Hear Swahili Survival Phrases

The Swahili language lesson offered here is an excerpt from the Swahili Title in Transparent Language's Languages of the World software program. The Basic Swahili Phrases and the Swahili Phrases for Meeting and Greeting will lead you to the Swahili Dialog at the end, which shows how these Swahili survival phrases are used in conversational Swahili. Single click on the phrase to hear the Swahili pronunciation spoken by a native Swahili speaker. Take advantage of this Swahili language resource as you learn to speak Swahili!

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Basic Swahili Phrases

Ndiyo. Yes.
 
Hapana. La. No.
 
Tafadhali. Please.
 
Asante. Thank you.
 
Asanteni. Thank you.
 
Asante kushukuru. You're welcome.
 
Si neno. You're welcome.
 
Hebu. Excuse me.
 
Samahani. Pardon me.
 
Nasikitika. I am sorry.
 
Habari za asubuhi. Good morning.
 
Habari za jioni. Good evening.
 
Usiku mwema. Good night.
 
Swahili Phrases for Meeting and Greeting
 
Je, unasema Kiingereza? Do you speak English?
 
Kuna mtu anayesema Kiingereza? Does anyone here speak English?
 
Ninasema Kiswahili kidogo tu. I only speak a little Swahili.
 
Jina lako ni nani? What is your name?
 
Jina langu ni Masanja. My name is Masanja.
 
Habari zako. How are you?
 
Habari yako. How are you?
 
Habari mzuri, asante. I'm fine, thank you.
 
Nafurahi kukutana nawe. I am very glad to meet you.
 
Sifahamu. I don't understand.
 
Ulisema nini? What did you say?
 
Tafadhali sema polepole? Can you speak more slowly?
 
Nafahamu vizuri sana. I understand perfectly.

Swahili Dialog
 

Mrs. Hamedi:	Habari za asubuhi. Good morning. Unasema Kiingeresa? Do you speak English?
Store Clerk:	Samahani, sisemi Kiingereza. I'm sorry, I do not speak English.
Mrs. Hamedi:	Bahati mbaya, sisemi Kiswahili hata kidogo. Unfortunately, I only speak a little Swahili.
Store Clerk:	Se neno, ninakufahamu. That's all right. I understand you.