Swahili Expressions
A Few Words Can Lead to Warm Connections
A warm greeting in Swahili is more than good manners. It is a sign of respect and an invitation to connect.
Learning just a few expressions before your journey can enrich your conversations and make your time in Tanzania even more memorable.
Tanzanians value connections — and greetings establish and reinforce these connections.
Pronunciation Tips
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Pronounce each vowel as a distinct syllable
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In most Swahili words, stress the penultimate (next-to-last) syllable in each word.
ha–ba–ri
ji–o–ni
Don't worry about speaking perfectly. Tanzanians genuinely appreciate the effort, and your first hujambo will be met with a warm smile.
Making Connections
Hujambo.
hoo-jahm-boh (Hello/Are you well)?
Jina langu ni...
jee-nah lahn-goo nee — (My name is —)
Jina lako nani?
jee-nah lah-koh nah-nee (What is your name)?
Ninafuraha kukutana na wewe.
nee-nah-foo-rah-hah koo-koo-tah- nah nah-weh-weh (I'm happy to meet you).
Goodbyes
Kwaheri.
kwah-heh-ree (Goodbye).
Tutaonana kesho.
too-tah-oh-nah-nah keh-shoh (See you tomorrow).
Baadaye. bah-ah-dah-yeh (See you later).
Uende salama.
oo-en-day sah-lah-mah (Go in peace).
Usiku mwema.
oo-see-ku m-weh-mah (Good night).
Lala salama.
lah-lah sah-lah-mah (Sleep well).
Wewe pia. weh-weh pee-ah (You, too).
Additional Greetings
Habari yako?
hah-bah-ree yah-koh (How are you)?
Nzuri sana.
n-zoo-ree sah-nah (Fine/ Very well/Good).
Njema.
n-jeh-mah (Good).
Hodi?
hoh-dee (May I come in)?
Karibu.
kah-ree-boo (Welcome/You're welcome).
Going Further
Asante sana.
ah-sahn-teh sah-nah (Thank you very much).
Tafadhali.
tah-fah-thah-lee (Please).
Samahani.
sah-mah-hah-nee (Excuse me).
Pole.
poh-leh (Sorry).
Hapana, asante.
hah-pah-nah ah-sahn-teh (No, thank you).
Hakuna shida.
hah-koo-nah shee-dah (No problem).
Chakula kitamu. chah-koo-lah kee-tah-moo (The food is delicious).