My trip to Africa has been incredible, but those stories will have to wait for other posts. Instead, I want to share the Swahili I’ve been learning. I’ve been trying to speak it as much as possible to the people we encounter every day – from our taxi drivers and safari guide to coastal fisherman and Maasai warriors – but just be warned, najua Swahili kidogo kidogo (I know very little Swahili).
Jambo: hello
Habari: how are you?
Mzuri sana: I’m very good
Asanti/shukran: thank you
Asanti sana: thank you very much
Karibu: welcome/you’re welcome
Kwaheri: bye
Hakuna matata/hakuna shida: no worries/no problem
Kabisa: totally
Pole: sorry
Tafadali: please
Sawa: ok
Eco sawa: it’s ok
Tuco sawa: we’re ok
Nakupenda: I love you
Safari: adventure
Mzungu: white person
Rafiki: friend
Dada: brother
Dada mdogo: sister
Maji: water
Simba: lion
Nze: fly
Kifaru: rhino
Twiga: giraffe
Tembo: elephant
Punda: donkey
Punda malia: zebra
Zamaki: fish
Papa: shark
Mamba: crocodile/alligator
Teksi: taxi
Gari: car
Betri: battery
Taka taka: trash/garbage
Kidogo: little
Kubwa: big
Baridi: cold
Mingi: many
Pole, pole: slowly/slow
Nweze: can I have…
Kwa nini: why?
Twende: let’s go
Kupanda: climb
Hapa: here
Hapo: there
lindsayholloway 