🇰🇪Afrique de l'Est · 200 millions de locuteurs
Swahili vocabulary: 100 essential words to communicate
Learn essential Swahili vocabulary with 100 words and phrases organized by theme. Perfect for beginners and travellers who want to communicate confidently.
100words & phrases
10themes
ENtranslations
Greetings & politeness
| Kiswahili | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Jambo / Habari | Hello / How are you? | Jambo! Habari yako? |
| Asante | Thank you | Asante sana! |
| Tafadhali | Please | Tafadhali nisaidie. |
| Samahani | Excuse me / Sorry | Samahani, sijui. |
| Ndiyo | Yes | Ndiyo, naelewa. |
| Hapana | No | Hapana, asante. |
| Kwa heri | Goodbye | Kwa heri! Tutaonana! |
| Karibu | Welcome / You're welcome | Karibu Kenya! |
| Shikamoo | Respectful greeting (to elders) | Shikamoo, bibi!Culture: "Shikamoo" est la salutation respectueuse envers les anciens et les supérieurs. La réponse est "Marahaba". Ne jamais omettre cette salutation avec les aînés. |
| Habari za asubuhi | Good morning | Habari za asubuhi! Habari nzuri? |
| Lala salama | Good night / Sleep well | Lala salama, tutaonana kesho. |
Food & cooking
| Kiswahili | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Chakula | Food / Meal | Chakula ni kitamu sana! |
| Maji | Water | Maji baridi, tafadhali. |
| Mkate | Bread | Mkate wa chapati ni mzuri.Culture: Le "mkate wa chapati" est le pain plat d'influence indienne très populaire en Afrique de l'Est, surtout au Kenya et en Tanzanie. |
| Wali | Cooked rice | Wali na maharagwe ni chakula cha kawaida.Culture: "Wali na maharagwe" (riz et haricots) est le plat de base de toute l'Afrique de l'Est. |
| Nyama | Meat | Nyama choma ni chakula maarufu.Culture: "Nyama choma" (viande grillée) est la grillade nationale du Kenya et de Tanzanie. C'est le plat de fête par excellence. |
| Samaki | Fish | Samaki wa Victoria ni mzuri. |
| Ugali | Ugali (maize porridge) | Ugali na sukuma wiki ni chakula cha Kenya.Culture: L'ugali est LE plat de base de l'Afrique de l'Est : une bouillie épaisse de farine de maïs. On en fait une boule avec les doigts pour attraper la sauce ou la viande. |
| Matunda | Fruits | Matunda ya Afrika ni mazuri sana. |
| Ndizi | Banana | Ndizi za Tanzania ni tamu. |
| Kahawa | Coffee | Kahawa ya Kenya ni nzuri duniani.Culture: Le Kenya et l'Éthiopie produisent certains des meilleurs cafés au monde. Le café kenyan se distingue par sa brillance et son acidité fruitée. |
| Sukari | Sugar | Tafadhali ongeza sukari kidogo. |
| Chumvi | Salt | Chakula kina chumvi kidogo sana. |
Family
| Kiswahili | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Familia | Family | Familia yangu ni kubwa. |
| Mama | Mother / Mom | Mama yangu ni mzuri. |
| Baba | Father / Dad | Baba yangu anafanya kazi. |
| Mtoto / Watoto | Child / Children | Watoto wangu ni watatu. |
| Kaka | Brother | Kaka yangu ni mkubwa. |
| Dada | Sister | Dada yangu anasoma chuo. |
| Bibi | Grandmother | Bibi yangu ana miaka sabini. |
| Babu | Grandfather | Babu yangu ni mzee. |
| Mume | Husband | Mume wangu anafanya kazi Nairobi. |
| Mke | Wife | Mke wangu ni mwalimu. |
Human body
| Kiswahili | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Kichwa | Head | Kichwa changu kinauma. |
| Jicho / Macho | Eye / Eyes | Macho yake ni mazuri. |
| Pua | Nose | Pua yangu inafanya kazi. |
| Mdomo | Mouth | Funga mdomo! |
| Mkono | Hand / Arm | Nipe mkono wako. |
| Mguu | Foot / Leg | Mguu wangu unauma. |
| Tumbo | Belly / Stomach | Tumbo langu linauma. |
| Moyo | Heart | Moyo wangu unafuraha. |
Numbers
| Kiswahili | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Moja | One | Nataka moja. |
| Mbili | Two | Tupa mbili. |
| Tatu | Three | Miaka tatu. |
| Nne | Four | Saa nne. |
| Tano | Five | Watoto tano. |
| Sita | Six | Siku sita. |
| Saba | Seven | Wiki ina siku saba. |
| Nane | Eight | Nane kwa bei mzuri. |
| Tisa | Nine | Miezi tisa. |
| Kumi | Ten | Kumi na mbili. |
| Ishirini | Twenty | Miaka ishirini. |
| Mia moja | One hundred | Mia moja shilingi. |
Colors
| Kiswahili | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Nyeupe | White | Nguo nyeupe. |
| Nyeusi | Black | Gari nyeusi. |
| Nyekundu | Red | Damu nyekundu. |
| Bluu | Blue | Bahari bluu. |
| Kijani | Green | Majani kijani. |
| Njano | Yellow | Jua njano. |
| Kahawia | Brown | Ardhi kahawia. |
Home & daily life
| Kiswahili | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Nyumba | House / Home | Nyumba yangu ni kubwa. |
| Mlango | Door | Funga mlango. |
| Dirisha | Window | Fungua dirisha. |
| Kitanda | Bed | Kitanda changu ni laini. |
| Meza | Table | Chakula kiko mezani. |
| Kiti | Chair | Kaa kitini. |
| Jiko | Stove / Kitchen | Mama anapika jikoni. |
| Umeme | Electricity | Umeme umeenda. |
Travel & getting around
| Kiswahili | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Iko wapi? | Where is...? | Hoteli iko wapi? |
| Uwanja wa ndege | The airport | Uwanja wa ndege uko mbali? |
| Hoteli | The hotel | Nina nafasi ya hoteli. |
| Teksi | The taxi | Niitie teksi, tafadhali. |
| Tiketi | The ticket | Tiketi moja, tafadhali. |
| Kulia | To the right | Geuka kulia. |
| Kushoto | To the left | Nenda kushoto. |
| Mbele / Moja kwa moja | Straight ahead | Nenda moja kwa moja. |
Time & weather
| Kiswahili | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Jua | Sun | Jua linawaka sana leo. |
| Mvua | Rain | Mvua inanyesha. |
| Moto | Hot | Leo ni moto sana. |
| Baridi | Cold | Usiku baridi sana. |
| Asubuhi | Morning | Asubuhi nzuri! |
| Usiku | Night | Usiku mzuri! |
| Leo | Today | Leo ni siku nzuri. |
| Kesho | Tomorrow | Tutaonana kesho. |
Common expressions & culture
| Kiswahili | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sifahamu | I don't understand | Samahani, sifahamu. |
| Unazungumza Kiingereza? | Do you speak English? | Unazungumza Kiingereza? |
| Bei gani? | How much? | Hii ni bei gani? |
| Hakuna matata | No problem / No worries | Hakuna matata, kila kitu sawa.Culture: Rendu célèbre par Le Roi Lion, "hakuna matata" est vraiment utilisé en swahili courant pour exprimer qu'il n'y a pas de problème. "Kila kitu sawa" (tout va bien) est souvent ajouté. |
| Sawa | Okay / Agreed | Sawa, tutafanya hivyo. |
| Pole | Sorry / Condolences | Pole sana, rafiki.Culture: "Pole" exprime l'empathie et la compassion. On l'utilise pour compatir à une situation difficile, une blessure, un deuil. C'est un mot fondamental de la courtoisie swahili. |
| Rafiki | Friend | Wewe ni rafiki yangu.Culture: Mot rendu célèbre par le film Le Roi Lion. "Rafiki" signifie littéralement "ami" en swahili. |
| Ubuntu | Ubuntu (shared humanity) | Ubuntu ni falsafa ya Afrika.Culture: "Ubuntu" est un concept philosophique africain qui signifie "Je suis parce que nous sommes". Popularisé par Nelson Mandela et Desmond Tutu. |
| Harambee | Collective self-help | Harambee ni msingi wa Kenya.Culture: "Harambee" signifie "unissons nos efforts" en swahili. C'est le mot d'ordre du Kenya depuis l'indépendance en 1963. |
| Ndoto | Dream | Ndoto zangu ni kubwa. |
| Upendo | Love | Upendo ni nguvu. |
| Furaha | Joy / Happiness | Furaha kubwa! |
| Amani | Peace | Amani Africa. |
| Nguvu | Strength / Power | Ana nguvu sana. |
| Pumzika | Rest | Pumzika kidogo. |
| Kufanya kazi | Work | Kufanya kazi kwa bidii. |
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