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Swahili

Swahili is a lingua franca that is spoken by more than 120 million people in East Africa. It’s roots date back cen-

turies. It developed as people from different parts of the world encountered for various purposes, mainly trade.

The interaction between the Arab world and East Africa has contributed significantly to the development of the

language. This interaction was not only limited to these two sides sides. There are historical accounts showing

that people from as far as China visited the East African coast in around 2nd Century AD.

So, you one who learns about the language will find that there is influence from all these places -- in terms of

vocabulary items, culture and architecture. However, the main composition of vocabulary items comes from the

local languages (mainly Bantu) and Arabic. The ratio can roughly be 65:35.

The language has many dialects. The kind of Kiswahili spoken along the coast of East Africa - Lamu, Malindi,

Mombasa, Tanga, Zanzibar -- is slightly different from the one spoken in Mainland Tanzania. In Kenya, and Nairobi

in particular, there is another dialect. The Comoro Islands also have their own Swahili dialects. All in all there is

Standard Swahili.

So, irrespective of the differences from one dialect to the other, people still communicate. Swahili in Nairobi has

been very much influenced by English-this form of swahili or street slang is known as “Sheng” . The reason is

almost everyone there communicates in English. In recent years, Swahili was taken up by the African Union as

another of its official languages. The language is continuously growing in popularity and coverage.

So, roughly, Kiswahili is spoken in the following areas: Tanzania (Both Mainland and Zanzibar) 99%; Kenya, parti-

cularly the southern half of the country; Uganda (people still relate it as the language of oppression because Idi

Amin’s soldiers used it to communicate = however, things are beginning to change now); Northern provinces of

Mozambique; Northern parts of Malawi; Northern parts of Zambia; Eastern provinces of the Democratic Repu-

blic of Congo; Burundi and Rwanda. In all these countries and areas one should be able to communicate in

Kiswahili -- even at the rudimentary level.

This guide is part of your welcome kit to the Global Voices Summit 2012

It aims at providing you words and expressions that might be useful during your stay in Nairobi

Why don’t you try it out? Come on, don’t be shy (: We bet you’ll love it!

Karibu!

Swahili for Summiteers

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Swahili for Summiteers

Pronunciation in Swahili Personal Pronouns and their Swahili Equivalents

Pronunciation in Swahili follows more or less the same formula as in Italian. The vowels are pronounced the way they are written and so do the consonants. For example the sound A in BABA is similar to the A in PAPA. (Please note Papa is also a Swahili word with two meanings: a shark (ocean creature) and Pope (Catholic leader). E sound is similar to E sound in PEN. I sound is similar to I in INK. O sound is similar to O in COMMON. U sound is similar to U in POUND.

I = Mimi

You = Wewe

He/She = Yeye (Swahili does not differentiate gender here)

It = kileWe = Sisi

You = Nyinyi/Ninyi

They = Wao

My = yanguYour = yako

His/Hers = yake

Its = yakeOur = yetu

Your = yenuTheir = yao

Examples:

My friend = Rafiki yanguYour friend = Rafiki yako

His/her friend = Rafiki yake

Its friend = Rafiki yakeOur friend = Rafiki yetu

Your friend = Rafiki yenuTheir friend = Rafiki yao

Sentence Construction is a Bit Complicated in Swahili

I have a book = Nina kitabu The word NINA shows the subject (NI = I), the act of possessing (NA) and the time (simple present) and then the object book

We will go to the summit = Tutakwenda kwenye mkutano (TU = We) (TA = time = future) (Kwenda = go = main verb)

I read a book = Nilisoma kitabu (NI = I) (LI = time = simple past) (Soma = read = main verb)

Relations

Father = BabaMother = MamaBrother = KakaSister = DadaHusband = MumeWife = Mke/Bibi (second is mostly used in Kenya)Grandfather = BabuGrandmother = Bibi (Tanzania) / Nyanya (Kenya)Uncle = MjombaAunt = ShangaziFriend = RafikiNeighbour = Jirani

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Swahili for Summiteers

Tourist Information Citizen Media Vocabulary

Yes = NdioNo =  la, hapanaI´m lost = NimepoteaWhich way to the airport / hotel = Naomba unielekeze Namna ya kufika uwanja wa ndege/hoteliniI´m staying at Pride Inn hotel = Nimefikia Hoteli ya Pride InnCould you please help me? = Unaweza kunisaida ta-fadhaliSpoon = KijikoFork = umaKnife = KisuFood = ChakulaBeverage = vinywajiDrink = KunywaWater = MajiNorth, South, East, West = Kaskazini Kusini, Mashariki magharibiThis is expensive = Hii ni ghali sanaThis is cheap = Hii ni nafuu sanaHow much does it cost? = Unauza shilingi ngapi?from which country are you? = Unatoka nchi gani?I come from (name of country) = Ninatoka (China, India, UK etc)Hotel = hoteliRestaurant = mkahawaTea = chaiCoffee = kahawaMilk = maziwaSoda = sodaBeer = bia/pombeTaxi = TaksiiCommuter bus = Matatu (in Nairobi), Daladala (in Dar es Salaam)Bar = baaShillings(Kenyan Currency) = ShillingiTourist = Mtalii

Blog = blogu

Blogger = mwanablogu

Blogosphere = ulimwengu wa wanablogu

Citizen media = vyombo vya habari vya kiraia

Freedom of expression = uhuru wa maoni / uhuru wa

Kujieleza

Global Voices = Sauti za ulimwengu

Censorship = udhibiti

Empowerment = kuwezeshwa

Translator = mtafsiri

Podcast = podikasti

Upload = pandisha

Video = video

Audio = ya sauti

Volunteer = mtu anayejitolea

Mainstream = vikuu

Media = vyombo vya habari

Divide = gawanya

Conversation = mazungumzo

Manifesto = ilani

Summit = mkutano

Subtitles = maandishi/maelezo

Twitter = Twita

Facebook = Facebook

Tweets = Twiti

Website = Tovuti

Email = baruapepe

Computer = kompyuta / Tarakilishi

Password = nywila / neno la siri

Citizen Media = uandishi wa habari wa kiraia

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Swahili for Summiteers

Numbers Days of the Week

One = Moja

Two = Mbili

Three = Tatu

Four = Nne

Five = Tano

Six = Sita

Seven = Saba

Eight = Nane

Nine = Tisa

Ten = Kumi

Twenty = Ishirini

Thirty = Thelathini

Forty = Arobaini

Fifty = Hamsini

Sixty = Sitini

Seventy = Sabini

Eighty = Themanini

Ninety = Tisini

One Hundred = Mia moja

One Thousand = Elfu moja

Ten Thousand = Elfu Kumi

One Hundred Thousand = laki moja

One Million = Milioni moja

Monday = Jumatatu

Tuesday = Jumanne

Wednesday = Jumatano

Thursday = Alhamisi

Friday = Ijumaa

Saturday = Jumamosi

Sunday = Jumapili

Months

January = Januari

February = Februari

March = Machi

April = Aprili

May = Mei

June = Juni

July = Julai

August = Agosti

September = Septemba

October = Oktoba

November = Novemba

December = Desemba

Seasons

Winter (Cold) = Majira ya baridi

Summer (warm/hot) = majira ya joto

Rainy season = majira ya mvua

Dry season = majira ya ukame

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Swahili for Summiteers

Slang & Bad Words Being Kind

Slang

Hi = Sasa, Niaje, Mambo

Hi (responding to above) = Fit, Fiti, Poa, Fit sanaForeigner = Mlami

Money = Ganji, Niado, DohBribe = Kitukidogo

Bad Words

Get lost = Ishia, wachana na mimiYou are bothering me = unanisumbua

Stop bothering me = usinisumbue

Good morning = Habari za asubuhi

Good afternoon = Habari za mchana

Good night =  Usiku mwema

How nice of you = umekuwa mkarimu sana/mmekuwa

wakarimu sana

What a beautiful day = Siku imekuwa njema/nzuri sana

Please = Tafadhali

Thank you = Asante

What time is it?  = Ni saa ngapi?

I love you = ninakupenda

I miss you = nina hamu na wewe

Would you go on a date with me? = Tunaweza kutoka

pamoja?

How are you? = Hujambo?

Good, well = safi, nzuri

My name is = Jina langu ni

What is your name? = Jina lako ni nani?

I want = ninataka

Would you like to dance = Ungependa kudensi

You look very attractive = wavutia sana, wewe ni

mrembo sana

Would you like a drink = ungependa kinywaji

What do you take/drink = Wewe hutumia/hunywa nini

Beer or water or wine = pombe au maji au mvinyo

I need = ninahitaji

I would like = Naomba

I am looking for = Ninatafuta

Bye bye = kwa heri

Hi, hello = Mambo! , Salama?

I’m ok/cool = Niko poa

How much is it? = Ni pesa Ngapi

My change/balance is = Change yangu ni

Locations

My room = Chumba changu

Bathroom = Bafu

Loo choo/msalaniMarket = sokoni

Hotel = hoteliCafe = Mkahawa

Club = Klabu

Disco = DiscoPlease take me to (location) = Naomba unipeleke

Where are we?/where is this place? = Tuko wapi?Are we lost? = Tumepotea?

No problem = hakuna matata / hakuna tabu/ hakuna

shida

Kiswahili or Swahili?

According to The Kamusi Project,"Swahili" is the English term for the Swahili language, while "Kiswahili" is the Swahili language term for the Swahili language.

ki = language u = place m = person wa = people

Kiswahili = Swahili language

Uswahili = Swahili speaking area

Mswahili = Swahili speaking person

Waswahili = Swahili speaking people

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Swahili for Summiteers

Kiswahili song with translationArtist: Fadhili WilliamsSong: Malaika

Malaika, nakupenda malaika Malaika, nakupenda malaika Nami nifanyeje, kijana Mwenzio nashindwa na mali sina we, ningekuoa malaika nashindwa na mali sina we, ningekuoa malaika

kidege, hukuwaza kidege kidege, hukuwaza kidege Nami nifanyeje, kijana Mwenzio nashindwa na mali sina we, ningekuoa malaika nashindwa na mali sina we, ningekuoa malaika

pesa za sumbua roho yangu pesa za sumbua roho yangu nami nifanyeje,kijana mwenzio , nashindwa na mali sina we, ningekuoa malaika nashindwa na mali sina we, ningekuoa malaika

Malaika, nakupenda malaika Malaika, nakupenda malaika Nami nifanyeje, kijana Mwenzio nashindwa na mali sina we, ningekuoa malaika nashindwa na mali sina we, ningekuoa malaika

Angel, I love you Angel. Angel, I love you Angel. And I, your young lover, what can I do. I can’t as I don’t have wealthI would have married you Angel. I can’t as I don’t have wealthI would have married you Angel.

Little bird, I dream of you little bird. Little bird, I dream of you little bird. And I, your young lover, what can I do. I can’t as I don’t have wealthI would have married you Angel. I can’t as I don’t have wealthI would have married you Angel.

Money is troubling my soul Money is troubling my soul And I, your young lover, what can I do, I can’t as I don’t have wealthI would have married you Angel. I can’t as I don’t have wealthI would have married you Angel.

Angel, I love you Angel. Angel, I love you Angel. And I, your young lover, what can I do. I can’t as I don’t have wealthI would have married you Angel. I can’t as I don’t have wealthI would have married you Angel.