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Movies in Swahili

Talking about Movies in Swahili

In this post we’re going to learn vocabulary and expressions that you can use to talk about movies in Swahili. Everyone loves a good film. Well, maybe not everyone. If you’re more of a book person, check out this post. But if you like movies, read on. First we’ll cover some general vocabulary and basic expressions. Then we’ll talk about kinds of movies so you can say which genres you like, and which you don’t. After that we’ll cover some expressions that you can use to talk about what you’ve heard about movies. Next, we’ll go to the cinema and cover related vocabulary and expressions. Then we’ll turn to streaming movies at home. Finally, we’ll wrap up with some expressions that you can use to say whether you liked or didn’t like a movie.

Basic Vocabulary and Expressions for Movies in Swahili

First, let’s start with some basic vocabulary and expressions related to the movies in Swahili.

  • filamu
    movie, film
  • Wacha tutazame filamu!
    Let’s watch a movie!
  • Wacha tutazame filamu usiku wa leo.
    Let’s watch a film tonight.
  • Ni filamu nzuri.
    It’s a great film. 
  • mwigizaji
    actor, actress
  • Ni mwigizaji mzuri sana.
    He’s/She’s a really good actor. 
  • Ni mwigizaji ninayempenda zaidi.
    He’s/ She’s my favorite actor/actress.
  • mkurugenzi
    director
  • Yeye ndiye mwelekezi ninayempenda.
    He’s/She’s my favorite director.
  • Ni nani nyota katika filamu hiyo?
    Who is the star in that movie?
  • Nani anaigiza katika filamu hiyo?
    Who acts in that movie?

Movie Genres

Next let’s talk about different kinds of movies. Most people enjoy certain kinds of films more than others. Let’s look at how to talk about movie genres, which ones you like, and which ones you don’t.

Which of these movie genres do you like? filamu ya vitendo action, filamu ya makala adventure, filamu ya vichekesho comedy, filamu ya kisayansi science-fiction, filamu ya fantasia fantasy, filamu ya kutisha horror, filamu ya mapenzi romance, filamu ya vichekesho ya kimapenzi romantic comedy, filamu ya siri mystery, filamu ya shauku suspense, filamu ya kusisimua thriller, filamu ya maandishi documentary, filamu ya watoto children’s, filamu ya maigizo drama, filamu ya uhaishaji animation, filamu ya maigizo ya uhalifu crime drama, filamu ya magharibi western, filamu ya muziki musical, filamu ya karate martial arts, filamu ya kihistoria historical, filamu ya maafa disaster, filamu ya wasifu biography, filamu ya shujaa superhero, filamu ya kijasusi spy, filamu ya tamthilia ya kisheria legal drama.

  • Unapenda filamu za aina gani?
    What kind of movies do you like?
  • Ninapenda filamu za kisayansi.
    I love science fiction films.
  • Siwezi kutazama filamu za kimuziki.
    I can’t stand musicals.
  • Sijawahi kutazama sinema za kutisha.
    I have never watched horror movies. 
  • Drama za uhalifu ndizo filamu ninazopenda zaidi.
    Crime dramas are my favorite kind of movies.
  • Najisikia kutazama vichekesho usiku wa leo.
    I feel like watching a comedy tonight.
  • Siko kwenye hali ya filamu yenye umakini.
    I’m not in the mood for a serious movie.
  • Sitaki kutazama filamu ya kutisha.
    I don’t want to watch a scary movie.
  • Nataka kutazama filamu ya kuinua.
    I want to watch something uplifting.

Movie Reviews and Trailers

Next, let’s talk about reviews and the anticipation of waiting for movie to come out. You may have a lot to say during the months (or years!) before a big film is released.

  • Siwezi kusubiri kuona filamu hiyo.
    I can’t wait to see that film.
  • Filamu inatoka lini?
    When is the film coming out?
  • Tarehe ya kutolewa ni nini?
    What’s the release date?
  • Inapata hakiki nzuri sana.
    It’s getting really good reviews.
  • Inapata hakiki mbaya sana.
    It’s getting really bad reviews.
  • Nilipenda filamu yake ya mwisho.
    I loved his/her last movie.
  • Ni muendelezo, na nilipenda filamu ya kwanza.
    It’s a sequel, and I loved the first movie.
  • Ni mwendelezo, na nilichukia sinema ya kwanza.
    It’s a sequel, and I hated the first movie.
  • Je, umeona trela ya filamu mpya ?
    Have you seen the trailer for the new movie yet?
  • Trela ​​inaonekana nzuri sana.
    The trailer looks really good.
  • Trela ​​inaonekana ya kutisha.
    The trailer looks terrible.

At the Movies

Now we’ll cover vocabulary and expressions for when you finally get to the cinema to see the movie kwenye sinema  (at the movies/cinema).

  • Nilinunua tikiti mtandaoni.
    I bought tickets online.
  • Tunapaswa kununua tikiti kwenye sinema.
    We  are supposed to buy tickets at the cinema.
  • Lo, tikiti za filamu ni ghali!
    Wow, movie tickets are expensive!
  • Tuna viti vizuri.
    We have great seats.
  • Tuna viti vya kutisha.
    We have awful seats.
  • Ninaweza kuona kikamilifu!
    I can see perfectly!
  • Sioni kitu! Mtu huyu anazuia mtazamo wangu.
    I can’t see a thing! This guy is blocking my view.
  • Ninahisi kupata bisi.
    I feel like getting some popcorn.
  • Hao watu wanaongea kwa sauti kubwa sana!
    Those people are talking too loud!
  • Sinema imejaa sana.
    The cinema is too crowded.
  • Nyamaza! Filamu inaanza.
    Be quiet! The movie’s starting.
  • Lazima niende chooni ila sitaki kukosa chochote!
    I have to go to the bathroom but I don’t want to miss anything!

Watching Movies at Home

Now let’s turn to streaming movies at home. For many people, watching movies at home is easier and more enjoyable.

  • Hebu Tuitazame Filamu hiyo Nyumbani. 
    Let’s watch the movie at home.
  • Wacha tutiririshe sinema usiku wa leo.
    Let’s stream a movie tonight.
  • Kuna filamu nyingi sana za kuchagua.
    There are too many movies to choose from.
  • Sijisikii kutazama filamu hiyo. Vipi kuhusu hii?
    I don’t feel like watching that movie. How about this one?
  • Kidhibiti cha mbali kiko wapi?
    Where’s the remote [control]?
  • Sitisha! Lazima niende Msalani.
    Pause it! I have to go to the bathroom.
  • Rudisha nyuma! Alisema nini?
    Rewind! What did he say/she say?

When You Like a Movie

Next we’ll talk about movies that you like. Hopefully you really liked what you saw. If so, you may want to say this.

  • Nilipenda sinema hiyo.
    I loved that movie.
  • Filamu ilikuwa nzuri/ya kustaajabisha/ya kupendeza.
    The movie was great/fantastic/wonderful.
  • Uigizaji ulikuwa mzuri sana.
    The acting was really good.
  • Msuko ulikuwa wa asili.
    The plot was original.
  • Ilikuwa ya haraka sana na ya kusisimua.
    It was very fast-paced and exciting.
  • Nilimpenda mhusika mkuu.
    I loved the main character.
  • Filamu hiyo ilikuwa nzuri.
    The filming was beautiful.
  • Kulikuwa na njama ya kushangaza.
    There was a surprising plot twist.
  • Ningeiona hiyo sinema tena.
    I would see that movie again.
  • Ninapendekeza sana, unapaswa kuiona!
    I highly recommend it, you should see it!

When You Didn’t Like the Movie

Finally, we’ll talk about movies that you didn’t like so much. Because of course, lots of movies are complete duds.

  • Niliichukia sinema hiyo.
    I hated that movie.
  • Filamu ilikuwa mbaya/ya kutisha.
    The movie was terrible/awful.
  • Uigizaji ulikuwa mbaya sana.
    The acting was really bad.
  • Msuko huo haukuwa wa asili.
    The plot was unoriginal.
  • Ilikuwa polepole sana na ya kuchosha.
    It was very slow and boring.
  • Sikupenda mhusika mkuu.
    I didn’t like the main character.
  • Upigaji picha ulikuwa mbaya.
    The filming was bad.
  • Msuko ulikuwa wazi kabisa.
    The plot was completely predictable.
  • Ilikuwa ni kupoteza muda na pesa!
    That was a waste of time and money!
  • Usione filamu hiyo, utaichukia.
    Don’t see that movie, you would hate it.

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We hope you’ve enjoyed learning how to talk about movies in Swahili. If you’d like to learn more:

Image by photochur from Pixabay

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