One of the best ways to learn Swahili is to practise realistic conversations. These 100 beginner dialogues cover situations you are likely to encounter at home, school, work, shops, markets, restaurants and while travelling.
1. Meeting someone
A: Habari?
B: Nzuri, habari yako?
A: Nzuri pia.
English:
A: Hello/how are you?
B: Fine, how are you?
A: Fine too.
2. Introducing yourself
A: Unaitwa nani?
B: Ninaitwa Amina. Wewe je?
A: Ninaitwa Hassan.
English:
A: What is your name?
B: My name is Amina. And you?
A: My name is Hassan.
3. Asking where someone is from
A: Unatoka wapi?
B: Ninatoka Kenya.
A: Karibu!
English:
A: Where are you from?
B: I am from Kenya.
A: Welcome!
4. Asking where someone lives
A: Unaishi wapi?
B: Ninaishi Nairobi.
A: Unaipenda Nairobi?
B: Ndiyo, ninaipenda.
English:
A: Where do you live?
B: I live in Nairobi.
A: Do you like Nairobi?
B: Yes, I do.
5. Talking about family
A: Una ndugu?
B: Ndiyo, nina ndugu wawili.
A: Wanaishi wapi?
B: Wanaishi Mombasa.
English:
A: Do you have siblings?
B: Yes, I have two siblings.
A: Where do they live?
B: They live in Mombasa.
6. At the shop
A: Unataka nini?
B: Nataka maji.
A: Chupa moja?
B: Ndiyo, tafadhali.
English:
A: What do you want?
B: I want water.
A: One bottle?
B: Yes, please.
7. At the market
A: Ndizi hizi ni bei gani?
B: Ni shilingi mia moja.
A: Nipunguzie kidogo.
B: Sawa.
English:
A: How much are these bananas?
B: One hundred shillings.
A: Reduce the price a little for me.
B: Okay.
8. Ordering food
A: Unataka kula nini?
B: Nataka wali na nyama.
A: Unataka kunywa nini?
B: Maji, tafadhali.
English:
A: What do you want to eat?
B: I want rice and meat.
A: What do you want to drink?
B: Water, please.
9. Asking for directions
A: Samahani, kituo kiko wapi?
B: Kiko karibu na soko.
A: Ni mbali?
B: Hapana, ni karibu.
English:
A: Excuse me, where is the station?
B: It is near the market.
A: Is it far?
B: No, it is near.
10. At work
A: Unafanya kazi gani?
B: Mimi ni mwalimu.
A: Unafanya kazi wapi?
B: Ninafanya kazi shuleni.
English:
A: What do you do?
B: I am a teacher.
A: Where do you work?
B: I work at a school.
11–100: Conversation practice topics
- Talking about the weather
- Talking about the time
- Talking about your daily routine
- Waking up in the morning
- Going to school
- Going to work
- Taking a bus
- Taking a taxi
- Asking for a bus stop
- Buying a ticket
- At a hotel
- Checking into a hotel
- Asking about a room
- Ordering breakfast
- Asking for help
- Making a phone call
- Sending a message
- Meeting a friend
- Inviting someone out
- Accepting an invitation
- Declining an invitation politely
- Talking about hobbies
- Talking about sports
- Talking about music
- Talking about films
- Talking about books
- Talking about school
- Talking about university
- Talking about work
- Talking about business
- Asking someone’s age
- Talking about birthdays
- Talking about nationality
- Talking about languages
- Talking about learning Swahili
- Asking someone to repeat something
- Saying you do not understand
- Asking someone to speak slowly
- Asking for the meaning of a word
- Checking your pronunciation
- At a restaurant
- Asking for a menu
- Ordering tea
- Ordering coffee
- Asking for the bill
- Buying clothes
- Asking about sizes
- Asking about colours
- Buying shoes
- Bargaining at a market
- Buying fruit
- Buying vegetables
- Buying household goods
- Asking about a price
- Asking for a discount
- Talking about the family
- Talking about children
- Talking about friends
- Talking about neighbours
- Talking about your home
- Describing your room
- Talking about food
- Talking about cooking
- Talking about health
- Visiting a doctor
- Buying medicine
- Asking for emergency help
- Reporting a lost item
- Asking for police assistance
- Asking for directions
- At an airport
- At a railway station
- At a bus station
- Hiring a vehicle
- Talking to a driver
- Going on holiday
- At the beach
- Talking about travel plans
- Talking about yesterday
- Talking about tomorrow
- Talking about future plans
- Talking about past experiences
- Giving an opinion
- Agreeing with someone
- Disagreeing politely
- Making a request
- Giving advice
- Saying thank you
- Apologising
- Saying goodbye