Kiswahili is a language spoken by over 150 million people in the East African region. For tourists, business people and volunteers, students or any other groups of people visiting the East African region, knowing some basic Kiswahili word or phrases can help you connect with the natives well. Here we give you some of the basic words and translations.

English –Swahili Translations of Basic Phrases
Greetings {Salamu/Maamkizi }
Hello? - Jambo/hujambo
I am fine - Sijambo/salama
How are you? - Habari gani?
I am fine - Sijambo/salama
Goodbye (Singular) - Kwaheri
Goodbye (Plural) - Kwaherini
See you later - Tutaonana baadaye
Nice to meet you - Nafurahi kukuona.
Goodnight - Lala salama.








Popular Informal Greetings
{Salamu Maarufu Zisizo Rasmi}

English
Kiswahili
Kiswahili Response
Whats up?
Sasa?
Poa
Whats up?
Mambo?
Poa
How?
Vipi?
Poa
Speak?
Sema?
Poa/safi
Words of Courtesy {Maneno Ya Heshima}
English
Kiswahili
Thank you
Ahsante
Thank you very much
Ahsante sana
Please
Tafadhali
Welcome
Karibu
Welcome(Plural)
Karibuni(Wingi)
Excuse me
Samahani
God bless you
Mungu akubariki
Good bye
Kwaheri








Meeting Somebody For The First Time
{Kukutana Na Mtu Mara Ya Kwanza}
Hello, what is your name? Jambo, jina lako ni?
Hello too. My name is…Sijambo. Jina langu ni...
English
Kiswahili
Can you help me?
Tafadhali nisaidie.
What is your name?
Jina lako ni nani?
My name is….
Jina langu ni…
Where are you from?
Unatoka wapi?
I am from…
Ninatoka…
Do you speak English?
Unazungumza Kiingereza?
Just a little bit.
Kidogo tu
How do you say….in Kiswahili?
Unasemaje...katika Kiswahili?


For more comprehensive translations of basic phrases grab a copy of Handbook for English –Kiswahili Translations for Tourists Visiting Kenya. Available on Amazon Book Publishers
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