.g. bathroom, police station...)

[edit] Problem(s)

Leave me alone. 
Don't touch me! 
I'll call the police. 
Police! 
Help! 
Msaada!
Stop! Thief! 
I need your help. 
It's an emergency. 
I'm lost. 
I lost my bag. 
I lost my wallet. 
I'm sick. 
Mimi ni mgonjwa.
I've been injured. 
I need a doctor. 
Can I use your phone? 

[edit] Numbers

One. 
Moja
Two. 
Mbili
Three. 
Tatu
Four. 
Nne
Five. 
Tano
Six. 
Sita
Seven. 
Saba
Eight. 
Nane
Nine. 
Tisa
Ten. 
Kumi
Twenty. 
Ishirini
Thirty. 
Thelathini
Forty. 
Arobaini
Fifty. 
Hamsini
Sixty. 
Sitini
Seventy. 
Sabini
Eighty. 
Themanini
Ninety. 
Tisini
One Hundred. 
Mia moja
One Thousand. 
Elfu moja

[edit] Time

now 
Sasa
later 
before 
Kabla ya
after 
Baada ya
morning 
Asubuhi
afternoon 
Mchana
evening 
Jioni
night 
Usiku

[edit] Clock time

What time is it? 
Saa ngapi?
one o'clock AM 
two o'clock AM 
noon 
one o'clock PM 
two o'clock PM 
midnight 

[edit] Duration

_____ minute(s) 
_____ hour(s) 
_____ day(s) 
_____ week(s) 
_____ month(s) 
_____ year(s) 

[edit] Days

Monday 
Jumatatu
Tuesday 
Jumanne
Wednesday 
Jumatano
Thursday 
Alhamisi
Friday 
Ijumaa
Saturday 
Jumamoshi
Sunday 
Jumapili

[edit] Months

Month 
mwezi
January 
Januari
February 
Februari
March 
Machi
April 
Aprili
May 
Mei
June 
Juni
July 
Julai
August 
Agosti
September 
Septemba
October 
Oktoba
November 
Novemba
December 
Desemba

[edit] Seasons

Season 

majira

Spring 

majira ya machipuko

Summer 

kiangazi

Rainy season 
Autumn 

majira ya majani kupukukika

Winter 

majira ya baridi

[edit] Writing time and date

[edit] Colors

black 

-eusi

blue 

-a kibuluu

brown 

-a rangi ya kahawia

colours 

rangi

gray 

-a rangi ya kijivu

green 

-a rangi ya kijani

orange 

-a rangi ya machungwa

pink 

-a waridi

purple 

-a rangi ya urujuani

red 

-ekundu

white 

-eupe

yellow 

-a kimanjano

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Bus and train

Minibus (Kenya, Uganda) 
Matatu
Minibus (Tanzania) 
Daladala
Passenger 
Abiria
How much is a ticket to _____?
One ticket to _____, please. 
Where does this train/bus go? 
Where is the train/bus to _____? 
Does this train/bus stop in _____? 
When does the train/bus for _____ leave? 
When will this train/bus arrive in _____? 

[edit] Directions

How do I get to _____ ? 
...the train station? 
...the bus station? 
...the airport? 
...downtown? 
...the youth hostel? 
...the _____ hotel? 
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? 
Where are there a lot of... 
...hotels? 
...restaurants? 
...bars? 
...sites to see? 
Can you show me on the map? 
street 
Turn left. 
Turn right. 
left 
right 
straight ahead 
towards the _____ 
past the _____ 
before the _____ 
Watch for the _____. 
intersection 
north 
south 
east 
west 
uphill 
downhill 

[edit] Taxi

Taxi! 
Take me to _____, please. 
How much does it cost to get to _____? 
Take me there, please. 

[edit] Lodging

Do you have any rooms available? 
How much is a room for one person/two people? 
Does the room come with... 
...bedsheets? 
...a bathroom? 
...a telephone? 
...a TV? 
May I see the room first? 
Do you have anything quieter? 
...bigger? 
...cleaner? 
...cheaper? 
OK, I'll take it. 
I will stay for _____ night(s). 
Can you suggest another hotel? 
Do you have a safe? (...)
...lockers? 
Is breakfast/supper included? 
What time is breakfast/supper? 
)
Please clean my room. 
Can you wake me at _____? 
I want to check out. 

[edit] Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? 
Do you accept British pounds? 
Do you accept credit cards? 
Can you change money for me? 
Where can I get money changed? 
Can you change a traveler's check for me? 
Where can I get a traveler's check changed? 
What is the exchange rate? 
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? 

[edit] Eating

A table for one person/two people, please. 
Can I look at the menu, please? 
Can I look in the kitchen? 
Is there a house specialty? 
Is there a local specialty? 
I'm a vegetarian. 
I don't eat pork. 
I don't eat beef. 
I only eat kosher food. 
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard
fixed-price meal 
a la carte 
breakfast 
lunch 
Food  
Chakula
tea (meal
supper 
I want _____. 
I want a dish containing _____. 
Banana  
Ndizi
Goat  
Mbuzi
chicken 
beef 
fish 
ham 
sausage 
cheese 
eggs 
salad 
(fresh) vegetables 
(fresh) fruit 
bread 
toast 
noodles 
rice 
beans 
May I have a glass of _____? 
May I have a cup of _____? 
May I have a bottle of _____? 
coffee 
tea (drink
juice 
(bubbly) water 
water 
Maji
beer 
red/white wine 
May I have some _____? 
salt 
black pepper 
butter 
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)
I'm finished. 
It was delicious. 
Please clear the plates. 
The check, please. 

[edit] Bars

Do you serve alcohol? 
Is there table service? 
A beer/two beers, please. 
A glass of red/white wine, please. 
A pint, please. 
A bottle, please. 
_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please. 
whiskey 
vodka 
rum 
water 
club soda 
tonic water 
orange juice 
Coke (soda
Do you have any bar snacks? 
One more, please. 
Another round, please. 
When is closing time? 
Cheers! 

[edit] Shopping

Do you have this in my size? 
How much is this? 
That's too expensive. 
Would you take _____? 
expensive 
cheap 
I can't afford it. 
I don't want it. 
You're cheating me. 
I'm not interested. 
OK, I'll take it. 
Can I have a bag? 
Do you ship (overseas)? 
I need... 
...toothpaste. 
...a toothbrush. 
...tampons. 
...soap. 
...shampoo. 
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen
...cold medicine. 
...stomach medicine. 
...a razor. 
...an umbrella. 
...sunblock lotion. 
...a postcard. 
...postage stamps. 
...batteries. 
...writing paper. 
...a pen. 
...English-language books. 
...English-language magazines. 
...an English-language newspaper. 
...an English-English dictionary. 

[edit] Driving

I want to rent a car. 
Can I get insurance? 
stop (on a street sign
one way 
yield 
no parking 
speed limit 
gas (petrol) station 
petrol 
diesel 

[edit] Authority

I haven't done anything wrong. 
It was a misunderstanding. 
Where are you taking me? 
Am I under arrest? 
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. 
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. 
I want to talk to a lawyer. 
Can I just pay a fine now? 

[edit] Country and territory names

United States 
Marekani
Canada 
Kanada
Mexico 
Meksiko
Brazil 
Brazil
United Kingdom 
Uingereza
Ireland 
Eire, Ayalandi
Russia 
Urusi
France 
Ufaransa
Germany 
Udachi, Ujerumani
Italy 
Italia
Kenya 
Kenya
Tanzania 
Tanzania
Zanzibar (Tanzanian Island) 
Unguja
Uganda 
Uganda
Democratic Republic of the Congo 
Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Kongo
South Africa 
Afrika Kusini
Nigeria 
Nijeria
Ethiopia 
Uhabeshi
China 
Uchina
Japan 
Japani
Singapore 
Singapuri
South Korea 
Korea Kusini
India 
Uhundi
Israel 
Uyahudi
Australia 
Australia
New Zealand 
Nyuzilandi

[edit] On safari

Cheetah  
Duma
Elephant 
Tembo
Giraffe  
Twiga
Hippo  
Kiboko
Lion  
Simba
Ostrich  
Mbuni
Snake  
Nyoka
Zebra  
Punda Milia

[edit] Learn more

This is a usable phrasebook. It explains pronunciation and the bare essentials of travel communication. An adventurous person could use it to get by, but please plunge forward and help it grow!