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In this post we’ll learn some basic Swahili greetings and survival expressions.

Hujambo! Hello! Basic Swahili Greetings

Let’s start with basic greetings.

• Hujambo. Hamjambo. Hello. (to one person, to more than one person)
• Habari. Hi.
• Habari ya asubuhi. Good morning.
• Habari ya mchana. Good afternoon.
• Habari ya jioni. Good evening.
• Usiku mwema. Good night.
• Kwaheri. Good-bye.

Nitakuona hivi karibuni. See You Soon.

Here are a few more friendly expressions that you might want to be able to use.

• Nitakuona hivi karibuni. See you soon.
• Tuonane baadaye. See you later.
• Tuonane kesho. See you tomorrow.
• Nimefurahi kukutana nawe. Nice to meet you.
• Lala salama! Sleep well!

Habari yako? How Are You?

Courtesy expressions are an important part of using Swahili greetings and survival expressions. Let’s see a few that you can use when you meet someone or want to be polite.

• Habari yako?
  How are you?
• Niko sawa.
  I’m fine.
• Asante.
  Thank you.
• Karibu.
  You’re welcome.
• Tafadhali.
  Please.
• Samahani.
  Excuse me.
• Pole!
  Sorry!
• Unaitwa nani?
  What is your name?
• Jina langu ni…
  My name is…
• Unatoka wapi?
  Where are you from?
• Natokea…
  I’m from…

Sielewi. I Don’t Understand.

Now let’s turn to some helpful survival expressions that you can use as you learn the language.

• Sizungungumzi Kiswahili. / Sikizungumzi Kiswahili.
  I don’t speak Swahili.
• Unazungumza Kingereza? / Unakizungumza Kingereza?
  Do you speak English?
• Sielewi.
  I don’t understand.
• Nazungumza  Kiswahili  kidogo.
  I only speak a little Swahili.
• Ninajifunza Kiswahili.
  I’m learning Swahili.
• Naelewa Kiswahili kidogo.
  I understand a little Swahili.
• Tafadhali rudia.
  Please repeat.
• Tafadhali andika hivyo.
  Please write that.
• Unasemaje… kwa Kiswahili?
  How do you say… in Swahili?

Do you want to learn Swahili?

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning Swahili greetings and survival expressions. If you’d like to learn more, ceck 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 Cytonn Photography on Unsplash