Swahili (Kiswahili)

travel phpto to inspire Swahili language study
Photo by Martin Bekerman on Unsplash

ALPHABET MATCHING GAME VOCABULARY FLASHCARDS

Why learn Swahili?

Knowing Swahili opens the door to art, music, dance, fashion, cuisine, film, philosophy, and science Knowing Swahili provides a competitive edge in career choices Skills like problem solving, dealing with abstract concepts, are increased when you study Swahili. it fosters an understanding of the interrelation of language and human nature.

How Long Does it Take to Learn Swahili?

Swahili is rated as a category 2 language by the Foreign Service Institute. It is considered moderately easy for English speakers to learn and takes an average of 36 weeks (or 900 class hours) to gain professional working proficiency.

Swahili Alphabet & Pronunciation

Aa
(a)
Bb
(be)
Cc
(che)
Dd
(de)
Ee
(e)
Ff
(ef)
Gg
(ge)
Hh
(he)
Ii
(i)
Jj
(je)
Kk
(ka)
Ll
(le)
Mm
(em)
Nn
(en)
Oo
(o)
Pp
(pe)
Rr
(re)
Ss
(se)
Tt
(te)
Uu
(u)
Vv
(ve)
Ww
(we)
Yy
(ye)
Zz
(ze)

Basic Phrases in Swahili

HelloHujambo
GoodbyeKwaheri
YesNdio
NoHapana
Excuse meSamahani
PleaseTafadhali
Thank youAsante
You are welcomeKaribu
Do you speak englishUnaongea kiingereza?
Do you understandUnaelewa?
I understandNaelewa
I do not understandSielewi
How are youHabari yako?
Fine thanksVyema, ahsante!
What is your nameJina lako nani?
My name isJina langu ni
Pleased to meet youNimefurahi kukutana nawe

Swahili Grammar

Swahili Nouns

ManMtu
WomanMwanamke
BoyMvulana
GirlMsichana
CatPaka
DogMbwa
FishSamaki
WaterMaji
MilkMaziwa
EggYai
HouseNyumba
FlowerUa
TreeMti
ShirtShati
PantsSuruali

Swahili Adjectives

Colors in Swahili

BlackNyeusi
WhiteNyeupe
RedNyekundu
OrangeMachungwa
YellowNjano
GreenKijani
BlueBluu
PurpleZambarau
PinkPinki
GrayKijivu
BrownKahawia

Numbers in Swahili

ZeroSufuri
OneMoja
TwoMbili
ThreeTatu
FourNne
FiveTano
SixSita
SevenSaba
EightNane
NineTisa
TenKumi
ElevenKumi na moja
TwelveKumi na mbili
TwentyIshirini
ThirtyThelathini
FortyArobaini
FiftyHamsini
SixtySitini
SeventySabini
EightyThemanini
NinetyTisini
HundredMia
ThousandElfu

Swahili Verbs

To beKuwa
To haveKuwa na
To wantKutaka
To needKuhitaji
To helpKusaidia
To goKwenda
To comeKuja
To eatKula
To drinkKunywa
To speakKuongea

Building Simple Sentences

More Complex Swahili Sentences

AndNa
OrAu
ButLakini
BecauseKwa sababu
WithNa
AlsoPia
HoweverWalakini
NeitherHata
NorWala
IfKama
ThenBasi

Useful Swahili Vocabulary

Swahili Questions

WhoNani
WhatNini
WhenLini
WhereWapi
WhyKwanini
HowVipi
How manyNgapi
How muchKiasi gani

Days of the Week in Swahili

MondayJumatatu
TuesdayJumanne
WednesdayJumatano
ThursdayAlhamisi
FridayIjumaa
SaturdayJumamosi
SundayJumapili
YesterdayJana
TodayLeo
TomorrowKesho

Months in Swahili

JanuaryJanuari
FebruaryFebruari
MarchMachi
AprilAprili
MayMei
JuneJuni
JulyJulai
AugustAgosti
SeptemberSeptemba
OctoberOktoba
NovemberNovemba
DecemberDesemba

Seasons in Swahili

WinterMsimu wa baridi
SpringChemchemi
SummerKiangazi
AutumnVuli

Telling Time in Swahili

What time is itNi saa ngapi?
HoursMasaa
MinutesDakika
SecondsSekunde
O clockSaa
HalfNusu
Quarter pastRobo iliyopita
BeforeKabla
AfterBaada ya