If it often said – by no-one – that if Africa is a fever dream, Swahili is the soundtrack.
With over 50 million speakers worldwide, either as a first or second language, it is the continent’s most widely spoken tongue. Head for Tanzania, the DRC, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda and this is the official vernacular you’ll use; deploy it in Mozambique or Burundi and you’ll certainly make yourself understood. Not everywhere, but enough to get by.
For some, Swahili is the voice of Africa. Think of the continent and consider the images, however cliched they may be, springing to mind. Herds of elephants roaming the savannah, perhaps, herded by magnificent tribal warriors. Traditional healers remotely viewing a savannah punctured by the rhythmic, intoxicating clatter of drums. The warmest of welcomes coupled with the most burdensome poverty. Hippos, flamingos, mountain tops touched by the good hand of God… the reader gets the point.
These visions of this imagined realm all point, mostly, the continent’s east, where Swahili is the dominant tongue. Ipso facto, not only is Swahili the sound of Africa, but it’s also the sound of daydreaming. Epochal as he was, never did Carl Jung discover something so simple and inspiring.
Read more: Heading to Ethiopia? Make life a little bit easier by learning some Amharic.
‘Karibu sana,’ said the roadside shaman as you thanked him for directions. Sotto voce, he spoke your middle name with no prompting before dissipating into the ether. (Cynical Editor: So profound. What’re you on about?)
Point being, while all such imagery is stereotypical in the extreme, it does serve a purpose in creating a passage through which to access the continent’s true depth. Swahili is a widely spoken language and any trip to the east of Africa will invariably involve its usage. Be not afeared by its tongue-twisting appearance. It’s easy enough to pick up, as well as an excellent icebreaker. Ask around and people will be more than happy to share it; this list has been solely garnered from various corners of Tanzania thanks to the kindness of strangers.
Unleash the Swahili
Hello – Habari
How are you? – Habiri yako?
I’m ok – Uko vzuri
I’m fine – Nzuri
Please – Tafadale
Thank you (very much) – Assante (sana)
Welcome/You’re (very) welcome – Karibu (sana)
Goodbye – Faida
Good night – Usiku mwema
Good morning – Asubuhi njema
Good afternoon – Jiyone njema
Sleep well – Lala selama
Same to you – Nawewe pia
How was your day? – Umeshindaje?
How was your morning? – Umeamkaje?
Fine – Nzuri/selama
What’s your name? – Jinalako ninane?
My name is (Panthro) – Jinalako ni (Panthro)
Nice to meet you – Ninafuraki kukutana nawewe
Feel at home – Jisikie upo nyumbani
See you tomorrow – Tutaonana kesho
Today – Leo
Day after tomorrow – Kesho kutwa
Yesterday – Jana
I, me, mine – Ni, mimi, mgodi (Nb: None of us are convinced by this.)
You – Wewe
Your – Yako
He, she, it – Yeye, yeye, ni
We – Sisi
They/them – Wao
Sister – Dada
Brother – Kaka
Dad – Baba
Mother – Mama
Son – Hiyvo
Daughter – Binti
Uncle – Mjomba
Aunt – Shangazi
Niece – Mpwa
Nephew – Mpwa
Friend – Rafiki
Friendly – Marafiki
Friends of (Usambara) – Marifiki wa (Usambara)
(Thomas) is my very good friend – (Thomas) ni rafiki yangu
Slowly (as in pace/attitude) – Poa poa
I like your – Ninapenda pua
Nose – Yako
Arm – Mkono
Leg – Mgu
Head – Kichwa
Fingers – Vidole
Finger – Kidole
How much? – Shilingi ngapi?
I want to pay please – Ninahitaji kulipa tafadale
I want my bill pease – Ninahitaji bili yangu tafadale
I want – Ninahitaji
Food is ready – Chakula tayari
The food is delicious – Viakula nikitamu
The food is good – Chakula kizura
Breakfast was very good – Kifunga kingwe ni nzuri
Lunch – Chakula cha mchana
Menu – Orodha
Food – Chakula
Drink – Kunywa
Water – Maji
Hot water – Maji baridi
Cold water – Maji moto
Soap – Sabuni
Cigarettes – Sigara
Lighter – Nyepsi
Matches – Mechi
Teacher – Malimu