Bafuni (In the Bathroom): Swahili Vocabulary for the Bathroom

In this post, we’ll focus on Swahili vocabulary for bafu, the bathroom. First, you’ll learn vocabulary and expressions related to public toilets in Swahili. Then we’ll move on to vocabulary for talking about the bathroom at home. Next we’ll talk about Swahili vocabulary for getting clean. After that we’ll move on to vocabulary for perfume and makeup. Finally we’ll wrap up with vocabulary and expressions that you can use to ask someone if you can use their bathroom.

Public Toilets in Swahili

First let’s start with public toilets. If you’re visiting a city and doing a lot of sightseeing, chances are you’re going to need to use the toilet at some point. Which means you’ll need to know: msala toilet, urinal; msala wa umma public toilet; msala wa wanaume men’s toilet; msala wa wanawake women’s toilet. 

• Msala uko wapi?
  Where is the toilet?
• Kuna msala wa umma huku karibu?
  Is there a public toilet nearby?
• Wapi msala wa wanaume/ msala wa wanawake?
  Where’s the men’s room/ladies’ room?

• Kuna misala ya umma otomatiki, inayojisafisha kwenye bustani.
  There are automatic, self-cleaning public toilets in the park. 
• Je, msala wa umma ni bure au lazima nilipe?
  Is the public toilet free or do I have to pay?
• Tafadhali mlipe mtumishi.
  Please pay the attendant. 
• Kuna mtu msalani.
  The toilet is occupied.
• Msala umefungwa.
  The toilet is closed.
• Msala unasafishwa.
  The toilet is being cleaned.
• Kuna misala karibu na njia ya kutoka.
  There are toilets next to the exit. 

Talking about the Bathroom at Home

Next we’ll turn to bathroom basics at home. In most bathrooms, you’ll find: shawa a shower, sinki a sink, hodhi/bafu a bathtub, msalani, choo a toilet, karatasi ya msalani/karatasi shashi  toilet paper, kioo a mirror, kabati la dawa a vanity/medicine cabinet, taulo ya kuoga a bath towel, taulo ya mkono a hand towel, rafu ya taulo towel rack.

• Ninaoga.
  I’m taking a shower.
• Mimi huoga kila asubuhi. 
  I take a shower every morning.
• Mimi ni mchafu/nina jasho. Nahitaji kuoga.
  I’m dirty/sweaty. I need to take a shower.
• Ninaoga.
  I’m taking a bath.
• Ninahitaji kuosha uso wangu.
  I need to wash my face.
• Msala uko karibu na hodhi/bafu.
  The toilet is next to the bathtub.
• Sinki ya bafu ni ndogo.
  The bathroom sink is small.
• Kuna kioo juu ya sinki.
  There’s a mirror above the sink.
• Asprini iko kwenye kijikabati cha dawa.
  The aspirin is in the medicine cabinet.
• Taulo safi inaning’inia kwenye rafu ya taulo.
  A clean towel is hanging on the towel rack. 
• Tafadali funga kifuniko cha msala.
  Please close the toilet seat.

Swahili Vocabulary for Getting Clean

Now let’s talk about washing, bathing, and getting clean. A lot of what we do in the bathroom is related to washing and getting clean: sabuni soap, shampuu shampoo, kiondoa harufu, marashi deodorant, dawa ya meno toothpaste, mswaki toothbrush, wembe razor, krimu ya kunyoa shaving cream, uzi wa meno  dental floss, mafuta/mafuta ya krimu  moisturizer/moisturizing cream, brashi ya nywele (hair)brush, kitana/chanuo comb, draya ya nywele blow dryer, mentari tweezers, klipu ya kucha za mguu toenail clipper. 

• Ninaosha mikono yangu.
  I’m washing my hands.
• Nahitaji kuosha mikono yangu.
  I need to wash my hands.
• Wapi sabuni?
  Where’s the soap?

Brushing Your Teeth

• Ninapiga mswaki na kupitisha uzi kila usiku.
  I brush and floss my teeth every night. 
• Tunahitaji dawa nyingi ya meno.
  We need more toothpaste.
• Mswaki wangu ni wa buluu na mswaki wako ni mweupe.
  My toothbrush is blue, and your toothbrush is white.

Washing Your Hair

• Nabrashi/nachana nywele yangu mbele ya kioo.
  I am brushing/combing my hair in front of the mirror. 
• Vichana/brashi ziko kwa droo karibu na sinki.
  The combs and brushes are in the drawer next to the sink.
• Tumeishiwa shampoo.
  We’re out of shampoo.

Shaving and More

• Nanyoa kwa bafu.
  I am shaving in the bathroom.
• Nahitaji kununua wembe mpya.
  I need to buy a new razor. 
• Wapi krimu ya kunyoa?
  Where’s the shaving cream?
• Losheni hii ina harufu nzuri sana.
  This lotion smells really good.
• Ninatumia deodorant ya asili.
  I use a natural deodorant. 
• Wapi mentari?
  Where are the tweezers?

Perfume and Make Up

Now we’ll talk about manukato na kipodozi (perfume and makeup). Some people’s morning bathroom routines include more than the basics. If you’re one of those people, you may want to know: manukato perfume, marashi cologne, kipodozi makeup, wanja, maskara mascara, rangi ya macho  eye shadow, kilainishi cha macho eyeliner, poda powder, rangi ya mdomo lipstick, rangi za kucha  nail polish, rangi ya shavu blush/rouge, jeli ya nywele hair gel, dawa ya nywele hairspray. 

• Umepaka kipodozi?
  Are you wearing makeup?
• Mimi hujipodoa kila asubuhi.
  I put on makeup every morning.
• Napenda manukato/marashi yako. Yananukia vizuri.
  I like your cologne/perfume. It smells nice.
• Natumia maskara na kilainisha cha jicho.
  I’m putting on mascara and eyeliner. 
• Unatumia rangi gani ya kucha?
  What color nail polish are you using?
• Natumia jeli ya nywele kila siku.
  I use hair gel every day.
• Una marashi ya nywele?
  Do you have hairspray?

Asking to Use the Bathroom

Finally, let’s talk about how you can ask to use the bathroom. When we’re in there, we take care of some basic biological needs that you probably don’t need to know how to talk about. But since, hey, you never know, we’ll include some of that as well.

• Naweza tumia bafu?
  Can I use your bathroom?
• Inabidi niende kwa bafu.
  I have to go to the bathroom.
• Inabidi niende haja ndogo/haja kubwa.
  I have to urinate/defecate, pee/poop.
• Wapi bafu?
  Where’s the bathroom?
• Bafu iko chini ya ukumbi, kushoto/kulia.
  The bathroom is down the hall, to the left/right.
• Usiingie! Niko msalani!
  Don’t come in! I’m on the toilet!
• Hakuna karatasi ya msala iliyobaki!
  There’s no toilet paper left!
• Tafadhali nadhifisha msala.
  Please flush the toilet.
• Msala umeziba. Uko na kizibuo?
  The toilet is clogged. Do you have a plunger?

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