This section contains 400 of the most used phrases in Swahili. This should help you improve your speaking, reading and writing. Exploring the whole list will make it easier to start conversations and understand what was said to you. I divided this section into 2 pages, the first 100 are listed on this page. Here is the link for the other page: phrases 2. 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.
Phrases Tips
To make sure you are more likely to remember each expression, try to first to read the sentence without hearing it, then click to hear how it is prnounced, then read it out loud 3 times while imagining yourself vividly talking to somone. Also try to practice what you memorized from time to time, to make it stick.
Here are the first 100 common phrases. You will find a lot of them are about greeting someone, introducing yourself or asking where someone is from ... etc. Basically, these are expressions which you might use when starting a conversation with someone you have just met.
Phrases in Swahili
Phrases
Swahili
Audio
Do you accept credit cards?
Mnachukua kadi za ukopeshaji?
How much will it cost?
Itakuwa pesa ngapi?
I have a reservation
Nina Ahirisho
I'd like to rent a car
Ningependa kukodesha gari
I'm here on business /on vacation.
Niko hapa kwa biashara/kwa starehe
Is this seat taken?
Je, kiti hiki kina mwenyewe?
Can you take less?
Unaweza kupunguza?
Do you accept credit cards?
Mnachukua kadi za ukopeshaji?
How much is this?
Hii ni pesa ngapi?
I'm just looking
Naangalia tu
Only cash please!
Tafadhali, pesa taslimu peke yake
This is very expensive
Hii ni bei ghali sana
Do you speak English?
Unazungumza Kiingereza?
Just a little
Kidogo 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
Where are you from?
Unatoka wapi?
I'm from the U.S
Nintoka Marekani
I'm American
Mimi ni Mmarekani
Where do you live?
Unaishi wapi?
I live in the U.S
Ninaishi Marekani
Do you like it here?
Unapapenda hapa?
How old are you?
Una miaka mingapi?
I'm thirty years old
Nina miaka (ishirini, thelathini...)
Are you married?
Umeolewa?
Do you have children?
Una watoto?
I have to go
Ni lazima niende
I will be right back!
Nakuja!
I'm vegetarian
Sili nyama
It is very delicious!
Chakula hiki ni kitamu sana
May we have the check please?
Tunaomba bili
The bill please!
Tupe hesabu yetu tafadhali
More Sentences
English
Swahili
Audio
Waiter / waitress!
mhudumu
What do you recommend? (to eat)
Unapendekeza tule wapi?
What's the name of this dish?
Chakula hiki kinaitwa aje?
Do you have any animals?
Una wanyama wowote?
I have a dog
Mimi nina mbwa
My French is bad
Kifaransa changu ni kibaya
I need to practice my French
Nahitaji kufanya mazoezi ya Kifaransa changu
Would you like to go for a walk?
Ungependa kwenda kutembea?
Can I have your phone number?
Naweza kupata nambari yako ya simu?
Can I have your email?
Naweza kupata barua pepe yako?
Are you married?
Umeolewa?
I'm single
Miko peke
Are you free tomorrow evening?
Uko huru kesho jioni?
I would like to invite you for dinner
Ningependa kukualika kwa chakula cha jioni
Where do you live?
Unaishi wapi?
Do you like it?
Unaipenda?
I really like it!
Naipenda sana!
I love you
Ninakupenda
Would you marry me?
Ungeweza kuolewa nami?
I have a dog
Mimi nina mbwa
I speak Italian
Ninazungumuza kiitaliano
I don't know!
Sijui
I don't understand!
Sielewi
Can you repeat?
Unaweza kurudia?
Can you speak slowly?
Unaweza kuongea polepole?
Did you understand what I said?
Umenielewa?
What does that word mean in English?
neno hili lina maana gani kwa Kiingereza
What is this?
Hii ni nini?
What is this called?
Hii inaitwaje?
Write it down please!
Tafadhali andika
Can I help you?
Nikusaidie vipi?/Naweza kukusaidia?
Can you help me?
Unaweza kunisaidia?
Do you speak English?
Unazungumza Kiingereza?
How much is this?
Hii ni pesa ngapi?
What is your name?
Jina lako ni nani?
What time is it?
Ni saa ngapi?
When can we meet?
Tunaweza kukutana wapi?
Where do you live?
Unaishi wapi?
Who is knocking at the door?
Nani anagonga mlangoni?
Why is it expensive?
Mbona ni ghali?
Don't worry!
Usijali!
I cannot remember the word
Siwezi kumbuka neno hili
I do not speak Japanese
Sizungumuzi Kijapani
I don't know!
Sijui
I'm not fluent in Italian yet
Bado sina ufasaha kwenye Kiitaliano
No one here speaks Greek
Hakuna mtu hapa anaongea kigiriki
No problem!
Hamna shida/Hakuna shida
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact me using the Swahili contact form on the header above.
Here is the second page for the Swahili phrases: phrases 2. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Swahili homepage.
