Order anything by pointing in Swahili
I would like, this one, how much, the bill: survive any counter or menu. 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
- Ningependa...neen-geh-PEN-da
- I would like...
- Hiihee-EE
- This one
- Ni bei gani?nee BAY-ee GAH-nee
- How much is it?
- Bili, tafadhaliBEE-lee, ta-fa-DHA-lee
- The bill, please
- Kwa kadikwa KAH-dee
- By card
- PesaPEH-sa
- In cash
- MajiMAH-jee
- Water
- Kahawaka-HAH-wa
- Coffee
- ChaiCHAI
- Tea
- BiaBEE-a
- Beer
- Bila...BEE-la
- Without...
Literally "I would like": "ningependa kahawa".
Point and say it. Hii is feminine (this), huu is masculine. For plural pointing say "hizi" (these, feminine). Context and pointing solve 90 percent of market transactions.
Bei means price. "Kiasi gani?" (how much quantity?) is also used. Most prices are displayed or the vendor will quote you; try saying "bei rahisi" (good price) for markets, though this is more negotiation than question.
Bili is borrowed from English. In casual outdoor settings, you pay per item as you order. In restaurants, catch the server s eye and say this or "malipo" (payment). Service is usually included.
Increasingly accepted in towns but rural areas are still cash heavy. Asking "mnakubali kadi?" (do you accept cards?) is normal. M-Pesa mobile money is ubiquitous, faster than cards.
Pesa means money generically. Fedha is wealth or assets. Carrying cash is standard in markets and for matatu fares. Confirm the exchange rate if paying with foreign currency.
Tap water safety varies widely. Bottled water is ubiquitous and cheap. Asking "ni salama kunywa maji?" (is it safe to drink the water?) gets an honest answer. Most travelers buy bottled water and use tap water for brushing teeth only.
The word "coffee" itself comes from the same Arabic root.
"Bila sukari", without sugar.