Jambo! Karibu! If you are travelling to Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar or another Swahili-speaking destination, learning a few basic Swahili words can make your journey easier and more enjoyable.
You do not need to become fluent before travelling. Knowing how to greet people, ask for directions, order food, understand prices and communicate basic needs can go a long way.
This guide introduces simple Swahili for travellers and beginners, with English meanings and practical examples you can use on the road.
Why learn Swahili when travelling?
English is widely understood in many tourist areas of East Africa, but using a little Swahili can make everyday interactions more friendly and natural.
Swahili can help you:
- Greet local people
- Ask for directions
- Use public transport
- Order food and drinks
- Ask about prices
- Book accommodation
- Communicate at shops and markets
- Ask for help
- Talk to hotel staff
- Understand common signs and expressions
- Have more meaningful interactions with local people
Even a simple Asante can make a conversation feel warmer.
Essential Swahili words for beginners
Start with these basic words before learning longer sentences.
Ndiyo — Yes
Hapana — No
Asante — Thank you
Tafadhali — Please
Samahani — Excuse me / Sorry
Karibu — Welcome
Pole — Sorry / I sympathise with you
Sawa — Okay / All right
Vizuri — Well / Good
Sana — Very / Very much
Kidogo — A little
Hapa — Here
Huko — There
Leo — Today
Kesho — Tomorrow
Jana — Yesterday
Sasa — Now
Baadaye — Later
Learning these words gives you a useful foundation for travelling in Swahili-speaking areas.
Swahili greetings for travellers
Greetings are one of the easiest places to begin.
Jambo! — Hello!
Habari? — How are you? / What’s the news?
Habari yako? — How are you?
Habari za asubuhi? — Good morning.
Habari za mchana? — Good afternoon.
Habari za jioni? — Good evening.
U hali gani? — How are you?
Nzuri, asante. — Fine, thank you.
Shikamoo. — Respectful greeting to an elder.
Marahaba. — Traditional response to Shikamoo.
Karibu. — Welcome.
Karibu sana. — You are very welcome.
Kwa heri. — Goodbye.
Tutaonana. — See you.
A simple greeting in Swahili is often enough to start a friendly interaction.
Introducing yourself
You may want to introduce yourself when meeting people during your travels.
Jina langu ni Farah. — My name is Farah.
Naitwa Farah. — My name is Farah.
Unaitwa nani? — What is your name?
Nimetoka Kenya. — I am from Kenya.
Umetoka wapi? — Where are you from?
Ninatoka… — I come from…
Unaishi wapi? — Where do you live?
Ninaishi Nairobi. — I live in Nairobi.
Ninafurahi kukutana nawe. — Nice to meet you.
Asking for directions in Swahili
Knowing how to ask where something is can be extremely useful.
Wapi? — Where?
Iko wapi? — Where is it?
Kituo kiko wapi? — Where is the station?
Hoteli iko wapi? — Where is the hotel?
Uwanja wa ndege uko wapi? — Where is the airport?
Soko liko wapi? — Where is the market?
Hospitali iko wapi? — Where is the hospital?
Msikiti uko wapi? — Where is the mosque?
Choo kiko wapi? — Where is the toilet?
Ni mbali? — Is it far?
Ni karibu? — Is it near?
Geuka kushoto. — Turn left.
Geuka kulia. — Turn right.
Nenda moja kwa moja. — Go straight ahead.
Simama hapa. — Stop here.
Swahili for public transport
Public transport is an important part of travelling around East Africa.
Useful words include:
Gari — Car
Basi — Bus
Treni — Train
Teksi — Taxi
Pikipiki — Motorcycle
Bodaboda — Motorcycle taxi
Matatu — Minibus, particularly common in Kenya
Kituo — Station / stop
Tiketi — Ticket
Safari — Journey / trip
Here are some useful phrases:
Basi linaenda wapi? — Where is the bus going?
Basi linaondoka saa ngapi? — What time does the bus leave?
Kituo kiko wapi? — Where is the station?
Tiketi ni kiasi gani? — How much is the ticket?
Nataka kwenda mjini. — I want to go to town.
Nataka kwenda uwanja wa ndege. — I want to go to the airport.
Nishushe hapa. — Drop me here.
Tafadhali simama hapa. — Please stop here.
Ni mbali kiasi gani? — How far is it?
Swahili for hotels and accommodation
These phrases can help when checking into a hotel, asking questions or requesting assistance.
Nina nafasi? — Do I have a reservation/booking?
Nataka chumba. — I want a room.
Chumba ni kiasi gani? — How much is the room?
Chumba kiko wapi? — Where is the room?
Ninaweza kuingia sasa? — Can I check in now?
Chakula cha asubuhi kinapatikana? — Is breakfast available?
Wi-Fi inapatikana? — Is Wi-Fi available?
Nywila ni gani? — What is the password?
Maji yapo? — Is there water?
Naomba msaada. — I need help.
Nahitaji taulo. — I need a towel.
Chumba changu kiko wapi? — Where is my room?
Ordering food and drinks
Food is one of the best reasons to learn a little Swahili.
Nina njaa. — I am hungry.
Nina kiu. — I am thirsty.
Nataka chakula. — I want food.
Naomba maji. — Water, please.
Nataka chai. — I want tea.
Nataka kahawa. — I want coffee.
Naomba menyu. — May I have the menu?
Mna chakula gani? — What food do you have?
Chakula hiki ni nini? — What is this food?
Hiki kina nyama? — Does this contain meat?
Bila sukari, tafadhali. — Without sugar, please.
Chakula ni kitamu. — The food is delicious.
Naomba bili. — The bill, please.
Shopping and asking about prices
Shopping vocabulary is particularly useful in markets and shops.
Bei gani? — What price?
Ni kiasi gani? — How much?
Bei yake ni kiasi gani? — How much does it cost?
Ni ghali. — It is expensive.
Ni ghali sana. — It is very expensive.
Ni rahisi. — It is cheap / affordable.
Unaweza kupunguza bei? — Can you reduce the price?
Bei ya mwisho ni gani? — What is the final price?
Nataka hii. — I want this.
Sitaki hii. — I don’t want this.
Una nyingine? — Do you have another one?
Nitalipa kwa simu. — I will pay by phone.
Nitalipa kwa pesa taslimu. — I will pay in cash.
Numbers every traveller should know
Numbers are useful for prices, times, tickets and addresses.
Moja — One
Mbili — Two
Tatu — Three
Nne — Four
Tano — Five
Sita — Six
Saba — Seven
Nane — Eight
Tisa — Nine
Kumi — Ten
Kumi na moja — Eleven
Kumi na mbili — Twelve
Ishirini — Twenty
Thelathini — Thirty
Arubaini — Forty
Hamsini — Fifty
Mia moja — One hundred
Elfu moja — One thousand
Practise numbers alongside words such as bei (price), saa (time) and tiketi (ticket).
Asking for help
You never know when you might need assistance while travelling.
Unaweza kunisaidia? — Can you help me?
Nisaidie, tafadhali. — Help me, please.
Naomba msaada. — I need help.
Nimepotea. — I am lost.
Sijui njia. — I don’t know the way.
Sijui. — I don’t know.
Sielewi. — I don’t understand.
Tafadhali sema tena. — Please say it again.
Sema polepole. — Speak slowly.
Unaweza kurudia? — Can you repeat?
Unamaanisha nini? — What do you mean?
Swahili for emergencies
Travellers should also know a few basic emergency expressions.
Nahitaji msaada. — I need help.
Piga simu! — Make a call!
Piga polisi! — Call the police!
Nahitaji daktari. — I need a doctor.
Hospitali iko wapi? — Where is the hospital?
Nimeumia. — I am injured.
Ninaumwa. — I am sick / I am in pain.
Nahitaji dawa. — I need medicine.
If you are in a serious emergency, use local emergency services and ask someone nearby for assistance.
Useful Swahili words for time
Time-related vocabulary can help when arranging transport or meeting someone.
Sasa — Now
Leo — Today
Jana — Yesterday
Kesho — Tomorrow
Asubuhi — Morning
Mchana — Afternoon / daytime
Jioni — Evening
Usiku — Night
Baadaye — Later
Mapema — Early
Haraka — Quickly
Polepole — Slowly
Saa ngapi? — What time?
Tutaonana kesho. — See you tomorrow.
Tutazungumza baadaye. — We will talk later.
Useful Swahili phrases for everyday travel
These expressions can come in handy throughout your trip.
Sawa. — Okay.
Hakuna shida. — No problem.
Usijali. — Don’t worry.
Kweli? — Really?
Labda. — Maybe.
Basi. — Okay then / So / That’s enough, depending on context.
Hebu ngoja. — Wait a moment.
Subiri kidogo. — Wait a little.
Twende. — Let’s go.
Niko tayari. — I am ready.
Nimeelewa. — I understand.
Sielewi. — I don’t understand.
Sijui. — I don’t know.
Asante sana. — Thank you very much.
Karibu sana. — You are very welcome.
A simple Swahili conversation for travellers
Here is an example of how some basic phrases can come together.
Traveller: Habari?
Local: Nzuri, asante. Na wewe?
Traveller: Nzuri. Uwanja wa ndege uko wapi?
Local: Uko karibu.
Traveller: Asante sana.
Local: Karibu.
In English:
Traveller: Hello, how are you?
Local: Fine, thank you. And you?
Traveller: Fine. Where is the airport?
Local: It is nearby.
Traveller: Thank you very much.
Local: You’re welcome.
Short conversations like this are excellent practice for beginners.
Standard Swahili and local varieties
Swahili is spoken across several countries, and vocabulary and pronunciation can vary depending on location.
You may encounter standard Kiswahili alongside everyday local expressions. In Kenya, for example, you may also hear Sheng, particularly in informal urban conversations.
As a beginner, it is best to learn standard Swahili first. Once you are comfortable with the basics, you can learn local expressions and slang depending on where you travel.