Greetings and Civilities
It’s considered rude to speak to someone without greeting them first. So, on every occasion, greet the person before talking to them.
Hello Jambo or Salama
Also note these greetings:
Welcome Karibu
Goodbye Kwa heri
(Until) tomorrow Kesho
Goodnight Lala salama
See you later Tutaonana
Please (if asking big favor) Tafadhali
Thank you Asante
Thanks very much Asante sana
You’re welcome Karibu
How are you? Habari?
I’m fine, thanks Nzuri
What’s your name? Unaitwa nani?
My name is… Jina langu ni…
Where are you from? Unatoka wapi?
I’m from… Mimi ninatoka…
Where do you live? Unakaa wapi?
I live in… Nikakaa…
May I take a picture? Naomba kupiga picha
Useful Words and Phrases
Yes Ndiyo
No Hapana
Sorry Pole sana
No Problem Hakuna matata
No hurry Hakuna haraka
Easy! Piece of Cake Rahisi
I don’t understand Nisamehe sigahamu
I’m going to the toilet Nina enda choo
Getting Around
I want to go to… Mimi nataka kwenda…
Is this the way to…? Hii njia ya…?
How much to go to…? Shillingi ngapi kwenda…?
Where is a/the…? Wapi…?
When does the…leave? …inakwenda saa ngapi?
Bus Basi
Train Treni
Truck/car Gari
Boat Boti
Shared taxi Gari ndogo
Drive slowly Endesha pole pole
Wait a minute Ngoja kidogo
Stop here Simama hapa
Ticket tikiti
Airport Kiwanja cha ndege
Bus Station Stesheni ya basi
Train Station Stesheni ya treni
Taxi teksi
Left Kwa kushoto
Right Kwa kulia
Where is a/the…? Wapi…?
Bank Benki
Hospital Hospitali
Post office Posta
Restaurant Hoteli ya chakula
Toilet Choo
Food- Useful Words
Boiled Chemka
Bread Mkate
Butter Siagi
Cup Kikombe
Curry Mchuzi
Egg (s) Yai (mayai)
Food Chakula
Fork Uma
Fried Kaanga
Glass Glasi
Hot/Cold Moto/Baridi
Hot (spicy) Hoho
Indian Bread Chapati
Knife Kisu
Napkin Kitambaa
Pepper Pilipili
Plate Sahani
Raw Mbichi
Ripe Mbivu
Roast Choma
Table Mesa
Teaspoon Kijiko
Salt Chumvi
Sauce Mchuzi
Soup Supu
Sugar Sukari
Sweet Tamu
Yogurt Maziwalala
Vegetables and Grains
Carrots Karoti
Corn/Maize Mahindi
Garlic Vitunguu saumu
Kidney Beans Maharagwe
Lettuce Salad
Mashed beans, potatoes, maize, and greens Mataha
Onions Vitunguu
Potatoes Viazi
Rice Wali
Spinach Sukuma wiki
Tomatoes Nyana
Vegetables Mboga
Vegetable Stew Mboga
Meet and Fish
Barbecued Meat Nyana choma
Beef Nyama (ya) ng’ombe
Crab Kaa
Fish Samaki
Kebabs Mushkaki
Lobster Kamba
Meat Nyama
Meat Stew Karanga
Pork Nyama (ya) nguruwe
Steak Steki
Fruit
Bananas Ndizi
Coconut (Green) Dafu
Coconut (Ripe) Nazi
Dates Tende
Fruit Matunda
Grapefruits Madanzi
Guava Pera
Limes Ndimu
Mangoes Maembe
Oranges Machungwa
Papayas Paipai
Passion fruit Pasheni
Pineapples Mananasi
Sugar Cane Miwa
Online English/Swahili Dictionary