Swahili Phrases

The Arab and Persian cultures had great influence on the Swahili culture and the Swahili language as well as Portuguese and German. These languages feature prominently in the Swahili vocabulary. For centuries, Swahili remained as the language for the people of the East African coast. Trade and migration from the Swahili coast during the nineteenth-century helped spread the language to the interior of particularly Tanzania. It also reached Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, Central African Republic, and Mozambique.

Swahili is the most widely spoken language of Eastern Africa and therefore we thought we’d give you some phrases which can help you while being on safari or living in Kenya. Greetings are also very important in Kenya’s culture. It is considered rude not to greet someone you are going to speak to.

Titles | Greetings | Useful Phrases | On Safari | Animals

Bibi is a term of respect used to address women.
Mama is a term of great respect and is usually used to address older women.
Bwana is a term of respect for men, meaning "sir" or "mister".
Mzee means "elder" or "old person".
Rafiki means "friend".

The are two ways of starting a greeting. One is just to say “Jambo” ( standing for “matters” ) and the other term is to say “Habari” ( meaning “News”)

Habari Bwana - Hello, Sir
Habari Bibi - Hello, Madame

Hello - Habari
I am fine - Mzuri
Thank you - Asante
Good Bye - Kwaheri

The standard reply is:

Mzuri (hello), I am fine
Habari gani - How are you
Habari Yako, Bwana - Hello, Sir, what are your news
Mzuri tu - Just fine
Mzuri sana - Very fine

Jambo greetings change according to number and person.

Hujambo,bwana - Hello, Sir
Sijambo, bibi - I am fine, Madame
Hamjambo, Mabwana - Hello, gentlemen
Hatujambo, bibi - We are fine, madame

In Swahili, safari means "journey".

We would like to see - Tunataka Kuona
Yesterday we saw - Jana tuliona
Today we saw - Leo Tuliona