Here are some very common phrases you might want to learn if you’re traveling to Kenya.
Of course, most Kenyans speak English, but being able to speak a few phrases in the local language always enriches a travel experience. Besides that, Swahili sounds really nice, so you will enjoy speaking it!
English | Swahili |
---|---|
How are you? | Habari? |
Hello | Jambo? |
I’m fine | Sijambo or Mzuri |
What’s up? | Mambo? |
All good, cool | Poa or Safi |
Goodbye | Kwaheri |
See you later | Baadaye |
Thank you | Asante |
No thank you | Hapana asante |
Thank you very much | Asante sana |
Ok | Sawa |
Yes | Ndiyo |
No | Hapana |
Please | Tafadhali |
Sorry | Pole |
Very Sorry | Pole sana |
No worries | Hakuna matata |
No problem | Hamna shida |
Welcome Karibu | Karibu |
Excuse me | Samahani |
What is your name? | Jina lako nani? |
My name is ___ | Jina langu ni ___ |
Nice to meet you | Ninafuraha kukutana nawe |
I understand | Naelewa |
I don’t understand | Sielewi |
I like it | Ninaipenda |
I don’t like it | Siipendi |
Do you like it? | Je unaipenda? |
What? | Nini? |
Where? | Wapi? |
Which? | Ipi? (or Gani?) |
Who? | Nani? |
How? | Vipi? |
Me | Mimi (pronounced Me-me) |
You | Wewe (prounounced Way-way) |
Him/Her | Yeye |
Mine | Yangu |
Yours | Yako |
His/hers | Yake |
Ours | Yetu |
Now let’s put some of these words together into a sentence:
Mimi apana sema Swahili mzuri sana! (I don’t speak Swahili very well)
Wewe ni mzuri sana (You are very good)
See how easy that is? Here’s a great app called Duolingo you can use from your computer or phone that will teach you a little bit of Swahili every day. Not only is it excellent, it’s free!
p.s. you can use the app to learn dozens of other languages as well.
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