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In this post we’ll cover lots of Swahili vocabulary and structures that will help you talk about your moods, emotions, and feelings.

Unahisi vipi? How do you feel?

Let’s start with some questions you can ask to find out how people feel. 

• Unahisi vipi sasa hivi?
  How are you feeling right now?
• Uko sawa?
  Are you okay?

• Kila kitu kiko sawa?
  Is everything okay?
• Uko katika hali nzuri au mbaya?
  Are you in a good mood or a bad mood?
• Una wakati mzuri?
  Are you having a good time?
• Kuna nini?
  What’s the matter?
• Unafurahia chakula/ filamu/ sherehe?
  Are you enjoying the food / the film / the party?

Nina furaha. I’m happy!

Let’s start with some really basic happy stuff.

• Nina furaha.
  I am happy.
• Nina furaha kuhusu hali ya hewa/habari njema.
  I am happy about the weather/the good news.
• Huu wimbo/Habari njema zinanifanya nifurahi.
  This song/Good news makes me happy.
• Niko katika hali nzuri leo.
  I’m in a really good mood today.
• Niko katika hali nzuri kwa sababu ya mwanga wa jua.
  I’m in a good mood because of the sunshine.
• Hali ya hewa nzuri hunieka katika hali nzuri.
  Nice weather always puts me in a good mood.
• Mbona unatabasamu?
  Why are you smiling?
• Ninatabasamu kwa sababu nina furaha.
  I’m smiling because I’m happy.
• Mbona unacheka?
  Why are you laughing?
• Ninacheka kwa sababu hii video inachekesha.
  I’m laughing because this video is funny.

Nina huzuni. I’m sad!

Now let’s cover some basic unhappy things.

• Nina huzuni.
  I am sad.
• Ninahisi huzuni kidogo leo.
  I’m feeling a bit down today.
• Nina huzuni kuhusu hali ya hewa/habari mbaya.
  I am sad about the weather/the bad news.
• Hizi nyimbo/Mvua kila mara hunihuzunisha.
  These songs/The rain always makes me sad.
• Niko kwenye hali mbaya leo.
  I’m in a bad mood today.
• Niko kwenye hali mbaya kwa sababu nimechoka.
  I’m in a bad mood because I’m tired.
• Trafiki kila mara huniweka katika hali mbaya.
  Traffic always puts me in a bad mood. 
• Mbona unalia?
  Why are you crying?
• Ninalia kwa sababu nina huzuni.
  I’m crying because I’m sad.
• Nimekasirika kidogo sasa.
  I’m a little upset now.
• Nina hasira na mpenzi wangu wa kike/mpenzi wangu wa kiume.
  I’m upset with my girlfriend/my boyfriend.
• Nimekatishwa tamaa na mkahawa/ filamu/ marafiki zangu.
  I’m disappointed by the restaurant / the film / my friends. 
• Nina wivu na mpenzi wako  mpya wa kiume /mpenzi wa kike.
  I’m jealous of your new boyfriend/girlfriend. 

Nina wakati mzuri! I’m having a great time!

If you’re doing something that you really enjoy, you could say:

• Tuna wakati mzuri hapa.
  We’re having a great time here.
• Nilikuwa na wakati mzuri kwenye sherehe.
  I had a great time at the party.
• Ilikuwa ajabu kukuona!
  It was wonderful to see you!
• Ninafurahia sana kushinda na marafiki zangu.
  I really enjoy spending time with my friends.
• Tulifurahia sana leo.
  We enjoyed ourselves very much today.
• Ninafurahia sana.
  I’m having a lot of fun.
• Huwa ninafurahia na marafiki zangu.
  I always have fun with my friends.
• Sote tulikuwa na wakati wa kupendaza ajab kwenye mchezo.
  We all had a blast at the game!

Nimesisimuka juu ya safari yangu. I’m excited about my trip.

If you’re excited about something, you may want to say:

• Nimesisimuka juu ya safari yangu/kazi yangu mpya.
  I’m excited about my trip/my new job.
• Natarajia wikendi/kuona hii filamu.
  I’m looking forward to the weekend/seeing this film. 
• Una msisimuko kuhusu nini?
  What are you excited about?
• Unatarajia kufanya nini?
  What are you looking forward to doing?
• Siwezi kusubiri kuona marafiki zangu.
  I can’t wait to see my friends.
• Kuendesha baiskeli ya ‘‘mountain’’ inasisimua.
  Riding a mountain bike is exciting.
• Kuna mambo mengi ya kusisimua hapa.
  There are lots of exciting things to do around here.
• Nina hamu sana ya kukisoma kitabu hicho.
  I’m very eager to read that book. 
• Ninaifurahia sana kazi yangu mpya.
  I’m very enthusiastic about my new job.

Nina uchofu. I’m bored

Of course, life isn’t only fun and excitement. You will probably experience plenty of times when you want to say:

• Nina uchovu sana leo.
  I’m really bored today.
• Filamu hii inachosha.
  This film is boring!
• Nahisi kulala na kutazama runinga siku yote.
  I just feel like lying around and watching TV all day.
• Sihisi kufanya chochote.
  I don’t feel like doing anything.
• Nimechoka na hali mbaya ya hewa.
  I’m tired of the bad weather.
• Nimechoka na kazi yangu. Haijachangamka.
  I’m tired of my job. It’s very dull.
• Huu muziki unaudhi.
  This music annoys me. 
• Unaniudhi sasa hivi!
  You’re annoying me right now!
• Siwezi kustahimili huu wimbo.
  I can’t stand this song.
• Sauti/Mwangaza/Harufu inaniudhi.
  The sound/light/smell is getting on my nerves.

Nina mengi akilini mwangu. I have a lot on my mind.

Sometimes it’s hard for us to focus because we’re thinking of something else.

• Unaonekana umevutwa mawazo.
  You seem distracted.
• Kuna kitu akilini mwako?
  Is there something on your mind?
• Nimeshikika sana.
  I’m very busy.
• Nina wasiwasi juu ya bwana yangu/bibi yangu/rafiki yangu.
  I’m worried about my husband/my wife/my friend.
• Nahisi huzuni kidogo.
  I feel a little depressed. 
• Nina wasiwasi kuhusu kazi yangu.
  I’m anxious about my job.
• Nina wasiwasi kwa sababu ni lazima niende hosipitalini.
  I’m nervous because I have to go to the hospital. 
• Nina wasiwasi  kuhusu mama yangu/baba yangu/mtoto wangu wa kiume/binti yangu.
  I’m worried about my mother/my father/my son/my daughter. 
• Siwezi kuzingatia kazi yangu.
  I can’t focus on my work.
• Nimechanganyikiwa. Nahitaji kuwa makini.
  I’m confused. I need to concentrate.
• Sina starehe.
  I’m uncomfortable.
• Hapa mahali/maongezi yananifanya nisiwe na raha.
  This place/conversation makes me uncomfortable. 

Ninaogopa. I’m afraid!

There are lots of ways to talk about things that you’re frightened of.

• Ninaogopa giza/buibui.
  I’m afraid of the dark / spiders.
• Filamu hii inatisha.
  This film is terrifying!
• Naenda kuwa na jinamizi.
  I’m going to have nightmares.
• Unaogopa nini?
  What are you afraid of?
• Naogopa urefu.
  I’m afraid of heights.
• Nilishtuka nilipoona nyoka.
  I was startled when I saw the snake.
• Nilipiga kelele nilipoona kipanya.
  I screamed when I saw a mouse.
• Ninaingiwa wasiwasi! Nahitaji kutulia.
  I’m freaking out! I need to calm down. 

Nina hasira sana. I’m very angry.

Some emotions are much stronger than other.

• Nina hasira sana sasa.
  I’m very angry right now.
• Mbona una hasira?
  Why are you angry?
• Umenikasirikia?
  Are you angry at me?
• Nina hasira na rafiki yangu/bwana yangu/bibi yangu/bosi wangu.
  I’m furious with my friend/my husband/my wife/my boss.
• Hiyo picha/kitabu/filamu inanichukiza.
  That photo/book/film disgusts me.
• Hiyo picha/kitabu/filamu inachukiza.
  That photo/book/film is disgusting. 
• Hadithi ilinitisha.
  The story horrified me.
• Nilitishika na habari.
  I was horrified by the news.
• Nimeudhika sana.
  I’m very offended.
• Hisia zangu zinaumia.
  My feelings are hurt. 

Ninajuta. I regret it. 

Sometimes we do or say things that make us feel unpleasant emotions. 

• Nina aibu sana!
  I’m so embarrassed!
• Najiona mjinga!
  I feel like a fool.
• Ninahisi kama mcheshi.
  I feel like a clown.
• Ninahisi hatia kwa nilichofanya.
  I feel guilty for what I did.
• Najuta kusema hivo.
  I regret saying that.
• Nahisi vibaya sana kwa kukuudhi.
  I feel terrible for offending you.
• Nataka kuomba msamaha kwa nilichokifanya/ sema.
  I want to apologize for what I did / said. 
• Samahani nilikudanganya.
  I’m sorry I lied to you.
• Samahani niliumiza hisia zako.
  I’m sorry I hurt your feelings.
• Unaweza nisamehe?
  Can you forgive me?

Nimepumzika. I’m relaxed.

Hopefully there are plenty of times when you feel just right. 

• Nahisi utulivu sana.
  I feel very calm.
• Nimepumzika sana.
  I’m very relaxed. 
• Nimeridhika sana na kazi yangu.
  I’m very satisfied with my job.
• Najivunia watoto wangu/kaka yangu/dada yangu. 
  I feel proud of my children / my brother / my sister.
• Nina furaha sana kwa ajili yako.
  I’m very happy because of you!
• Sina wasiwasi na chochote.
  I’m not worried about anything at all.
• Nimesahau matatizo yangu yote.
  I have forgotten all of my troubles. 
• Nimeridhika kukaa tu hapa na kuangalia bahari/anga/ miti.
  I’m content just sitting here and looking at the ocean / the sky / the trees. 
• Nina starehe sasa hivi.
  I’m comfortable right now.
• Ninahisi raha kabisa.
  I feel perfectly at ease. 

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