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In this post we’ll take a look at Swahili vocabulary, expressions, and grammar related to talking about what you like, what you find interesting, and what you’re really into doing.

Napenda chokoleti. I like chocolate.

If you’re talking about things or people that you like, use the verb kupenda. 

• Napenda chokoleti/vanila.
  I like chocolate/vanilla.
• Napenda vitabu/filamu.
  I like books/movies.

• Je, unapenda chakula cha Thai?
  Do you like Thai food?
• Anapenda uyoga/kitunguu/kitunguu saumu.
  He likes mushrooms/onion/garlic.
• Anapenda wimbo huu.
  She likes this song. 
• Watoto wanapenda mwalimu wao mgeni.
  The kids like their new teacher.
• Nampenda mwimbaji huyu. Je, unampenda mwimbaji huyu?
  I like this singer. Do you like this singer? 
• Nampenda kaka/dada/rafiki yako.
  I like your brother/sister/friend.

Napenda mbwa zaidi ya paka. I like dogs more than cats. 

If you want to say that you like one thing more than another thing, use the verb kupendelea to prefer, kupenda X zaidi ya Y to like X more than Y, or kupenda zaidi to like more.

• Napendelea chokoleti.
  I prefer chocolate.
• Ninapenda chokoleti zaidi ya vanila.
  I like chocolate more than vanilla.
• Napenda mbwa zaidi ya paka.
  I like dogs more than cats.
• Napendelea mbwa.
  I prefer dogs. 
• Tunapenda pizza zaidi kuliko pasta.
  We like pizza more than pasta.
• Tunapendelea chakula cha Thai.
  We prefer Thai food. 

Napenda kupika. I like to cook.

If you’re talking about things that you like to do, use the construction kupenda + ku– infinitive.

• Napenda kusoma/kusafiri/kutazama runinga.
  I like to read/travel/watch TV.
• Napenda kujifunza lugha za kigeni.
  I like to learn foreign languages.
• Ninapenda kuendesha baiskeli yangu/kuogelea/kwenda kupanda mlima.
  I like to ride my bike/swim/go hiking.
• Anapenda kufanya mazoezi asubuhi.
  She likes to work out in the morning.
• Anapenda kulala sana Jumapili.
  He/She likes to sleep a lot on Sundays. 
• Tunapenda kutazama filamu pamoja.
  We like to watch movies together.
• Wanapenda kubishana kuhusu siasa.
  They like to argue about politics. 
• Unapenda kufanya nini?
  What do you like to do?
• Unapenda kwenda likizo wapi?
  Where do you like to go on vacation?
• Unapenda kutazama filamu za aina gani?
  What kind of movies do you like to watch?
• Je, unapenda kula chakula cha aina gani?
  What kind of food do you like to eat?

Ninapenda hadithi za kisayansi. I love science fiction.

You can use the verb kupenda sana to express that you really like something very much.

• Ninapenda/napenda sana mbwa/paka/wanyama.
  I love/really like dogs/cats/animals.
• Ninapenda/napenda sana hali ya hewa ya joto/theluji.
  I love/really like warm weather/snow
• Ninapenda/napenda sana chakula cha Ethiopia.
  I love/really like Ethiopian food.
• Anapenda/anapenda sana muziki wa kitambo.
  He loves/really like classical music.
• Anapenda/anapenda sana michezo ya video.
  She loves/really like video games.

Nina uwazimu na mkahawa huu mpya. I’m mad about this new restaurant.

Here are some idiomatic expressions that you can use to talk about what you really like, are crazy about, etc.

• Nina uwazimu na duka/mkahawa huu.
  I’m mad about this store/restaurant.
• Ana kichaa na gari lake jipya.
  She’s nuts about her new car.
• Anapenda sana kupanda milima/ kuteleza kwenye theluji / kukimbia.
  He’s really into hiking/skiing/running.
• Napenda kupiga kambi.
  I’m really into camping. I really love camping.
• Anapenda pikipiki sana.
  He really likes motorcycles.

Nampenda mama yangu. I love my mother.

You can use the verb kupenda to express a non-romantic love.

• Nampenda mama/baba yangu.
  I love my mother/father.
• Wanawapenda wajukuu wao.
  They love their grandchildren.
• Anampenda dada yake.
  He loves his sister
• Anapenda marafiki zake.
  She loves her friends.

Nakupenda. I love you.

Kupenda also expresses a romantic love.

• Nakupenda.
  I love you.
• Napenda bibi yangu.
  I love my wife.
• Napenda bwana yangu.
  I love my husband.
• Wanapendana sana.
  They love each other very much.

Lugha zinavutia. Languages are interesting.

There are all sorts of other ways to express that you like something.

• Kitabu hiki ni kizuri / kizuri sana.
  This book is really good/cool.
• Lugha zinavutia.
  Languages are interesting.
• Mimi hupata vitabu/lugha/filamu huvutia.
  I find books/languages/films interesting.
• Nadhani vitabu vinavutia zaidi kuliko filamu.
  I think that books are more interesting than films.
• Kuteleza kwenye theluji kunavutia. Mimi hupata kuteleza kwenye theluji kuvutia.
  Skiing is exciting. I find skiing exciting.
• Kusafiri ni ya kuvutia. Nadhani kusafiri kunavutia.
  Traveling is fascinating. I think traveling is fascinating.
• Kuendesha baiskeli kunafurahisha. Napenda sana kuendesha baiskeli.
  Biking is fun. I really enjoy biking.
• Filamu zinaburudisha/kuvutia.
  Films are entertaining/interesting.
• Mwandishi huyu ni wa kushangaza. Vitabu vyake ni vya kushangaza.
  This writer is amazing. Her books are incredible.
• Mkahawa huu ni mzuri. Chakula hapa ni cha kupendeza / kitamu.
  This restaurant is great. The food here is exquisite/delicious.

Do you want to learn Swahili?

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!