Mji: Swahili Vocabulary for Towns and Cities
In this post you’ll learn Swahili vocabulary for towns and cities. First you’ll learn key vocabulary for things you see around town. Next you’ll learn Swahili vocabulary for stores. After that you’ll see vocabulary for schools, restaurants, and other buildings you’re likely to see around town. Finally you’ll learn how to ask directions in Swahili. All of this vocabulary will help you navigate everyday life in Swahili.
Swahili Vocabulary for Around Town
Let’s start with some basic general vocabulary: jengo building; jengo la ghorofa apartment building jengo la afisi office building; mtaa street; barabara kuu highway; kutembea kwa upande sidewalk; bustani park; sehemu ya maegesho parking lot; nafasi ya maegesho parking space; hoteli hotel.
- Hoteli iko wapi?
Where’s the hotel? - Kuna bustani karibu hapa.
There’s a park near here. - Kuna ghorofa ngapi kwenye jengo hili?
How many apartments/floors are in this building?
Swahili Vocabulary for Stores
Now let’s look at how to say various kinds of stores: duka store; duka kubwa supermarket; duka la nguo clothing store; duka la viatu shoe store; duka la mapambo jewelry store; tanuri ya mikate bakery; duka la mandazi pastry shop; duka la nyama butcher; duka la vifaa hardware store; duka la vitabu bookstore; duka la kielektroniki electronics store; duka la dawa, apoteket pharmacy.
- Kuna duka nyingi katika huu mtaa.
There are a lot of stores on this street. - Kuna duka kubwa katika mji wangu.
There is a big supermarket in my town. - Kuna duka la viatu/duka la nguo/duka la vitabu karibu?
Is there a shoe store/ clothing store/ bookstore nearby?
Swahili Vocabulary for Places around Town
Now let’s look at vocabulary for other places around town: shule school; maktaba library; chuo kikuu university; kituo cha wazimamoto firehouse; afisi ya posta post office; kituo cha polisi police station; hospitali hospital; kituo cha mafuta gas station; kanisa church; sinagogi synagogue; hekalu temple; msikiti mosque.
- Wanafunzi wako shuleni.
The students are at school. - Kuna chuo kikuu katika mji huu.
There’s a university in this city. - Naenda kwenye posta.
I’m going to the post office. - Naenda kwenye maktaba.
I’m going to the library.
Swahili Vocabulary for Entertainment
Now let’s look at vocabulary related to fun and entertainment: mkahawa restaurant; baa bar; jumba la makumbusho museum; sinema cinema/movie theater; thieta theater; nyumba ya sanaa art gallery.
- Kuna mkahawa mzuri?
Is there a good restaurant? - Twende kwenye sinema.
Let’s go to the movie theater/cinema. - Tunataka kutembelea nyumba ya sanaa.
We want to visit an art gallery.
Swahili Vocabulary for Transportation
Now let’s look at some vocabulary related to getting around town: kituo cha gari moshi train station; kituo cha mabasi bus station; stendi/standi ya basi bus stop; uwanja wa ndege airport; kituo cha treni ya chini ya ardhi subway station.
- Kituo cha gari moshi kiko katikati mwa jiji.
The train station is downtown. - Mimi hupanda treni kuelekea mjini.
I take the train to the city. - Mimi hupanda basi kuenda kituo cha ndege.
I take the bus to the airport.
How to Ask Directions in Swahili
Let’s end with a few expressions related to asking directions: hapa here; huko there, kulia to the right; kushoto to the left; karibu nearby; mbali far away.
- Wapi njia ya chini ya ardhi?
Where is the subway? - Ipo hapa.
It’s here. - Iko huko.
It’s there. - Ni kulia.
It’s to the right. - Ni kushoto.
It’s to the left. - Ni karibu.
It’s nearby. - Ni mbali.
It’s far away. - Ni karibu na hoteli.
It’s next to the hotel. - Ni ng’ambo ya barabara.
It’s across the street. - Nenda moja kwa moja.
Go straight. - Pinduka kushoto.
Turn left. - Pinduka kulia.
Turn right.
Get on the road to speaking Swahili with the Language Garage!
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning some Swahili vocabulary for towns and cities. Now you know how to use Swahili vocabulary for stores, how to ask directions in Swahili, and how to talk about places you’re likely to see in everyday life. If you’re interested in learning more, 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!
