Swahili wordsKiswahili

First words, as games.

66 everyday words and phrases, each with an example.

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All 66 words

Greetings Salamu · 10
  • hujambo?hello; how are you?
  • habari za asubuhigood morning
  • habari gani?how are you?; what's new?
  • karibuwelcome; come in
  • asantethank you
  • tafadhaliplease
  • samahanisorry; excuse me
  • kwa herigoodbye
  • jina langu ni…my name is…
  • lala salamasleep well; good night
Food and drink Chakula na vinywaji · 11
  • majiwater
  • chaitea
  • kahawacoffee
  • maziwamilk
  • walirice
  • mkatebread; loaf
  • tufahaapple
  • yaiegg
  • samakifish
  • nina njaaI'm hungry
  • tamusweet; tasty
Home and family Nyumbani na familia · 12
  • nyumbahouse
  • mlangodoor
  • dirishawindow
  • mezatable
  • kitichair
  • kitandabed
  • ufunguokey
  • mamamother; mum
  • babafather; dad
  • mbwadog
  • pakacat
  • kiatushoe
Getting around Usafiri · 9
  • basibus
  • trenitrain
  • kituostop; station
  • tiketiticket
  • garicar
  • kushotoleft
  • kuliaright
  • wapi?where?
  • chootoilet
Time and days Wakati na siku · 9
  • leotoday
  • keshotomorrow
  • janayesterday
  • sasanow
  • asubuhimorning; in the morning
  • usikunight; at night
  • wikiweek
  • JumatatuMonday
  • saa ngapi?what time is it?
Feelings Hisia · 8
  • nina furahaI'm happy
  • nimefurahiI'm glad; I'm pleased
  • nina huzuniI'm sad
  • nimechokaI'm tired
  • nimekasirikaI'm angry
  • ninaogopaI'm scared
  • napenda…I like…; I love…
  • sipendi…I don't like…
Weather Hali ya hewa · 7
  • kuna baridiit's cold
  • kuna jotoit's hot
  • mvua inanyeshait's raining
  • juasun
  • upepowind
  • wingucloud
  • thelujisnow

Standard Swahili (Kiswahili sanifu) as taught in Kenya and Tanzania. It is written as it sounds and stress almost always falls on the second-to-last syllable, so it is not marked. Written for Testera; the example sentences are original. On 18 October 2026 every headword was looked up in English Wiktionary: 54 of 66 have an entry of their own in Swahili, and for 5 phrases without one every word has an entry; the other 7, such as nimefurahi, have no entry there. Words, glosses and example sentences have not yet been reviewed by a native speaker. Spotted something to fix? Tell us.