Hello! - Habari gani? [response: "Nzuri!"] How are you? - Hujambo? [response: "Sijambo"]
Introductions
English
My name is ... - Jina langu (ni) ... What's your name? - Jina lako (ni) nani? I come from ... England/the USA/Australia. - Natoka ... Uingereza/Marekani/Australia. I'm ... [a tourist/an adviser] - Mimi ni ... [mtalii/mshauri] I'm ... [an American/a Briton] - Mimi ni ... [Mmarekani/Mwingereza] I'm ... [a Dutchman, Dutchwoman] - Mimi ni ... [Mholanzi] I'm ... [a Frenchman/Frenchwoman] - Mimi ni ... [Mfaransa] We are ... [Americans/Britons] - Sisi ni ... [Wamarekani/Waingereza] This is my ... [husband/wife] - Huyu ni ... [mume/mke] ... wangu. This is my ...
[friend] - Huyu ni ... [rafiki] ... yangu. I live ... (in Nairobi)/(at home) - Nakaa ... (Nairobi)/(nyumbani) I'm not ... - Mimi si ... We're not ... - Sisi si ...
Language Proficiency
English
Do you speak English/French? - Unajua Kiingereza/Kifaransa? Could you speak slowly, please! - Tafadhali sema pole pole! I speak very little Swahili. - Najua Kiswahili kidogo tu. Could you repeat that! - Tafadhali rudia! What's the meaning of "matata"? - "matata" maana yake nini? "matata" means "problems"- "matata" maana yake "problems" What's this? - Hiki ni kitu gani? I didn't understand (you). - Sijaelewa. I've understood. - Nimeelewa. I don't know. - Sijui.
On the Way
English
Where is ... [the station]/[the Post Office]? - [Stesheni]/[Posta] ... iko wapi? Where can I find ...? - Wapi kuna ...? Where can I find taxis? - Wapi kuna teksi? Where can I make phone calls? - Wapi mtu unaweza kupiga simu? I would like to go to ... - Nataka kwenda ... Where's the toilet? - Choo kiko wapi? I missed my flight. - Nilikosa ndege.
Bidding Farewell
English
Good-bye! - Kwaheri(ni)! I wish you (singular) ... [a nice evening]. - Nakutakia ...[jioni njema] I wish you (plural) ... [a nice weekend]. - Nawatakia ...[wikendi njema] See you ... [later/tomorrow]. - Tutaonana ... [baadaye/kesho]
Miscellaneous
English
Yes/No - Ndiyo/HapanaI would like ... - Ningependa ... Could you help me, please? - Naomba unisaidie! May I ask (you) something? - Naomba kuuliza! Thank you (very much)! - Asante/ni (sana) You're welcome!/Not at all! - Karibu! Please, ... - Tafadhali ...
Jina lako (ni) nani? - What's your name? Unatoka wapi? - Where do you [singular] come from? Mnatoka wapi? - Where do you [plural] come from? Habari za watoto? - How are the/your children? Mimi ni ... Mtanzania/Mkenya. - I'm a ... Tanzanian/Kenyan. Wewe ni ... Mwingereza/Mmarekani? - Are you ... British/American? Unakaa wapi? - Where do you live? Umeoa? - Are you married? [of a man] Umeolewa? - Are you married? [of a woman] Una watoto? - Have you got any children? Utafanya kazi wapi? - Where will you work? Nafurahi kukufahamu! - I'm pleased to meet you!
On The Way
Swahili
Unataka kwenda wapi? - Where would you like to go? Nenda moja kwa moja! - Go straight on/ahead! Sasa tunaondoka. - We're leaving now! Panda/Pandeni! - Get in please! Safari njema! - Have a nice trip/journey!
Miscellaneous
Swahili
Ngoja kidogo! - Just a moment, please! Ungependa nini? - What would you like (to have)? Oh! Unasema Kiswahili kizuri sana! - Oh! You speak very good Swahili! Sijui. - I don't know. Karibu tena!
- Do come again (for a visit)! Samahani! - I apologize! Si kitu! - It doesn't matter! Sawa! - (It's) OK! Basi ... - So, OK ... Nikusaidie nini? - What can I do for you? Umeelewa? - Did you understand?