Learn Comorian (Shikomori): A Complete Beginner's Guide
Introduction: Why Learn Comorian?
Comorian, or Shikomori, is the national language of the Union of the Comoros, an archipelago of four islands located in the Mozambique Channel, between Madagascar and the East African coast. With approximately 900,000 speakers in the Comoros and a significant diaspora in France (around 300,000 people), Madagascar, Tanzania, and the Gulf states, Shikomori is a living and dynamic language.
According to Ethnologue, Comorian (ISO code swb for Shimaore, wni for Shindzuwani, among others) has around 900,000 native speakers across the four islands. Including the diaspora — particularly the large community in Marseille and the Île-de-France region — total speakers approach 1.2 million worldwide.
Browse our Comorian vocabulary and start learning on Targumi.
Shikomori belongs to the Bantu language family, specifically the Sabaki group, making it closely related to Swahili. If you already know a few Swahili words, you will notice striking similarities. However, Comorian has its own distinct linguistic identity, enriched by borrowings from Arabic, French, and Malagasy, reflecting centuries of trade and cultural exchange across the Indian Ocean.
Learning Comorian also opens a door to a rich and little-known culture: twarab music, the Grand Marriage ceremonies (anda), spice-infused cuisine (vanilla, clove, ylang-ylang), and a flourishing oral tradition. Whether you have Comorian roots, are planning a trip to the archipelago, or are simply curious, this guide is your starting point.
Shikomori Basics
The Four Dialectal Variants
Shikomori has four main dialects, one per island:
| Island | Dialect | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Grande Comore (Ngazidja) | Shingazidja | The most widespread, often considered the reference variety |
| Anjouan (Ndzuwani) | Shindzuwani | Close to Shingazidja with phonetic nuances |
| Mohéli (Mwali) | Shimwali | The least documented, spoken by about 35,000 people |
| Mayotte (Maoré) | Shimaore | Special status (French department), influenced by French |
These dialects are mutually intelligible: a Ngazidja speaker can understand an Anjouan speaker without difficulty. In this guide, we focus primarily on Shingazidja, the most widely taught dialect.
Alphabet and Writing System
Comorian is written using the Latin alphabet, adapted to its specific sounds. There are no silent letters: every letter is pronounced.
Vowels: a, e, i, o, u — pronounced similarly to Spanish or Italian. The u is always pronounced as oo (as in "food").
Special consonants:
- dj → like the "j" in "jump"
- sh → like the "sh" in "ship"
- ny → like the "ny" in "canyon"
- ng → like the "ng" in "sing"
- th → like the English "th" in "think"
- pv → a bilabial fricative, uniquely Comorian (between "f" and "p")
- tr / dr → retroflex sounds where the tongue touches the palate
Pronunciation: Golden Rules
- Stress generally falls on the penultimate syllable: ta-RI-hi (story), ngu-VU (coconut).
- Long vowels are distinctive: kaa (crab) ≠ ka (and).
- There are no tones like in Chinese — great news for beginners!
Greetings and Essential Expressions
Greetings are extremely important in Comorian culture. Failing to greet someone is considered very rude. Here are the essential expressions:
| English | Comorian (Shingazidja) | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Good morning | Bariza subui | Ba-ri-za su-BOO-i |
| Good afternoon | Bariza mwezi | Ba-ri-za mweh-zi |
| Good evening | Bariza masihu | Ba-ri-za ma-SEE-hu |
| How are you? | Habari? | Ha-BA-ri? |
| I'm fine | Ndjema | Nje-ma |
| Thank you | Marahaba | Ma-ra-HA-ba |
| Thank you very much | Marahaba sana | Ma-ra-HA-ba SA-na |
| Please | Tafadhwali | Ta-fa-DHWA-li |
| Yes | Ewa | EH-wa |
| No | Aâ | Aâ |
| Excuse me | Samahani | Sa-ma-HA-ni |
| Goodbye | Bweni ndjema | Bweh-ni nje-ma |
| My name is... | Jina langu... | JEE-na LAN-goo... |
| I don't understand | Tsisifahamu | Tsi-si-fa-HA-moo |
| Speak slowly | Longoza pole pole | Lon-GO-za PO-leh PO-leh |
You will notice similarities with Swahili, particularly habari, marahaba, samahani, and pole pole — this is because these languages share Bantu roots and common Arabic influence.
For more expressions, visit our Comorian vocabulary page with integrated audio.
Basic Grammar
Noun Classes
Like all Bantu languages, Shikomori organises its nouns into noun classes (approximately 15). Each class has a singular prefix and a plural prefix:
| Class | Singular | Plural | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | mu- | wa- | mutru (person) → watru (people) |
| 3/4 | mu- | mi- | muri (tree) → miri (trees) |
| 5/6 | ø/li- | ma- | gari (car) → magari (cars) |
| 7/8 | shi- | zi- | shiri (chair) → ziri (chairs) |
| 9/10 | n- | n- | nguo (garment) → nguo (garments) |
The class prefix also affects agreements on the verb, adjective, and demonstrative. This is the key system to master in Shikomori.
Sentence Structure
The basic word order is Subject - Verb - Object (SVO), just like English:
- Mimi nisoma shuo → I read book → I read a book
- Ali aendra shuleni → Ali goes school → Ali goes to school
Conjugation: Present Tense
Verbs are conjugated by adding a subject prefix + a tense marker before the verb root:
Verb: -soma (to read/study)
| Person | Conjugation | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| I | Ni-soma | I read |
| You | U-soma | You read |
| He/She | A-soma | He/She reads |
| We | Ri-soma | We read |
| You (pl.) | Mu-soma | You read |
| They | Wa-soma | They read |
For the past tense, insert the marker -a-: Ni-a-soma (I read/studied). For the future, use -tso-: Ni-tso-soma (I will read).
Negation
Add the prefix ka- or tsi-:
- Tsisoma → I don't read
- Kasoma → He/She doesn't read
Discover our Comorian grammar courses on Targumi and practise with interactive exercises.
Essential Vocabulary
Family (hazi)
| English | Comorian |
|---|---|
| Father | Baba |
| Mother | Mama |
| Brother | Mwana mume |
| Sister | Mwana mke |
| Child | Mwana |
| Grandfather | Babu |
| Grandmother | Mama mku |
| Uncle | Mjomba |
| Aunt | Shangazi |
| Husband | Mume |
| Wife | Mke |
Food (shahula)
| English | Comorian |
|---|---|
| Rice | Wali |
| Fish | Shi |
| Meat | Nyama |
| Banana | Ndizi |
| Cassava | Muhogo |
| Coconut | Nguvu |
| Water | Madji |
| Bread | Mkate |
| Milk | Maziwa |
| Breadfruit | Bwe |
Numbers (hesabu)
| Number | Comorian |
|---|---|
| 1 | Moja |
| 2 | Mbili |
| 3 | Traru |
| 4 | Nne |
| 5 | Tsano |
| 6 | Sita |
| 7 | Fitu |
| 8 | Nane |
| 9 | Shendra |
| 10 | Kumi |
| 20 | Shirini |
| 100 | Mia |
| 1000 | Elf |
Find more thematic vocabulary on our Comorian vocabulary page.
Culture and Proverbs
The Grand Marriage (Anda)
The Grand Marriage is the most important social institution in the Comoros. It is not simply a wedding but a rite of passage that grants a man the status of notable (mdru mdzima). Festivities last several days and involve the entire community. A man who has not completed his Grand Marriage cannot sit at the bangwe (the public square where collective decisions are made).
Twarab Music
Twarab is the emblematic musical genre of the Comoros, inherited from Zanzibari and Arab traditions. Accompanied by instruments such as the gabusi (lute) and the ndzendze (zither), it accompanies weddings and celebrations.
Comorian Proverbs
Proverbs hold a central place in Comorian wisdom. Here are some notable examples:
"Mwana tsi mpvira, ukaya uka na mwenye." A child is not a ball; they always return to their master. Meaning: One always returns to their roots.
"Umoja ni nguvuo." Unity is strength. Meaning: Solidarity is the key to collective success.
"Mbuzi ipashao heya hushusha." A goat grazes where it is tied. Meaning: Make the best of your situation.
"Mwenye ngoma ndiye apigaye." The one who owns the drum is the one who plays it. Meaning: Everyone is master of their own destiny.
To learn more about Comorian culture, visit our Comorian cultural resources.
The Comorian Diaspora in Europe
France is home to the largest Comorian community outside the Comoros, estimated at between 200,000 and 400,000 people. Marseille is often called the "fifth island of the Comoros", with a particularly vibrant community. Significant communities also exist in Paris, Lyon, Dunkirk, and in French overseas territories (Réunion, Mayotte).
This diaspora maintains very strong ties with the archipelago: remittances (which represent about 25% of Comorian GDP), frequent travel back and forth, and above all, the preservation of language and traditions. The Grand Marriage is also celebrated in France, and numerous cultural associations organise language courses, festivals, and community events.
For diaspora children born in Europe, learning Shikomori represents an act of identity connection. Targumi offers a modern solution for this natural transmission, with progressive lessons adapted for English and French speakers alike.
Also discover our article on Lingala or our Bambara guide, two other African languages taught on Targumi.
Learn with Targumi
Ready to start learning Comorian? Targumi supports you with a modern, effective method:
- Progressive lessons designed for English speakers
- Contextualised vocabulary with audio pronunciation
- Practical exercises for every lesson
- Real-life dialogues for natural conversation
- Progress tracking system with XP and rewards
Comorian is your passport to the Indian Ocean. Whether you are preparing a trip to the Comoros, want to communicate with family, or simply wish to discover a fascinating culture, Targumi is here for you.
Start your Comorian journey on Targumi today!
Article written by Nadjma Abdou, Comorian teacher and Targumi collaborator. At Targumi, we make learning Comorian accessible to everyone.
Sources and References
- Targumi — Learn Comorien: courses with certified native teachers.
- Wikipedia — Comorien: encyclopedic information on the language.
Further Reading
- All languages on Targumi — 106 languages taught