Learn Swahili with real humans

At the restaurant: ordering

★★★★★✓ 30-day money-back guarantee • ✓ No commitment • ✓ Certified native teachers

First words in Swahili

Mambo! / Poa!, What's up? / Cool!

ha-BA-ri YA-ko / MAM-bo

Habari yako? (How are you?) / Shikamoo (respect to elders)

Formal greeting

Did you know? Swahili has been written in the Latin alphabet since colonial times, no new script to learn. The language is phonetic and regular: every letter has a fixed sound, with no exceptions. What sets Swahili apart from European languages is the noun class system. Instead of masculine/feminine gender, Swahili has 15 noun classes (people, objects, plants, abstractions…) that govern agreement throughout the sentence. 'Hakuna matata', made famous by The Lion King, really does mean 'no worries' in everyday Swahili. It's the philosophy of an entire region.

Small

Class groups

2×

Live classes / week

100%

Native teachers

30d

Money-back guarantee

Live classes

Learn Swahili live with a native teacher

2 live classes per week in small groups. Ask questions, practice conversation, progress fast.

Native teacher in class - Swahili | Targumi

Conversation with a teacher - Swahili | Targumi

classes per week

Small

groups

100%

certified native teachers

Live classes

Your typical Swahili week

2 live video classes per week, Mondays and Thursdays at 8pm (Paris time). Small groups.

Week of

1 – Jun 7, 2026

Mon1

Tue2

Wed3

Thu4

20:00

Role-playBeginner

Join class →

Fri5

Sat6

Sun7

Ready to get started?

Try Targumi risk-free for 30 days. Money-back guarantee, no commitment.

Risk-free trial · 30-day refund · Small groups of 2-5

The platform

Progress in Swahili between classes, at your own pace

Interactive lessons with native audio, vocabulary, dialogues and quizzes. Everything you need to reinforce your skills between live sessions.

Ready to improve?

Access all interactive exercises and online courses.

🔤Alphabet et sons (Alfabeti na sauti)

Risk-free trial · 30-day refund · Small groups of 2-5

The community

Join Targumi's Swahili community

Dedicated WhatsApp group, exchanges between learners, resource sharing. You're never alone in your learning journey.

Join the support group

Free · Lifetime access · Native speakers present

🇲🇦

Swahili School - Community

Anissa

Hi everyone 🙌

4:22 PM

Fatiha

Hey, welcome back!

4:23 PM

I’m not on desktop, is it mobile-friendly too?

4:23 PM

Mrhd

Yes, it works on phone and computer together 📱💻

4:24 PM

Message

Full program

Your Swahili curriculum

Exactly what you'll find inside the platform: 51 modules, 0+ structured lessons, quizzes and exercises.

🇹🇿

Swahili Débutant

👋Salutations (Salamu)

🙋Se présenter (Kujitambulisha)

👨‍👩‍👧La famille (Familia)

🔢Chiffres (Nambari)

🌈Jours et couleurs (Siku na rangi)

🍛Chakula — La nourriture

🏠Nyumba — La maison

🚌Transports (Usafiri)

🛒Achats (Ununuzi)

⛅Burudani na hali ya hewa — Loisirs et météo

🚨Dharura — Les urgences

🎒Shule na elimu — École et études

💼Kazi na ajira — Travail et emploi

🏙️Mji na maeneo — Ville et lieux publics

💛Hisia na hisia — Sentiments et émotions

👗Mavazi na muonekano — Vêtements et apparence

🦁Wanyama na asili — Animaux et nature

📱Simu na mtandao — Téléphone et numérique

🌅Maisha ya kila siku — La vie quotidienne

🇹🇿

Swahili Intermédiaire

📐Sarufi (Grammaire)

💬Mazungumzo ya juu (Conversations avancées)

🏛️Administration (Utawala)

💬Kujieleza (Expression)

📰Habari na vyombo vya habari (Médias)

🏘️Jamii (Société)

🗳️Jamii na Siasa (Société et politique)

🌿Mazingira na Asili (Nature)

🎼Utamaduni wa Pwani (Culture swahilie)

💻Teknolojia (Technologie)

🌅

Expression avancée

🦁Culture et proverbes

🏛️Politique et société — Siasa na jamii

💼Économie et commerce — Biashara

📜Littérature et poésie — Fasihi

🔬Sciences et technologie — Sayansi na teknolojia

🧠Philosophie et débat — Falsafa na mjadala

📺Médias et communication — Habari za vyombo

🌿Environnement — Mazingira

🏥Santé publique — Afya ya umma

⚖️Droit et justice — Sheria

🎵Art et culture — Sanaa na utamaduni

📜Proverbes et idiomes — Methali na nahau

🎙️Registres de langue — Rejistari za lugha

📚Litterature moderne — Fasihi ya kisasa

📺Medias est-africains — Vyombo vya habari

🗣️Debats de societe — Mijadala ya kijamii

🏛️Histoire est-africaine — Historia

🕌Religion et spiritualite — Dini na imani

🎵Musique est-africaine — Muziki

The method

Our method for learning Swahili

Step 01

Quick level test

Assess your current knowledge in 5 minutes

Step 02

Structured modules

Progressive learning path with native audio and exercises

Step 03

Interactive live classes

2 sessions per week with your native teacher

Step 04

Level certification

Validate your progress with an official certificate

Why Targumi

What makes us different for Swahili

100+

Available languages

Including rare languages you won't find anywhere else.

Free trial days

Try everything with no commitment. Classes, exercises, community.

3-en-1

Complete platform

Video classes + interactive exercises + WhatsApp community. All included.

24/7

Unlimited access

Learn whenever you want. Exercises and content are available 24/7.

The curriculum

What you'll learn in Swahili

A curriculum designed to get you speaking Swahili in the situations that actually matter to you.

01
Conversational Swahili: solid foundation, Latin alphabet, clear pronunciation
02
Standard Kiswahili and regional variants (Kenya, Tanzania, Congo)
03
Safari, travel and tourism vocabulary for East Africa
04
Business Swahili for East African markets
05
Swahili culture and music: taarab, bongo flava and coastal heritage
06
Noun classes: the unique backbone of Bantu grammar

Start Swahili now

Try free for 30 days, no commitment.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about learning Swahili

Is Swahili hard to learn?

Swahili is considered one of the most accessible African languages for Europeans. The alphabet is Latin, pronunciation is phonetic and regular, and the grammar, while very different, is consistent and exception-free. The main challenge is the noun class system, but our teachers introduce it gradually through real-life situations. The US Foreign Service Institute rates Swahili as Category 3 of 5, similar to Hebrew or Indonesian.

In how many countries is Swahili spoken?

Swahili is an official or national language in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and the Comoros. It's understood as a trade language in a dozen other East African countries. As the official language of the African Union, learning Swahili is a linguistic investment that connects you to a continent of 1.4 billion people, the fastest-growing region on earth.

Is Swahili useful for doing business in Africa?

Yes, especially for East Africa, which is experiencing rapid economic growth. Nairobi (Kenya) is Africa's tech hub, often called 'Silicon Savanna.' Tanzania is attracting massive investment in tourism and natural resources. The DRC is one of the richest mining nations in the world. In all these markets, Swahili is the language of local business.

Can I learn Swahili just for travel in East Africa?

Absolutely, and it's one of the most common reasons our students sign up. Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda: a few hundred words of Swahili radically transform the experience. Locals deeply appreciate foreigners who make the effort. A safari or a Kilimanjaro trek takes on a completely different dimension when you can talk to the guides in their own language. We offer an 8-week 'Traveler's Swahili' module.

What's the difference between Kenyan and Tanzanian Swahili?

Tanzanian Swahili (especially Zanzibar's) is considered standard Swahili, 'purer,' less mixed with English. Urban Kenyan Swahili (Nairobi) is heavily influenced by English and incorporates 'Sheng' slang, a blend of Swahili, English and Kikuyu. For academic learning, Tanzanian is the reference; for practical communication in Kenya, 'Nairobi Swahili' is essential. Our teachers cover both variants.

How much do Swahili courses cost on Targumi?

Targumi offers 3 plans: quarterly, yearly, and lifetime access. All plans include live small-group classes with native teachers, interactive lessons, and the community. See full pricing on the pricing page.

Are the Swahili courses online or in person?

100% online. Live classes happen twice a week in small groups via Google Meet. You can join from anywhere in the world. The mobile and web app stay accessible 24/7 for interactive lessons.

Is there a money-back guarantee?

Yes. Targumi offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. If you are not satisfied, just email [email protected] for a full refund.

How do I cancel my subscription?

You can cancel anytime from your profile (“My subscriptions” section) with no hidden fees. Your access stays active until the end of your paid period.

Resources

All Swahili resources

Explore our free tools to progress outside of class.

Swahili level test

Assess your CEFR level in 5 minutes. 30-day learning plan included.

Swahili survival kit

A hundred words and thirty key phrases as a printable PDF, free.

Swahili cultural quiz

How well do you know Swahili culture? Films, music, traditions.

Swahili articles

Guides and articles to learn Swahili.

Swahili vocabulary

Essential words and phrases organized by theme.

Cultural resources

Podcasts, movies, TV shows and music to progress through immersion.

8 min read→Beginner Guide

Guides & articles

Guides to learn Swahili

Dictionary

Swahili Dictionary: 50 Essential Words with Pronunciation

Discover the 50 most important Swahili (Kiswahili) words with their English translation and pronunciation. Essential basic vocabulary to travel in Tanzania, Kenya and East Africa.

How to Learn Swahili: The Beginner's Guide to East Africa's Lingua Franca

Swahili is spoken by over 200 million people across East Africa , and it's one of the most learnable African languages for English speakers. Here's your complete beginner's guide.

11 min read→Complete Guide

Learn Swahili: A Beginner's Guide in 2026

Swahili is the most widely spoken language in Africa. This complete guide covers everything you need to start: alphabet, grammar, noun classes, vocabulary, and a study plan.

15 min read→Culture & Languages

Why Learn Swahili in 2026: 7 Compelling Reasons

7 compelling reasons to learn Swahili in 2026: economic opportunities, accessible grammar, cultural richness, tourism and Pan-African identity.

14 min read→

See all articles→

Reviews

They are learning Swahili with Targumi

Verified learner testimonials.

“3 weeks in Kenya this summer, didn't wanna just point at things saying 'this please'. people in Nairobi were SO much warmer when I tried a few words 🌍”

Kenza D.Verified purchase

“After 7 months of Swahili, I can present a project to an audience. I notice it every day.”

Amir JohnsonVerified purchase

“Enriching Swahili. Free conversation sessions would be an ideal complement.”

Boubacar RouxVerified purchase

“A teacher myself, Targumi's Swahili method inspires my own pedagogy. Their approach is a model.”

Martine WeberVerified purchase

“Dentist, Swahili changed my life: I started my own bilingual podcast in the industry.”

Francesca SimonVerified purchase

“The day I dreamed in Swahili, my mom cried with joy when I told her.”

Sigrid MbayeVerified purchase

“The Swahili group WhatsApp chat is great. Vocabulary, jokes, encouragement between classes.”

Sebastien D.Verified purchase

“In the middle of a career change, Swahili became a reassuring habit. Three evenings a week, and I bounce back.”

Ines MartinVerified purchase

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Live classes 2x/week with a native teacher
Full learning platform (videos, quizzes, audio exercises)
Small group classes: you actually practice
Private WhatsApp community
24/7 access from mobile and desktop
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