Greetings and politeness in Swahili
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Swahili words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Swahili phrases in this lesson
- Hujambohoo-JAM-boh
- Hello
- Habari za asubuhiha-BAH-ree za a-su-BOO-hee
- Good morning
- Habari za jioniha-BAH-ree za jee-OH-nee
- Good evening
- Kwaherikwa-HEH-ree
- Goodbye
- Tutaonanatoo-tah-oh-NA-na
- See you
- Tafadhalita-fa-DHA-lee
- Please
- Asantea-SAHN-teh
- Thank you
- Si kitusee KEE-too
- You're welcome
- Naomba radhina-OHM-ba RAH-dhee
- Sorry
- Samahanisa-ma-HA-nee
- Excuse me
- Nafurahi kukutana nawena-foo-RAH-hee koo-koo-TAH-na NAH-weh
- Nice to meet you
A formal greeting, literally asking "is there any news". The expected response is also "hujambo" or sometimes "hatuna habari", we have no news. Used with strangers or elders.
Literally "morning news". Habari (news) is the foundation of Swahili greetings. You will hear "habari" alone in markets and casual settings, essentially meaning "hello, how are you".
Literally "news of the evening?". The answer is "nzuri", good.
The proper goodbye. More casual is "haraka" (quickly, as in see you soon) or "karibu tena" (welcome again, come back). "Tutaonana" (we will see each other) is common among friends.
Literally "we will see each other". Kwaheri works for everyone.
The standard polite word, borrowed from Arabic meaning favor. Attach it to requests: "chakula tafadhali" (food please), or use the phrase "karibu" which also implies kindness.
The workhorse thank you. Common to follow it with what you are thanking for: "asante kwa chakula" (thanks for the food), "asante kwa msaada" (thanks for help).
Literally "it's nothing".
Literally "I ask forgiveness", the real apology. "Pole" (POH-leh) is sympathy, for when something bad happens to someone.
Used to get attention, pass someone, or excuse a small mistake.
Literally "I am happy to meet you".