Going to East Africa? Traveling to Kenya or booking a safari in Tanzania? Going on gorilla trekking tour in Uganda or RwandaMaybe dreaming about a honeymoon in Zanzibar and searching for Swahili travel phrases to learn for your trip?
I’ve been there and in this guide, I’ve included more than just basic Swahili words that I learned in The Lion King. You know, like Hakuna Matata and Asante Sana. I’ve also included FREE Swahili basics pdf you can find below.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN ZANZIBAR:
• New Teddys on the Beach (I stayed here in Jambiani)
• The Loop Beach Resort (top location on Jambiani Beach)
• White Sands (top stay on Paje Beach)
• Makofi (I stayed here in Nungwi)
• Z Hotel (direct access to Nungwi Beach)
• Lost & Found (I stayed here in Stone Town)
• Shoki Shoki House (I stayed here in Stone Town)
TOP EXPERIENCES and TOURS IN ZANZIBAR:
• Stone Town walking tour (my favorite and A MUST DO!)
• Spice farm tour (I did this fun top-selling tour)
• Prison Island tour (I did this and met tortoises)
• Jozani Forest (I saw endangered monkeys on this tour)
• One-day safari from Zanzibar (top-rated tour!)
East Africa, or the land of Swahili, is a place that is on almost everyone’s bucket list. Scenery from the Lion King for nature lovers in Ngorongoro, safaris in Serengeti and Gorilla spotting for animal lovers, Zanzibar for beach lovers and Maasai culture for a bit of cultural shock.
Knowing Swahili phrases for travelers will be useful when visiting rural areas in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. That way you will be able to say “how are you in Kenya language and other Tanzania language words.
Inside this Swahili language guide you’ll find important Swahili phrases for greetings, asking for directions, ordering food, bargaining at local markets, and much more. There is also a FREE basic Swahili words in English pdf, that you can print and bring it with you to the Lion King land. “Karibu sana” (You’re very welcome)
Now, let’s learn some beautiful Swahili words and cute Swahili phrases like hakuna matata!
FRIENDLY REMINDER
Never leave for a trip without travel insurance. Unexpected issues can arise so I suggest using insurance that covers people from all over the world, while outside their home country. You can buy this travel insurance even if you are already abroad.
Swahili phrases for travelers
KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Swahili is spoken widely across East Africa, like Kenya and Tanzania, and serves as a lingua franca between different linguistic groups.
● Swahili language basics are relatively easy to learn due to its phonetic pronunciation and straightforward grammar. Download Swahili phrases pdf before your trip.
● Essential Swahili travel phrases, besides Hakuna Matata and Asante Sana, cover greetings, directions, ordering food, shopping, emergency words, and compliments.
Where is Swahili spoken?
Did you know that around 15 million speak Swahili as a mother tongue and that there are around 85 million that speak Swahili as a second language?
That is a lot of Hakuna Matata’s and Polepole’s.
Swahili, also known as Kiswahili, is a language spoken in East Africa. It is the official language in Tanzania, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda. Swahili is used as a second language in various other countries in East Africa, like Rwanda and Burundi.
The Swahili language is widespread as a lingua franca across ethnic and linguistic groups in East Africa. It serves as a common language for trade, education, and social interactions among people with different mother tongues.
Due to its historical importance in trade and cultural exchanges along the East African coast, some Swahili words have been incorporated into the vocabulary of Arabic and Portuguese.
Because of its poetic sound, straightforward grammar, logical spelling, and simple pronunciation patterns, it is an easy language to learn. You can learn beautiful words in Swahili with online apps, by downloading a Swahili cheat sheet or coming to on a holiday to Zanzibar.
Swahili language basics: alphabet and pronunciation
Before you proceed to the list of Swahili words every traveler to East Africa should know, you should familiarize yourself with Swahili language alphabet (Alfabeti ya Kiswahili) and how to pronounce a certain letter in a word.
Swahili alphabet has 29 letters.
Most of them are similar to the letters in the English alphabet, without q and x. It does have some letter clusters that make the sounds dh, gh, ng, sh, and th.
Is Swahili easy to learn? Pronunciation of Swahili common words and phrases is phonetic. This means that each letter has only one specific sound and it is pronounced the same all the time. If you know the letter sound, you will know how to say it. So, it is easy to learn Swahili.
A simple guide to Swahili alphabet and pronunciation with similar English sounds:
| a | car | gari | n | none | hakuna |
| b | bay | ghuba | ng | ring | pete |
| ch | cheetah | duma | o | ocean | bahari |
| d | dog | mbwa | p | plane | ndege |
| dh | though | ingawa | r | rainbow | upinde wa mvua |
| e | elephant | tembo | s | sun | jua |
| f | fun | furaha | sh | shop | duka |
| g | get | pata | t | time | wakati |
| gh | garage | karakana | th | thatch | nyasi |
| h | hole | shimo | u | moon | mwezi |
| i | see | ona | v | van | gari |
| j | jump | kuruka | w | win | kushinda |
| k | cow | ng’ombe | y | yellow | njano |
| l | lion | simba | z | zebra | pundamilia |
| m | monkey | tumbili |
Essential Swahili travel phrases
Basic Swahili words and phrases
Those Swahili words to know combine expressions that showcase politeness and cultural respect, encouraging positive interactions with locals and serving as a basis for every communication.
| ENGLISH | SWAHILI |
|---|---|
| Hi | Habari |
| Please | Tafadhali |
| Thank you | Asante |
| Excuse me | Nakuomba radhi |
| Sorry | Samahani |
| Yes / No | Ndiyo / Hapana |
| I don’t understand | Mimi sielewi |
| Do you speak [language]? | Unasema …? |
| What is the WiFi password? | Nenosiri la WiFi ni lipi? |
| Could you take my picture? | Unaweza kunipiga picha? |
| Where is the bathroom? | Bafu / Choo kiko wapi? |
Common Swahili phrases for greetings and introductions
Common Swahili words and phrases for greetings lay the foundation for any interaction. Swahili African greetings phrases allow you to initiate conversations and make a positive first impression.
| ENGLISH | SWAHILI |
|---|---|
| Hello | Jambo |
| Goodbye | Kwa heri |
| Good morning | Habari za asubuhi |
| Good day | Siku njema |
| Good evening | Habari za jioni |
| Good night | Lala Salama |
| Nice to meet you | Nafurahi kukuona |
| How are you? | Habari gani? |
| My name is … | Jina langu ni … |
| How do you say […] in [language]? | Unasemaje … kwa … |
| Speak slowly, please. | Ongea polepole, tafadhali. |
Essential Swahili travel phrases for directions and getting around
Learn how to navigate in Swahili when asking for directions and finding your way around.
| ENGLISH | SWAHILI |
|---|---|
| Where is … | Ni wapi …? |
| What time is … | … ni saa ngapi? |
| How do I get to … | Nawezaje kufika … |
| How far away is … | … ni umbali gani? |
| Do you have a map? | Je, una ramani? |
| When does the next … arrive? | … inayofuata inawasili lini? |
| How long does it take to get to….? | Inachukua muda gani kufika …? |
| here / there | hapa / pale |
| North / South / East / West | Kaskazini / Kusini / Mashariki / Magharibi |
| left / right / straight / back / up / down | kushoto / kulia / moja kwa moja / nyuma / juu / chini |
| car / bus / train / taxi / metro / plane | gari / basi / treni / magari-moshi ya chini ya ardhi / ndege |
| bathroom / restaurant / hotel / bank / pharmacy / hospital | bafu / mgahawa / hoteli / benki / duka la dawa / hospitali |
Useful Swahili phrases for traveling when ordering food and drinks
Swahili language phrases for ordering meals, asking for recommendations, and specifying dietary preferences ensure enjoyable dining experiences and help you explore local cuisines.
| ENGLISH | SWAHILI |
|---|---|
| Cheers! | Afya!/ |
| Is this … | Hii ni … |
| I’m allergic to … | Nina mzio wa … |
| The bill, please. | Bili, tafadhali. |
| I would like to have … | Ningependa … |
| May I see the menu? | Ninaweza kuona menyu? |
| What do you recommend? | Je, unapendekeza nini? |
| vegetarian / vegan / gluten free | mlo wa mboga / mlo usio na nyama wala bidhaa za wanyama / mlo usio na gluteni |
| sweet / bitter / sour / salty / spicy | tamu / chungu / siki / chumvi / viungo |
| coffee / tea / water / juice / wine / beer | kahawa / chai / maji / juisi / divai / bia |
| milk / eggs / fish / peanuts / shellfish / wheat / soybeans | maziwa / mayai / samaki / karanga / samakigamba / ngano / soya |
Basic Swahili phrases for shopping
Essential Swahili travel phrases for inquiring about prices, negotiating, and asking for sizes or colors are handy when exploring markets and boutiques.
| ENGLISH | SWAHILI |
|---|---|
| How much? | Kiasi gani? |
| May I try this on? | Je, ninaweza kujaribu hii? |
| Do you have this in … | Je, una hii katika …? |
| Excuse me, I’m looking for … | Samahani, ninatafuta … |
| Is this on sale? | Hii inauzwa? |
| When do you open/close? | Je, unafungua/kufunga lini? |
| Do you accept credit cards? | Je, unakubali kadi za mkopo? |
| bigger / smaller | kubwa / ndogo |
| 1 one / 2 two / 3 three / 4 four / 5 five / 6 six / 7 seven / 8 eight / 9 nine / 10 ten | 1 moja / 2 mbili / 3 tatu / 4 nne / 5 tano / 6 sita / 7 saba / 8 nane / 9 tisa / 10 kumi |
| 50 fifty / 100 hundred / 1000 thousand | 50 hamsini / 100 mia / 1000 elfu |
| white / yellow / orange/ red / blue / green / pink / purple / grey / brown / black | nyeupe/ njano/ machungwa/ nyekundu/ bluu/ kijani / waridi/ zambarau / kijivu / kahawia / nyeusi |
Useful phrases in Swahili for traveling when checking in a hotel
Phrases in Swahili you will need when checking in a hotel, asking for towels, Swahili common phrases for fixing air conditioning, enquiring what time is breakfast, and what is included in your room rate.
| ENGLISH | SWAHILI |
|---|---|
| What time is … | … ni saa ngapi? |
| … is not working. | … haifanyi kazi. |
| Do you have WiFi? | Je, una WiFi? |
| Can I drink the tap water? | Je, ninaweza kunywa maji ya bomba? |
| breakfast / lunch / dinner | kifungua kinywa / chakula cha mchana / chakula cha jioni |
| toilet paper / key / towel | karatasi sashi / ufunguo / taulo |
| air conditioning / fan / heater / hairdryer | hali ya hewa / feni / kipasha moto / mashine ya kukausha nywele |
Helpful Swahili phrases in case of emergencies
Here you will find helpful Swahili travel phrases in case of emergencies, natural disasters, or if you will need assistance in difficult or dangerous situations.
| ENGLISH | SWAHILI |
|---|---|
| Help | Saidia |
| I am lost | Nimepotea |
| There is a … | Kuna … |
| Please call the … | Tafadhali piga simu kwa … |
| I lost my passport | Nilipoteza pasipoti yangu |
| My money was stolen | Pesa zangu ziliibiwa |
| fire / flood / earthquake | moto / mafuriko / tetemeko la ardhi |
| police / firemen / ambulance | polisi / wazima moto / gari la wagonjwa |
Swahili words and Swahili phrases to compliment someone
If you’re like me and really love learning a few phrases in new languages, expand your study beyond the essential travel phrases and learn best Swahili words. I always learn how to say please and thank you, never visit without knowing the local word for “coffee” and never leave without knowing how to say;
| ENGLISH | SWAHILI |
|---|---|
| Love | Mpenzi |
| Friend | Rafiki |
| You have beautiful eyes | Una macho mazuri |
| You have a beautiful smile | Una tabasamu zuri |
Best language App for traveling abroad
Learning a language is a long process. If you think you won’t have time to learn basic Swahili words, or if the situations come your way when above mentioned common Swahili phrases won’t be enough, use Google Translate. This is my favorite language app, that I use on (almost) every trip.
Google Translate
Price: Free
Language: 200+ languages
Download: iOS | Android | Website
Google Translate is the most popular language travel app that can be used everywhere. I personally use it on all my travels, when going to Tanzania to learn what some Swahili words mean, when in Mexico to help with my not-the-best Spanish, when in Italy, in Japan and other places.
I’m sure you are familiar with the language app already. The most obvious feature is it will help you translate the destination language into your own one. But the absolute best feature is that it can translate the text using ‘camera translation’.
All you have to do is open the app, point your camera toward the text in a foreign language and Google Translate will do the rest. Perfect for menus! It also translates text from the photos on your camera roll. And it also works offline, when you download the language pair on your phone.
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➤ Read more travel guides
Did you enjoy this guide with common Swahili words, common Swahili phrases for tourists and basic Swahili phrases with pronunciation.
Don’t forget you can download basic words in Swahili language cheat sheet.
If you liked this post, check out others below!
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• Zanzibar Itinerary – How to spend you time on Spice Island
• 15 Best Things To Do in Stone Town, Zanzibar – Best places to see
• 23 Fun facts about Zanzibar – I bet you don’t know half of them!
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