Swahili Phrases

The Swahili phrases are helpful because they are used daily. Below we picked expressions that a new learner will find useful. We included the audio as well. This is a better way to learning. Learn only what you need. We start with greetings and introduction.

Hi: hi

What is your name?: jina lako ni nani?

Nice to meet you: nafurahi kukutana na wewe

How are you?: habari gani?

I'm good, thanks: nzuri

And you?: labda wewe?

Language and Age Phrases

More questions about language and age:

Do you speak (English/Swahili)?: je, unafahamu kizungu, kiswahili?

Does she speak Chinese?: yeye huelewa kichina?

A little bit: kidogo tu

How old are you?: una miaka mingapi?

I'm 33 years old: mimi nina umri wa miaka thelathini na tatu

It was nice talking to you: nimefurahi kuzungumza na wewe

If you don't understand something, this will be your secret weapon:

What do you mean?: una maanisha nini?

I don't understand: sielewi

I don't know: sijui

Sorry: pole

What is that called in Swahili?: kile kinaitwaje kwa kiswahili

What does that word mean in English?: nini maana ya neno hili kwa kiingereza?

More personal information about origins and profession:

Where are you from?: unatoka nchi gani?

I'm from the U.S: mimi ninatoka amerika

I'm American: mimi ni mmarekani

Where do you live?: unaishi wapi?

I live in the U.S: ninaishi amerika

What do you do for a living?: unafanya kazi gani?

I'm a student: mimi ni mwanafunzi

Offering or asking for help and giving directions:

Can I help you?: je, ninaweza kukusaidia?

Can you help me?: je, unaweza kunisaidia?

Where is the airport?: wapi uwanja wa ndege?

Go straight: kwenda moja kwa moja

Then: basi

Turn left: upande wa kushoto

Turn right: upande wa kulia

Holiday Wishes Phrases

Good wishes in Swahili in holidays and occasions:

Happy birthday: furaha ya kuzaliwa

Happy new year: heri ya mwaka mpya

Merry Christmas: krismasi njema

Good luck: nakutakia kila la heri

Congratulations: hongera

Swahili expressions commonly used when traveling or buying:

I have a reservation: nina reservation

Do you have rooms available?: je,vyumba vinapatikana?

I would like a non-smoking room: ningependa chumba yasiyo ya sigara

How much it costs per night?: nini ni malipo kwa usiku mmoja?

Waiter: waiter

How much is this?: ni kiasi gani hii?

What is this?: nini hii?

Survival phrases considered to be important in emergencies:

Are you okay?: uko sawa?

I need a doctor: ninahitaji daktari

Help: msaada

Call the ambulance: wito ambulansi

Call the police: piga simu kwa polisi

I am sick: mimi ni mgonjwa

These Swahili phrases can be used in a variety of conversations. If you have already visited our Swahili Vocabulary and Swahili Grammar, you might want to visit our Swahili Flashcards to practice what you learned.