Unafanya Nini? What Are You Doing? Swahili Action Verbs

In this post we’ll learn several common Swahili action verbs. First, we’ll start with verbs of movement like come and go. After that we’ll turn to verbs that you can use to talk about your daily routine. Next, we’ll move on to verbs for basic actions around the house. Then we’ll look at verbs for shopping, working, and physical activities. Finally, we’ll learn some verbs for feeling and thinking, followed by verbs of ability, necessity, and desire.

Unaenda Wapi? Where Are You Going?

Let’s start with a bunch of verbs for talking about coming and going: kwenda (kwa miguu, kwa gari) to go (on foot, by car); kutembea to walk; kuja to come; kuondoka to leave; kufika to arrive; kwenda nje to go out; kuingia to enter.

• Mimi huenda kazini kwa gari. Mimi huenda kazini kwa miguu.
  I go to work by car. I go to work on foot.
• Sisi hutembea kwenye bustani kila Jumapili.
  We walk in the park every Sunday.
• Nani anakuja kwenye sherehe wikendi hii?
  Who’s coming to the party this weekend?
• Kwa kawaida mimi huondoka kazini kwa kuchelewa.
  I usually leave work late.
• Treni hufika saa nne asubuhi.
  The train arrives at 10 a.m. (literally, the fourth hour of the morning).
• Ninaenda nje na marafiki zangu.
  I am going out with my friends.
• Sijawahi kwenda bustanini usiku.
  I have never gone to the park at night.

Unaamka Saa Ngapi? What Time Do You Wake Up?

Now let’s see some verbs that you can use to talk about your daily routine: kuamka to wake up; kuoga kwa bomba la mvua to take a shower; kuoga kwenye beseni to take a bath; kuvaa nguo to get dressed; kuvaa shati to put on a shirt; kuvua nguo to get undressed; kuvua suruali to take off pants; kupiga mswaki to brush your teeth; kunawa mikono to wash your hands; kula kifungua kinywa / chakula cha mchana / chakula cha jioni to have breakfast/lunch/dinner; kwenda kulala to go to bed; kulala to sleep.

• Ninaamka mapema siku za kazi, lakini ninaamka kwa kuchelewa wikendi.
  I wake up early during the week, but I wake up late on the weekend.
• Mimi huoga kwa bomba la mvua kila asubuhi. Sijawahi kuoga kwenye beseni.
  I always take a shower in the morning. I have never taken a bath.
• Mimi huvaa nguo haraka.
  I get dressed quickly.
• Yeye huvaa sweta wakati wa baridi.
  He/She puts on a sweater when it’s cold.
• Mimi huvua nguo kabla ya kulala.
  I get undressed before bed.
• Yeye huvua viatu akiwa ndani ya nyumba.
  He/She takes off his/her shoes in the house.
• Mimi hupiga mswaki baada ya kula.
  I brush my teeth after I eat.
• Mimi hunawa mikono kabla ya kula.
  I wash my hands before I eat.
• Je, huwa unaenda kulala saa ngapi?
  What time do you usually go to bed?
• Je, huwa unalala kwa saa ngapi?
  How many hours do you usually sleep?

Anaongea Sana. He Talks/She Talks a Lot.

Here are several general verbs that you can use in daily life: kuzungumza to speak; kuongea to talk; kusema to say; kuelewa to understand; kujifunza to learn; kusoma to study; kutoa / kumpa mtu to give / to give someone; kutengeneza to make; kuchukua to take; kuuliza to ask; kujibu to answer.

• Unazungumza lugha ngapi?
  How many languages do you speak?
• Mimi huongea na marafiki zangu kila siku.
  I talk with my friends every day.
• Anasema nini? Sielewi.
  What is he/she saying? I don’t understand.
• Watoto hujifunza mengi shuleni.
  Children learn a lot in school.
• Unasoma nini chuo kikuu?
  What do you study at university?
• Ninampa rafiki yangu zawadi siku yake ya kuzaliwa.
  I am giving my friend a present on his/her birthday.
• Watoto huwapa wazazi wao zawadi.
  The children give gifts to their parents.
• Je, unapanda treni au basi asubuhi?
  Do you take the train or the bus in the morning?
• Watoto huuliza maswali mengi.
  Children ask a lot of questions.
• Mwalimu anajibu maswali.
  The teacher is answering questions.

Swahili Action Verbs for Around the House and Every Day

Now let’s look at a few Swahili action verbs that you can use to talk about what you do around the house and during your day: kufungua to open; kufunga to close; kutumia to use; kuokota to pick up (from the ground); kuchukua to pick up/take; kuweka to put.

• Anafungua mlango.
  He/She is opening the door.
• Anafunga mlango.
  He/She is closing the door.
• Unatumia kalamu au penseli?
  Are you using a pen or a pencil?
• Ninachukua mifuko yangu.
  I am picking up my bags.
• Kwa kawaida mimi huweka funguo zangu kwenye droo.
  I usually put my keys in a drawer.

Unakula Nini? What Are You Eating?

Now let’s look at some verbs that you can use to talk about typical situations at home: kula to eat; kunywa to drink; kupika to cook; kusafisha to clean; kuosha vyombo to do the dishes; kufua nguo to do the laundry; kuvirudisha vyombo mahali pake to put away the dishes.

• Ninakula wali mwingi.
  I am eating a lot of rice.
• Je, unakunywa chai au kahawa asubuhi?
  Do you drink tea or coffee in the morning?
• Wewe hupika vizuri sana!
  You cook very well!
• Mimi husafisha nyumba yangu siku za Jumamosi.
  I clean my house on Saturdays.
• Sisi huosha vyombo kila jioni.
  We do the dishes every evening.
• Yeye hufua nguo siku za Jumapili.
  He/She does laundry on Sundays.
• Sisi huvirudisha vyombo safi mahali pake.
  We put the clean dishes away.

Swahili Action Verbs for Relaxing at Home

Let’s continue with some more basic verbs for the home: kutazama televisheni to watch TV; kusikiliza muziki to listen to music; kusoma to read; kupumzika to relax; kujilaza to lie down; kuketi / kukaa chini to sit down; kusimama to stand up.

• Je, wewe hutazama televisheni kila jioni?
  Do you watch TV every evening?
• Mimi husikiliza muziki kila siku.
  I listen to music every day.
• Mimi husoma kila usiku kitandani.
  I read every night in bed.
• Tunapumzika kila wikendi.
  We relax every weekend.
• Ninajilaza alasiri.
  I lie down in the afternoon.
• Tunaketi sebuleni.
  We sit down in the living room.
• Anasimama na kuondoka chumbani.
  He/She stands up and leaves the room.

Ninanunua Chakula. I’m Buying Food.

Here are some common verbs related to shopping: kununua to buy; kwenda kufanya manunuzi to go shopping; kutafuta to look for; kupata to find; kulipa to pay; kugharimu to cost; kujaribu nguo to try on clothes; kutumia pesa to spend money; kutoa pesa kwenye ATM to withdraw money from an ATM; kuweka akiba to save money.

• Tunanunua chakula kwenye duka kubwa.
  We buy food at the supermarket.
• Tunaenda kufanya manunuzi kila wikendi.
  We go shopping every weekend.
• Natafuta jozi mpya ya viatu.
  I’m looking for a new pair of shoes.
• Yeye daima hupata kitu cha kuvutia katika duka hili.
  He/She always finds something interesting in this store.
• Je, unalipa kwa pesa taslimu au kwa kadi ya mkopo?
  Do you pay by cash or credit card?
• Hiyo inagharimu kiasi gani?
  How much does that cost?
• Mimi hujaribu nguo kila mara kabla ya kuzinunua.
  I always try on clothes before I buy them.
• Anatumia pesa nyingi kununua vitabu.
  He/She spends a lot of money on books.
• Ninatoa pesa kwenye ATM.
  I’m taking money out at the ATM.
• Siweki akiba kamwe kwa sababu kila kitu ni ghali sana.
  I never save money because everything is so expensive.

Unafanya Kazi Wapi? Where Do You Work?

Now let’s look at some common verbs you can use at work: kufanya kazi to work; kuanza to start; kumaliza to finish/end; kuandika to write; kupiga simu to call (on the phone); kutuma barua pepe to send an email; kupokea barua pepe to receive an email; kupumzika / kuchukua mapumziko to take a break; kuwa na mkutano to have a meeting; kujadili to discuss.

• Ninafanya kazi Jumatatu, Jumanne, Jumatano, Alhamisi na Ijumaa. Sifanyi kazi Jumamosi na Jumapili.
  I work on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. I don’t work on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Mkutano huanza kila Jumatatu saa nne asubuhi.
  The meeting starts every Monday at 10 a.m.
• Mkutano unaisha saa ngapi?
  What time does the meeting end?
• Anaandika ripoti nyingi.
  He/She writes a lot of reports.
• Ninawapigia simu wateja wangu.
  I am calling my clients on the phone.
• Anatuma barua pepe nyingi.
  He/She sends a lot of emails.
• Anapokea barua pepe nyingi.
  He/She receives a lot of emails.
• Ninapumzika mchana na kunywa kahawa.
  I take a break in the afternoon and drink some coffee.
• Tuna mikutano mingi.
  We have a lot of meetings.
• Wanajadili nini kwenye mikutano?
  What are they discussing in the meetings?

Tunafurahia! We’re Having a Good Time!

Now that we’ve gotten work out of the way, let’s see some verbs that you can use for your free time: kufurahia / kujifurahisha to enjoy oneself/have a good time; kucheza to dance/to play; kuimba to sing; kutabasamu to smile; kucheka to laugh; kufanya mazoezi to work out; kuogelea to swim; kukimbia to run.

• Mimi hufurahia kuwa na marafiki zangu.
  I always have a good time with my friends.
• Tunaenda kwenye vilabu vya usiku na kucheza dansi kila wikendi.
  We go to nightclubs and dance every weekend.
• Anaimba vizuri sana!
  She sings really well!
• Yeye hutabasamu kila wakati. Yeye huwa hana huzuni kamwe.
  He/She always smiles. He/She is never sad.
• Wanacheka wanapokuwa pamoja.
  They laugh when they’re together.
• Mimi hufanya mazoezi siku nne au tano kwa wiki.
  I work out four or five days a week.
• Je, unaogelea kwenye bwawa au ziwani?
  Do you swim in a pool or in a lake?
• Watoto hukimbia kwenye uwanja wa michezo.
  The children run in the playground/field.

Swahili Action Verbs for Hobbies and Sports

Let’s continue with the theme of verbs for having fun with some Swahili action verbs for hobbies, sports, and physical activities: kucheza mchezo to play a sport; kupiga chombo cha muziki to play a musical instrument; kuruka to jump; kupanda to climb; kutambaa to crawl; kuendesha baiskeli to bike; kuendesha gari to drive a vehicle; kurusha / kutupa to throw; kukamata / kushika to catch.

• Tunacheza besiboli / mpira wa kikapu / soka.
  We are playing baseball/basketball/soccer.
• Mimi hupiga piano / tarumbeta / fidla.
  I play piano/trumpet/violin.
• Wavulana wanaruka juu ya kitanda.
  The boys are jumping on the bed.
• Wasichana wanapanda miti.
  The girls are climbing trees.
• Mtoto hutambaa kwenye sakafu.
  The baby crawls on the floor.
• Sisi huendesha baiskeli kila wikendi kwenye bustani.
  We bike every weekend in the park.
• Mimi huendesha gari kwenda kazini kila siku.
  I drive to work every day.
• Mvulana anatupa mpira.
  The boy is throwing the ball.
• Msichana anaukamata mpira.
  The girl is catching the ball.

Ninasikia harufu ya kitu fulani. I Smell Something.

Here are a few verbs related to the senses: kunusa to smell/sniff; kusikia to hear; kuona to see; kuonja to taste; kugusa to touch; kuhisi to feel; kuonekana to seem/appear; kufikiria to think; kuamini to believe; kujua to know; kumjua mtu to know a person.

• Tunanusa harufu ya mkate mpya.
  We smell fresh bread.
• Maua haya yana harufu nzuri sana!
  These flowers smell really nice!
• Mtoto hugusa kila kitu anachokiona.
  The child touches everything he/she sees.
• Unawasikia ndege?
  Do you hear the birds?
• Unamwona mwanamke pale?
  Do you see the woman over there?
• Mimi huonja chakula kila wakati ninapopika.
  I always taste food while I cook.
• Supu hii ina ladha nzuri.
  This soup tastes good.
• Unajisikiaje leo?
  How do you feel today?
• Anaonekana kutofurahishwa na jambo fulani.
  She seems unhappy about something.
• Unafikiria nini?
  What are you thinking about?
• Je, unaamini maelezo yake?
  Do you believe his/her explanation?
• Hiyo ni nini? Sijui.
  What is that? I don’t know.
• Namfahamu dada yake.
  I know his/her sister.

Siwezi Kukusikia! I Can’t Hear You!

Now let’s look at a few modals and types of verbs that you can combine with other verbs: kuweza kufanya can do; kujua jinsi ya kufanya know how to do; kutaka kufanya want to do; kuhitaji kufanya need to do; kuanza kufanya start doing; kuacha kufanya stop doing; kuendelea kufanya continue/keep doing.

If you must or have to do something, use lazima followed by a verb in the subjunctive. The subjunctive final vowel is -e for Bantu verbs, but it may be -u or -i for verbs borrowed from Arabic and other languages: Lazima niende. I have to/must go. Lazima tufanye kazi. We have to/must work. Lazima asome. He/She has to/must study.

• Je, unaweza kuona televisheni?
  Can you see the television?
• Je, unajua jinsi ya kupiga gitaa?
  Do you know how to play guitar?
• Lazima nifanye kazi kesho.
  I have to work tomorrow.
• Unataka kufanya nini usiku wa leo?
  What do you want to do tonight?
• Nahitaji kusoma. Nina mtihani kesho.
  I need to study. I have a test tomorrow.
• Tunaanza kufanya kazi mapema asubuhi.
  We start working early in the morning.
• Nitaacha kusoma usiku wa manane na kwenda kulala.
  I will stop reading at midnight and go to bed.
• Wanaendelea kuzungumza wakati wa filamu.
  They keep talking during the movie.

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