Wonders of the African World - Episodes - The Swahili Coast

||  THE SWAHILI COAST EPISODE  ||

Although Swahili takes its roots from the African Bantu language, it is heavily influenced by Arabic -- a result of the long-standing trading relationships in the region -- and many contemporary words are adapted from English. To listen to some common Swahili words and phrases, click on the links below.

Greetings
Hello		Jambo
Good morning		Habari za asubuhi?
Good afternoon		Habari za mchana?
Good evening		Habari za jioni?
Good night		Habari za usiku?
Goodbye		Kwa heri (one), Kwa herini (many)
What is your name?		Jina lako nani? Wewe nani?
My name is Michael Jordan.		Jina langu ni Michael Jordan.
Politeness
Nice to meet you.		Nafurahi kukuona.
How are you?		Habari gani? Uhali gani?
Good, fine		Njema, Nzuri, Salama
Bad		Mbaya
So so		Hivi, hivi
Thank you		Asante
Thank you very much		Asante Sana
You're welcome		Karibu
Please		Tafadhali
Excuse me		Samahani
So long		Tutaonana
Yes		Ndiyo
No		Hapana
Common Phrases
I do not understand		Sifahamu
How do you say this in English?		Unasemaje kwa Kiingereza?
Do you speak English?		Una sema Kiingereza
I can speak Swahili!		Ninaweza kusema Kiswahili!
Where do you live?		Unaishi wapi?
I am from the United States.		Ninatoka Marekani.
I am American.		Mimi ni Mmarekani.
Where is Zanzibar?		Zanzibar iko wapi?
How much is the fare?		Nauli ni kiasi gani?
One ticket to Nairobi, please.		Tikiti moja kwenda Nairobi, tafadhali.
Where are you going?		Unakwenda wapi?
Where is the bathroom?		Choo kiko wapi?
Call the police!		Ita polisi!
You are pretty.		Wewe ni mrembo.
Happy Birthday!		Furaha Ya Siku Ya Kuza Liwa!
What time is it?		Ni saa ngapi sasa?
1:45		saa nane kasoro robo.
Shopping
How much does this cost?		Hii ni bei gani?
What is this?		Hii ni nini?
I'll buy it.		Nitainunua.
I would like to buy some clothes.		Ninataka kununua nguo.
Do you have any bread?		Unayo mkate?
Do you accept credit cards?		Naweza kutumia kadi ya benki?
I'd like a cold beer.		Tafadhali nataka bia baridi.
Cheers!		Afya! Vifijo!
Please bring the bill		Tafadhali, lete checki.

Pronouns
I		Mimi		Husband		Mume
We		Sisi		Daughter		Binti
You (singular)		Wewe		Son		Mwana
You (plural)		Nyinyi		Mother		Mama
They		Wao		Father		Baba
Wife		Mke		Friend		Rafiki
Quantity
Open		Imefunguliwa, Wazi		A lot		Nyingi
Closed		Imefungwa		All		Yote
A little		Kidogo
Food and Drink
Breakfast		Kifungua kinywa.		Wine		Muinyo
Lunch		Chakula cha mchana		Meat		Nyama
Dinner		Chakula cha usiku		Fruit		Tunda
Bread		Mkate		Fruits		Matunda
Water		Maji		Salad		Saladi
Ice cream		Aiskrimu
Transport
Train		Treni		Airport		Kiwanja cha ndege
Bus		Basi		Train station		stesheni ya treni
Time and Dates
Day		Siku		Monday		Jumatatu
Week		Wiki		Tuesday		Jumanne
Month		Mwezi		Wednesday		Jumatano
Year		Mwaka		Thursday		Alhamisi
Today		Leo		Friday		Ijumaa
Yesterday		Jana		Saturday		Jumamosi
Tomorrow		Kesho		Sunday		Jumapili

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About the Swahili Language
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Learn to Speak Swahili
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Swahili Poetry