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Know before you go:
Personal connections

  • You're about to experience an exciting new culture. Get the most out of your TOUCHSTONE TANZANIA adventure by learning a few basic Swahili expressions before your visit. You'll be glad you did! 

Important pronunciation tips for being understood:)

Pronounce each vowel as a distinct element:  Ha-ba-ri  ji-o-ni (Good evening) and remember to accent the pen-ul-ti-mate syllable in each word: Ha-BA-ri  ji-O- ni!

  • Tanzanians value connections - and greetings establish and reinforce these connections.

Greetings

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TO AN INDIVIDUAL:

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  • Hujambo, (Bwana / Mama)? hu-jahm-bo (Any news?)

      Sijambo. see-jahm-bo (No news.)                                                                                                

  • Habari yako? hah-bah-ree  yah-ko  (How are you?)      

  • Habari gani? hah-bah-ree  gah-nee (What's new?)      

  • Habari za asubuhi? hah-bah-ree  zah  ah-soo-boo-hee (How's your morning?)

  • Habari za mchana? hah-bah-ree  zah m-chah-nah (How's your afternoon?)

  • Habari za jioni? hah-bah-ree  zah  jee-o-nee (How's your evening?)

  • Habari za kutwa? hah-bah-ree  zah  koo-twah (How was your day?)

       Nzuri sana. n-zoor-ee  sah-nah    (Very good.) 

       Salama.  sah-lah-mah (Fine, peaceful.)   

       Njema.  n-jay-mah (Good.)

  • Karibu . kah-ree-boo  (Welcome.) 

  • Karibuni. kah-ree- boo-nee (Welcome - to more than one.)​

                                                            

TO A GROUP:

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  • Hamjambo? hahm-jahm-bo  (How are you?)  

      Hatujambo. hah-too-jahm-bo (We are fine.)                 

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TO AN ELDER:

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  • Shikamoo? shee-kah-mo (I greet you with respect.)    

      Marahaba. mah-rah-hah-bah (I acknowledge your respect.)

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Touchstone Tanzania clients with tribesman
Happy Touchstone Tanzania client

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  • Kwaheri. kwah-hair-ee (Goodbye.) Kwaheri.  Kwaherini. kwah-hai-ree-nee (to a group)

  • Tuonane kesho. too-o-nah-nay kay-sho (See you tomorrow.)

       Inshallah. een-shahl-lah (God willing.)     

  • Uende salama. oo-en-day  sah-lah-mah (Go in peace.)

       Tuonane inshallah. too-o-nah-nay  een-shahl-lah          (We will see each, other God willing.)

Goodbyes
Welcome sign in Swahili

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  • Asante sana! ah-san-tay  sah-nah (Thank you very much!) 

  • Karibu (sana). kah-ree-boo sah-nah (You're VERY welcome.) 

  • Karibuni. kah-ree- boo-nee (Speaking to more                  than one person)​

  • Tafadhali. tah-fah-thah-lee (Please.)

  • Sawa? / Sawa. sah-wah (O.K? O.K.!)

  • Pole. po-lay (Sorry.)

  • Samahani. Sah-mah-hah-nee (Excuse me.)

  • Pole pole. po-lay po-lay (Slowly slowly.)

  • Ndio. n-dee-yo (Yes.).

  • Hapana (sana). hah-pah-nah (sah-nah) (No thanks.)

  • Chakula nzuri sana!  chah-koo-lah  n-zoo-ree sah-nah (The food is delicious!)

Other useful expressions

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  • Usiku mwema. oo-see-koo  m-way-mah (Goodnight.) Waburaha.  wah-boo-rah-hah (With tranquility.) 

  • Lala salama. lah-lah  sah-lah-mah (sleep well/peacefully)

       Inshallah. een-shahl-lah (God willing.)     

  • Ndoto njema. n-do-to  n-jay-mah (Sweet dreams.)

       Wewe pia. way-way  pee-ah (You, too.)

Going further

  • ​Jina lako nani? jee-nah  lah-ko  nah-nee (What is your name?

     Jina langu ni --- jee-nah  lahn-goo nee--- (My name is ---.)

Greeting school children on Touchstone Tanzania tour
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