SEHEMU ZA UNENI (PARTS OF A SPEECH) 2
BASIC SWAHILI Vocabulary (WORDS AND PHRASES) 7
- a) Salamu (Greetings) 7
- b) Maneno Katika Mazungumzo ya Kila Siku (Words in Everyday Conversations) 8
- c) Nambari (Numbers/Numerals) 11
- d) Wakati (Time) 12
- e) Jamaa na Uhusiano (Family Members and Relations) 14
- f) Watu (People) 16
- g) Wanyama (Animals) 18
- h) Mahali (Places) 20
JIFUNZE KISWAHILI
Kiswahili or Swahili: A bantu language spoken in mainly in East Africa and some parts of Central and some Southern African countries. Together with English, Kiswahili is the official language of the East Africa Community – Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. It serves as a national language widely spoken in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Democratic Republic of Congo. Swahili is also spoken in Rwanda, Burundi, and some parts of Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, and South Africa.
SEHEMU ZA UNENI (PARTS OF A SPEECH)
Just like the English syntax, the major parts of speech that make up the Kiswahili structure include nouns (nomino), verbs (vitenzi), adjectives (vivumishi), and pronouns (viwakilishi).
a) Nomino (Nouns)
Nouns are used to name people, places, living and non-living things. (Nomino hutumika kutaja watu, mahali, na viumbe vilivyo na uhai na visivyo na uhai). The nouns in Kiswahili are grouped into ngeli (noun classes) depending on the prefix they take in singular and plural forms.
| Ngeli (Noun Class) | Noun (Singular) | Noun (Plural) |
| M-Wa | Mtu (Person) | Watu (People) |
| Mw-Wa | Mwalimu (Teacher) | Walimu (Teachers) |
| M-Mi | Mti (Tree) | Miti (Trees) |
| Ki -Vi/ | Kiti (Chair) | Viti (Chairs) |
| Ch-Vy | Cheti (Certificate) | Vyeti (Certificates) |
| Ji-Ma | Jina (Name) | Majina (Names) |
| Some names lack prefix on the singular | Tunda (fruit)
Yai (Egg) Vuno (Harvest) |
Matunda (fruits)
Mayai (Eggs) Mavuno (Harvests) |
| Some names use the same prefix in both singular and plural forms
U-U |
Upendo (Love)
Ukuta (Wall) |
Upendo (Love)
Ukuta (Wall) |
| Some names lack prefix on both singular and plural forms | Nyumba (House)
Dada (Sister) Ndoto (Dream) |
Nyumba (Houses)
Dada (Sisters) Ndoto (dreams) |
b) Vitenzi (Verbs)
Verbs are words that indicate action/doing words. (Vitenzi {Kitenzi-singular} vinaashiria maneno ya vitendo).
In present tense (wakati wa sasa), the verb is accompanied by the subject prefix na
In the past tense (wakati uliopita), the verb is accompanied by the subject’s prefix li
In the future tense (wakati ujao), the verb is accompanied by the subject’s prefix ta
| Kitenzi (Verb) | Exa: Present Tense | Exa: Past Tense | Exa: Future Tense |
| Enda (Go) | Ninaenda
(I am going) |
Nilienda
(I went) |
Nitaenda
(I will go) |
| Lala (Sleep) | Mtoto analala
(The child is sleeping) |
Mtoto alilala
(The child slept) |
Mtoto atalala
(The child will sleep) |
| Soma (Read) | Wanafunzi wanasoma
(The students are reading) |
Wanafunzi walisoma
(The students read) |
Wanafunzi watasoma.
(The students will read) |
c) Viwakilishi (Pronouns)
A pronoun (kiwakilishi) is a word that refers to the noun as it substitutes it.
| Kiwakilishi (Pronoun) | English Translation |
| Mimi | Me |
| Wewe | You (Singular) |
| Yeye | Her/ Him |
| Sisi | Us |
| Ninyi | You (Plural) |
| Wao | They |
d) Vivumishi (Adjectives)
Kivumishi ni neon au maneno yanayoeleza nomino zaidi. (Adjectives are words used to further describe the noun or pronoun).
| Vivumishi (Adjectives) | English Translation |
| Vivumishi vya kimo | Adjectives of size |
| Kubwa | Large/ Big |
| Ndogo | Small |
| Refu | Long |
| Fupi | Short |
| Konde | Thin |
| Nene | Thick |
| Pana | Broad/ Wide |
| Nyembamba | Narrow |
| Vivumishi vya maumbo | Adjectives of shapes |
| Mviringo | Circular |
| Duara | Round |
| Duaradufu | Oval |
| Mraba | Square |
| Mstatili | Rectangular |
| Pembe tatu | Triangular |
| Nusuduara | Semi-circle |
| Nyofu | Straight |
| Vivumishi vya ladha | Adjectives of taste |
| Tamu | Sweet |
| Chungu | Bitter |
| Chacha | Sour |
| Chumvi | Salty |
| Viungo | Spicy |
| Vivumishi vya kipimo cha joto | Adjectives of temperature |
| Joto | Hot |
| Baridi | Cold |
| Vuguvugu | Warm |
| Vivumishi vya rangi | Adjectives of colour |
| Nyekundu | Red |
| Bluu | Blue |
| Samawati | Sky blue |
| Manjano | Yellow |
| Kijani | Green |
| Chungwa | Orange |
| Zambarau | Purple |
| Nyeusi | Black |
| Nyeupe | White |
| Kijivu | Grey |
| Hudhurungi | Brown |
| Waridi | Pink |
| Dhahabu/ Rangi ya dhahabu | Gold |
| Fedha/Rangi ya fedha | Silver |
| Vivumishi vya sifa | Adjectives of attributes/quality |
| Zuri | Good |
| Rembo | Beautiful |
| Baya | Bad |
| Zee | Old |
| Changa | Young |
| Safi | Clean |
| Chafu | Dirty |
| Gumu | Hard/ Difficult |
| Rahisi | Easy |
| Kavu | Dry |
| Nyevu | Moist |
| Tupu | Empty |
| Jaa | Full |
| Ghali | Expensive |
| Nafuu | Cheap |
| Haraka | Fast/ Quick |
| Polepole | Slow |
| Kienyenji | Local |
| Geni | Foreign |
| Zito | Heavy |
| Nyepesi | Light |
| Kelele | Noisy |
| Kimya | Quiet |
| Tulivu | Calm |
| Sahihi | Correct/ Right |
| Laini | Smooth |
| Dhaifu | Weak |
| Nguvu | Strong |
| Hatari | Dangerous |
| Vivumishi vya idadi/kiasi | Adjectives of quantity |
| Chache | A few |
| Mingi | Many |
| Kidogo | A little |
| Haba | Few |
| Tele | Plenty |
| Zaidi | Much |
| Baadhi | Some |
| Nzima | Whole |
| Sehemu | Part |
| Vivumishi vimilikishi | Possessive pronouns |
| Yangu | Mine |
| Yako | Yours (Singular) |
| Yake | His/ Hers |
| Yetu | Ours |
| Yenu | Yours (Plural) |
| Yao | Theirs |
| Vivumishi viulizi | Interrogative pronouns/words |
| Nini? | What? |
| Wapi? | Where? |
| Ipi? | Which? |
| Gani? | What kind? or Which one? |
| Nani? | Who? |
| Lini? | When? |
| Kwa nini? au Mbona? | Why? |
| Aje? | How? |
| Ngapi? | How many? |
BASIC SWAHILI Vocabulary (WORDS AND PHRASES)
a) Salamu (Greetings)
| Swahili greeting | English translation |
| Jambo | Hello |
| Hujambo? | How are you? |
| Sijambo | I’m fine |
| U hali gani? | How are you? |
| Mzima | I’m well |
| Habari yako? | How are you? |
| Ni njema/ ni nzuri | I’m good |
| Si nzuri | I’m not fine |
| Salama | Good/ Fine |
| Shikamoo | My respects (Greetings made by a younger person to an older person) |
| Marahaba | Thank you (Response by an elder person to the shikamoo greeting) |
| Mambo vipi? | How are things? (Used mostly in an informal setting) |
| Mambo poa. | Things are good. (Response to ‘mambo vipi?’) |
| Asubuhi njema | Good morning |
| Mchana mwema | Good afternoon |
| Jioni njema | Good evening |
| Usiku mwema | Good night |
| Habari za asubuhi? | How is your morning? |
| Habari za mchana? | How is your afternoon? |
| Habari za jioni? | How is your evening? |
| Lala salama | Sleep well |
| Hodi? | Knock! (Said by someone knocking or visiting/someone visiting). |
| Karibu | Welcome (Answered to welcome the one saying ‘hodi’) |
| Nimefurahi kukuona | It’s been a pleasure meeting you |
| Kwa heri | Goodbye |
| Kwa heri ya kuonana | Goodbye see you again |
| Kuwa na wikendi njema | Have a nice weekend |
| Likizo njema | Happy holidays |
| Krismasi njema | Merry Christmas |
| Heri ya nwaka mpya na fanaka | Happy new and prosperous year |
| Furaha ya siku ya kuzaliwa | Happy birthday |
b) Maneno Katika Mazungumzo ya Kila Siku (Words in Everyday Conversations)
| Neno | English Translation |
| Ndiyo | Yes |
| Hapana/ La | No |
| Na | And |
| Lakini | But |
| Kwa hivyo | Therefore |
| Asante/ Shukrani | Thank you/ Thanks/ Appreciation |
| Asante sana | Thank you very much |
| Sawa | Okay |
| Tafadhali | Please |
| Samahani | Excuse me |
| Pole | Sorry/ Apologies |
| Kiamsha kinywa | Breakfast |
| Chakula cha mchana | Lunch |
| Chajio | Dinner |
| Lipa | Pay |
| Kushoto | Left |
| Kulia | Right |
| Mbele | Forward |
| Nyuma | Behind |
| Kwa sababu | Because |
| Kabla | Before |
| Baada | After |
| Badala ya | Instead of |
| Kwa miguu | On foot |
| Barabara | Road/ Street |
| Njia | Path |
| Pikipiki | Motorcycle |
| Teksi | Taxi |
| Gari | Car |
| Treni | Train |
| Ndege | Plane |
| Meli | Ship |
| Matatu (slang) | PSV |
| Upepo | Wind |
| Mvua | Rain |
| Jua | Sun |
| Jina yako ni nani? | What is your name? |
| Jina langu ni Rehema | My name is Rehema |
| Unatoka wapi? | Where are you from? |
| Natoka Kenya. | I’m from Kenya. |
| Unaishi wapi? | Where do you live? |
| Naishi Mombasa. | I live in Mombasa. |
| Unazungumza lugha gani | What language do you speak? |
| Unazungumza lugha ngapi? | How many languages do you speak? |
| Nazungumza Kiingereza, Kiswahili, Kifaransa na Kijerumani. | I speak English, Swahili, French and German. |
| Wewe ni nani? | Who are you? |
| Hamna shida | There’s no problem. |
| Nahisi njaa | I am hungry |
| Naenda mkahawani kula chakula | I am going to the restaurant to eat food |
| Naeza pata maji ya kunywa? | Can I get some drinking water? |
| Hakuna matata | No worries/ No conflict (relaxed/chilled) |
| Tafadhali nisaidie | Please assist me. |
| Nataka kuenda uwanja ndege. | I want to go to the airport. |
| Nitapata wapi teksi? | Where can I get a taxi. |
| Nipeleke uwanja ndege | Take me to the airport |
| Nauli ni ngapi? | How much is the fare? |
| Tunaenda wapi? | Where are we going? |
| Nina haraka | I’m in a hurry. |
| Naelekea nyumbani. | I’m going home. |
| Acha nipige simu | Let me make a phone call. |
| Nina shughuli nyingi sana | I am very busy |
| Mahali hapa ni pazuri | This place is beautiful |
| Where is this place? | Mahali hapa ni wapi? |
| Nitalipa na pesa taslimu | I will pay in cash. |
c) Nambari (Numbers/Numerals)
| Nambari | English Translation |
| Sifuri | 0 (Zero) |
| Moja | 1(One) |
| Mbili | 2 (Two) |
| Tatu | 3 (Three) |
| Nne | 4 (Four) |
| Five | 5 (Five) |
| Six | 6 (Six) |
| Seven | 7 (Seven) |
| Eight | 8 (Eight) |
| Tisa/ Kenda | 9 (Nine) |
| Kumi | 10 (Ten) |
| Kumi na moja | 11(Eleven) |
| Ishirini | 20 (Twenty) |
| Thelathini | 30 (Thirty) |
| Arobaini | 40 (Forty) |
| Hamsini | 50 (Fifty) |
| Sitini | 60 (Sixty) |
| Sabini | 70 (Seventy) |
| Themanini | 80 (Eighty) |
| Tisini | 90 (Ninety) |
| Mia moja | 100 (Hundred) |
| Elfu moja | 1000 (Thousand) |
| Laki moja | 100,000 (A hundred thousand) |
| Milioni moja | 1,000,000 (Million) |
| Bilioni moja | 1,000,000,000 (Billion) |
d) Wakati (Time)
| Wakati | English Translation |
| Wakati | Time |
| Jana | Yesterday |
| Leo | Today |
| Kesho | Tomorrow |
| Kesho kutwa | The day after tomorrow |
| Mtondo | Day following the day after tomorrow |
| Mtondo goo | Four days from today |
| Wiki iliopita | Last week |
| Wiki ijaayo | Next week |
| Mwaka jana | Last year |
| Mwaka ujao | Next year |
| Asubuhi | Morning |
| Usiku | Night |
| Mchana | Day |
| Jioni | Evening |
| Sasa hivi | Right now. |
| Wakati mwingine | Another time |
| Kila siku | Every day |
| Kila wakati/ Kila saa/ Wakati wote | Every time |
| Siku moja | One day/ Some day |
| Mara kwa mara | From time to time |
| Kila mara | Always |
| Mara chache | Sometimes |
| Nadra | Rarely |
| Kamwe | Never |
| Mara moja | Once |
| Mara mbili | Twice |
| Mara tatu | Thrice |
| Saa | Hour |
| Dakika | Minute |
| Pili | Second |
| Siku za juma | Days of the week |
| Jumatatu | Monday |
| Jumanne | Tuesday |
| Jumatano | Wednesday |
| Alhamisi | Thursday |
| Ijumaa | Friday |
| Jumamosi | Saturday |
| Jumapili | Sunday |
| Miezi katika mwaka | Months of the year |
| Januari | January |
| Februari | February |
| Machi | March |
| Aprili | April |
| Mei | May |
| Juni | June |
| Julai | July |
| Agosti | August |
| Septemba | September |
| Oktoba | October |
| Novemba | November |
| Desemba | December |
| Misimu/ Majira | Seasons |
| Majira ya joto | Summer |
| Majira ya kupukutika | Autumn |
| Majira ya baridi | Winter |
| Majira ya kuchipua | Spring |
e) Jamaa na Uhusiano (Family Members and Relations)
| Jamaa | English Translation |
| Mzazi | Parent |
| Mama | Mother |
| Baba | Father |
| Mke/ Bibi | Wife |
| Mume/ Bwana | Husband |
| Mke mwenza | Co-wife |
| Mtoto | Child |
| Binti/ Msichana | Daughter |
| Bin/ Kijana | Son |
| Ndugu | Sibling |
| Kaka | Brother |
| Dada | Sister |
| Baba wa kambo | Stepfather |
| Mama wa kambo | Stepmother |
| Mtoto wa kambo | Stepchild |
| Dada wa kambo | Stepsister |
| Kaka wa kambo | Stepbrother |
| Nyanya/Bibi | Grandmother |
| Babu | Grandfather |
| Nyanya mkuu | Great grandmother |
| Babu mkuu | Great grandfather |
| Mjukuu | Grandchild (1st generation) |
| Kitukuu | Great grandchild (2nd generation) |
| Kinying’inya | Great, great grandchild (3rd generation) |
| Kilembwe | Great, great, great, grandchild (4th generation) |
| Kilembwekeza | Great, great, great, great grandchild (5th generation) |
| Kitojo | Great, great, great, great, great grandchild (6th generation) |
| Shangazi | Aunt (general) |
| Mbiomba/ Mama mkubwa/Mama mdogo | Maternal aunt: Mama mkubwa = mother’s elder sister/ Mama mdogo = mother’s younger sister) |
| Mjomba | Uncle (general) |
| Ami/ Baba mkubwa/ Baba mdogo | Paternal uncle: Ami mkubwa = father’s elder brother/ Ami mdogo = father’s younger brother) |
| Binamu | Cousin (male) |
| Bintiamu | Cousin (female) |
| Mpwa wa kike | Niece |
| Mpwa wa kiume | Nephew |
| Mama mkwe/ Mavyaa | Mother-in-law |
| Baba mkwe/ Bavyaa | Father-in-law |
| Mkaza/ Mkaza | Daughter-in-law |
| Mkwe | Son-in-law |
| Dada mkwe/Wifi | Sister-in-law |
| Kaka mkwe/ Mlamu | Brother-in-law |
| Shemeji | Brother/sister-in-law (relatives by marriage) |
| Mwanyumba | Name that unrelated men who have married sisters recognize each other by. |
| Kizazi | Generation |
| Kifungua mimba | Firstborn |
| Kitinda mimba | Lastborn |
| Mapacha | Twins |
| Mwenzi | Spouse |
| Mpenzi | Lover |
| Rafiki | Friend |
| Mpenzi/Rafiki wa kiume | Boyfriend |
| Mpenzi/Rafiki wa kike | Girlfriend |
| Mchumba | Fiancé/ Fiancée |
f) Watu (People)
| Mtu/Kazi | English Translation |
| Mwanamume | Man |
| Mwanamke | Woman |
| Kijana | Youth |
| Mtoto | Child |
| Daktari | Doctor |
| Muuguzi | Nurse |
| Mwalimu | Teacher |
| Mwanafunzi | Student |
| Mkulima | Farmer |
| Mvuvi | Fisherman |
| Mhandisi | Engineer |
| Rubani | Pilot |
| Dereva | Driver |
| Seremala | Carpenter |
| Mpishi | Chef/Cook |
| Karani | Clerk |
| Mhasibu | Accountant |
| Katibu | Secretary |
| Hakimu | Judge |
| Wakili | Lawyer/ Advocate |
| Mshtakiwa | Defendant |
| Mshtaki | Prosecutor |
| Mdai/Mlalamishi | Claimant/ Plaintiff |
| Mshahidi | Witness |
| Mtungaji | Composer |
| Msanii | Artist |
| Mshairi | Poet |
| Mshoni | Tailor |
| Mwanasayansi | Scientist |
| Mwanamuziki | Musician |
| Mwanahabari | Journalist |
| Mshawishi | Influencer |
| Mwanariadha | Athlete |
| Mwanajeshi | Soldier |
| Mwanasiasa | Politician |
| Mwanamaji | Sailor |
| Mwindaji | Hunter |
| Fundi | Technician |
| Fundi bomba | Plumber |
| Fundi wa umeme | Electrician |
| Kinyozi | Barber |
| Msusi | Hairdresser |
| Taaluma | Profession |
| Ajira | Employment |
| Kazi | Work/Job |
| Mkazi | Occupant |
| Biashara | Trade |
| Mwanabiashara | Merchant/Businessman |
| Mpiganaji | Fighter |
| Mkimbizi | Refugee |
| Mwizi | Thief |
| Mlevi | Drunkard/ Alcoholic |
g) Wanyama (Animals)
| Jina la Mnyama (Animal’s Name) | English Translation |
| N’gombe | Cow |
| Mbuzi | Goat |
| Kondoo | Sheep |
| Nguruwe | Pig |
| Punda | Donkey |
| Farasi | Horse |
| Sungura | Rabbit |
| Ngamia | Camel |
| Mbwa | Dog |
| Paka | Cat |
| Wanyama wa pori | Wild animals |
| Nyani | Baboon |
| Tumbili/ Kima | Monkey |
| Sokwe | Chimpanzee |
| Simba | Lion |
| Dubu | Bear |
| Chui | Leopard |
| Duma/ Chita | Cheetah |
| Mbweha | Jackal |
| Fisi | Hyena |
| Ndovu/ Tembo | Elephant |
| Nyati/ Mbogo | Buffalo |
| Nyumbu | Wildebeest |
| Kiboko | Hippopotamus |
| Kifaru | Rhino |
| Ngiri | Warthog |
| Punda milia | Zebra |
| Paa | Deer |
| Swara | Gazelle |
| Swara pala | Impala |
| Twiga | Giraffe |
| Mamba | Crocodile |
| Kindi | Squirrel |
| Nungunungu | Porcupine |
| Nyoka | Snake |
| Chatu | Python |
| Kinyonga | Chameleon |
| Mjusi | Lizard |
| Popo | Bat |
| Panya | Rat/ Mouse |
| Bird | Ndege |
| Kuku | Chicken/ Hen |
| Jogoo/ Jimbii | Cockerel/ Rooster |
| Njiwa | Pigeon |
| Bata | Duck |
| Kasuku | Parrot |
| Kanga | Guinea fowl |
| Mbuni | Ostrich |
| Tausi | Peacock |
| Heroe | Flamingo |
| Tai | Eagle |
| Kunguru | Crow |
| Bundi | Owl |
| Samaki | Fish |
| Pomboo | Dolphin |
| Papa | Shark |
| Mdudu | Insect/ bug |
| Siafu | Ant |
| Panzi | Grasshopper |
| Mende/ Kombamwiko | Cockroach |
| Kipepeo | Butterfly |
| Nzi | Fly |
| Mbu | Mosquito |
| Buibui | Spider |
| Nge | Scorpion |
| Jongoo | Millipede |
h) Mahali (Places)
| Neno | English Translation |
| Mahali | Place |
| Benki | Bank |
| Hospitali | Hospital |
| Duka | Shop |
| Posta | Post office |
| Uwanja ndege | Airport |
| Bus stendi | Bus stop |
| Stesheni ya basi | Bus station |
| Bustani | Garden |
| Msitu | Forest |
| Kisiwa | Island |
| Ardhi | Earth |
| Anga | Sky |
| Jangwa | Desert |
| Mto | River |
| Ziwa | Lake |
| Bahari | Sea/ Ocean |
| Pwani | Coast |
| Choo | Toilet |
| Bafu | Bathroom |
| Kaskazini | North |
| Mashariki | East |
| Magharibi | West |
| Kusini | South |