LEARN COMMON SWAHILI LANGUAGE.

The Swahili language is the national language of Tanzania and most African countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, North Zambia, and Mozambique.

Swahili is among the world's 10 most widely spoken languages, with over 200 million speakers.

The Swahili language is the Bantu language that various other languages including ARABIC, PORTUGUESE, and GERMAN have influenced.

After reading this article you will know how to introduce yourself, greet, and have a simple understanding of basic Swahili phrases to make your traveling to Tanzania easier.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF IN THE SWAHILI LANGUAGE.

Local people will appreciate if you show interest in their local language and culture.

To tell someone your name, you can say it.

     In Swahili; Jina langu ni?

     In English, my name is?

To ask someone's name you can say.

      In Swahili; Jina lako nani?

      In English, what is your name?

Consider the chart below.

SWAHILI.                                                         ENGLISH

Jina langu ni ….                                              My name is ………….

Jina lako nani?                                               What is your name?

Mimi ni mchina                                              I am Chinese.

Sisi ni wachina                                                We are Chinese.

GREATING IN SWAHILI.

You will find below a few words in Swahili:

                          SWAHILI                                                                 ENGLISH

                        Habari/mambo/jambo                                           Hello

                        Habari za asubuhi                                                 Good morning

                        Habari za mchana                                                 Good afternoon

                       Habari za jioni                                                       Good evening.

                       Usiku mwema                                                        Good night

                       Tutaonana badae                                                    See you later.

                       Kwakheri                                                                Goodbye

ASK SOMEONE HOW IS IN SWAHILI LANGUAGE:

                      SWAHILI                                                                       ENGLISH

                     Hamjambo?                                                                     How are you all?

                     Hujambo?                                                                         How are you?

                     Sijambo                                                                             I am fine.

COMMON SWAHILI WORD TO CONSIDER:

                       SWAHILI                                                                      ENGLISH                                          

                        Pole                                                                                Sorry

                        Samahani                                                                       Excuse me

                        Asante                                                                            Thank you.

                         Asante Sana                                                                  Thank you very much.

                         Karibu                                                                           You are welcome.

                         Hakuna wasi wasi                                                          No worry

                         Sawa                                                                              OK

                         Salama/nzuri                                                                 Good

                         Mbaya                                                                            Bad

                        Tafadhari                                                                         Please

                         Ndio                                                                               Yes

                         Hapana                                                                           No

                         Sisemi Kiswahili                                                            I don’t speak Swahili.

                         Unazungumza kingeleza                                                Do you speak English.

                         Maji, tafadhari                                                               Water, please

                        Asante kwa huduma nzuri                                              Thank you for good service

PERSONAL PRONOUNS

                      SWAHILI                                                                                  ENGLISH

                      Mimi                                                                                           I

                     Wewe                                                                                         You (singular)

                     Yeye                                                                                            She/he

                     Sisi                                                                                               We

                     Nyinyi                                                                                         You (Plural)

                     Wao                                                                                            They.

After learning these basics, you are ready for your Tanzania adventure, (SAFARI SALAMA:  SAFE TRIP).