Kiswahili Language Basics

Most Kenyans speak 3 languages: English, Kiswahili (the two official Kenyan languages) and their mother tongue. English is widely spoken, and you won’t have a problem in being understood in most places unless you venture into some very remote wilderness (which of course you might!)

Kiswahili is spoken by most Kenyans, and tourists who try to learn a few words or phrases are greatly encouraged with happy smiles and a jolly sense of humour! You’ll find that by making a tiny amount of effort, you will win many friends! It’s well worth trying

Useful Words, Phrases and Numbers:

No problem!	Hakuna matata!
Slowly	Pole pole (pronounced polae)
Sorry	Pole (also pronounced polae)
Hello	Jambo, salama
How are you?	Habari yako or sasa
Very good thank you!	Mizuri sana
Hello! Anyone in?	hodi
Good Morning	Habari ya asubuhi
Good Evening	Habari ya jioni
OK	sawa
Yes	ndio
No	hapana
Good	mizuri
You’re welcome	karibu
Please	tafadhali
Thank you	Asante (sana)
I want	nataka
I don’t understand	kuelewa sielewi
Who?	Nani?
What?	Nini?
When?	Lini?
Where?	Wapi?
Why?	Kwa nini?
How much?	Ni bei ngapi
Do you speak English?	Unasema kiingereza?
Where are you from?	Unatoka wapi
To come	kuja
See you/goodbye	kwaheri
Money	pesa
big	kubwa
small	kidogo
Sugar	Sokari
Salt	chumvi
Car	gari
food	chakula
Water	maji
Tea	chai
Milk	maziwa
toilet	choo
Airplane	Tayarah
0 Zero	Sifuri
1 One	moja
2 Two	mbili
3 Three	Tatu
4 Four	nne
5 Five	tano
6 Six	Sita
7 Seven	Saba
8 Eight	nane
9 Nine	Tisa
10 Ten	kumi
11 Eleven	Kumi na moja
20 Twenty	ishirini
30 Thirty	thelathini
40 Forty	arobaini
50 Fifty	hamsini
60 Sixty	sitini
70 Seventy	sabini
80 Eighty	themanini
90 Ninety	tisini
100 Hundred	Mia moja
1000 Thousand	Elfu moja