Swahili is widely spoken language in East Africa. Here are some few basic Swahili words you should know when traveling to East Africa.
Jambo – “Hello!” A friendly “Jambo” goes a long way.
Habari – Also “Hello / Good Morning.” Use this one when speaking with older people.
Nzuri – “Beautiful / Good / Nice / I am fine.”
Shikamo – Literally “I hold your feet.” This greeting is for your elders. Young children will often mutter Shikamo under their breath when you walk by. It may sound like “Sh…ooo”.
Marahaba - The reply to “Shikamo”. Literally translated to something like “ I am delighted, I don’t get that every day.”
Other useful phrases that will come in handy:
Asante – “Thank you!” You will use this word the most in your conversations.
Sana-- (very) Used as in Asante-sana- Thank you VERY much.
Pole- “I am sorry for your misfortune.” This applies
to everything from getting chalk dust on your clothes, to tripping,
dropping an item or sneezing.
Pole pole – “Slowly, slowly.” Everything is pole pole in Africa.
Chakula-- “FOOD!” If you hear this word, walk towards the place you heard it.
Nydio / Hapana – “Yes and No” respectively. Some phrasebooks will tell you that hapana is
rude. It is not. As long as you don’t say it forcefully, you are fine. I
haven’t heard another word for ‘no’ since I have been here.
Hatari - “DANGER!!!!!” This could be a snake in the
road or a warning about an endemic in the area. Take note and proceed
with caution.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Important Swahili Words
2:39 PM
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