How do you speak Swahili?

Answer 1

To learn to speak any language requires study. Language-learning tips range from using websites and software all the way to living in a foreign country. The truth is, living among the native speakers is really the most effective way of learning; however, few people have the money or opportunity to do this.

Here are some useful phrases in Swahili from Omniglot, as well as some background information:

Welcome Karibu (sg) Karibuni (pl)

Hello (General greeting) Habari (inf) Hujambo (sg) Hamjambo (pl)

Sijambo (reply to hello)

How are you? Habari? Hujambo? Habari yako? Habari gani?

Reply to 'How are you?' Nzuri Sijambo

What's your name? Jina lako ni nani?

My name is ... Jina langu ni ...

Where are you from? Unatoka wapi?

I'm from ... Natoka ...

Pleased to meet you Nafurahi kukuona, Nimefurahi kukutana nawe

Good morning Habari ya asubuhi

Good afternoon Habari ya mchana

Good evening Habari ya jioni

Good night Usiku mwema, Lala salama

Goodbye Kwaheri

Good luck Kila la kheri!

Cheers! (Toasts used when drinking) Maisha marefu! Afya! Vifijo!

Have a nice day Nakutakia siku njema!

Bon appetit / Have a nice meal Ufurahie chakula chako (sg) Furahieni chakula chenu (pl) Chakula chema

Bon voyage / Have a good journey Safari njema!

I understand Naelewa

I don't understand Sielewi

I don't know Sijui

Please speak more slowly Tafadhali sema polepole

Please write it down Waweza kuiandika?

Do you speak English? Unazungumza Kingereza?

Do you speak Swahili? Unazungumza Kiswahili?

Yes, a little (reply to 'Do you speak ...?') Ndiyo, kidogo tu

How do you say ... in Swahili? Unasemaje ... kwa Kiswahili?

Excuse me Samahani nipishe (to get past) Samahani (to get attention or say sorry)

How much is this? Hii ni bei gani?

Sorry Samahani

Please Tafadhali

Thank you Asante, Asante sana (sg) Asanteni (pl)

You're welcome (Reply to thank you) Asante kwa kushukuru

No thanks Hapana asante

Where's the toilet? Choo kiko wapi?

This gentleman/lady will pay for everything Mtu huyu atalipia kila kitu

Would you like to dance with me? Tucheze ngoma? Utapenda kudansi?

I love you Ninakupenda

Get well soon Ugua pole

Help! Msaada!

Fire! Moto!

Stop! Usifanye hivyo!

Go away! Nenda zako!

Leave me alone!

Usinisumbue!

Call the police! Mwite polisi!

Christmas and New Year greetings Krismasi Njema Heri ya krismasi, Heri ya mwaka mpya

Easter greetings Heri ya Sikukuu ya pasaka

Birthday greetings Nakutakia mema katika siku yako ya kuzaliwa!

Sikukuu njema ya kuzaliwa! Furaha katika siku yako ya kuzaliwa! Heri katika siku yako ya kuzaliwa!

My hovercraft is full of eels Gari langu linaloangama limejaa na mikunga

One language is never enough Lugha moja haitoshi

With a handful of exceptions,all words in Swahili are pronounced with the accent on the next-to-last syllable.

Swahili is of the Niger-Congo language family, specifically of the Bantu language group. The earliest documents that have been preserved that were written in the Swahili language are a series of letters written in 1711. These letters were written in Kilwa, to the Portuguese of Mozambique. They were written using the Arabic alphabet, while these days the Latin alphabet is more commonly used.

The Swahili word for Swahili is "Kiswahili", which comes from the Arabic word meaning coast. In this context, it is used to mean coastal dwellers, and when referring to the language it means coastal language. There are many dialects of the Swahili language, and it is difficult to say when or where exactly the language emerged as the defined language that we know today. However, it has been in the last two hundred years that the Swahili language has become so widely used.

Answer 2

Thank youMeda ase (pron. Meh-daa-se)PleaseMepa wo kyεw (pron. Meh-paw-chow) How are you?

Wo ho te sεn?

Learn more at http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293796-s604/Ghana:Important.Phrases.html