Hali ya hewa: Weather in Swahili

In this post you’ll learn how to talk about weather in Swahili. First, we’ll start with some general Swahili vocabulary. Then we’ll move on to key expressions for talking about different kinds of weather. Next, we’ll learn some vocabulary for talking about hot weather. Finally, we’ll learn some Swahili weather vocabulary for cold days.

Basic Weather Vocabulary

Let’s start with some basic weather vocabulary.

• jua sun
• wingu cloud
• anga sky
• upepo wind
• mvua rain
• theluji snow
• tufani storm
• ngurumo thunder
• radi lightning

Talking about the Weather in Swahili

• Hali ya hewa ikoje leo/wikendi hii?
  What’s the weather like today/this weekend?
• Ni siku nzuri.
  It’s a beautiful day.
• Kuna jua.
  It’s sunny.
• Kuna joto.
  It’s hot.
• Kuna baridi.
  It’s cold.
• Kuna mawingu.
  It’s cloudy.
• Kuna upepo.
  It’s windy.
• Kunanyesha.
  It’s raining.
• Theluji inanyesha
  It’s snowing.
• Kuna dhoruba
  There’s a storm.
• Kuna unyevu.
  It’s humid.

Swahili Vocabulary for Hot Days

• Kuna/Pana joto sana leo.
  It’s too hot today.
• Kuna unyevu mwingi.
  It’s very humid.
• Natoka jasho.
  I’m sweating.
• Weka kiyoyozi.
  Put the air-conditioner on!
• Napenda sana hali ya hewa ya joto.
  I really like warm weather.

Swahili Vocabulary for Cold Days

• Kuna baridi. Kuna baridi nje.
  It’s cold. It’s cold outside.
• Kuna baridi ya kugandisha!
  It’s freezing!
• Theluji inanyesha.
  It’s snowing.
• Kuna baridi na upepo.
  It’s cold and windy.
• Tutakuwa na dhoruba kali ya theluji wiki hii.
  We’re going to have a severe snow storm this week.
• Ninatetemeka!
  I’m shivering!
• Napenda sana theluji.
  I really like snow.

Get on the road to speaking Swahili with the Language Garage!

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning how to talk about the weather in Swahili. 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 Etienne Steenkamp on Unsplash