Why These 120 Words Will Help You Survive Anywhere in East Africa
Whether you’re visiting Kenya, Tanzania, or Uganda, learning a few basic Swahili words will instantly open doors for you. Swahili isn’t just a language—it’s a bridge to culture, connection, and community.
With these 120 words and phrases, you’ll be able to greet people, express gratitude, ask for what you need, and navigate daily life with confidence. Even if you’re just starting, this vocabulary will help you sound natural and make genuine connections with locals.
Let’s dive in!
Greetings & Politeness
In East Africa, greetings matter. They’re not just words—they’re respect, warmth, and relationship. Here are the essentials you’ll hear (and use) every single day:
| English | Swahili | Pronunciation Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Habari / Jambo | hah-BAH-ree / JAM-boh |
| How are you? | Habari gani? | hah-BAH-ree GAH-nee |
| I’m fine | Nzuri | n-ZOO-ree |
| Thank you | Asante | ah-SAHN-teh |
| Thank you very much | Asante sana | ah-SAHN-teh SAH-nah |
| Please | Tafadhali | tah-fah-DHA-lee |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Samahani | sah-mah-HAH-nee |
| Goodbye | Kwa heri | kwah HEH-ree |
| See you later | Tutaonana baadaye | too-tah-oh-NAH-nah bah-ah-DAH-yeh |
| Yes | Ndiyo | n-DEE-yoh |
| No | Hapana | hah-PAH-nah |
| Welcome | Karibu | kah-REE-boo |
| Good morning | Habari ya asubuhi | hah-BAH-ree yah ah-soo-BOO-hee |
| Good afternoon | Habari ya mchana | hah-BAH-ree yah m-CHA-nah |
| Good evening | Habari ya jioni | hah-BAH-ree yah jee-OH-nee |
| Good night | Usiku mwema | oo-SEE-koo MWEH-mah |
Tip: In Swahili culture, it’s common to greet everyone—shopkeepers, strangers, and even people passing by. Don’t skip the greeting!
Everyday Verbs & Useful Nouns
Once you’ve mastered greetings, you’ll want to describe simple actions and everyday things. These words will help you move, talk, eat, and live more comfortably in Swahili-speaking environments.
Common Verbs (Vitenzi)
| English | Swahili | Example |
|---|---|---|
| To eat | Kula | Nakula chapati. (I am eating chapati.) |
| To drink | Kunywa | Anakunywa maji. (He’s drinking water.) |
| To go | Kwenda | Tunaenda sokoni. (We are going to the market.) |
| To come | Kuja | Njoo hapa! (Come here!) |
| To see | Kuona | Naona mwalimu. (I see the teacher.) |
| To speak | Kuzungumza / Kuongea | Wanaongea Kiswahili. (They speak Swahili.) |
| To work | Kufanya kazi | Anafanya kazi hospitalini. (He works in a hospital.) |
| To sleep | Kulala | Mtoto analala. (The baby is sleeping.) |
| To study / learn | Kujifunza | Najifunza Kiswahili. (I am learning Swahili.) |
| To love | Kupenda | Ninapenda chai. (I love tea.) |
| To want | Kutaka | Nataka maji. (I want water.) |
| To buy | Kununua | Tunununue matunda. (Let’s buy fruits.) |
| To walk | Kutembea | Tunatembea mjini. (We are walking in town.) |
| To help | Kusaidia | Tafadhali nisaidie. (Please help me.) |
Useful Everyday Nouns (Majina)
| English | Swahili | Category |
|---|---|---|
| House | Nyumba | Home |
| Chair | Kiti | Home |
| Table | Meza | Home |
| Water | Maji | Food & Drink |
| Tea | Chai | Food & Drink |
| Bread | Mkate | Food & Drink |
| Fruit | Tunda / Matunda | Food & Drink |
| Friend | Rafiki | People |
| Teacher | Mwalimu | People |
| Student | Mwanafunzi | People |
| Car | Gari | Transport |
| Market | Soko | Places |
| School | Shule | Places |
| Hospital | Hospitali | Places |
| City / Town | Mji | Places |
| Money | Pesa | Essentials |
| Book | Kitabu | Essentials |
| Phone | Simu | Essentials |
| Work | Kazi | Essentials |
Quick Note: Swahili nouns are grouped into noun classes that change how verbs and adjectives behave. Don’t worry — you’ll get used to them naturally as you practice.
Quick Practice Quiz
Ready to test yourself? Try these mini-questions:
- How do you say “Thank you very much” in Swahili?
- What’s the Swahili word for “Water”?
- Translate: “I am learning Swahili.”
- What does “Karibu” mean?
- How do you say “Good morning”?
Answers:
- Asante sana
- Maji
- Najifunza Kiswahili
- Welcome
- Habari ya asubuhi
Join Our Beginner Swahili Class
If you’ve enjoyed these words, imagine how much faster you’ll learn with live guidance.
Our Beginner Swahili Class (on Zoom) helps you:
- Speak confidently in real-life situations
- Practice pronunciation with native speakers
- Understand culture and expressions the right way
Register now: swahililanguageschool@gmail.com
Or visit www.SwahiliLanguageSchool.com to get started.