This is my updated list of 101 Swahili phrases and words. Prior to my Kilimanjaro climb I created this list by combining three different lists that I found online. During the climb, I added a lot of words and updated some. So,the list is more complete now.
You can download it here or just print the page and read it in the airplane on your way to Kilimanjaro. So, try learning some of them and practice your Swahili during the climb or safari.
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“I’m cool as a goat”
I’m sure you will have your own “my hovercraft is full of eels” moment. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: The translation has not been edited by professional translating service. Please contact me if corrections needed.
101 SWAHILI PHRASES AND WORDS
General
Jumbo – informal “Hello!”
Sijambo – response to Jambo.
Mambo – similar to, Jumbo, informal greetings.
Poa- response to “Mambo”.
Poa kichizy kama ndizi – Cool as a banana (response to “Mambo”).
Habari yako? – Any news? (response “Nzuri”).
Harabi – How are you?( response “Nzuri”).
Habari ya Asubuhi – Good morning.
Lala salama – Good night.
Kwa heri – Good Buy.
Karibu – Welcome.
Tahadhali – Please.
Asante-sana – Thank you very much.
Nzuri – Good, nice.
Ndiyo – Yes.
Hapana – No.
Hatari – Danger.
Hakuna Matata – No worries.
Sava – Ok.
Asubuni – Morning.
Jioni – Evening.
Siku – Day.
Usiku – Night.
Samahani – I’m sorry.
Nimechoka – I’m tired.
Nina Njaa- I’m hungry.
Ninakiu – I’m thirsty.
Nina Usingizi – I’m sleepy.
Nataka kuoga – I want to bath, I need a shower.
Choo kiko wapi – Where is the toilet?
Kushoto – Left.
Haki – Right.
Pole-pole – slowly, slowly (You will hear this from the guides when climbing Kilimanjaro a lot).
Medical and Health
Damu – Blood.
Kuhara – Diarrhea.
Kichwa cha kichwa – Head ache.
Upungufu wa tumbo – Upset stomach.
Personal
Jina lako ni nani? – What’s your name?
Nina watoto – I have kids.
Sina watoto – I do not have kids.
Nimeolew – I am married.
Food and drinks
Kifungua kinywa – Breakfast.
Chakula cha mchana – Lunch.
Chajio – Dinner.
Chakula – Food.
Karibu chakula – Bon appetite.
Chai- Tea.
Kahava – Coffee.
Juici – Juice.
Maziva – Milk.
Mgando – Yougurt.
Maji – Water.
Bia – Beer.
Mvinyo- Wine.
Ndizi – Banana.
Tofaa – Apple.
Machungwa – Orange.
Nyama – Meat.
Samaki – Fish.
Kuku – Chicken.
Mchuzi – Curry, stew.
Mbuzi Mchuzi – Goat Stew/goat curry (from my conversation with porters on the Kilimanjaro trek.)
Mchele – Rice.
Tamu – Sweet.
Chumvi – Salty.
Pilipili – Spicy.
Baridi – Cold.
Moto – Hot.
Kikombe – Cup.
Sahani – Plate.
Kijiko – Spoon.
Nipe kijiko tafadhali – Give me a spoon, please.
Weather/Outdoors
Anga – Sky.
Nyota – Star, stars.
Jua – Sun.
Mwezi – Moon.
Mvua – Rain.
Theluji – Snow.
Kaskazini – North.
Kusini – South.
Mashariki – East.
Magharibi – West.
Kiasi gani – How much?
Hapana Asante – No, thank you(You will use it a lot when street vendors will try to sell you souvenirs).
Ndogo – Small.
Kubwa – Big.
Animals
Simba – Lion.
Tumbili – Monkey.
Tembo – Elephant.
Flamingo – Flamingo
Meerkat – Meerkat.
Nuyumbu – Wildebeest.
Pundamilia – Zebra.
Bison – Baisani.
Fisi – Hyena.
Ziva – Lake.
And just in case if you need it:
Ngede yangu ni kamili ya eles – My hovercraft is full of eels (just because you need a little bit of Monty Python during your Kili climb).
Nakupenda – I love you.
