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Swahili language (correctly known as Kiswahili) is the official language and is taught in schools throughout Tanzania, but there are many other major tribal languages which include Chagga, Meru, Maasai, Sukuma, Hehe, Zaramo any many other minor tribal languages. Most urban Tanzania and even tribal people involved in the tourist industry speak English so you shouldn’t experience too many problems making yourself understood. French, Spanish and German are also spoken by many Tanzanian but usually only among those associated with the tourist trade on the coast.
It’s extremely useful, however, to have a working knowledge of Swahili, especially outside of urban areas and in remote parts of the country since this will open doors and enable you to communicate with people who don’t speak English. It’s also the most common language which speakers of different tribal languages use to communicate with each other. Even tribespeople who haven’t been to school will usually be able to speak some Swahili.
If you’re planning on visiting many parts of Tanzania then you’ll find it extremely useful as it’s the official language (though English is still used extensively). Unless you can speak reasonable Swahili, you probably won’t realise it’s being spoken since it does sound quite similar to Swahili.
One of the keys to knowing that it’s being spoken is in the initial greeting between friends. The greeting will be, ‘Mambo!’ The response to this can be, ‘Poa’ (pronounced almost like ‘poor’). There is then an option to continue in Swahili or any other mutually intelligible language.
Swahili Pronunciation
Swahili vowels are pronounced as follows:
a – as the ‘a’ in ‘father’ e – as the ‘e’ in ‘better’ i – as the ‘ee’ sound in ‘bee’ o – as the ‘a’ in ‘law’ u – as the ’00’ in ‘too’ Double vowels, or any two vowels together, are pronounced as two separate syllables. Thus saa (time/hour) is pronounced ‘sa-a’, and yai (egg) is pronounced ‘ya-i’. There are no diphthongs as in English. * There is also a respectful greeting used for elders: shikamoo. The reply is marahaba.
General Rules
Swahili relies heavily on prefixes; adjectives change prefix according to the number and class of the noun. Thus mzuri, wazuri, vizuri and kizuri are different forms of the word good
Some Useful Words & Phrases:
- Hello – Mambo
- Welcome – Karibu
- How are you? – Habari Yako
- I’m fine thanks – Nzuri, Ahsante
- Goodbye – Kwaheri
- Yes – Ndio
- No – Hapana
- Thank You – Ahsante
- Where – Wapi?
- Money – pesa
- Today – leo
- Tomorrow – kesho
- Gues thouse – nyumba ya wageni
- Toilet – choo
- Eat – kula
- Sleep – lala
- Want – taka
- Come from – Kutokea
- There is – kuna
- There isn’t – hakuna
- White people – wazungu
- What’s your name? – Unaitwa nani ?
- My Name is – Ninaitwa
- How was the journey? – Habari ya safari?
- How much/how many? – Shilingi Ngapi? Ngapi?
Other Basic Swahili Phrases for Travelers
While many East Africans speak some English or French, knowing a few words of Swahili will really help you out in the more rural areas and along the coast.
Since Swahili is a second language to most East Africans, they’ll understand a little broken Swahili, and they’ll certainly appreciate your efforts.
Greetings
Greetings are important in East Africa and you don’t launch into a conversation or even ask a question without first saying “hello, how are you?”.
- Hello = Jambo / hujambo / Salama
- How are you? = Habari gani
- Fine (response) = Nzuri
- Goodbye = Kwa heri / Kwa herini (more than one peson)
- See You Later = Tutaonana
- Nice to meet you = Nafurahi kukuona
- Goodnight = Lala salama
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
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?
- Mosquito net = chandalua
Days and Numbers
- Today = leo
- Tomorrow = kesho
- Yesterday = jana
- Now = sasa
- Later = baadaye
- Every day = kila siku
- Monday = Jumatatu
- Tuesday = Jumanne
- Wednesday = Jumatano
- Thursday = Alhamisi
- Friday = Ijumaa
- Saturday = Jumamosi
- Sunday = Jumapili
- 1 = moja
- 2 = mbili
- 3 = tatu
- 4 = nne
- 5 = tano
- 6 = sita
- 7 = saba
- 8 = nane
- 9 = tisa10 = kumi
- 11 = kumi na moja (ten and one)
- 12 = kumi na mbili (ten and two)
- 20 = ishirini21 = ishirni na moja (twenty and one)
- 30 = thelathini
- 40 = arobaini
- 50 = hamsini
- 60 = sitini
- 70 = sabini
- 80 = themanini
- 90 = tisini
- 100 = mia
- 200 = mia mbili1000 = elfu
- 100,000 = laki
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 (soft drinks) = soda
- Beer = bia
- Milk = maziwa
- Meat = nyama
- Chicken = nyama kuku
- Fish = sumaki
- Beef = nyama ng’ombe
- Fruit = matunda
- Vegetables = mboga
Health
- Where can I find a … = Naweza kupata … wapi?
- Doctor = daktari/mganga
- Hospital = hospitali
- Medical Center = matibabu
- I’m sick = mimi ni mgonjwa
- I need a doctor = nataka kuona daktari
- It hurts here = naumwa hapa
- Fever = homa
- Malaria = melaria
- Headache = umwa kichwa
- Diarrhoea = harisha/endesha
- Vomiting = tapika
- Medicine = dawa
Animals
- When you’re on safari in East Africa many of the guides and trackers will speak Swahili.
- Animal = wanyama
- Buffalo = Nyati / Mbogo
- Cheetah = Duma / Chita
- Cow = N’gombe
- Elephant = Tembo / Ndovuh
- Giraffe = Twiga
- Goat = Mbuzi
- Hippo = Kiboko
- Hyena = Fisi
- Leopard = Chui
- Lion = Simba
- Rhino = Kifaru
- Warthog = Ngiri
- Wildebeest = Nyumbu
- Zebra = Punda milia
Swahili (Kiswahili) is the official language but English remains widely spoken and is the principal language of commerce. There are also many local African languages, reflecting the tribal diversity of the country, Outside the cities and towns, far fewer local people speak English.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official language of Tanzania?
Tanzania has two official languages, Swahili and English. Swahili is the language most people use every day. You will hear it in markets, schools, and public places. English is common in business, tourism, and higher education. Learning a few Swahili words can make your trip more enjoyable.
Do people in Tanzania speak English?
Yes, many Tanzanians speak English, especially in tourist areas. Safari guides, hotel staff, and tour operators usually speak it well. In big cities, English is also used in many offices and schools. In small villages, fewer people may speak English. A smile and simple words always help with communication.
What are some useful Swahili words for travelers?
A few Swahili words can make a big difference. “Jambo” means hello, and “Asante” means thank you. “Karibu” means welcome, while “Tafadhali” means please. Locals often appreciate visitors who try to speak Swahili. It is a simple way to show respect for the culture.
Are there other languages spoken in Tanzania?
Yes, Tanzania is home to more than 120 local languages. These languages belong to different ethnic groups across the country. People often speak their local language at home. Swahili helps everyone communicate with each other. This makes it an important language for daily life.
Do I need to learn Swahili before visiting Tanzania?
No, you do not need to be fluent in Swahili. English is enough for most safari trips and tourist activities. Still, learning a few simple Swahili phrases is a nice gesture. It helps you connect with local people. Many visitors enjoy the friendly conversations it creates.
Still have questions?
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