Prepositions

Swahili Lesson 4 (Prepositions and Directions)

Duration: 30 mins

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

This first lesson teaches many important aspect of Swahili like prepositions, vocabulary list about directions and finally common phrases about how to introduce yourself. 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.

Prepositions

Prepositions are used in almost every sentence. They can be a great tool to link words with each other. For example by simply knowing how to use "to", "with", "from", "after" you can expand your conversation scope. In short, a preposition describes a relationship between words in a sentence, for example: I agree with you.

Below is a list of 27 prepositions that 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.

Prepositions List in Swahili

Prepositions Swahili Audio
In front ofmbele ya
Behindnyuma ya
Beforekabla ya
Afterbaada ya
Insidendani ya
Withna
Withoutbila
Outsidenje ya
On top ofjuu ya
Underchini ya
About (in regards to)juu ya
Againstdhidi ya
AndNa
As (similar to)kama
Betweenkati kati ya
ButLakini
Forkwa
Fromkutoka
Inndani ya
Instead ofbadala ya
NearKaribu
Ofya
OrAma
Sincetangu
SoIli
Tip (money for the waiter)Kinua mgongo
Untilmpaka

Now we will try to implement some of the prepositions above into full Swahili sentences. That way you will be able to use the word not only by itself but embedded in a structure.

Swahili Prepositions in a Sentence

English Swahili Audio
Can I practice Italian with you?Naweza kufanya mazoezi ya Kiitalia nawe?
I speak French but with an accentNinazungumza Kifaransa ila na lafudhi
I was born in MiamiNilizaliwa Miami
I'm from JapanNatoka Japan
The letter is inside the bookbarua iko ndani ya kitabu
The pen is under the deskKalamu iko chini ya meza
Directions
Can I help you?Nikusaidie vipi?/Naweza kukusaidia?

Questions?

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

Vocabulary List about Directions

Below is a list of 28 words and sentences related to directions that you might need when lost or asking for help. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to travel from point A to point B by following directions.

Giving Directions in Swahili

Directions Swahili Audio
Can you help me?Unaweza kunisaidia?
Can you show me?Unaweza kunionyesha?
Come with me!Njoo nami!
Downtown (city center)Downtown mji
Excuse me! (to ask someone)Samahani/Kunradhi
Go straightEnda moja kwa moja
How can I get to the museum?Nitafika vipi kwenye jumba la makumbusho?
How long does it take to get there?Itachukuwa muda gani kufika hapo?
I'm lostNimepotea
I'm not from hereSitoki hapa
It's far from hereIko mbali na hapa
It's near hereIko karibu na hapa
One moment please!Dakika moja tafadhali!
Turn leftEnda kushoto
Turn rightEnda kulia
FarMbali
Herehapa
LeftKushoto
RightKulia
Nearkaribu na
StraightMoja kwa moja
Therekule
To drivekwa, ili
To turnKupinduka
To walkKutembea kwa miguu
Traffic lightMwanga trafiki
TransportationUsafiri

Daily Conversation in Swahili

Finally, a couple sentences to help you know how to introduce yourself in Swahili. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Swahili Phrases page. Enjoy!

Common Expressions in Swahili

English Swahili Audio
Do you speak English?Unazungumza Kiingereza?
Just a littleKidogo tu
What's your name?Jina lako ni nani?
My name is (John Doe)Jina langu ni (John Doe)
Mr.../ Mrs. .../ Miss...Bw../Bi../Binti...
Nice to meet you!Vizuri kukutana nawe!
You're very kind!Wewe ni mkarimu sana

Fun Facts

Language Quote: The language of a society changes slowly but steadily with the result that an educated person will not be able to read or understand words in his language written 500 years ago. Do you feel like you can't talk to your parents? Maybe it's because you belong to the Niger-Congo family. More than 1,400 languages are spoken by different members of this family from Africa..

Congratulations! You finished your 4th lesson in Swahili about prepositions, and directions. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Swahili Lesson 5. 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