Unafanya  nini?  What do you do? Talking about Jobs and Professions in Swahili

In this post you’ll learn how to talk about jobs and professions in Swahili. First you’ll learn how to ask someone what their job is. Next you’ll learn how to say what you do for a living with Swahili vocabulary for many common jobs. Finally you’ll learn how to talk about where you work, or whether you’re retired or looking for a job.

Asking about Jobs and Professions in Swahili

If you want to ask what kind of work someone does, you can ask one of the following questions. Two important verbs to know are kufanya (to do) and kufanya kazi (to work).

• Taaluma yako ni ipi?
  What’s your profession?
• Unafanya kazi gani?
  What do you do for a living?
• Una kazi?
  Do you have a job?
• Unafanya kazi wapi?
  Where do you work?

Common Jobs and Professions in Swahili

To answer, use the verb ni (am, is, are) and the profession.

• Mimi ni mwalimu.
  I’m a teacher.
• Mimi ni mwanafunzi.
  I’m a student.
• Mimi ni muuguzi.
  I’m a nurse.
• Mimi ni daktari.
  I’m a doctor.
• Mimi ni daktari wa meno.
  I’m a dentist.
• Mimi ni afisa wa polisi.
  I’m a police officer.
• Mimi ni mzima moto.
  I’m a fireman.
• Mimi ni muuzaji.
  I’m a salesperson. (salesman/saleswoman)
• Mimi ni mhudumu. 
  I’m a server. (waiter/waitress)
• Mimi ni mhudumu wa baa.
  I’m a bartender.
• Mimi ni mpishi.
  I’m a cook.
• Mimi ni mwigizaji.
  I’m an actor/actress.
• Mimi ni mwandishi.
  I’m a writer.
• Mimi ni mwanahabari.
  I’m a journalist.
• Mimi ni msanii.
  I’m an artist.
• Mimi ni mwimbaji.
  I’m a singer.
• Mimi ni mchezaji.
  I’m a dancer.

More Jobs and Professions in Swahili

• Mimi ni mjenzi.
  I’m a construction worker.
• Mimi ni fundi wa bomba.
  I’m a plumber.
• Mimi ni fundi wa umeme.
  I’m an electrician.
• Mimi ni mhandisi.
  I’m an engineer.
• Mimi ni seremala.
  I’m a carpenter.
• Mimi ni mwanasheria.
  I’m a lawyer.
• Mimi ni mbunifu.
  I’m an architect.
• Mimi ni mtengenaji wa wavuti.
  I’m a web designer.
• Mimi ni katibu.
  I’m a secretary.
• Mimi ni daktari wa akili.
  I’m a psychiatrist.
• Mimi ni mwanasaikolojia.
  I’m a psychologist.
• Mimi ni mfanyakazi wa kijamii.
  I’m a social worker.
• Mimi ni mwalimu wa yoga.
  I’m a yoga instructor.
• Mimi ni mtunza fedha.
  I’m a cashier.
• Mimi ni mfanyakazi wa posta.
  I’m a postal worker.
• Mimi ni msimamizi wa afisi.
  I’m an office supervisor.
• Mimi ni mtumishi wa umma.
  I’m a civil servant.

Talking about Companies and Working in Swahili

Here are a few other expressions you can use to describe where, or whether, you work.

• Nafanya kazi kwenye afisi.
  I work in an office.
• Ninafanya kazi kwenye kampuni kubwa/ndogo.
  I work for a big/small company.
• Nina kazi ya wakati wote/muda .
  I have a full time/part-time job.
• Ninafanya kazi nyumbani.
  I work at home.
• Nina biashara yangu.
  I have my own business.
• Nina kazi.
  I have a job/work.
• Sina kazi.
  I don’t have a job/work.
• Natafuta kazi.
  I’m looking for a job/work.
• Mimi ni mstaafu.
  I’m retired.
• Sina kazi/ajira.
  I’m unemployed.

Get on the road to speaking Swahili with the Language Garage!

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning how to talk about jobs, professions, and working in Swahili. Now you know how to talk about work, and you’ve learned Swahili vocabulary for many common jobs and professions. If you’d like to learn more, check out our other posts on Swahili language, culture, and more. And if you’re looking for convenient and affordable live Swahili lessons with a real teacher, check out The Language Garage Swahili. Our lessons are given online in a virtual classroom, so it doesn’t matter where you live or work. We can come to you. And we have flexible options, with a free trial so that you can decide if there’s a fit. Check us out!

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