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In this post we’ll cover some Swahili vocabulary and constructions that you can use to express your opinion, ask about other people’s opinions, agree, or disagree with someone.

Una mtazamo gani kuhusu filamu hii? What do you think of this film?

Let’s start with some questions that you can ask to find out other people’s opinions.

• Je, unapenda filamu hii/kitabu hiki?
  Do you like this film/ this book?
• Una mtazamo gani kuhusu wimbo/mchoro huu?
  What do you think of this song/ this painting?
• Una maoni yapi kuhusu mada hii?
  What’s your opinion on this topic?
• Je, unakubaliana nami?
  Do you agree with me?
• Unafikiri vipi kuhusu chapisho hili?
  What did you think of the article?
• Sherehe/darasa lilikuwa vipi?
  How did you like the party/ the class?

• Je, unapendelea mkahawa huu/kitabu hiki?
  Do you recommend this restaurant/ this book?
• Mbona unahisi hivyo?
  Why do you feel that way?
• Unaweza kuelezea maoni yako?
  Can you explain your opinion?
• Unapenda nini kuihusu? Mbona unaipenda?
  What do you like about it? Why do you like it?
• Nini hupendi kukihusu? Mbona hukipendi?
  What don’t you like about it? Why don’t you like it?

Niliipenda filamu sana. I liked the film very much.

Now let’s look at some expressions that you can use to express that you like something. Some vocabulary that might come in handy is: nzuri sana – really good, njema – great, inasisimua – interesting, inavutia – fascinating, inaburudisha sana – very enjoyable, asilia/halisi/asili – original, mantiki – logical.

• Filamu ilikuwa nzuri sana/njema.
  The film was really good/ great.
• Mkahawa ulipendeza.
  The restaurant was wonderful/ fantastic.
• Nilikuwa na wakati mzuri kwenye sherehe.
  I had a great time at the party.
• Nilidhani kitabu kinavutia.
  I thought the book was fascinating.
• Nilipata makala kusimumua sana.
  I found the article really interesting.
• Nadhani wimbo huu ni mzuri sana.
  I think that this song is really good.

Sikuipenda filamu kamwe. I really didn’t like the film at all.

Now let’s look at some expressions that you can use to express that you don’t like something. Some vocabulary that might come in handy is: mbaya sana – really bad, terrible, inachosha – boring, isiyopendeza – awful, isiyo halisi – unoriginal, isiyo na mantiki – illogical.

• Filamu ilikuwa mbaya sana/haikupendeza.
  The film was really bad/ awful.
• Mkahawa ulikuwa mbaya sana.
  The restaurant was terrible.
• Sherehe ilichosha.
  The party was boring.
• Nilidhani kitabu si halisi.
  I thought the book was unoriginal.
• Nilipata makala kutokuwa na mantiki.
  I found the article really illogical.
• Nadhani wimbo huo ni mbaya sana.
  I think that this song is terrible.
• Siwezi kumstahimili/ kustahimili wimbo huu/ mahali hapa.
  I can’t stand him/ her/ this song/ this place.

Nakubaliana nawe. I agree with you.

Here are some expressions that you can use to show that you agree or disagree with someone.

• Tunakubaliana. Nakubaliana nawe/hicho.
  We agree. I agree with you/ that.
• Hatukubaliani. Sikubaliani nawe/nacho.
  We disagree. I don’t agree with you/ that.
• Uko sahii. Uko sahii kabisa.
  You’re right. You’re absolutely right.
• Umekosea. Umekosea kabisa.
  You’re wrong. You’re totally wrong.
• Nahisi sawia kuhusu kitabu hiki/filamu hii.
  I feel the same way about this book/ film.
• Nahisi tofauti kuhusu wimbo huu/mwandishi.
  I feel differently about this song/ writer.
• Maoni yangu kuihusu ni sawia.
  I have the same opinion about it.
• Nina maoni tofauti.
  I have a different opinion about it.

Hiyo inaleta maana zaidi. That makes a lot of sense.

Here are some expressions and vocabulary that you can use if you think someone is making a good point.

• Hiyo ni hoja nzuri sana.
  That’s a really good point.
• Hiyo inaleta maana zaidi.
  That makes a lot of sense.
• Hiyo ni mantiki tupu.
  That’s completely logical.
• Hiyo inaelezea hoja yako/maoni.
  That proves your point/ opinion.
• Alipeana mifano mizuri zaidi.
  She gave really good examples.
• Alifanya uchunguzi zaidi kuunga mkono dai lake.
  He did a lot of research to support his claim.
• Makala/Mahojiano yalibadilisha fikra zangu.
  The article/ The interview changed my mind.
• Hiyo ni hoja ya kuridhisha/nzito.
  That’s very a convincing/ strong argument.

Hio haileti maana yoyote! That makes no sense!

• Huo ni mfano mbaya sana.
  That’s a really bad example.
• Hio haileti maana yoyote.
  That makes no sense.
• Hiyo haina mantiki kamwe.
  That’s totally illogical.
• Haudhihirishi hoja yako.
  You’re not proving your point.
• Hauna mifano ya unachosema.
  You have no examples of what you’re saying.
• Hapana dhibitisho liungalo mkono dai lako.
  There’s no evidence that supports your claim.
• Hiyo ni dhihaka/upuuzi/ujinga/upumbavu.
  That’s ridiculous/ absurd/ stupid/ idiotic.

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