1920px Uhuru Peak Mt. Kilimanjaro 1

Swahili for travellers: essential words and phrases for Tanzania

July 7, 202610 min read

Swahili and English are the everyday languages in Tanzania, written in the Latin alphabet, so signs and menus are at least decipherable, and English works in cities and tourist areas but thins out beyond them; Swahili is the unifying national language and a few words go a long way on safari and the coast.

As a traveler, relying on English gets you through most tourist spots, but knowing a handful of Swahili words unlocks genuine interactions and smoother experiences in rural areas and local markets. A small effort with language pays off in safety, respect, and authentic encounters.

  • English is widely spoken in tourist hubs, but less so outside them.
  • Learning a few Swahili words enhances safety and local rapport.
  • Most signs and menus are in Latin script, often with Swahili and English.
  • Carry a translation app and memorize key phrases for markets and safaris.
  • Respect local customs by using basic greetings and polite words.

Quick Facts About Language in Tanzania

Mount Kilimanjaro
Dar es Salaam. Wikimedia Commons, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Official language: Swahili and English.
  • Other languages: tribal languages like Maasai and Chaga are spoken locally.
  • English level: high in tourist areas, limited in rural regions.
  • Readability: Latin alphabet used; signs often include Swahili and English.

GREETINGS

WordTranslationPronunciation
HelloHujambohoo-JAM-bo
Good morningHabari ya asubuhiha-BA-ri ya a-SU-bu-hi
Good afternoonHabari ya mchanaha-BA-ri ya m-cha-NA
Good eveningHabari ya jioniha-BA-ri ya JI-o-ni
ByeKwa herikwa HE-ri
GoodbyeKwa herikwa HE-ri
How are you?Habari gani?ha-BA-ri GANI
My name is …Jina langu ni …JEE-na lan-GU ni …
Nice to meet youNimefurahi kukutana naweni-me-FU-ra-hi ku-KU-ta-na na-WE
Where are you from?Unatoka wapi?u-na-TO-ka wa-PI
I am from [country]Ninatoka [country]ni-na-TO-ka [country]
One moment pleaseTafadhali kidogota-FAD-ha-li ki-DO-go

POLITENESS

WordTranslationPronunciation
PleaseTafadhalita-FAD-ha-li
Thank youAsantea-SAN-te
You are welcomeKaribuka-RI-bu
SorryPolePO-le
Excuse meSamahanisa-ma-HA-ni
PardonSamahanisa-ma-HA-ni
No problemHakuna shidaha-KU-na shi-DA
Can you help me?Unaweza kunisaidia?u-na-WE-za ku-ni-SI-a-di-a
Sorry I do not understandSamahani siwezi kuelewasa-ma-HA-ni si-we-zi e-le-WA

Communication Help

WordTranslationPronunciation
Do you speak English?Unazungumza Kiingereza?oo-na-zun-GU-mza ki-in-GE-reza
Do you speak [output language]?Unazungumza [language]?oo-na-zun-GU-mza [language]
I do not speak the local language wellSiezungumza vizuri lugha ya eneosi-e-zun-GU-mza vi-zo-ree lu-GA ya e-NE-o
Could you repeat that?Tafadhali rudia hiyota-fa-DHA-li ru-DI-a hi-yo
Slower pleasePole pole tafadhalipo-le po-le ta-fa-DHA-li
Could you write it down?Tafadhali andikata-fa-DHA-li an-DI-ka
What does this mean?Hii ina maana gani?hi-i i-na ma-NA ga-ni
I do not understandSielewisi-e-LE-wi
Where is …?Iko wapi …?i-ko wa-PI
Is this correct?Hii ni sahihi?hi-i ni sa-HI-hi

Essential Words

WordTranslationPronunciation
YesNdiyon-DI-yo
NoHapanaha-PA-na
OkaySawasa-WA
MaybeLabdalab-DA
GoodNzurin-zu-RI
Not goodSio nzurisi-o n-zu-RI
BigKubwaku-BRA
SmallNdogon-DO-go
OpenFunguafu-ANG-a
ClosedFungwafu-ANG-a
TodayLeoLE-o
TomorrowKeshoke-SHO
YesterdayJanaJA-na
NowSasasa-SA
LaterBaadayeba-a-DA-ye
HereHapaha-PA
TherePalepa-LE
LeftKushotoku-SHO-to
RightKuliaku-LI-a
Straight aheadMoja mbelemo-JA m-be-le
StopSimamasi-MA-ma

Numbers and Prices

WordTranslationPronunciation
OnemojaMOH-jah
Twombilim-BEE-lee
ThreetatuTAH-too
FournneN-neh
FivetanoTAH-no
SixsitaSEE-tah
SevensabaSAH-bah
EightnaneNAH-neh
NinetisaTEE-sah
TenkumiKOO-mee
Elevenkumi na mojaKOO-mee nah MOH-jah
Twelvekumi na mbiliKOO-mee nah m-BEE-lee
Thirteenkumi na tatuKOO-mee nah TAH-too
Fourteenkumi na nneKOO-mee nah N-neh
Fifteenkumi na tanoKOO-mee nah TAH-no
Sixteenkumi na sitaKOO-mee nah SEE-tah
Seventeenkumi na sabaKOO-mee nah SAH-bah
Eighteenkumi na naneKOO-mee nah NAH-neh
Nineteenkumi na tisaKOO-mee nah TEE-sah
Twentyishiriniee-shee-REE-nee
Hundredmia mojaMEE-ah MOH-jah
ThousandelfuEL-foo
Cheaprahisirah-EE-shee
ExpensiveghaliGHAH-lee
Discountpunguzopoon-GOO-zoh
How much does this cost?Hii ni ghali kiasi gani?HEE nee GHAH-lee KEE-ah-see GAH-nee?
Too expensiveGhali sanaGHAH-lee SAH-nah
What is the best price?Bei bora ni ipi?BAY BOH-rah nee EE-pee?
Can it be cheaper?Inawezekana kuwa rahisi?ee-nah-WEH-zeh-kah-nah KOO-wah rah-EE-see?
I pay cashNinalipa kwa pesa taslimunee-nah-LEE-pah KWAH PEH-sah tahs-LEE-moo
Do you have change?Una pesa taslimu?OO-nah PEH-sah tahs-LEE-moo?
May I see the price?Naomba nione bei?NAA-om-bah nee-OH-neh BAY?

Time and Planning

WordTranslationPronunciation
TodayLeoLAY-oh
TomorrowKeshoKEH-sho
The day after tomorrowKeshokutwakeh-sho-koo-TAH-wah
MorningAsubuhiah-SOO-boo-hee
AfternoonMchanam-CHA-nah
EveningJioniJOH-nee
NightUsikuoo-SEE-koo
Hour Saasah
MinuteDakikadah-KEE-kah
EarlyMapemamah-PEH-ma
LateChelewacheh-LEH-wah
What time is it?Saa ngapi?sah nah-PEE?
How long does it take?Inachukua muda gani?ee-nah-CHOO-kah moo-DAH GAH-nee?
Can we meet at …?Tunaweza kukutana saa ngapi …?too-nah-WEH-zah koo-koo-TAH-nah sah nah-PEE …

DIRECTIONS AND NAVIGATION

WordTranslationPronunciation
Where is the toilet?Wapi choo?Wah-pee choo?
Where is the station?Wapi kituo?Wah-pee kee-too-oh?
Where is the bus stop?Wapi stendi ya basi?Wah-pee sten-dee yah bah-see?
Where is the centre?Wapi katikati?Wah-pee kah-tee-kah-tee?
How do I get to …?Ninawezaje kufika …?Nee-nah-weh-zah-jeh koo-fee-kah …?
Is it far to walk?Ni mbali kutembea?Nee mbah-lee koo-tem-beh-ah?
How far is it?Ni umbali gani?Nee oom-bah-lee gah-nee?
LeftKushotoKoo-shoh-toh
RightKuliaKoo-lee-ah
Straight aheadMoja mbeleMoh-jah m-beh-leh

TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS

WordTranslationPronunciation
StationKituoKee-too-oh
BusBasiBah-see
TrainTreniTreh-nee
BoatBotiBoh-tee
MetroMetroMeh-troh
TicketTiketiTee-keh-tee
DepartureKuondokaKoo-ohn-doh-kah
ArrivalKufikaKoo-fee-kah
StopKamaKah-mah
PlatformJukwaaJoo-kwah
LuggageMizigoMee-zee-goh
A ticket to …Tiketi ya …Tee-keh-tee yah …
When does this leave?Hii inatoka lini gani?Hee ee-nah-toh-kah lee-nee gah-nee?
Where should I get off?Ninafaa kushuka wapi?Nee-nah-fah koo-shoo-kah wah-pee?
Does this stop at …?Hii inasimama kwenye …?Hee ee-nah-see-mah-mah chay-neh …?
I want to go to this addressNataka kwenda kwa anuani hiiNah-tah-kah kwen-dah kwah ah-nwah-nee hee
Can you turn on the meter?Unaweza kuwasha mita?Oo-nah-weh-zah koo-wah-shah mee-tah?
How much does it cost to …?Gharama ni kiasi gani kwa …?Ghah-rah-mah nee kee-ah-see gah-nee kwah …

Accommodation

WordTranslationPronunciation
ReservationUhifadhi wa nafasioo-hee-har-dee wa na-fasi
KeyUfunguooo-foon-go
RoomChumbachum-ba
BathroomBafuba-foo
TowelLesole-so
Air conditioningKiyoyoziki-yo-yo-zi
FanFenife-ni
Wi-FiWi-Fiwee-fai
PasswordNenosirine-no-si-ri
I have a reservation under the name …Nina uhifadhi wa nafasi kwa jina …ni-na oo-hee-har-dee wa na-fasi kwa ji-na …
Do you have a room available?Je, kuna chumba kinapatikana?je, ku-na chum-ba ki-na-pa-ti-ka-na?
How much does it cost per night?Inagharimu kiasi gani kwa usiku?i-na-gha-ru-mu ki-a-si gani kwa u-si-ku?
Can I check out later?Naweza kuondoka baadaye?na-weza ku-on-do-ka ba-a-da-ye?
Can you fix this?Unaweza kurekebisha hii?u-na-weza ku-re-ke-bi-sha hi?
The air conditioning is not workingKiyoyozi hakifanyi kaziki-yo-yo-zi ha-ki-fan-yi ka-zi
What is the Wi-Fi password?Nenosiri la Wi-Fi ni lipi?ne-no-si-ri la wee-fai ni li-pi?

Food and Drink

WordTranslationPronunciation
Water (still)Maji baridima-ji ba-ri-di
Water (sparkling)Maji chunguma-ji chun-gu
Without iceBila barafubi-la ba-ru-fu
SpicyKalika-li
Not spicySiyo kalisi-yo ka-li
VegetarianMbogambo-ga
VeganVeganvee-gan
ChickenKukuku-ku
FishSamakisa-ma-ki
MeatNyamanya-ma
BreakfastChakula cha asubuhicha-ku-la cha a-su-bu-hi
LunchChakula cha mchanacha-ku-la cha mcha-na
DinnerChakula cha jionicha-ku-la cha ji-o-ni
May I see the menu?Naweza kuona menyu?na-weza ku-o-na me-nyu?
I would like …Ningependa …nin-ge-pen-da …
Without … pleaseBila … tafadhalibi-la … ta-fa-dha-li
I am allergic to …Nina mzio wa …ni-na mzi-o wa …
No nuts pleaseTafadhali usionge na karangata-fa-dha-li u-sion-ge na ka-ran-ga
No milk pleaseTafadhali usiweke maziwata-fa-dha-li u-si-we-ke ma-zi-wa
No gluten pleaseTafadhali usiweke glutenta-fa-dha-li u-si-we-ke gluten
May I have the bill?Naomba bili?na-om-ba bi-li?
Where can I eat well?Ninaweza kula vizuri wapi?ni-na-weza ku-la vi-zi-ri wapi?

Allergies and Safe Eating

WordTranslationPronunciation
I am allergic to …Nina ugonjwa wa mzio na …Nee-nah oo-gon-jwah wah mee-zee-oh nah …
I cannot eat thisSiwezi kula hiiSee-weh-zee koo-lah hee
Does this contain …?Je, hii ina …?Jee, hee ee-nah …?
No peanuts or nuts pleaseTafadhali usiwe na karanga au pundaTah-fah-dah-lee oo-see-weh nah kah-rahng-ah ow poo-ndah
Is this raw?Je, hii ni mbichi?Jee, hee nee mbee-chee?
Is this very spicy?Je, hii ni kali sana?Jee, hee nee kah-lee sah-nah?
Only well done pleaseTafadhali iwe imepikwa vizuriTah-fah-dah-lee ee-weh ee-meh-pee-kwa vee-zu-ree

Health and Emergency

WordTranslationPronunciation
Help!Nisaidie!Nee-sigh-dee-eh!
DoctorDaktariDahk-tah-ree
HospitalHospitaliHos-pee-tah-lee
PharmacyDuka la dawaDoo-kah lah dah-wah
PainMaumivuMau-mee-voo
FeverHomaHoh-mah
AllergyMzioMzee-oh
PolicePolisiPoh-lee-see
I need helpNahitaji msaadaNihah-tee mee-sah-dah
Call an ambulancePiga simu ya ambulancePee-gah see-moo yah ahm-boo-lahn-sah
I lost my passportNimepoteza pasipoti yanguNee-meh-poh-teh-zah pah-see-poh-tee yahng-oo
I have been robbedNimeibiwaNee-meh-ee-bee-wah
I do not feel wellSijisikii vizuriSee-jee-see-kee vee-zu-ree
Where is the nearest pharmacy?Duka la dawa lilipo karibu?Doo-kah lah dah-wah lee-lee-poh kah-ree-boo?
I have pain hereNina maumivu hapaNee-nah mau-mee-voo hah-pah

Money and Paying

WordTranslationPronunciation
CashPesaPEH-sah
PINNambari ya siriNAM-bah-ree ya see-ree
CardKadiKAH-dee
Exchange moneyBadilisha pesaBah-dee-LEE-sha PEH-sah
Receipt RisitiRee-SEE-tee
Can I pay by card?Naweza kulipa kwa kadi?NAA-weh-zah koo-LEE-pah kwa KAH-dee?
Can I pay in cash?Naweza kulipa kwa pesa taslimu?NAA-weh-zah koo-LEE-pah kwa PEH-sah tahs-LEE-moo?
Where is an ATM?Benki ya ATM iko wapi?Ben-KEE yah ATM EE-koh wah-PEE?
May I have a receipt?Naomba risitiNaa-BOHM-ah Ree-SEE-tee

SIM AND INTERNET

WordTranslationPronunciation
I want a SIM cardNataka kadi ya SIMNah-TAH-kah KAH-dee yah SIM
I want an eSIMNataka eSIMNah-TAH-kah eSIM
How much data is included?Ni data kiasi gani?Nee DAH-tah KEE-ahs GAH-nee?
Does this work on my phone?Inafanya kazi kwenye simu yangu?Ee-NAH-fah-nyah KAH-zee KUN-yeh SOO-mee YAHN-goo?
Can you activate it?Unaweza kuikamilisha?Oo-nah-WEH-zah KOO-ee-kee-MEE-lah-sha?
Where is the Wi-Fi?Wi-Fi iko wapi?WEE-FEE EE-koh wah-PEE?

English Proficiency in Tanzania

In urban tourist hubs like Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Zanzibar, many young people and service workers speak some English, making communication relatively straightforward. However, in local markets, rural villages, and among older generations, English is often limited or nonexistent. Expect to rely on gestures, basic phrases, and translation tools outside the main tourist areas.

Decision Rules for Using English

  • if in a remote village or talking to an older local, then assume little to no English and prepare to use translation apps or gestures.
  • if in a city or tourist hub, then expect some English but carry basic Swahili phrases for safety and courtesy.
  • if speaking with young Tanzanians or in modern establishments, then English will likely suffice, but politeness and patience improve interactions.

Signs, Menus, and Street Names

Most signs and menus in Tanzania are written in Latin script, often bilingual with Swahili and English. Tourist areas and major cities feature clear bilingual signage, making navigation easier. In rural areas, signs may be solely in Swahili or use Romanised Swahili, which is phonetic and straightforward once familiar. Street names are usually in Latin script, but not always well-marked outside urban centers.

Communication Tips for Tanzania

  • Use a translation app to bridge language gaps, especially in rural areas where English is rare.
  • Learn key Swahili words like ‘habari’ (hello) and ‘asante’ (thank you) to show respect and build rapport.
  • Point clearly at menus or items to avoid misunderstandings when language fails.
  • Maintain a friendly tone and smile; non-verbal cues are universally understood and appreciated.
  • Speak slowly and clearly if using English, avoiding slang or complex sentences.
  • Observe local body language and gestures to interpret meaning better.
  • Always greet with a smile and a nod before starting a conversation to establish goodwill.
  • Be patient and polite if communication stalls; locals appreciate respectful effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

1How big is the gap between younger and older people in English?

Younger Tanzanians, especially in cities and tourist areas, often speak some English, while older generations and rural residents usually do not. Expect to find limited or no English outside urban centers.

2Are body language or gestures understood differently locally?

Yes. For example, pointing with the index finger can be rude in some areas. Use open palm gestures and a friendly smile to communicate non-verbally.

3Do I need offline translation apps in rural areas?

Absolutely. Mobile signals can be weak or absent in remote regions. Download Swahili phrasebooks or translation apps beforehand and consider offline options.

4What is the social etiquette for addressing someone in the street?

Use Swahili greetings like ‘habari’ and address people politely with ‘bwana’ (sir) or ‘mama’ (ma’am). Respectful greetings set a positive tone.

5How do I understand public transport tickets and destinations?

Most tickets are in Swahili or Romanised Swahili. Learn key words like ‘stendi’ (station) and ‘mwelekeo’ (direction). Confirm destinations with locals if unsure.

6What is a local word or greeting that instantly builds rapport?

Saying ‘Jambo’ or ‘Habari’ with a smile instantly shows friendliness and opens doors for better interaction.

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