T.H.I.V.S Turn Passion Into Actions
Greetings
Between peers: "Habari!" and the greeted answers, "Nzuri!".
Between peers: "Hujambo?" (Are you fine?) and the greeted answers, "Sijambo!" (I'm fine!)
Young to older: "Shikamoo!" (originally it meant "I touch your feet" as a sign of respect) and the greeted answers, "Marahabaa!" (I acknowledge your respect!).
Personal Pronouns
English
Swahili
I
We
You (singular)
You (plural)
He
She
They
Common Dialogue
Sentence/Phrase
Response
Habari!
(Hello!/Hi!)
Nzuri!
(Good!/Fine!)
Ninaitwa Charles. Wewe unaitwaje?
(My name is Charles. What's your name?)
Ninaitwa Mary. Nimefurahi kukujua.
(My name is Mary. I'm pleased to know you.)
Unazungumza Kiswahili?
(Do you speak Swahili?)
Ndio! Ninazungumza Kiswahili.
(Yes! I speak Swahili.)
Kidogo tu!
(Just a little bit!)
Hapana! Sizungumzi Kiswahili. Ninazungumza Kiingereza tu!
(No! I don't speak Swahili. I only speak English!)
Ninatokea Marekani. Wewe unatokea wapi?
(I'm from the United States of America. Where are you from?)
Ninatokea Japani. Nipo hapa kwa matembezi.
(I'm from Japan. I'm visiting here.)
Ninatokea Uingereza. Nipo hapa kwa kazi.
(I'm from U.K. I'm here on business.)
Ninatokea Ujerumani. Nimekuja kujifunza Kiswahili.
(I'm from Germany. I've come to learn Swahili.)
Kwaheri! Nimefurahi kukutana na wewe.
(Goodbye! I'm pleased to meet you.)
Karibu! Nimefurahi pia kukutana na wewe.
(Goodbye! I'm also pleased to meet you.)
Utapenda kunywa nini?
(What would you like to drink?)
Nitakunywa maji tu. Nina kiu sana!
(I'll just drink water. I'm very thirsty.)
Nitakunywa kahawa bila maziwa.
(I'll drink coffee without milk.)
Nitakunywa chai na maziwa na sukari kidogo.
(I'll drink tea with milk and little sugar.)
Nitakunywa soda. CocaCola, tafadhali.
(I'll drink soda. CocaCola, please.)
Tafadhali niletee chakula moto haraka. Nina njaa sana!
(Please bring me some hot food quickly. I'm very hungry!)
Huu hapa wali, samaki, mbatata, na saladi. Nitakuletea keki baadaye.
(Here is rice, fish, potatoes, and salad. I'll bring you cake later.)
General Words and Phrases
English
Swahili
And
Bad
Bicycle
Bitter
Car
Cold
Danger
Drink (noun)
Drink (verb)
Eat
Excuse me!
Food
Friend
Good
Goodbye!
Help me, please!
Here
Hot
How?
I am angry.
I am traveling.
I am happy.
I can speak Swahili.
I can't speak Swahili.
I love you!
Motorcycle
No!
OK!
Please
Sorry! (apologize)
Sorry! (sympathize)
Sweet
Thank you!
Thank you very much!
There
Very
Water
Welcome!
What?
When?
Where?
Where are you going to?
Which?
Yes!
Days of the Week
English
Swahili
Saturday
Jumamosi (literally: first day of the week)
Sunday
Jumapili (literally: second day of the week)
Monday
Jumatatu (literally: third day of the week)
Tuesday
Jumanne (literally: fourth day of the week)
Wednesday
Jumatano (literally: fifth day of the week)
Thursday
Alhamisi (Arabic: fifth day of the week)
Friday
Ijumaa (Arabic: the day of congregational prayer)
Numbers
English
Swahili
English
Swahili
1
40
2
50
3
55
4
Nne 
60
5
Tano 
70
6
Sita 
80
7
Saba 
90
8
100
9
136
10
999
11
1000
12
1997
17
Half
20
Two and a half
24
Quarter
30
Forty seven and three quarters
Time
English
Swahili
Time
Hour
Watch/Clock
Morning
Evening
Afternoon
Late afternoon
Dusk
Night
Late night
Early morning
What time is it?
8 o'clock in the morning
8 o'clock sharp
Noon
4:25 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
8:15 p.m.
7:45 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
Now
Today
Yesterday
Tomorrow
Day before yesterday
Day after tomorrow
Day
Week
Month
Year
Century