Laundry

1. Kuna huduma ya kufulia nguo hapa?

   Is there a laundry service here?

   Usage

   Used to ask about laundry services at accommodation

   Grammar Note

   "-ia" in "kufulia" is the applicative suffix meaning "to wash for"

2. Ninahitaji kuosha nguo zangu.

   I need to wash my clothes.

   Usage

   Used to express the need for laundry

   Grammar Note

   "ninahitaji" means "I need"

3. Nguo zitakuwa tayari lini?

   When will the clothes be ready?

   Usage

   Used to ask when laundry will be ready

   Grammar Note

   "zitakuwa" is the third-person plural future form "they will be"

4. Piga pasi shati hili tafadhali.

   Please iron this shirt.

   Usage

   Used to request ironing at a laundry shop

   Grammar Note

   "piga pasi" is an idiomatic expression meaning "to iron (clothes)"

5. Nguo zangu zina doa kubwa.

   My clothes have a large stain.

   Usage

   Used to report a stain when dropping off laundry

   Grammar Note

   "zina" is the third-person plural of "to have"

6. Tafadhali usifue kwa maji ya moto.

   Please do not wash with hot water.

   Usage

   Used to give care instructions for delicate clothing

   Grammar Note

   "usi-" is the negative imperative prefix. The verb -paka means "to smear on (ointment, lipstick)" and has nothing to do with laundry. Washing clothes is -fua, the verb this same file already uses in laun-001 (kufulia, its applicative). The instrumental "with" is kwa, not na.

7. Bei ya kufulia shati moja ni ngapi?

   What is the price to wash one shirt?

   Usage

   Used to ask about laundry pricing

   Grammar Note

   "ngapi" is a question word meaning "how much/many"

8. Ninapenda kuosha nguo kwa mikono.

   I prefer to wash clothes by hand.

   Usage

   Used to express preference for hand-washing clothes

   Grammar Note

   "kwa mikono" is a prepositional phrase meaning "by hand/using hands"

9. Nguo zinakauka polepole leo.

   The clothes are drying slowly today.

   Usage

   Used to comment on slow drying due to humidity

   Grammar Note

   "polepole" means "slowly" and is one of the most well-known Swahili words

10. Sabuni ipo wapi?

    Where is the detergent?

    Usage

    Used to ask where to find laundry detergent

    Grammar Note

    "ipo wapi" is the question expression for "where is it located"

Browse all TravelPhrases languages