Contacts & SNS

1. Tunaweza kubadilishana nambari?

   Tu-na-we-za ku-ba-di-li-sha-na nam-ba-ri?

   Can we exchange numbers?

   Usage

   Used when wanting to exchange contact information with a new friend or acquaintance

   Grammar Note

   "Kubadilishana" = "badilisha" (to exchange) + reciprocal suffix "-na" meaning "with each other." The "-na" extension is a hallmark Bantu verb derivation indicating mutual action.

2. Nipe nambari yako ya simu

   Ni-pe nam-ba-ri ya-ko ya si-mu

   Give me your phone number

   Usage

   Directly asking for a phone number. Add "tafadhali" (please) for politeness

   Grammar Note

   "Yako" is the n-class 2nd person possessive (your). "Ya simu" uses the n-class connective "ya" for the phone genitive. In Swahili, possessives and genitives follow the noun they modify.

3. Uko kwenye mitandao gani ya kijamii?

   U-ko kwe-nye mi-tan-dao ga-ni ya ki-ja-mi-i?

   Which social media are you on?

   Usage

   Conversation starter for connecting on social media

   Grammar Note

   "Mtandao" (network) is m-/mi- class; plural "mitandao." "Kijamii" (social) derives from "jamii" (community) with the ki- class adjectival prefix. Swahili shows remarkable productivity in coining tech vocabulary.

4. Ninakuachia kadi yangu ya biashara

   Ni-na-ku-a-chi-a ka-di yan-gu ya bi-a-sha-ra

   I am leaving you my business card

   Usage

   Used in professional settings when giving a business card

   Grammar Note

   "Biashara" (business/trade) derives from Arabic "biḍāʿah" (goods/trade). Business vocabulary in Swahili includes words from both Arabic (trade heritage) and English (modern commerce).

5. Tutaonana tena

   Tu-ta-o-na-na te-na

   We will see each other again / See you

   Usage

   A warm farewell phrase. Used with friends or new acquaintances

   Grammar Note

   "Tutaonana" = Tu (we) + ta (future) + ona (see) + na (reciprocal). The "-na" suffix creates the mutual meaning "see each other." This demonstrates Bantu verb extension morphology elegantly.

6. Tuma ujumbe tu

   Tu-ma u-jum-be tu

   Just send a message

   Usage

   Encouraging communication via message. Used when preferring WhatsApp or SMS contact

   Grammar Note

   "Ujumbe" (message) is u-/i- class. "Tuma" is the imperative of "kutuma" (to send). In Swahili-speaking communities, WhatsApp is the most common method of communication.

7. Ninatumai tutaonana karibuni

   Ni-na-tu-mai tu-ta-o-na-na ka-ri-bu-ni

   I hope we will meet again soon

   Usage

   Polite expression of hoping to meet again when saying goodbye

   Grammar Note

   "Karibuni" adds the locative "-ni" suffix to "karibu" (near), creating an adverbial meaning "in the near future / soon." Swahili's "-ni" suffix can form both locative and temporal adverbs.

8. Je, una akaunti ya Instagram?

   Je, u-na a-kaun-ti ya In-sta-gram?

   Do you have an Instagram account?

   Usage

   Casual phrase for connecting on social media. Common among younger generations

   Grammar Note

   "Akaunti" is borrowed from English "account." Swahili actively borrows tech vocabulary from English: "intaneti" (internet), "kompyuta" (computer), "tovuti" (website — coined from Swahili).

9. Anwani yangu ya barua pepe ni...

   An-wa-ni yan-gu ya ba-ru-a pe-pe ni...

   My email address is...

   Usage

   Sharing an email address. "Barua pepe" is the Swahili term for email

   Grammar Note

   "Barua pepe" (email) is the native Swahili term, avoiding a borrowing of "email"; "barua" means letter. "Anwani" (address) is from Arabic "unwān."

10. Ninaishi Nairobi sasa

    Ni-na-i-shi Nai-ro-bi sa-sa

    I live in Nairobi now

    Usage

    Sharing where you live. Used in conversations with new acquaintances

    Grammar Note

    "Ishi" (to live/reside) is a core Swahili verb. "Ninaishi" = Ni (I) + na (present) + ishi. The locative "-ni" suffix would normally indicate location, but proper nouns like "Nairobi" don't need it.

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