TZIn Kenya and Tanzania, Swahili shares the title of official language with English and primary school children are usually taught in Swahili. Basically it’s the main language for East Africa. So if you’re heading there, here are a few swahili words to guide you through!
| English | Swahili | Live Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Habari | Hello / Good Morning | habari? |
| Asubuhi/mchana/jioni | Morning, Afternoon & Evening | eg Habari asubuhi, etc |
| Sana | Very | Asante Sana -- Thank you VERY much. |
| Pole | Sorry | I am sorry |
| Chakula | Food | I want food -- nataka chakula |
| Ndiyo / Hapana | “Yes” and “No” respectively | in response to a question |
| Asante | Thank you | Use for a greeting |
| Mzuri | Good/Fine | In response to "habari" |
| Tafadhali | Please | |
| Samahani | Excuse Me | |
| Kwa heri | Goodbye | |
| Ok | Sawa or Sawa sawa | Very used. |
| Jina lako ni nani | What is your name? | |
| Jina langu ni travellerzee | My name is | Jina langu ni travellerzee |
| Rafiki | Friend | |
| bas stendi | Bus Station | |
| unakwenda wapi | Where are you going | |
| Baadaye | Later | |
| Salama | Peaceful | |
Swahili, or Kiswahili, is spoken along the East African coast, largely in Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, and Mozambique. While over 15 million people speak Swahili as their first language, the widespread multilingualism of most African countries means millions of others speak Swahili as a second or third language; estimates range from 60 million to 140 million. It is also one of the official languages of the African Union. — Source
East Africa is a beautiful place to visit, or even live for a while.
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