The most important words in Swahili
In Tanzania and Kenya, Swahili is the official language alongside English. Swahili is also widely spoken in parts of Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, the eastern regions of Congo-Kinshasa, and the northern areas of Malawi and Mozambique. You can quickly pick up a few words in Swahili, but forming complete sentences can be more challenging. It's noticeable that many words in Swahili end with a vowel. We've listed the most important words for a trip to Tanzania. Are you planning to volunteer with children? Scroll down to the bottom of the page; I've included the words I often used when volunteering at a school for special needs children.
Jambo
Mambo
Poa
Sawa
Kwaheri
Habari
Jina langu ni
Jina lako nani?
Nzuri
Asante (sana)
Savi (sana)
Karibu
Ndiyo
Hapana
Wewe
Mimi
Pole Pole
Pole
Hraka Hraka
Gari
Hapa
Wapi?
Jua
Vua
Upendo
Ladi
Moja
Mbili
Tatu
Nne
Tano
Sita
Saba
Nane
Tisa
Kumi
Mzungu
Simba
Mbogo
Kifaru
Chui
Tembo
Twiga
Chakula
Samaki
Nyama
Kuku
Hello
Hello
Good/okay (response to "mambo")
Okay
Bye
How are you?
My name is
What is your name?
Good
Thank you (very much)
Well done
Welcome
Yes
No
You
I
Take it easy
Sorry
Hurry
Car
Here
Where is?
Sun
Rain
Wind
Thunderstorm
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
White person/tourist
Lion
Buffalo
Rhino
Leopard
Elephant
Giraffe
Food
Fish
Meat
Chicken
Jambo
Mambo
Poa
Sawa
Kwaheri
Habari
Jina langu ni
Jina lako nani?
Nzuri
Asante (sana)
Savi (sana)
Karibu
Ndiyo
Hapana
Wewe
Mimi
Pole Pole
Pole
Hraka Hraka
Gari
Hapa
Wapi?
Jua
Vua
Upendo
Ladi
Moja
Mbili
Tatu
Nne
Tano
Sita
Saba
Nane
Tisa
Kumi
Mzungu
Simba
Mbogo
Kifaru
Chui
Tembo
Twiga
Chakula
Samaki
Nyama
Kuku
Hello
Hello
Good/okay (response to "mambo")
Okay
Bye
How are you?
My name is
What is your name?
Good
Thank you (very much)
Well done
Welcome
Yes
No
You
I
Take it easy
Sorry
Hurry
Car
Here
Where is?
Sun
Rain
Wind
Thunderstorm
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
White person/tourist
Lion
Buffalo
Rhino
Leopard
Elephant
Giraffe
Food
Fish
Meat
Chicken
Most important words for volunteering with children
Cheche
Watoto
Mtoto
Kaa chini
Kaa vizuri
Simama juu
Skuli
Pamoja
Kucheza
Sikiliza
Kuangalia
Ngoa
Soksi
Viatu
Vaa
Vua
Hisia
Furaha
Uzuni
Chukia
Ogopa
Tena
Hello (greeting for children)
Children
Child
Sit down
Sit properly
Stand up
School
Together
Play
Listen
Look
Clothing
Socks
Shoes
Put on
Take off
Emotions
Happy
Sad
Angry
Afraid
Again
Cheche
Watoto
Mtoto
Kaa chini
Kaa vizuri
Simama juu
Skuli
Pamoja
Kucheza
Sikiliza
Kuangalia
Ngoa
Soksi
Viatu
Vaa
Vua
Hisia
Furaha
Uzuni
Chukia
Ogopa
Tena
Hello (greeting for children)
Children
Child
Sit down
Sit properly
Stand up
School
Together
Play
Listen
Look
Clothing
Socks
Shoes
Put on
Take off
Emotions
Happy
Sad
Angry
Afraid
Again
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