Swahili phrases | Most common phrases for everyday life

Swahili phrases – Here you will find the most common phrases in Swahili with translation. | Free & useful

Swahili phrases - Most common phrases for everyday life

Swahili phrases are short expressions or idioms often used in speech to be polite, express gratitude, greet or say goodbye or simply to have a pleasant conversation.

They are an important part of Swahili culture and can be useful in different situations, both in private and business life.

Swahili phrases you should know

OUR TIP: If you want to learn these phrases interactively, we recommend the free language course demo from 17-Minute-Language, where you can learn Swahili phrases and dialogues today.

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Greet someone in Swahili

If you want to greet someone in Swahili, it’s actually quite easy:

English Swahili IPA
Welcome to the site. Karibu kwenye tovuti. [kaˈɾi.bu ˈkwɛ.njɛ tɔˈʋu.ti]
Welcome to the site Karibu kwenye tovuti [kaˈɾi.bu ˈkwɛ.njɛ tɔˈʋu.ti]
Good day to you! Siku njema! [ˈsi.ku ˈnːd͡ʒɛ.ma]
Good morning to you! Asubuhi njema! [a.suˈbu.hi ˈnːd͡ʒɛ.ma]
Good evening! Jioni njema! [d͡ʒiˈɔ.ni ˈnːd͡ʒɛ.ma]
Good to see you. Nafurahi kukuona. [na.fuˈɾa.hi ku.kuˈɔ.na]
I’m glad to see you. Nimefurahi kukuona. [ni.me.fuˈɾa.hi ku.kuˈɔ.na]

If you are greeted in Swahili, the best way to respond is as follows:

English Swahili IPA
Have a nice day too! Na wewe uwe na siku njema! [na ˈwɛ.wɛ ˈu.wɛ na ˈsi.ku ˈnːd͡ʒɛ.ma]
Thanks, it’s nice to see you too. Asante, nimefurahi kukuona pia. [aˈsan.te ni.me.fuˈɾa.hi ku.kuˈɔ.na ˈpi.a]

How is my dialogue partner?

As in any other country, it is polite to start by asking where the person you are talking to is located. Here’s how you do it:

English Swahili IPA
How are you doing? Habari yako? [haˈba.ɾi ˈja.ko]
Are you doing well? Unaendelea vizuri? [u.na.en.deˈlaː ʋiˈzu.ɾi]

If you are asked how you feel, you can answer with the following phrases:

English Swahili IPA
Thank you for asking, I am fine. Asante kwa kuuliza, niko salama. [aˈsan.te kwa ku.uˈli.za ˈni.ko saˈla.ma]
Thank you, I am fine. Asante, niko salama. [aˈsan.te ˈni.ko saˈla.ma]
Thank you, I am not doing so well. Asante, siko vizuri sana. [aˈsan.te ˈsi.ko ʋiˈzu.ɾi ˈsa.na]
Thanks, I’m fine. How are you doing? Asante, niko salama. Habari yako? [aˈsan.te ˈni.ko saˈla.ma | haˈba.ɾi ˈja.ko]

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How do I say goodbye to someone in Swahili?

Saying goodbye to a friend or stranger in Swahili is not that difficult. Just use the following phrases:

English Swahili IPA
Goodbye! Kwaheri! [kwaˈhɛ.ɾi]
Take care of yourself! Jitunze! [d͡ʒiˈtun.ze]
Goodbye Kwaheri [kwaˈhɛ.ɾi]
See you tomorrow Tutaonana kesho [tu.ta.oˈna.na ˈkɛ.ʃo]
See you soon Tutaonana hivi karibuni [tu.ta.oˈna.na ˈhi.ʋi ka.ɾiˈbu.ni]
See you later Tutaonana baadaye [tu.ta.oˈna.na ba.aˈda.je]
Good night Usiku mwema [uˈsi.ku ˈmwe.ma]
Sleep well Lala salama [ˈla.la saˈla.ma]
Talk to you later. Tutaongea baadaye. [tu.ta.oŋˈɡɛ.a ba.aˈda.je]
Nice to have met you! Nimefurahi kukutana na wewe! [ni.me.fuˈɾa.hi ku.kuˈta.na na ˈwɛ.wɛ]

How do I introduce myself in Swahili?

When travelling in Tansania, sooner or later you will come into contact with local people. Naturally, you’ll want to introduce yourself in Swahili and know who you’re talking to.

English Swahili IPA
My name is Jonas. Jina langu ni Jonas. [ˈd͡ʒi.na ˈlaŋ.ɡu ni ˈjo.nas]
What is your name? Jina lako nani? [ˈd͡ʒi.na ˈla.ko ˈna.ni]
What is your surname? Jina lako la ukoo ni nani? [ˈd͡ʒi.na ˈla.ko la uˈko.o ni ˈna.ni]
What is your first name? Jina lako la kwanza ni nani? [ˈd͡ʒi.na ˈla.ko la ˈkwan.za ni ˈna.ni]
What is your surname? Jina lako la ukoo ni nani? [ˈd͡ʒi.na ˈla.ko la uˈko.o ni ˈna.ni]

If you want to tell people where you come from, the following sentences are useful:

English Swahili IPA
Where do you come from? Unatoka wapi? [u.naˈto.ka ˈwa.pi]
I am from London. Ninatoka London. [ni.naˈto.ka ˈlon.dɔn]
Are you from Birmingham? Je, unatoka Birmingham? [d͡ʒe u.naˈto.ka ˈbɪɾ.mɪŋ.əm]
No, I’m from Madrid. Hapana, ninatoka Madrid. [haˈpa.na, ni.naˈto.ka maˈdɾid]
Great, I’m from Madrid too. Nzuri, pia ninatoka Madrid. [nzuˈɾi, ˈpi.a ni.naˈto.ka maˈdɾid]
Where do you live? Unaishi wapi? [u.naˈi.ʃi ˈwa.pi]
I live in Berlin. Ninaishi Berlin. [ni.naˈi.ʃi ˈbɛɾ.lin]

If you have problems with your Swahili, it is good to know which languages are still spoken:

English Swahili IPA
Do you speak English? Unaongea Kiingereza? [u.na.ɔŋˈɡɛ.a ki.i.ŋɛˈɾɛ.za]
Yes, I speak English. Ndio, naongea Kiingereza. [nˈdi.o na.ɔŋˈɡɛ.a ki.i.ŋɛˈɾɛ.za]
Yes, I speak some English. Ndio, naongea Kiingereza kidogo. [nˈdi.o na.ɔŋˈɡɛ.a ki.i.ŋɛˈɾɛ.za kiˈdɔ.ɡo]
No, I do not speak any English. Hapana, siongei Kiingereza kabisa. [haˈpa.na si.ɔŋˈɡɛ.i ki.i.ŋɛˈɾɛ.za ka.biˈsa]
I only speak English. Naongea Kiingereza tu. [na.ɔŋˈɡɛ.a ki.i.ŋɛˈɾɛ.za tu]
I understand some Swahili. Naelewa Kiswahili kidogo. [na.ɛˈlɛ.wa ki.swaˈhi.li kiˈdɔ.ɡo]

Useful sentences with ‘I am…’

The following sentences will help you orientate yourself in Swahili and express your wishes and concerns:

English Swahili IPA
I am English. Mimi ni Mwingereza. [ˈmi.mi ni mwi.ŋɛˈɾɛ.za]
I am injured. Nimejeruhiwa. [ni.mɛ.d͡ʒɛ.ɾuˈhi.wa]
I am here. Niko hapa. [ˈni.ko ˈha.pa]
I am hungry. Nina njaa. [ˈni.na ˈn͡d͡ʒaː]
I am thirsty. Nina kiu. [ˈni.na ˈki.u]
I am a single person. Mimi ni mseja. [ˈmi.mi ni mˈsɛ.d͡ʒa]
I need help! Nahitaji msaada! [ni.ħaˈta.d͡ʒi m.saˈa.da]
I am tired. Nimechoka. [ni.mɛˈt͡ʃɔ.ka]
I am happy. Ninafuraha. [ni.na.fuˈɾa.ha]
I am sad. Nina huzuni. [ni.na huˈzu.ni]
I am in love. Nimependa. [ni.mɛˈpɛn.da]
I am ill. Ninaumwa. [ni.naˈu.mwa]
I am ready. Niko tayari. [ˈni.ko taˈja.ɾi]
I am busy. Nina kazi nyingi. [ˈni.na ˈka.zi ˈɲi.ŋɡi]
I am lost. Nimepotea. [ni.mɛ.pɔˈtɛ.a]
I am a tourist. Mimi ni mtalii. [ˈmi.mi ni mtaˈliː]
I am new here. Mimi ni mgeni hapa. [ˈmi.mi ni mˈɡɛ.ni ˈha.pa]
I am confident. Nina uhakika. [ˈni.na u.ħaˈki.ka]
I am proud. Ninajivunia. [ni.na.d͡ʒi.ʋuˈni.a]
I am a teacher. Mimi ni mwalimu. [ˈmi.mi ni mwaˈli.mu]
I am late. Nimechelewa. [ni.mɛ.t͡ʃɛˈlɛ.wa]
I am 30 years old. Nina miaka thelathini. [ˈni.na miˈa.ka θɛ.laˈθi.ni]
I am in a hurry. Nina haraka. [ˈni.na ħaˈɾa.ka]
I am happy. Ninafuraha. [ni.na.fuˈɾa.ha]
I am surprised. Nimeshangaa. [ni.mɛ.ʃaŋˈɡaː]
I am angry. Nimekasirika. [ni.mɛ.ka.siˈɾi.ka]

Apologising in Swahili

Here’s how to apologise to a Swahili speaker:

English Swahili IPA
I apologise. Naomba msamaha. [naˈɔm.ba msaˈma.ha]
Sorry, that was not the intention. Samahani, hiyo haikuwa nia yangu. [sa.maˈha.ni ˈhi.jo ha.iˈku.wa ˈni.a ˈja.ŋɡu]
Sorry, I did not do it on purpose. Samahani, sikufanya makusudi. [sa.maˈha.ni si.kuˈfa.ɲa ma.kuˈsu.di]
Sorry, that was very clumsy of me. Samahani, hiyo ilikuwa ujinga wangu sana. [sa.maˈha.ni ˈhi.jo i.liˈku.wa uˈd͡ʒi.ŋɡa ˈwa.ŋɡu ˈsa.na]

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Useful signs and notices in Swahili

Useful signs and messages in Swahili that you will often see.

English Swahili IPA
Entrance Kuingilia [ku.i.ŋɡiˈli.a]
Toilet Choo [ˈt͡ʃɔ.ɔ]
Exit Kutokea [ku.tɔˈkɛ.a]
Attention! Makini! [maˈki.ni]
Police Polisi [pɔˈli.si]
Emergency services Huduma za dharura [huˈdu.ma za ðaˈɾu.ɾa]
Fire brigade Kikosi cha zimamoto [kiˈkɔ.si t͡ʃa zi.maˈmɔ.tɔ]
Passage forbidden. Kupita kumekatazwa. [kuˈpi.ta ku.me.kaˈta.zwa]
Caution! Angalia! [a.ŋɡaˈli.a]
This building is under video surveillance. Jengo hili linachunguzwa kwa kamera. [ˈd͡ʒɛ.ŋɡɔ ˈhi.li li.na.t͡ʃuŋˈɡu.zwa kwa kaˈme.ɾa]

Numbers to 25 in Swahili

Counting in Swahili is not that difficult. Here are the numbers in Swahili from 1 to 25.

English Swahili IPA
1 Moja [ˈmɔ.d͡ʒa]
2 Mbili [mˈbi.li]
3 Tatu [ˈta.tu]
4 Nne [ˈnːɛ]
5 Tano [ˈta.nɔ]
6 Sita [ˈsi.ta]
7 Saba [ˈsa.ba]
8 Nane [ˈna.nɛ]
9 Tisa [ˈti.sa]
10 Kumi [ˈku.mi]
11 Kumi na moja [ˈku.mi na ˈmɔ.d͡ʒa]
12 Kumi na mbili [ˈku.mi na ˈm.bi.li]
13 Kumi na tatu [ˈku.mi na ˈta.tu]
14 Kumi na nne [ˈku.mi na ˈnːɛ]
15 Kumi na tano [ˈku.mi na ˈta.nɔ]
16 Kumi na sita [ˈku.mi na ˈsi.ta]
17 Kumi na saba [ˈku.mi na ˈsa.ba]
18 Kumi na nane [ˈku.mi na ˈna.nɛ]
19 Kumi na tisa [ˈku.mi na ˈti.sa]
20 Ishirini [i.ʃiˈɾi.ni]
21 Ishirini na moja [i.ʃiˈɾi.ni na ˈmɔ.d͡ʒa]
22 Ishirini na mbili [i.ʃiˈɾi.ni na ˈm.bi.li]
23 Ishirini na tatu [i.ʃiˈɾi.ni na ˈta.tu]
24 Ishirini na nne [i.ʃiˈɾi.ni na ˈnːɛ]
25 Ishirini na tano [i.ʃiˈɾi.ni na ˈta.nɔ]

The colours in Swahili

The most common colours in Swahili with phonetic transcription for pronunciation.

English Swahili IPA
Red in Swahili Nyekundu [ɲɛˈkun.du]
Blue in Swahili Blau [blaʊ] *(Note: “blau” is borrowed; native: samawati [sa.ma.ˈwa.ti])*
Green in Swahili Kijani [kiˈd͡ʒa.ni]
Yellow in Swahili Njano [ˈn͡d͡ʒa.nɔ]
Black in Swahili Nyeusi [ɲɛˈu.si]
White in Swahili Nyeupe [ɲɛˈu.pɛ]
Brown in Swahili Kahawia [ka.ˈha.wi.a]
Orange in Swahili Rangi ya machungwa [ˈra.ŋi ja maˈt͡ʃu.ŋwa]
Purple in Swahili Zambarau [zam.baˈɾa.u]
Pink in Swahili Wazi wa waridi [ˈwa.zi wa waˈɾi.di]

Days of the week, months and seasons in Swahili

Of course, you will also need the days of the week in Swahili and the pronunciation of the months and seasons in dialogues and daily communication in Swahili.

English Swahili IPA
Monday in Swahili Jumatatu [d͡ʒu.maˈta.tu]
Tuesday in Swahili Jumanne [d͡ʒuˈman.nɛ]
Wednesday in Swahili Jumatano [d͡ʒu.maˈta.nɔ]
Thursday in Swahili Alhamisi [al.haˈmi.si]
Friday in Swahili Ijumaa [i.d͡ʒuˈma.a]
Saturday in Swahili Jumamosi [d͡ʒu.maˈmɔ.si]
Sunday in Swahili Jumapili [d͡ʒu.maˈpi.li]
January in Swahili Januari [ja.nuˈa.ɾi]
February in Swahili Februari [fɛ.bɾuˈa.ɾi]
March in Swahili Machi [ˈma.t͡ʃi]
April in Swahili Aprili [aˈpɾi.li]
May in Swahili Mei [ˈmɛ.i]
June in Swahili Juni [ˈju.ni]
July in Swahili Julai [juˈla.i]
August in Swahili Agosti [aˈɡɔs.ti]
September in Swahili Septemba [sɛpˈtɛm.ba]
October in Swahili Oktoba [ɔkˈtɔ.ba]
November in Swahili Novemba [nɔˈvɛm.ba]
December in Swahili Desemba [dɛˈsɛm.ba]
Spring in Swahili Masika [maˈsi.ka]
Summer in Swahili Kiangazi [ki.aŋˈɡa.zi]
Autumn / Fall in Swahili Vuli [ˈvu.li]
Winter in Swahili Baridi [baˈɾi.di]

OUR TIP: If you want to learn these Swahili phrases interactively, we recommend the free language course demo from 17-Minute-Language, where you can learn Swahili phrases and dialogues.

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