Basic Expressions
Swahili is surprisingly easy to pronounce — every letter is spoken, and the emphasis is usually on the penultimate syllable. No guttural R, no nasalization.
| German | Swahili | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Jambo | Dscham-bo |
| How are you? | Habari? | Ha-ba-ri |
| I am fine | Mzuri (sana) | M-su-ri (sa-na) |
| Thank you (very much) | Asante (sana) | A-san-te (sa-na) |
| Please / Welcome | Karibu | Ka-ri-bu |
| Yes / No | Ndiyo / Hapana | N-di-jo / Ha-pa-na |
| No problem! | Hakuna Matata | Ha-ku-na Ma-ta-ta |
| Slowly, slowly | Pole pole | Po-le po-le |
| Goodbye | Kwaheri | Kwa-he-ri |
| Good morning | Habari ya asubuhi | Ha-ba-ri ja a-su-bu-hi |
| Good evening | Habari ya jioni | Ha-ba-ri ja dschi-o-ni |
| Sorry | Pole | Po-le |
| What is your name? | Jina lako nani? | Dschi-na la-ko na-ni |
| My name is... | Jina langu ni... | Dschi-na lan-gu ni... |
| How much does it cost? | Bei gani? | Be-i ga-ni |
| Too expensive! | Ghali sana! | Ga-li sa-na |
| Food | Chakula | Tscha-ku-la |
| Water | Maji | Ma-dschi |
| Beer | Bia / Pombe | Bi-a / Pom-be |
| Beautiful / Good | Nzuri | N-su-ri |
| Friend | Rafiki | Ra-fi-ki |
| Lion | Simba | Sim-ba |
💡 Tipp
Even a simple "Jambo! Habari?" (Hello! How are you?) will earn you a beaming smile everywhere. "Asante sana" (Thank you very much) after the game drive will make your guide happy.
