Present Tense

Swahili Lesson 13 (Present Tense & Survival)

Duration: 30 mins

Lessons Swahili Lessons
Linguistic Swahili Vocabulary
Culture Swahili Phrases
Structure Swahili Grammar

This 13th lesson deals with the present tense in Swahili. In addition I included a vocabulary list about survival and emergencies. I will try to give examples using both vocabulary and grammar. That way it will be easy for you to see the words when they are separate and when they are in a sentence. Going through the whole page should take about 30 min. Make sure to read the pronunciation and hear the audio as well. If you have any question about this course, please email me directly at Swahili Classes.

Present

The present is one of the 3 tenses (past, present, and future) we will be discussing in the next 3 lessons. So it is recommended not to skip any of them because they are all related.

Below is a list of 15 sentences conjugated into the present tense. I focused on the examples you might come across or use very often. The table contains 3 columns (English, Swahili, and Audio). Make sure you repeat each word after hearing it by either clicking on the audio button or by reading the pronunciation. That should help with memorization as well as improving your pronunciation.

Present Tense in Swahili

Present Swahili Audio
I see youNakuona
I write with a penNaandika na kalamu
You love applesUpende matofaa
You give moneyUtoe pesa
You play tennisUnacheza tenisi
He reads a bookAsome kitabu
He understands meAnanielewa
She has a catAna paka
She knows my friendAnajua rafiki yangu
We want to learnTunataka kujifunza
We think Spanish is easyTunafikiri Kispania ni raisi
You (plural) work hereMnafanya kazi hapa
You (plural) speak FrenchMnaongea kifaransa
They drive a carWaendeshe gari
They smileWanatabasamu

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact me using the Swahili contact form on the header above.

Survival Expressions

Below is a list of 28 words related to survival expressions such as emergencies, and calling for help. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to communicate better when in distress or when providing help to someone else who is in need.

Survival Expressions in Swahili

AccidentAjali
AllergyMzio
AmbulanceGari la wagonjwa (pia ambulensi)
AsthmaPumu
DangerHatari
DoctorDaktari
HeadacheKichwa kinauma
Heart attackMshtuko wa moyo
Help meNisaidia
HospitalHospitali
MedicinesDawa
Pharmacyduka la dawa
PoisonSumu
PolicePolisi
Stomach acheUtumbo inauma
StrokeKiharusi

Daily Conversation in Swahili

Finally, here are some common sentences to strengthen your conversation skills. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Swahili Phrases page. Enjoy!

Common Expressions in Swahili

Are you okay?Uko poa?
Call a doctor!Ita Daktari!
Call the ambulance!Ita gari la wagonjwa
Call the police!Ita polisi!
Calm down!Tulia!
Fire!Moto!
I feel sickNasikia mgonjwa
It hurts hereInaumwa hapa
It's urgent!ni dharura!
Stop!Acha!
Thief!Mwizi!
Where is the closest pharmacy?Duka la dawa la karibu liko wapi?
You look beautiful! (to a woman)Unaonekana mrembo
You have a beautiful nameUna jina nzuri
This is my wifeHuyu ni mke wangu
This is my husbandHuyu ni mume wangu

Fun Facts

Language Quote: ❝To have another language is to possess a second soul.❞ ‒Charlemagne

Congratulations! You finished your 13th lesson in Swahili about the present tense, and survival expressions. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Swahili Lesson 14. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Swahili homepage.

Lessons Swahili Lessons
Linguistic Swahili Vocabulary
Culture Swahili Phrases
Structure Swahili Grammar