Accessibility

1. Je, mahali hapa panafaa kwa watumiaji wa kiti cha magurudumu?

   Je, ma-ha-li ha-pa pa-na-faa kwa wa-tu-mi-a-ji wa ki-ti cha ma-gu-ru-du-mu?

   Is this place wheelchair accessible?

   Usage

   Ask staff whether a venue can be navigated by wheelchair

   Grammar Note

   Swahili uses noun class agreement. "mahali" (place) belongs to the locative class, so the verb takes the pa- agreement prefix ("panafaa").

2. Je, mna lifti?

   Je, mna lif-ti?

   Do you have an elevator / lift?

   Usage

   Ask building or hotel staff (addressing them as a group)

   Grammar Note

   "mna" is the M/WA class (human) 2nd person plural present tense of "kuwa na" (to have). Singular is "una."

3. Ninahitaji chumba chenye vifaa vya ulemavu.

   Ni-na-hi-ta-ji chum-ba che-nye vi-faa vya u-le-ma-vu.

   I need a room with accessibility features.

   Usage

   Inform hotel reception at booking or check-in

   Grammar Note

   "chenye" is a relative/associative pronoun meaning "which has," agreeing with "chumba" (CH/VY class). "vifaa" (equipment) is its plural.

4. Je, kuna ramp au mlango bila ngazi?

   Je, ku-na ramp au mla-ngo bi-la nga-zi?

   Is there a ramp or step-free entrance?

   Usage

   Check at a building entrance for step-free access

   Grammar Note

   "kuna" is the existential verb for "there is/are," using the locative KU class prefix. It implies indefinite existence.

5. Choo cha watu wenye ulemavu kiko wapi?

   Choo cha wa-tu we-nye u-le-ma-vu ki-ko wa-pi?

   Where is the accessible restroom?

   Usage

   Ask at any public venue for the location of the accessible toilet

   Grammar Note

   "kiko" is the locative copula agreeing with "choo" (CH/VY noun class). "wapi" means "where."

6. Nina ulemavu wa macho — unaweza kunisaidia?

   Ni-na u-le-ma-vu wa ma-cho — u-na-we-za ku-ni-sai-di-a?

   I am visually impaired — can you help me?

   Usage

   Explain a visual impairment to a passerby or staff member and request help

   Grammar Note

   "kunisaidia" = infinitive prefix "ku-" + object prefix "ni-" (me) + verb root "saidia" (help). Object infixes attach between the tense and root.

7. Je, mna menyu yenye herufi kubwa?

   Je, mna me-nyu ye-nye he-ru-fi ku-bwa?

   Do you have large-print menus?

   Usage

   Request a large-print menu at a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "yenye" is the N-class associative/relative pronoun agreeing with "menyu," meaning "which has / with."

8. Je, kuna mwongozo wa sauti?

   Je, ku-na mwo-ngo-zo wa sau-ti?

   Are there audio guides available?

   Usage

   Check at a museum or tourist attraction for audio guide availability

   Grammar Note

   "wa" is the genitive/associative particle (M/MI class agreement) linking "mwongozo" (guide) to "sauti" (sound/audio).

9. Natumia kifaa cha kusikia — tafadhali sema wazi.

   Na-tu-mi-a ki-faa cha ku-si-ki-a — ta-fa-dha-li se-ma wa-zi.

   I use a hearing aid — please speak clearly.

   Usage

   Ask shop staff or officials to speak slowly and clearly

   Grammar Note

   "sema wazi" = imperative "sema" (speak) + adverb "wazi" (clearly). In Swahili the 2nd person singular imperative equals the verb root.

10. Naweza kuleta mbwa wangu wa huduma?

    Na-we-za ku-le-ta mbwa wa-ngu wa hu-du-ma?

    Can I bring my service / guide dog?

    Usage

    Ask permission to bring a service dog into a restaurant, hotel, or public space

    Grammar Note

    "wangu" is the 1st person possessive for N-class noun "mbwa." "wa huduma" uses the associative "wa" to mean "of service."

Browse all TravelPhrases languages