Greetings

1. Habari

   Ha-ba-ri

   Hello / How are you

   Usage

   Most common greeting. Reply with "Nzuri" (good), "Safi" (fine), or "Salama" (peaceful)

   Grammar Note

   Swahili greetings often take the form of "Habari?" (What is the news?). Swahili is a Bantu language with a noun class system and many Arabic loanwords.

2. Karibu

   Ka-ri-bu

   Welcome / Come in / You're welcome

   Usage

   Used as "Karibu Kenya!" (Welcome to Kenya!) and as a response to thanks

   Grammar Note

   Derived from Arabic, "karibu" is versatile: welcome, please come in, you're welcome. Plural: "Karibuni." Swahili absorbed many Arabic words through centuries of Indian Ocean trade.

3. Asante sana

   A-sa-nte sa-na

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   "Asante" alone means "thank you." Adding "sana" makes it "thank you very much"

   Grammar Note

   "Asante" possibly derives from Arabic "ihsan" (kindness). "Sana" is an adverb meaning "very." Swahili word order is relatively flexible, with adverbs typically placed after the verb or at the end.

4. Hakuna matata

   Ha-ku-na ma-ta-ta

   No problem / No worries

   Usage

   Widely used optimistic expression in East Africa. Used in response to apologies or to reassure someone

   Grammar Note

   "Hakuna" is the Bantu existential negative. "Matata" is the ma- plural of "tata" (tangle, difficulty), meaning troubles or problems ("tatizo" is a different word, with plural "matatizo"). Made globally famous by The Lion King.

5. Samahani

   Sa-ma-ha-ni

   Excuse me / I'm sorry

   Usage

   Used for both apologies and getting attention. Reply: "Sawa" (okay/fine) or "Karibu" (you're welcome)

   Grammar Note

   From Arabic "samaha" (to forgive). Related to "msamaha" (forgiveness), an abstract noun of the m-/mi- class (class 3). A typical example of Arabic loanwords in everyday Swahili.

6. Jina langu ni...

   Ji-na la-ngu ni...

   My name is...

   Usage

   Basic self-introduction. "Ninaitwa..." (I am called...) is an alternative form

   Grammar Note

   "Jina" belongs to the ji/ma noun class (class 5). The possessive "langu" agrees with the ji-class. This demonstrates Swahili's agreement system where modifiers match noun classes.

7. Unatoka wapi?

   U-na-to-ka wa-pi?

   Where are you from?

   Usage

   Asking about origin. Reply: "Ninatoka Japan" (I come from Japan)

   Grammar Note

   Swahili verb structure: subject prefix + tense marker + root. "U-na-toka" = U (you, 2nd person singular) + na (present tense) + toka (to come from). Classic Bantu agglutinative morphology.

8. Shikamoo

   Shi-ka-moo

   Respectful greeting to elders

   Usage

   Respectful greeting to elders or higher-status people. Reply: "Marahaba" (I am pleased / welcome)

   Grammar Note

   "Shikamoo" is said to contract "(mi)shika miguu yako" (I hold your feet). It reflects the traditional hierarchical respect culture of the East African Swahili coast.

9. Kwaheri

   Kwa-he-ri

   Goodbye

   Usage

   Farewell greeting. "Kwaherini" for multiple people. "Tutaonana" (we shall see each other again) is also common

   Grammar Note

   "Kwa heri" means "with good fortune." "Heri" derives from Arabic "khair" (goodness). Adding the suffix "-ni", used when addressing several people, gives "Kwaherini" when addressing multiple people.

10. Ndiyo / Hapana

    Ndi-yo / Ha-pa-na

    Yes / No

    Usage

    Basic responses. "Ndiyo" affirms, "Hapana" or the softer "La" negates

    Grammar Note

    "Hapana" is the usual negative reply. "Ndiyo" is the affirmative reply, "that is so". Swahili also has "La" as a softer "no" in certain contexts.

11. Unasema Kiingereza?

    U-na-se-ma Ki-i-nge-re-za?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Checking language ability. A common reply is "Kidogo" (a little)

    Grammar Note

    Language names in Swahili take the "ki-" noun class prefix: Kiswahili, Kiingereza (English), Kichina (Chinese), Kijapani (Japanese). The ki-/vi- class covers languages, tools, and objects.

12. Sijui

    Si-jui

    I don't know

    Usage

    Indicates lack of knowledge. "Sielewi" means "I don't understand"

    Grammar Note

    In Swahili negation, the subject prefix changes: "Ninajua" (I know) → "Sijui" (I don't know). 1st person negative: "si-"; 2nd person: "hu-". Characteristic Bantu negative morphology.

13. Nitarudi tena

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop

14. Nilifurahi sana

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Used when saying goodbye

15. Asante, tuonane!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual way to say goodbye

16. Lala salama

    Good night

    Usage

    Said before going to bed, e.g. at a guesthouse or homestay; literally "sleep peacefully"

17. Ninatoka

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Casual phrase said when leaving the house

18. Nimerudi

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said upon returning to the house/guesthouse

19. Samahani, lazima niende

    Excuse me, I need to get going

    Usage

    Polite way to excuse yourself when leaving before others

20. Karibu

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Standard response to "Asante" (thank you); also means "welcome"

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