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Swahili phrasebook: 13 phrases and numbers
Swahili is a Bantu language that serves as a common language across East Africa. It is an official language in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, among other places.
- In its own name: Kiswahili
- Writing system: Latin
- Family: Niger-Congo, Bantu
- Official language in: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda
Essential Swahili phrases
| English | Swahili | Romanisation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hujambo | |
| Goodbye | Kwaheri | |
| Good night | Usiku mwema | |
| Thank you | Asante | |
| You're welcome | Karibu | |
| Please | Tafadhali | |
| Sorry | Samahani | |
| Yes | Ndiyo | |
| No | Hapana | |
| My name is ___ | Jina langu ___ | |
| What is your name? | Jina lako nani? | |
| How are you? | Habari yako? | |
| I love you | Nakupenda |
1 more phrase is held back until a second source or a native speaker confirms it. Phrases are cross-checked against independent sources but still await a native-speaker review.
Numbers 1 to 10 in Swahili
| # | Word | Romanisation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | moja | |
| 2 | mbili | |
| 3 | tatu | |
| 4 | nne | |
| 5 | tano | |
| 6 | sita | |
| 7 | saba | |
| 8 | nane | |
| 9 | tisa | |
| 10 | kumi |
Pronunciation
Swahili is written as it sounds with five clear vowels, and stress falls on the second-to-last syllable. There are no tones.
Good to know
Words are built by adding prefixes for who and what, so one verb carries a lot of information. Greetings are long and important in conversation.
Introducing yourself? See My name is ... in Swahili for formal and casual versions.
Mini quiz
A quick check of what you just read.
Play with Swahili
Meet Swahili in Mystery Phrase, Listen and Guess and Memory Match.
Questions
How do you say hello in Swahili?
Hujambo.
What writing system does Swahili use?
Swahili is written in Latin.