Ninakupenda! I love you! Talking about Relationships in Swahili

In this post we’re going to learn vocabulary and expressions that you can use to talk about relationships in Swahili. First we’ll cover basic vocabulary that you can use to talk about love and relationships. Next, we’ll move on to expressions you can use to talk about someone who’s caught your eye and who you might be interested in getting to know a bit better. After that we’ll look at some vocabulary you can use to talk about taking someone on a date. Then we’ll move on to vocabulary and expressions that you can use to talk about longer term relationships and marriage. Of course not all relationships end well, so we’ll also see some expressions that are related to not-to-happy relationships and break ups. Finally, we’ll end on a positive note and talk about some nice romantic Valentine’s vibes.

Basic Vocabulary for Love and Relationships in Swahili

First, let’s start with some basics. If you’re talking to your significant other, you might want to use a pet name like kipenzi cha moyo sweetheart, mpenzi darling, my love, or malaika baby.

• Ninakupenda.
  I love you.
• Unanipenda?
  Do you love me?
• Ninampenda.
  I love her/him.
• Huyu ni rafiki yangu wa kiume/rafiki yangu wa kike.
  This is my boyfriend/girlfriend.

• Huyu ni mume/mke wangu.
  This is my husband/wife.
• Heri ya Sikukuu ya Wapendanao!
  Happy Valentine’s Day!
• Heri ya maadhimisho ya mwaka.
  Happy Anniversary.
• Nimekukosa.
  I miss you.

Talking about Someone You’re Interested In

Next let’s see some vocabulary you can use if someone has caught your eye.

• Ninampenda sana.
  I really like him/her.
• Yeye ana sura nzuri.
  He is/She is really good-looking.
• Ni mrembo.
  She’s beautiful.
• Yeye ni mtanashati.
  He’s handsome.
• Yeye ni mcheshi.
  He is/She is funny.
• Yeye anapendeza.
  He is/She is interesting.
• Ana akili.
  He is/She is smart.

Talking about Dating and Relationships in Swahili

Now let’s look at some vocabulary related to dating. Maybe there’s a mutual attraction? One way to find out is to ask.

• Unataka kupata chajio nami?
  Do you want to have dinner with me?
• Unataka kwenda kutembea nami?
  Do you want to go out with me?
• Unataka kunywa kahawa/vinywaji nami?
  Do you want to have coffee/drinks with me?
• Wacha tule chajio pamoja.
  Let’s have dinner together.
• Nilifurahia sana kupata kukujua.
  I really enjoyed getting to know you.
• Unataka twende tukatembee tena wakati mwingine?
  Do you want to go out again some time?
• Ninataka nikuone tena.
  I want to see you again.
• Ninataka kukubusu.
  I want to kiss you.

Talking about Long-Term Relationships in Swahili

Next let’s move on to longer term relationships. If you’re in a long-term relationship, you might want to know how to say:

• Mmekuwa pamoja kwa muda upi?
  How long have you two been together?
• Tumekuwa tukichumbiana kwa mwaka mmoja.
  We’ve been together for a year.
• Nyinyi wawili mlikutana vipi?
  How did you two meet?
• Tulikutana kazini/shuleni.
  We met at work/school.
• Tulikutana kwenye sherehe/baa.
  We met at a party/bar.
• Tulikutana mtandaoni.
  We met online.
• Marafiki/wazazi wetu walitutambulisha.
  Our friends/parents introduced us.
• Tumekuwa pamoja kwa mwaka/miaka miwili/ muda mrefu.
  We’ve been together for a year/two years/a long time.
• Tunaishi pamoja.
  We live together.
• Bado hatujaoana.
  We’re not married yet.
• Tunataka kuoana ila hatuko tayari.
  We want to get married, but we’re not ready.

Talking about Marriage

Of course we can’t talk about vocabulary for relationships in Swahili without talking about marriage. If you decide that you want to get married, you might want to say:

• Utanioa?
  Will you marry me?
• Wacha tuoane.
  Let’s get married.
• Tumechumbiana.
  We’re engaged.
• Hii ni pete yangu ya uchumba.
  This is my engagement ring.
• Huyu ni mchumba wangu.
  This is my fiancé / fiancée.
• Tunapanga harusi yetu.
  We’re planning our wedding.
• Harusi yetu itakuwa ya kawaida na ndogo.
  Our wedding will be simple and small.
• Bibi harusi ni mrembo.
  The bride is beautiful.
• Bwana harusi ni mtanashati.
  The groom is handsome.
• Harusi ilipendeza.
  The wedding was beautiful.
• Huyu ni mume wangu.
  This is my husband.
• Huyu ni mke wangu.
  This is my wife.
• Mmekuwa kwenye ndoa kwa muda upi?
  How long have you been married?
• Leo ni siku yetu  ya kusherehekea maadhimisho ya mwaka baada ya kuoana.
  Today is our wedding anniversary.

Talking about Difficulties in Relationships in Swahili

Next let’s move on to less happy vocabulary. Hopefully your relationship is long and strong and full of happiness. But, sometimes things just don’t work out.

• Hatupo pamoja tena.
  We’re not together anymore.
• Hawana furaha kwenye uhusiano.
  They’re not happy together.
• Wao hugombana kila wakati.
  They argue all the time.
• Wana vita vikubwa.
  They’re having a big fight.
• Alienda nje ya ndoa.
  He cheated on her.
• Alienda nje ya ndoa.
  She cheated on him.
• Yeye ana mpenzi  wa nje.
  He is/She is having an affair.
• Ninataka kukuwacha.
  I want to break up with you.
• Nataka kutaliki.
  I want to get a divorce.
• Waliwachana.
  They broke up.
• Walitalikiana.
  They got divorced.

Heri njema ya Sikukuu ya Wapendanao. Happy Valentine’s Day

Finally, let’s end on a good note and talk about the romance of Valentine’s Day.

• Maua haya ni yako.
  These flowers are for you.
• Chokoleti hizi ni zako.
  These chocolates are for you.
• Wacha tuwe na chajio ya mapenzi.
  Let’s have a romantic dinner.
• Wewe ni wa maana sana kwangu.
  You’re very important to me.
• Nataka kuishi maisha yangu nawe.
  I want to spend my life with you.
• Mimi hukufikiria kila wakati.
  I think about you all the time.

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