Swahili Family Terms: Familia

In this post, we’ll learn Swahili family terms so that you can build your Swahili vocabulary to talk about your familia family. 

Una familia kubwa? Do you have a big family?

First, let’s build your Swahili vocabulary by starting with some basic Swahili family terms: mama mother; baba father; kaka brother; dada sister; binti daughter; bin son, wazazi parents; watoto children.

• Nina familia kubwa/ndogo.
  I have a big/small family.
• Mama yangu ni daktari. Baba yangu ni mwalimu.
  My mother is a doctor. My father is a teacher.

• Una kaka au dada?
  Do you have brothers or sisters?
• Nina dada mkubwa na kaka mdogo mmoja.
  I have one older sister and one younger brother.
• Nina kaka watatu.
  I have three brothers.
• Nina dada wawili.
  I have two sisters.
• Mimi ni mtoto wa pekee.
  I am an only child.
• Una watoto wowote?
  Do you have any children?
• Tuna bin na binti.
  We have a son and a daughter.
• Nani mkubwa/mdogo kwa familia yako?
  Who is the oldest/youngest in your family?

Huyu ni shangazi yangu. This is my aunt.

Now let’s build your Swahili vocabulary by looking at some extended Swahili family terms: jamaa relatives; mababu na mabibi grandparents; nyanya/bibi grandmother; babu grandfather; mjukuu wa kiume grandson; mjukuu wa kike granddaughter; shangazi aunt; mjomba uncle; binamu cousin; mpwa niece; mpwa nephew.

• Je, unawaona jamaa zako mara ngapi?
  How often do you see your relatives?
• Mababu na mabibi wako wanaishi wapi?
  Where do your grandparents live?
• Nyanya yangu bado anafanya kazi, lakini babu amestaafu.
  My grandmother is still working, but my grandfather is retired. 
• Tuko na wajukuu watatu: mjukuu wa kiume mmoja na wa kike wawili.
  We have three grandchildren: one grandson and two granddaughters. 
• Shangazi yangu na mjomba  wanaishi karibu na nyumba yetu.
  My aunt and uncle live near our house.
• Nina binamu wengi.
  I have a lot of cousins.
• Mpwa wangu ameanza chuo kikuu.
  My niece just started university.
• Nina wapwa wanne.
  I have four nephews.

Swahili Vocabulary Related to Marriage

Now let’s learn some Swahili vocabulary related to marriage. Some key vocabulary to know is: bibi wife; mume husband; kuolewa to get married; kupata talaka to get divorced; bila mchumba single/unmarried.

• Je, umeolewa au hujaolewa?
  Are you married or single?
• Mke/mumeo anafanya kazi gani?
  What does your wife/husband do for a living?
• Uliolewa lini?
  When did you get married?
• Tumeoana kwa miaka ishirini. Maadhimisho ya harusi yetu ni wikendi hii.
  We’ve been married for twenty years. Our wedding anniversary is this weekend.
• Bibi yangu ni mjamzito. Tunapata mtoto katika miezi miwili.
  My wife is pregnant. We’re having a baby in two months. 
• Wazazi wangu wametalakiana.
  My parents are divorced.

Tuna mtoto. We have a baby.

Now let’s look at some vocabulary related to family: rafiki wa kiume boyfriend; rafiki wa kike girlfriend; mtoto baby; mja mzito pregnant; kuasili to adopt; kuzaliwa to be born; kufa to die; hai alive; baba wa kambo stepfather; mama wa kambo stepmother; bin wa kambo stepson; binti wa kambo stepdaughter. 

• Jina la mpenzi wako wa kiume/mpenzi wako wa kike ni nani?
  What is your boyfriend’s/girlfriend’s name?
• Tutaasilia mtoto
  We’re going to adopt a child. 
• Niliasiliwa.
  I was adopted. 
• Bin/binti yako alizaliwa lini?
  When was your son/daughter born?
• Nyanya  yangu yuko hai, lakini babu yangu amekufa.
  My grandmother is alive, but my grandfather is dead. 
• Nina uhusiano mzuri na baba yangu wa kambo/mama wa kambo.
  I have a good relationship with my stepfather/stepmother. 
• Binti yangu wa kambo/bin wa kambo anaishi nasi.
  My stepdaughter/stepson lives with us. 
• Familia yangu ina mbwa na paka.
  My family has a dog and a cat.

Do you want to learn Swahili?

We hope you’ve enjoyed growing your Swahili vocabulary by learning Swahili family terms. If you’d like to learn more, 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!

Photo by Larry Crayton on Unsplash