Whether you're traveling to Kenya, Tanzania, or Uganda, these essential Swahili phrases will help you connect with locals and navigate everyday situations. Hover any card to reveal the English meaning.
Jambo
JAM-bo
Hello
Jambo
Habari yako?
ha-BA-ri YA-ko
How are you?
Habari yako?
Nzuri, asante
n-ZU-ri, a-SAN-te
Fine, thank you
Nzuri, asante
Jina langu ni...
JI-na LAN-gu ni
My name is...
Jina langu ni...
Karibu
ka-RI-bu
Welcome
Karibu
Kwaheri
kwa-HE-ri
Goodbye
Kwaheri
Tafadhali
ta-fa-DHA-li
Please
Tafadhali
Asante sana
a-SAN-te SA-na
Thank you very much
Asante sana
Pole
PO-le
Sorry / Take it easy
Pole
Hakuna matata
ha-KU-na ma-TA-ta
No worries / No problem
Hakuna matata
Bei gani?
BEI GA-ni
How much?
Bei gani?
Ghali sana
GHA-li SA-na
Too expensive
Ghali sana
Punguza bei
pun-GU-za BEI
Lower the price
Punguza bei
Nataka kununua...
na-TA-ka ku-NU-nua
I want to buy...
Nataka kununua...
Nipe moja
NI-pe MO-ja
Give me one
Nipe moja
Pesa ngapi?
PE-sa NGA-pi
How much money?
Pesa ngapi?
Sawa
SA-wa
Okay / Agreed
Sawa
Wapi?
WA-pi
Where?
Wapi?
Kushoto
ku-SHO-to
Left
Kushoto
Kulia
ku-LI-a
Right
Kulia
Moja kwa moja
MO-ja kwa MO-ja
Straight ahead
Moja kwa moja
Nipeleke...
ni-pe-LE-ke
Take me to...
Nipeleke...
Ni mbali?
ni m-BA-li
Is it far?
Ni mbali?
Stesheni ya basi
ste-SHE-ni ya BA-si
Bus station
Stesheni ya basi
Uwanja wa ndege
u-WAN-ja wa NDE-ge
Airport
Uwanja wa ndege
Nina njaa
NI-na NJAA
I am hungry
Nina njaa
Nina kiu
NI-na KI-u
I am thirsty
Nina kiu
Chakula
cha-KU-la
Food
Chakula
Maji
MA-ji
Water
Maji
Chai
CHAI
Tea
Chai
Kahawa
ka-HA-wa
Coffee
Kahawa
Wali
WA-li
Rice
Wali
Nyama
NYA-ma
Meat
Nyama
Samaki
sa-MA-ki
Fish
Samaki
Asante kwa chakula
a-SAN-te kwa cha-KU-la
Thank you for the food
Asante kwa chakula
Nyekundu
n-ye-KUN-du
Red
Nyekundu
Bluu / Samawati
BLUU / sa-ma-WA-ti
Blue
Bluu / Samawati
Kijani
ki-JA-ni
Green
Kijani
Njano
NJA-no
Yellow
Njano
Nyeupe
n-ye-U-pe
White
Nyeupe
Nyeusi
n-ye-U-si
Black
Nyeusi
Rangi ya machungwa
RAN-gi ya ma-CHUN-gwa
Orange
Rangi ya machungwa
Zambarau
zam-ba-RAU
Purple
Zambarau
Kahawia
ka-ha-WI-a
Brown
Kahawia
Rangi ya waridi
RAN-gi ya wa-RI-di
Pink
Rangi ya waridi
Kijivu
ki-JI-vu
Grey
Kijivu
Dhahabu
dha-HA-bu
Gold
Dhahabu
Shule / Skuli
SHU-le / SKU-li
School
Shule / Skuli
Hospitali
hos-pi-TA-li
Hospital
Hospitali
Zahanati
za-ha-NA-ti
Health clinic
Zahanati
Benki
BEN-ki
Bank
Benki
Kanisa
ka-NI-sa
Church
Kanisa
Msikiti
m-si-KI-ti
Mosque
Msikiti
Soko
SO-ko
Market
Soko
Duka
DU-ka
Shop / Store
Duka
Polisi
po-LI-si
Police station
Polisi
Posta
POS-ta
Post office
Posta
Hoteli
ho-TE-li
Hotel / Restaurant
Hoteli
Ofisi
o-FI-si
Office
Ofisi
Nyumba
NYU-mba
House
Nyumba
Choo / Msalani
CHOO / m-sa-LA-ni
Toilet / Bathroom
Choo / Msalani
Nenda moja kwa moja
NEN-da MO-ja kwa MO-ja
Go straight ahead
Nenda moja kwa moja
Geuka kushoto
ge-U-ka ku-SHO-to
Turn left
Geuka kushoto
Geuka kulia
ge-U-ka ku-LI-a
Turn right
Geuka kulia
Rudi nyuma
RU-di NYU-ma
Go back
Rudi nyuma
Simama hapa
si-MA-ma HA-pa
Stop here
Simama hapa
Endelea mbele
en-de-LE-a m-BE-le
Keep going forward
Endelea mbele
Vuka barabara
VU-ka ba-ra-BA-ra
Cross the road
Vuka barabara
Iko karibu
I-ko ka-RI-bu
It is nearby
Iko karibu
Iko mbali
I-ko m-BA-li
It is far
Iko mbali
Pembeni mwa...
pem-BE-ni mwa
Next to...
Pembeni mwa...
Baada ya...
ba-A-da ya
After / Past the...
Baada ya...
Kabla ya...
ka-BLA ya
Before the...
Kabla ya...
Kati ya... na...
KA-ti ya... na...
Between... and...
Kati ya... na...
Upande wa kaskazini
u-PAN-de wa kas-ka-ZI-ni
North direction
Upande wa kaskazini
Upande wa kusini
u-PAN-de wa ku-SI-ni
South direction
Upande wa kusini
Jumatatu
ju-ma-TA-tu
Monday
Jumatatu
Jumanne
ju-MAN-ne
Tuesday
Jumanne
Jumatano
ju-ma-TA-no
Wednesday
Jumatano
Alhamisi
al-ha-MI-si
Thursday
Alhamisi
Ijumaa
i-ju-MAA
Friday
Ijumaa
Jumamosi
ju-ma-MO-si
Saturday
Jumamosi
Jumapili
ju-ma-PI-li
Sunday
Jumapili
Leo
LE-o
Today
Leo
Kesho
KE-sho
Tomorrow
Kesho
Jana
JA-na
Yesterday
Jana
Wiki hii
WI-ki HII
This week
Wiki hii
Wiki ijayo
WI-ki i-JA-yo
Next week
Wiki ijayo
Saa ngapi?
SAA NGA-pi
What time is it?
Saa ngapi?
Saa moja
SAA MO-ja
7 o'clock (1 in Swahili time)
Saa moja
Saa mbili
SAA MBI-li
8 o'clock
Saa mbili
Saa sita asubuhi
SAA SI-ta a-su-BU-hi
Midday / 12 noon
Saa sita asubuhi
Asubuhi
a-su-BU-hi
Morning
Asubuhi
Mchana
m-CHA-na
Afternoon / Midday
Mchana
Jioni
ji-O-ni
Evening
Jioni
Usiku
u-SI-ku
Night
Usiku
Nusu saa
NU-su SAA
Half past (30 minutes)
Nusu saa
Robo saa
RO-bo SAA
Quarter past (15 minutes)
Robo saa
Mapema
ma-PE-ma
Early
Mapema
Marehemu / Chelewa
ma-RE-he-mu / che-LE-wa
Late
Marehemu / Chelewa
Proverbs (methali) are the heart of Swahili culture. Passed down through generations, they carry wisdom about life, community, and human nature. Here are some of the most beloved Swahili proverbs with their English translations and cultural meanings.
"Haba na haba hujaza kibaba"
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Little by little fills the measure
Encourages patience and persistence. Small consistent efforts lead to great results over time.
"Mti hauendi ila kwa nyenzo"
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A tree does not move without a force
Nothing happens without effort or cause. Change requires action.
"Asiyefunzwa na mamaye hufunzwa na ulimwengu"
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He who is not taught by his mother will be taught by the world
Life itself becomes your teacher if you don't learn from those close to you.
"Penye nia pana njia"
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Where there is a will, there is a way
Determination and willpower can overcome any obstacle.
"Majuto ni mjukuu"
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Regret is a grandchild
Regret always comes too late — after the consequences have already unfolded.
"Umoja ni nguvu, utengano ni udhaifu"
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Unity is strength, division is weakness
The national motto of Kenya. Emphasizes the power of working together.
"Kidole kimoja hakivunji chawa"
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One finger cannot crush a louse
Some tasks are impossible alone — cooperation is essential.
"Mtu ni watu"
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A person is people
Similar to Ubuntu philosophy — our humanity is tied to our relationships with others.
"Mkono mmoja haulei mwana"
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One hand does not raise a child
It takes a community to raise a child — a value deeply held in East African cultures.
"Wapiganapo tembo nyasi huumia"
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When elephants fight, the grass suffers
When powerful people conflict, ordinary people bear the consequences.
"Haraka haraka haina baraka"
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Hurry hurry has no blessing
One of the most famous Swahili proverbs. Rushing leads to mistakes — patience brings better results.
"Pole pole ndio mwendo"
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Slowly slowly is the way to go
Steady progress is more reliable than speed. Complements 'haraka haraka haina baraka'.
"Mvumilivu hula mbivu"
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The patient one eats ripe fruit
Patience is rewarded with the best outcomes.
"Ushikwapo shikamana"
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When you are held, hold on tight
When facing difficulty, don't give up — persevere and hold your ground.
"Mtaka yote kwa pupa hukosa yote"
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He who wants everything in a hurry loses everything
Greed and impatience lead to loss. Be content with steady progress.
"Elimu ni ufunguo wa maisha"
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Education is the key to life
Education opens doors and transforms lives — deeply valued across East Africa.
"Kusoma ni kujua"
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To read is to know
Reading and learning lead to understanding and wisdom.
"Akili ni nywele, kila mtu ana zake"
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Wisdom is like hair, everyone has their own
Everyone has their own unique intelligence and perspective to contribute.
"Msema kweli ana msaada"
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He who speaks the truth has support
Truth and honesty build trust and earn respect in the community.
"Kujifunza si kitu cha aibu"
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Learning is nothing to be ashamed of
No matter your age or status, there is always more to learn.
Sheng is the vibrant street language of Nairobi — a blend of Swahili, English, and local languages widely used by Kenyan youth. You'll hear these expressions everywhere from matatus to social media. Hover each card to reveal the English meaning.
Mambo
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What's up?
Casual greeting, short for 'mambo vipi'
Poa
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Cool / Fine
Universal positive response to 'Mambo?'
Freshi
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Fresh / Stylish
From English 'fresh' — compliment on style/vibe
Msee
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Guy / Dude
Nairobi slang for a person, usually male
Sawa
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Okay / Deal
Used to confirm or agree
Niaje
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What's up?
Contraction of 'ni viaje' — more casual than 'habari'
Buda
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Bro / Mate
From English 'brother' — between close friends
Kali
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Fierce / Awesome
Literally 'sharp' — used for something impressive
Dope
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Really cool
Direct borrow from English, Kenyan youth slang
Mzee
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Elder / Respected one
Used respectfully or as a familiar nickname
Kuniua
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Killing me (with laughter)
'Unanikuwa!' = you're killing me!
Chali
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Guy / Fellow
Casual reference to a person
Doh
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Money / Cash
Nairobi street slang, sheng influenced
Fiti
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Fine / Well
From English 'fit' — good condition
Rada
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Awareness / Alert
'Kuwa na rada' = be sharp / watch out
Swahili (Kiswahili) is one of Africa's most widely spoken languages and serves as a lingua franca across East and Central Africa. It is the national language of Tanzania, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and is widely spoken in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Mozambique. With over 100 million speakers, Swahili bridges diverse ethnic groups and cultures across the continent.
In Swahili culture, proverbs (methali) are far more than clever sayings — they are tools for teaching, resolving disputes, and passing wisdom between generations. Elders use methali in conversations, ceremonies, and storytelling. A well-placed proverb can settle an argument, inspire action, or offer comfort. Understanding these proverbs gives you a window into the values and worldview of Swahili-speaking communities.
Try our English to Swahili translator with pronunciation guides, document translation, and image translation.