Sijisikii Vizuri! I’m Not Feeling Well! Swahili Vocabulary for Illness and Feeling Sick
In this post we’ll learn a lot of Swahili vocabulary for illness. First, we’ll start with some general Swahili vocabulary for feeling sick. Then we’ll move on to vocabulary and expressions for talking about coughs, congestion, and headaches. After that we’ll move on to other Swahili vocabulary for illness related to fevers and being sick to your stomach. Next we’ll cover some essential vocabulary for visiting the doctor. Finally, we’ll wrap up with expressions you can use when someone else is ill.
Mimi ni mgonjwa. I’m sick.
Let’s start with some general Swahili vocabulary for feeling sick.
- Sijisikii vizuri.
I don’t feel well. - Nadhani ninaanza kuugua.
I think I’m getting sick.
- Mimi ni mgonjwa.
I’m sick. - Nina mafua.
I have a cold. - Nina kikohozi.
I have a cough. - Pua yangu imeziba.
I have congestion/a stuffy nose. - Ninaumwa na kichwa.
I have a headache. - Nina homa.
I have a fever. - Nahisi kichefuchefu.
I feel nauseated. - Sina nguvu.
I have no energy. - Siwezi kwenda kazini leo.
I can’t go to work today. - Siwezi kwenda shuleni leo.
I can’t go to school today.
Nina Kikohozi Kibaya. I Have a Bad Cough.
Kikohozi (a cough) is a pretty common symptom of all sorts of sicknesses.
- Koo langu linauma.
I have a sore throat. - Ninakohoa sana.
I’m coughing a lot. - Sikulala vizuri kwa sababu nilikohoa sana usiku mzima.
I didn’t sleep well because I coughed all night. - Ninahisi kubanwa kifuani.
My chest feels congested/tight. - Nahitaji kunywa dawa ya kikohozi.
I need to take cough syrup. - Una pipi za kutuliza kikohozi?
Do you have cough drops? - Sauti yangu inaanza kupotea kwa sababu ninakohoa sana.
I’m losing my voice because I’m coughing so much.
Pua Yangu Imeziba. I Have a Stuffy Nose.
The other really common symptom of being sick is a stuffy or runny nose.
- Pua yangu imeziba.
My nose is congested/stuffed. - Ninahitaji karatasi ya kufutia pua.
I need a tissue. - Ninahitaji kupenga pua.
I need to blow my nose. - Nahitaji kununua dawa ya kupunguza msongamano wa pua.
I need to buy a decongestant. - Siwezi kupumua kupitia puani.
I can’t breathe through my nose. - Ninapiga chafya sana.
I sneeze a lot. - Pua yangu inanitia wazimu.
My nose is driving me crazy.
Ninaumwa na Kichwa. I Have a Headache.
Kuumwa na kichwa (to have a headache) or kuumwa na mwili (to have body aches) are also pretty common when you’re sick.
- Kichwa kinaniuma sana.
I have a terrible headache. - Kichwa changu kinadunda kwa maumivu.
My head is pounding. - Una aspirini?
Do you have aspirin? - Aspirini yangu imeisha.
I ran out of aspirin. - Nahitaji kujilaza.
I need to lie down. - Nina kipandauso.
I have a migraine. - Mwili mzima unaniuma.
I have body aches.
Nina Homa. I Have a Fever.
If you’re sick it’s important to know if you have homa (a fever).
- Nafikiri nina homa.
I think I have a fever. - Ninahisi mwili wako una joto sana.
You feel very warm to me. - Unahitaji kupima joto la mwili wako.
You need to check/take your temperature. - Una kipimajoto?
Do you have a thermometer? - Una homa kidogo.
You have a low fever. - Una homa kali.
You have a high fever. - Unahitaji kupunguza joto la mwili wako.
You need to lower your temperature. - Homa yangu imeshuka.
My fever has broken.
Ninakaribia Kutapika. I’m Going to Throw Up.
There are lots of other unpleasant symptoms that you may need to describe.
- Nina kizunguzungu.
I’m dizzy. - Ninakaribia kuzimia.
I’m going to faint. - Nina kichefuchefu.
I’m nauseated. - Ninakaribia kutapika.
I’m going to vomit. - Ninaendesha choo.
I have diarrhea. - Ninahisi baridi.
I have chills/I feel cold. - Ninatokwa na jasho.
I’m sweating. - Nimepoteza uwezo wa kunusa.
I’ve lost my sense of smell. - Nimepoteza uwezo wa kuonja.
I’ve lost my sense of taste.
Niko Katika Ofisi ya Daktari. At the Doctor’s Office.
If you’re sick and it’s not going away, you need to go to the doctor.
- Umeenda kumwona daktari?
Have you gone to see the doctor? - Nahitaji kupanga miadi na daktari.
I need to make a doctor’s appointment. - Muuguzi ananipima shinikizo la damu.
The nurse takes my blood pressure. - Daktari alichunguza koo langu na masikio yangu.
The doctor examined my throat and ears. - Una dalili gani?
What are your symptoms? - Una maambukizi.
You have an infection. - Una mafua ya influenza.
You have the flu. - Una bronkaitisi.
You have bronchitis. - Una nimonia.
You have pneumonia. - Unahitaji dawa za antibiotiki.
You need antibiotics. - Hii hapa ni cheti cha dawa.
Here is a prescription. - Unahitaji kujitenga.
You need to isolate yourself. - Usiwaambukize wengine.
Don’t get anyone else sick. - Unahitaji kupumzika.
You need to rest. - Unahitaji kunywa maji na vinywaji vingine kwa wingi.
You need to drink a lot of fluids. - Nitakuchukua sampuli ya damu kwa ajili ya vipimo.
I’m going to take a blood sample for testing. - Unahitaji kupigwa picha ya eksirei.
You need an X-ray.
Pona Haraka! Get Better Soon!
If you’re not sick but know someone who is, you may want to know how to say:
- Unajisikia vizuri zaidi leo?
Are you feeling any better today? - Umekuwa mgonjwa kwa muda gani?
How long have you been sick? - Unahitaji kwenda kwa daktari.
You need to go to the doctor. - Usiniambukize!
Don’t get me sick! - Naweza kukuletea chochote?
Can I bring you anything? - Natumaini utajisikia vizuri hivi karibuni.
I hope you feel better soon! - Pona haraka!
Get well soon!
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