ENGLISH TO KISWAHILI LANGUAGE TRANSLATION 

 

English

kiSwahili (Swahili)

Welcome

Karibu (sg)

Hello (General greeting)

Habari (inf)

How are you?

Habari (inf)

Reply to 'How are you?'

Nzuri (reply to Habari)

What's your name?

Jina lako ni nani?

My name is ...

Jina langu ni ...

Where are you from?

Unatoka wapi?

I'm from ...

Natoka ...

Pleased to meet you

Nafurahi kukuona

Good morning

Habari ya asubuhi

Good afternoon

Habari ya mchana

Good evening

Habari ya jioni

(Evening greeting)

Good night

Usiku mwema

Lala salama (sleep well)

Goodbye

Kwaheri

Good luck!

Kila la kheri!

Cheers! Good Health!

Maisha marefu!

(Toasts used when drinking)

Afya! / Vifijo!

Have a nice day

Nakutakia siku njema!

Bon appetit /

Ufurahie chakula chako (sg)

Have a nice meal

Furahieni chakula chenu (pl)

Chakula chema

Bon voyage /

Safari njema!

Have a good journey

Safari salama

Do you understand?

Unaelewa?

I understand

Naelewa

I don't understand

Sielewi

I don't know

Sijui

Please speak more slowly

Tafadhali sema polepole

Please write it down

Waweza kuiandika?

Do you speak English?

Unazungumza Kingereza?

Do you speak Swahili?

Unazungumza Kiswahili?

Yes, a little

Ndiyo, kidogo tu

See more English to Kiswahili translations below

 

Civilities
Yes: ndiyo
No: hapana
Thank you: asante
Thank you very much: asante sana
Please: tafadhali
OK: sawa
Excuse me: samahani
You're welcome: starehe
Can you help me?: tafadhali, naomba msaada
What is your name?: jina lako nani?
My name is: jina langu ni
Where are you from?: unatoka wapi?
I'm from: natokea
May I take a picture?: naomba kupiga picha
Do you speak English?: unasema kiingereza?
Do you speak Swahili?: unasema Kiswahili?
Just a little bit: kidogo tu
How do you say... in Swahili?: unasemaje... kwa kiswahili
I don't understand: sielewi
Friend: Rafiki


Food and Drinks
I'd like: nataka
Food: chakula
Hot/cold: ya moto/baridi
Water: maji
Hot water: maji ya moto
Drinking water: maji ya kunywa
Soda: soda
Beer: bia
Milk: maziwa
Meat: nyama
Chicken: nyama kuku
Fish: sumaki
Beef: nyama ng'ombe
Fruit: matunda
Vegetables: mboga

Getting Around
Where is the...?: ni wapi...?
Airport: uwanja wa ndege
Bus station: stesheni ya basi
Bus stop: bas stendi
Taxi stand: stendi ya teksi
Train Station: stesheni ya treni
Bank: benki
Market: soko
Police station: kituo cha polisi
Post office: posta
Tourist Office: ofisi ya watali
Toilet/ bathroom: choo
What time is the... leaving?: inaondoka saa... ngapi?
Bus: basi
Minibus: matatu (Kenya); dalla dalla (Tanzania)
Plane: ndege
Train: treni/gari la moshi
Is there a bus going to...?: kuna basi ya...?
I'd like to buy a ticket: nataka kununua tikiti
Is it near: ni karibu?
Is it far: ni mbali?
There: huko
Over there: pale
Ticket: tikiti
Where are you going?: unakwenda wapi?
How much is the fare?: nauli ni kiasi gani?
Hotel: hoteli
Room: chumba
Reservation: akiba
Are there any vacancies for tonight?: mna nafasi leo usiko? (Kenya: iko nafasi leo usiku?)
No vacancies: hamna nafasi. (Kenya: hakuna nafasi)
How much is it per night?: ni bei gani kwa usiku?