Kenya Travel Guide: Useful Swahili Words and Phrases

Those who travel find that one of the best things about visiting a new place or country is the learning experience that can only be gained from traveling. To prepare for a trip, one of the best things a traveler can do is to learn a new language. Learning a new language can take the trip experience into a whole new level. Not only do you get to talk with the locals, you can also ask for directions, bargain for the best prices, order at a restaurant and have a better understanding of the history and traditions of the people.

Learning a new language is a wonderful way to get more insight into the culture of a given country. It’s also very practical to do since it equips you with the skills to be able to easily make your way through a foreign city and country. Using a phrase book is one of the easiest ways to pick up a few useful words and phrases. There are many basic words that a traveler can pick up from a phrase book. On the other hand, for those who want to have a more comprehensive command of the language, properly learning the language in a more formal setting is the way to go. This is the best option for those who are traveling and want to stay for an extended period of time in a foreign land, whether for business or pleasure.

By enrolling in a language class, you can easily learn the language in the right way. You get to interact with the teacher and other students, hear the proper pronunciation as well as have a better understanding of the correct grammatical use and conjugation of the words. However, for those times that you need to get something translated professionally, such as for highly technical matters or legal documents, your best bet is to utilize a professional language translation service. This way, you can get language translation that is accurate, dependable and done right away.

For travelers headed to the beautiful country of Kenya, we have a useful and concise travel guide for you to use. Our country travel guide and Kenya travel guide is written and compiled in such a way to make it easy for you to use it as a handy reference tool. It provides a comprehensive country overview, ideas on places to see and things to do in Kenya, practical safety tips you can use while in Kenya and a section on basic Swahili words and phrases you can use. This will help you enjoy your trip easier since you can communicate better with the people in Kenya.

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For your document translation needs, feel free to contact us using the provided online form. You may also email your documents to info@worldinterpreting.com if you need your translation work done right away.

Kenya Useful Words and Phrases (Useful Swahili Words and Phrases)

Here are some everyday Kenya useful words and phrases in Swahili that you will find useful when you travel to Kenya.

Basic Phrases

Hello
Are you fine?
I am fine.
How are you?
–
Fine
What’s your name?
My name is…
Where are you from?
I’m from…
Good morning
Good afternoon
Good evening
Good night
Sleep well
Goodbye
Good luck
Have a nice day
Bon voyage
Excuse me
–
Sorry
Please
Thank you
Thank you very much
You are welcome
Welcome (to a person)
No thank you
I love you
Get well soon
Where is the bathroom?
Yes
No
Ok
I
We
You
–
He / She
They
Animal
Buffalo
Cheetah
Cow
Elephant
Giraffe
Goat
Hippopotamus
Hyena
Leopard
Lion
Rhino
Warthog
Wildebeest
Zebra

Habari
Hujambo/ hamjambo
Sijambo.
Habariyako?
Habarigani
Mzuri/ Nzuri
Jinalakoninani
Jinalanguni…
Unatokawapi?
Ninatokea…
Habariyaasubuhi
Habariyamchana
Habariyajioni
Usikumwema
Lalasalama
Kwaheri (singular), kwaherini (plural)
Kila la kheri
Nakutakiasikunjema
Safari njema
Samahaninipishe (passing through)
Samahani (to get attention)
Samahani
Tadadhali
Asante
Asante sana
Starehe
Asantekusukuru
La asante
Ninakupenda
Ugua pole
Chookikowapi?
ndiyo
hapana
sawa
mimi
sisi
wewe (singular)
Nyinyi (plural)
yeye
wao
wanyama
nyati / mbogo
duma / chita
n’gombe
tembo / ndovuh
twiga
mbuzi
kiboko
fisi
chui
samba
kifaru
ngiri
nyumbu
pundamilia

Kenya Useful Words and Phrases – Asking for Directions

Where is…
Toilet
Airport
Bus station
Taxi stand
Train station
Where are you going?
How much is the fare?
I’d like to buy a ticket
Is it near?
Is it far?
What time is the … leaving?
Is there a bus going to …?
Bus
Minibus
Plane
Train
Market
Bank
Police station
Hotel
Room
Hospital
Doctor
Medical center
There
Over there
Turn left
Turn right
Go straight
Forward

niwapi
choo
uwanjawandege
stesheniyabasi
stendiyateksi
stesheniyatreni
Unakwendawapi
Naulinikiasigani?
natakakununatikiti
Ni karibu
Ni mbali
inaondokasaa … ngapi?
Kuna basiya …?
basi
matatu
ndege
treni / gari la moshi
soko
benki
kituo cha polisi
hoteli
chumba
hospitali
daktari
matibabu
huko
pale
upandewakushoto
kugeukakulia
kwendamojakwamoja
mbele

Kenya Useful Words and Phrases – Basic Greetings

Hello!
–
How are you?
Fine, ok
Where are you from?
I’m from…
Pleased to meet you
–
My name is…
What’s your name?
Can you help me?
Do you speak English?
Do you speak Swahili?
Yes! I speak Swahili
No! I don’t speak Swahili
I only speak English
A little
I understand
I don’t understand
Please speak slowly
Write it down please
See you later
May I take a picture?
What time is it?
Help
Stop
Danger
Good
Merry Christmas
Happy New Year
Happy birthday
Happy Easter
I am traveling
Friend
Today
Tomorrow
Yesterday
Now
Later
I’m sick
I need a doctor
What
When
Where
How
Which

Habari
Hujambo/ hamjambo
Habariyako?
Mzuri
Unatokawapi?
Natoka…
Nafurahikukuona /
Nimefurahikukutananawe
Ninaitwa…
Weweunaitwaje?
Tadadhali, naombamasaada?
UnazungumzaKiingereza?
Unazungumza Kiswahili?
Ndio! Ninazungumza Kiswahili
Hapana! Sizungumzi Kiswahili
NinazungumzaKiingerezatu
Ndiyo, kidogotu
Naelewa
Sielewi
Tadadhalisemapolepole
Wawezakuiandika
tutaonana
Naombakupigapicha?
saangapi?
msaada
usifanyehivyo
hatari
nzuri
krismasinjema
heriyamwakampya
Nakutakiamemakwasikuyakoyakusaliwa.
herikwasikukuuyapasaka
Ninasafiri.
rafiki
leo
kesho
jana
sasa
baadaye
miminimgonjwa
natakakuonadaktari
nini
wakatigani
wapi
vipi
ipi

Kenya Useful Words and Phrases – When Shopping

How much is this?
May I try it?
May I see it?
It’s expensive
Mosquito net
I want it
I will buy this
Lower the price please
I will pay with credit credit
I will pay with cash
Dressing room
Sale
Pants
Dress
Shoes
Shirt
Jewelry
Men’s department
Women’s department
Children’s department
Market

Hiinibeigani?
inaweza I kujaribu
inaweza I kuona
nighali
chandalua
I nataka
I wakununua
kupunguzabeitafadhali
I kulipanakadiyamikopo
I kulipakwafehataslimu
wakamvikachumba
kuuza
suruali
mavazi
viatu
shati
kujitia
watuwaidaraya
wanawakeidara
watotowaidara
soko

Kenya Useful Words and Phrases – When Dining Out

I am eating
Please bring me some hot food quickly
I’m very hungry
I’m very thirsty
I’ll just drink water
What would you like to drink?
I’ll drink coffee without milk.
I’ll drink tea with milk and little sugar.
I’ll drink soda.
Menu please
I want more please
Lunch
Dinner
Snack
Waiter
Soda please
Bon appetit
Furahienichakulachenu (pl)
It’s delicious
What is this?
I’d like
Bill please
Food
Hot
Cold
Water
Hot water
Drinking water
Soda
Beer
Milk
Meat
Chicken
Fish
Beef
Fruit
Vegetables
Rice
Potatoes
Salad
Cake
Salt
Pepper
Sugar
Bitter
Sweet
Salty
Table
Plate
Spoon
Fork
Knife
Napkin
Cup
Glass

I am eating
Tafadhalinileteechakulamotoharaka
Nina njaasana
Nina kiusana
Nitakunywamajitu
Utapendakunywanini?
Nitakunywakahawabilamaziwa.
Nitakunywa chain a maziwanasukarikidogo.
Nitakunywa soda.
menu tafadhali
natakazaiditafadhali
chakula cha mchana
chakula cha jioni
vitafunio
waiter
Soda tadahali
Ufurahiechakulachako (sg)
–
niladha
nikitugani?
nataka
muswadatafadhali
chakula
yamoto
bandi
maji
majiyamoto
majiyakunywa
soda
bia
maziwa
nyama
nyama kuku
sumaki
nyama ng’ombe
matunda
mboga
wali
mbatata
saladi
keki
chumvi
pilipili
sukari
chungu
tamu
chumvi
meza
sahani
kijiko
uma
kisu
leso
kikombe
kioo

Further reading and information reference/sources

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