Kiswahili
Tanzania is a bilingual country where Kiswahili and English is spoken.
Kiswahili is spoken in East Africa and in part of Burundi, Congo, Zambia and Rwanda. Tourists will find their way easily in Tanzania, as English is widely spoken, but it will be a bonus to learn some kiswahili phrases and words. It might also win you a few friends.
The language is relatively easy to learn. Words are pronounced as they are written. Here are some basic expressions.
Meeting people |
Eating & drinking |
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| English | Kiswahili | English | Kiswahili |
| Hi/Hello | Habari/Jambo | Food | Chakula |
| How are you? (to one person) | Hujambo? | Hungry | Njaa |
| I'm fine | Sijambo | Thirsty | Kiu |
| How are all of you? | Hamjambo? | Rice | Wali |
| We're fine | Hatujambo | Chicken | Kuku |
| Excuse me | Samahani | Chips | Chipsi |
| Thank you (very much) | Asante (sana) | Meat | Nyama |
| Yes | Ndiyo | Vegetables | Mboga |
| No | Hapana | Fish | Samaki |
| Good | Nzuri | Bread | Mkate |
| Good night | Usiku mwema | Eggs | Mayai |
| Later on | Baadaye | Water | Maji |
| (Until) Tomorrow | Kesho | Milk | Maziwa |
| No Problem | Hakuna shida (tatizo) | Tea | Chai |
| Slowly | Polepole | Coffee | Kahawa |
| Quickly | Haraka | Fruit | Matunda |
| Let's go | Twende | Banana | Ndizi |
| Danger | Hatari | Mango | Embe |
| I am tired | Nimechoka | Orange | Chungwa |
| I am sick | Ninaumwa | Cold | Baridi |
| White person | Mzungu | Warm | Moto |
| Asian person | Wahindi | ||
Common objects |
Animals |
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| English | Kiswahili | English | Kiswahili |
| Cloth(es) | Nguo | Lion | Simba |
| Ash tray | Eshtrei | Zebra | Punda Milia |
| Bag | Mfuko | Sable | Palapala |
| Board (wood) | Ubao | Snake | Nyoka |
| Box | Boksi | Sheep | Kondoo |
| Shoe | Viatu | Roan | Kolongo |
| Cork | Kizibo | Rat | Panya |
| Pillow | Mto | Guinea-fowl | Kanga |
| Bed | Kitanda | Hare | Sungura |
| Firewood | Kuni | Leopard | Chui |
| Toilet | Choo | Hartebeest | Kongoni |
| Towel | Taulo | Hyena | Fisi |
| Telephone | Simu | Goat | Mbuzi |
| Ring | Pete | Chicken | Kuku |
| Scissors | Mkasi | Fish | Samaki |
| Stone | Jiwe | Giraffe | Twiga |
| (Sun)glasses | Miwani (ya jua) | Horse | Farasi |
| Mosquito net | Chandarua | Hippo | Kiboko |
| Needle | Sindana | Frog | Chura |
| Iron (for ironing) | Pasi | Dog | Mbwa |
| Rope (sisal) | Katani | Crocodile | Mamba |
| Rope (any kind) | Kamba | Donkey | Punda |
| Penknife | Kisu cha kukunja | Cow | Ng'ombe |
| (Wrist)watch | Saa (yaa mkono) | Buffalo | Nyati |
| Washbasin | Sinki la kunawia | Baboon | Nyani |
| Umbrella | Mwavuli | Elephant | Tembo |
| Padlock | Kufuli | Rhino | Kifaru |
| Leather | Ngozi | Bird | Ndege |
| Silk | Hariri | Bee | Nyuki |
| (Shoe)lace | Kamba (ya viatu) | Wildebeest | Nyumbu |
| Thread | Uzi | Cheetah | Duma |
Colors |
Journey |
||
| English | Kiswahili | English | Kiswahili |
| Grey | Kijivu | Road | Barabara |
| Green | Kijani | Motorcar | Gari |
| Yellow | Manjano | Bicycle | Baisikeli |
| Brown | Kahawia | Train | Treni |
| Black | Nyeusi | Bus | Basi |
| White | Nyeupe | Baggage | Mizigo |
| Red | Nyekundu | Airport | Uwanja wa ndege |
| Blue | Bluu | Plane | Ndege |
| Silver | Fedha | Boat/ferry | Meli |
Numbers |
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| English | Kiswahili | English | Kiswahili |
| One | Moja | Eleven | Kumi na moja |
| Two | Mbili | Twelve | Kumi na mbili |
| Three | Tatu | Thirteen | Kumi na tatu |
| Four | Nne | Twenty | Ishirini |
| Five | Tanu | Twenty-one | Ishirini na moja |
| Six | Sita | Thirty | Thelatini |
| Seven | Saba | Fourty | Arobaini |
| Eight | Nane | Hundred | Mia |
| Nine | Tisa | Two hundred | Mia mbili |
| Ten | Kumi | Thousand | Elfu |