Imagine this: You step into a bustling market in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Vendors greet you with warm smiles and call out, “Karibu rafiki!” (Welcome, friend!). Instead of feeling lost, you confidently respond, “Asante! Bei gani?” (Thank you! How much?). Instantly, you’re not just another tourist—you’re a traveler who connects with the culture.
Knowing a few basic Swahili phrases can make your trip to Tanzania much easier and more enjoyable. Whether you’re exploring the Serengeti, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, or relaxing in Zanzibar, speaking a little Swahili will help you communicate better and connect with the locals.
This blog will guide you with essential Swahili words, practical travel phrases, and cultural tips to make your trip smoother and more enjoyable. Let’s dive in!
Why Learning Swahili Matters in Tanzania
Swahili is growing fast—so fast that even Disney tried to copyright “Hakuna Matata” after The Lion King. It means “No worries,” but in Tanzania, it’s just an everyday phrase.
The point is, Swahili isn’t just for movies. It’s a real, living language spoken by millions. Learning even a little will help you connect with locals, improve your cultural immersion, and go beyond just singing the words.
1. It Builds Cultural Connections
Knowing just a few Swahili words shows respect and effort, leading to warmer interactions with locals. Studies show that people appreciate visitors who try to speak their language, creating more authentic and friendly experiences.
2. It Makes Everyday Travel Easier
Tanzania’s official languages are Swahili and English, but over 90% of Tanzanians speak Swahili in daily life. Knowing key phrases helps in:
- Asking for directions
- Ordering food at restaurants
- Bargaining at local markets
- Handling emergencies
3. It Enriches Your Adventure
Speaking a bit of Swahili reduces language barriers and makes your journey more immersive. Locals will be more open to sharing stories, and you’ll feel a deeper sense of belonging.
Essential Swahili Greetings & Politeness Phrases
In Tanzania, greetings are extremely important and often involve polite inquiries about well-being. Always take time to greet people warmly before asking questions.
Basic Greetings
English | Swahili | Pronunciation |
Hello | Jambo / Hujambo? | JAHM-boh / Hoo-JAHM-boh? |
Good morning | Habari za asubuhi? | Ha-BAH-ree zah ah-soo-BOO-hee? |
Good evening | Habari za jioni? | Ha-BAH-ree zah JEE-oh-nee? |
Goodbye | Kwaheri | Kwa-HEH-ree |
Traveler Tip: Tanzanians use multiple greetings as a sign of politeness. Respond warmly to keep conversations friendly!
Politeness & Respectful Phrases
English | Swahili | Pronunciation |
Thank you | Asante | Ah-SAHN-teh |
Thank you very much | Asante sana | Ah-SAHN-teh SAH-nah |
Please | Tafadhali | Ta-fah-DHA-lee |
Excuse me / Sorry | Samahani | Sah-mah-HAH-nee |
Yes / No | Ndiyo / Hapana | N-DEE-oh / Ha-PAH-nah |
Traveler Tip: When greeting elders, use “Shikamoo” (Shee-KAH-moh) as a sign of respect. The response is “Marahaba” (Mah-rah-HAH-bah).
Useful Swahili Phrases for Travelers
1. Asking for Directions & Assistance
English | Swahili | Pronunciation |
Where is…? | … iko wapi? | … EE-koh WAH-pee? |
Can you help me? | Unaweza kunisaidia? | Oo-nah-WEH-zah koo-nee-sah-EE-dee-ah? |
I don’t understand | Sielewi | See-eh-LEH-wee |
Traveler Tip: Use hand gestures while asking for directions, as some locals may give answers in full Swahili.
2. Shopping & Bargaining at Markets
English | Swahili | Pronunciation |
How much is this? | Hii ni bei gani? | HEE nee BAY gah-nee? |
Can you lower the price? | Unaweza kupunguza bei? | Oo-nah-WEH-zah koo-POO-ngoo-ZAH BAY? |
Too expensive! | Ghali sana! | GHAH-lee SAH-nah! |
Traveler Tip: Bargaining is expected in local markets. Start with a lower price and negotiate politely!
3. Dining & Ordering Food
English | Swahili | Pronunciation |
I would like water | Naomba maji | Nah-OHM-bah MAH-jee |
Delicious! | Tamu sana! | TAH-moo SAH-nah! |
No spicy, please | Bila pilipili, tafadhali | BEE-lah pee-lee-PEE-lee, ta-fah-DHA-lee |
Traveler Tip: If you have dietary restrictions, learn keywords like “Mimi ni mboga” (I’m vegetarian).
4. Days of the Week
Knowing the days of the week can be useful when making travel plans, booking tours, or asking about market days.
English | Swahili |
Monday | Jumatatu |
Tuesday | Jumanne |
Wednesday | Jumatano |
Thursday | Alhamisi |
Friday | Ijumaa |
Saturday | Jumamosi |
Sunday | Jumapili |
Traveler Tip: If you want to ask, “What day is it today?” say Leo ni siku gani?
5. Numbers & Counting
Numbers are essential for shopping, paying for transport, and telling time.
English | Swahili | English | Swahili |
One | Moja | Nine | Tisa |
Two | Mbili | Ten | Kumi |
Three | Tatu | Eleven (ten and one) | Kumi na moja |
Four | Nne | Twelve (ten and two) | Kumi na mbili |
Five | Tano | Twenty | Ishirini |
Six | Sita | Fifty | Hamsini |
Seven | Saba | One hundred | Mia moja |
Eight | Nane | One thousand | Elfu moja |
Traveler Tip: When handling money, say Shilingi elfu moja for 1,000 shillings and Shilingi mia tano for 500 shillings.
6. Common Animals in Swahili
Whether you’re on safari or just curious about wildlife, knowing animal names in Swahili can be fun and useful.
English | Swahili | English | Swahili |
Lion | Simba | Hippo | Kiboko |
Elephant | Tembo | Crocodile | Mamba |
Giraffe | Twiga | Monkey | Tumbili |
Zebra | Punda milia | Rhino | Kifaru |
Cheetah | Duma | Dog | Mbwa |
Traveler Tip: The famous name “Simba“ from The Lion King is actually the Swahili word for lion.
Swahili Grammar Basics: How the Language Works
Swahili is often called one of the easiest languages to learn, and for good reason. The pronunciation is straightforward; there are no tricky silent letters, and you won’t have to worry about memorizing long lists of verb endings like in French or Spanish. Once you get the hang of a few simple rules, you’ll be forming sentences in no time.
Let’s break it down in a way that makes sense, especially for travelers who just want to speak and understand Swahili without overcomplicating things.
1. Swahili Nouns Use Prefixes Instead of Plurals
In English, making a word plural is usually as easy as adding -s or -es (dog → dogs, box → boxes). Swahili does things differently. Instead of adding letters at the end, it changes the prefix at the beginning of the word.
Examples:
- Mtu (person) → Watu (people)
- Mtoto (child) → Watoto (children)
- Kitu (thing) → Vitu (things)
If a word starts with M- or Ki– in the singular form, it often changes to Wa- or Vi- in the plural. There are exceptions, but for most everyday words, this pattern will get you far.
Try It Yourself: If kisu is a knife, how would you say “knives?” Answer: Visu!
2. No Need for "A" or "The"—Swahili Keeps It Simple
Swahili doesn’t have words for “a” or “the.” Instead, the meaning is understood from context.
Examples:
- Ninataka ndizi. – “I want a banana” or “I want the banana.”
- Maji ni baridi. – “The water is cold” or “Water is cold.”
So if you’re wondering how to say “a hotel” or “the hotel,” the answer is just hoteli. No need to stress over extra words.
3. Swahili Pronunciation is Exactly as It Looks
Unlike English, where words like “through” and “though” make no logical sense in pronunciation, Swahili is refreshingly predictable. What you see is what you say.
Swahili Vowel Sounds:
- A – like “ah” in father
- E – like “e” in bed
- I – like “ee” in see
- O – like “o” in or
- U – like “oo” in food
This means that once you learn the alphabet, you can read almost anything out loud—even if you don’t understand it yet.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Mji (town) is NOT pronounced “Muji”—the M stands on its own.
- Chai (tea) is NOT like the English “chai”—it’s “Cha-ee.”
If a Swahili word has two vowels in a row, stress usually falls on the first vowel. So Maalum (special) is pronounced “MAA-lum” not “ma-AL-um.”
4. Swahili Verbs Don’t Change Forms—They Use Prefixes
Swahili verbs are refreshingly simple. Instead of changing the verb itself (run, ran, running in English), Swahili just adds prefixes to show who is doing the action and when.
Basic Verb Structure:
[Subject Prefix] + [Tense Marker] + [Verb Root]
Examples:
- Ninakula – “I am eating” (Ni = I, na = present tense, kula = eat)
- Unakunywa chai? – “Are you drinking tea?” (U = You, na = present tense, kunywa = drink)
- Alisafiri jana. – “He/she traveled yesterday.” (A = He/She, li = past tense, safiri = travel)
The verb root stays the same. You just swap out the prefixes.
5. The Magic of Subject Prefixes
Once you learn the subject prefixes, you can start forming basic sentences right away.
Subject | Prefix | Example (Drink) |
I | Ni- | Ninakunywa (I am drinking) |
You | U- | Unakunywa (You are drinking) |
He/She | A- | Anakunywa (He/She is drinking) |
We | Tu- | Tunakunywa (We are drinking) |
You (plural) | M- | Mnakunywa (You all are drinking) |
They | Wa- | Wanakunywa (They are drinking) |
So, if you know kula means “to eat,” you can say Tunakula (We are eating) or Anakula (He/she is eating) with zero extra effort.
6. Asking Questions is Easy
In English, asking a question often means switching the word order (You are eating → Are you eating?). Swahili keeps it simple. Just add “Je” at the beginning or raise your voice at the end.
Examples:
- Je, unazungumza Kiingereza? – “Do you speak English?”
- Gari iko wapi? – “Where is the car?”
- Unapenda chakula cha Tanzania? – “Do you like Tanzanian food?”
For yes/no questions, many Swahili speakers just repeat the verb in response:
Unapenda kahawa? (Do you like coffee?)
- Ninapenda (I like) or Sipendi (I don’t like).
There is no need for complicated answers—just keep it direct.
Best Apps & Resources to Learn Swahili
Apps:
Duolingo – Fun for vocabulary building.
Memrise – Focuses on real-world Swahili.
Mango Languages – Best for interactive conversation practice.
YouTube Channels for Swahili:
SwahiliPod101 – Great for pronunciation.
LEARN SWAHILI WITH PATRICIA – Focused on grammar.
Online Swahili Courses:
Udemy – Structured Swahili lessons.
BBC Swahili – Helps with listening skills.
Learn Swahili Through Movies & Music:
Watching Swahili movies and listening to Swahili music is a fun way to absorb the language naturally. Films help with vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural understanding.
Start Speaking Swahili Language Today!
By learning just a few Swahili phrases, you’ll enhance your Tanzanian experience, connect better with locals, and travel with confidence.
Swahili is a language that just makes sense. The pronunciation is simple, verbs don’t change in confusing ways, and once you know a few key words, you can start building sentences right away.
Instead of worrying about perfect grammar, just start speaking. Locals will appreciate the effort, and you’ll be surprised how quickly you pick it up. Which Swahili phrase do you want to try first?
If you’re planning a trip to Tanzania and have questions about travel or local culture, feel free to get in touch with travel experts who can help you make the most of your journey.
Karibu Tanzania! (Welcome to Tanzania!)
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Frequently Asked Questions on Swahili Language
1. How do you say hello in Swahili?
The most common way to say hello in Swahili is “Jambo”, though it is mainly used with tourists. A more natural greeting among locals is “Hujambo?” (How are you?) or simply “Habari?” (What’s the news?).
2. What does “Jambo” mean?
“Jambo” is a general Swahili greeting that means “hello” or “hi”. It is widely used in tourist areas, but native speakers typically use other greetings like “Hujambo”, “Mambo”, or “Habari” depending on the situation.
3. Is Swahili the same as Kiswahili?
Yes! “Swahili” and “Kiswahili” refer to the same language. However, “Kiswahili” is the correct term in the language itself. In English, it is often just called Swahili. The prefix “Ki-” is used for languages in Swahili, so for example: “Kiswahili” is Swahili language.
4. Which country speaks Swahili language?
Swahili, or Kiswahili, is widely spoken in Tanzania and Kenya—and also in parts of Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, the Comoro Islands, Madagascar, South Sudan, and Oman, with over 150 million speakers worldwide.
5. Is Swahili a form of Arabic?
Swahili is a Bantu language native to Africa, not a form of Arabic. However, due to centuries of trade and cultural exchange with Arab merchants, Swahili has borrowed many words from Arabic while retaining its Bantu structure and grammar.
6. Is it difficult to learn Swahili?
Swahili is fairly easy to learn, regardless of your language background. It uses the Latin alphabet, like English, and has simple pronunciation rules. With no complex verb conjugations or tonal variations, beginners can quickly pick up basic communication skills.
7. What is Swahili best known for?
Swahili, or Kiswahili, is Africa’s most studied indigenous language and the national and official language of Kenya and Tanzania. It is spoken natively along East Africa’s coast, from southern Somalia through Kenya and Tanzania, including nearby islands.
8. How to say you're welcome in Swahili?
In Swahili, “You’re welcome” is commonly said as “Karibu” in informal settings. For a more polite or plural form, you can say “Karibuni.” Another phrase, “Ukaribisho,” is less common but also means welcome in certain contexts.
9. How do you say common phrases from French to Swahili?
Translating common phrases from French to Swahili: Bonjour (Hello) is “Habari,” Merci (Thank you) is “Asante,” and Oui (Yes) is “Ndiyo.” Both languages share some similarities due to historical influences, especially in African regions.
10. What are some Swahili language words for telling time?
In Swahili, some time-related words include “leo” (today), “kesho” (tomorrow), and “jana” (yesterday). For specific times, you can use “saa” (hour), like “saa moja” (one o’clock) or “saa sita” (six o’clock).
