Swahili (Kiswahili) is Tanzania’s national language and the primary lingua franca across East Africa. On safari, in markets, at bus stations, and in local restaurants, Swahili is the language of daily life. While English gets you far in tourist areas, using even a handful of Swahili words transforms how Tanzanians interact with you - from politely helpful to genuinely warm.
This guide covers the phrases you will actually use, with pronunciation guidance and cultural notes from experienced guides.
Pronunciation Guide
Swahili pronunciation is phonetic and consistent:
- A = “ah” (as in “father”)
- E = “eh” (as in “bed”)
- I = “ee” (as in “feet”)
- O = “oh” (as in “go”)
- U = “oo” (as in “food”)
- G = always hard (as in “go”, never soft as in “gem”)
- J = like “j” in “jump”
- R = slightly rolled
The stress usually falls on the second-to-last syllable: ha-BA-ri, A-su-bu-hi, a-san-TE.
Essential Greetings
Swahili culture places enormous emphasis on greetings. Skipping a greeting before asking for something is considered rude. Always greet first.
| Swahili | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Habari | hah-BAH-ree | Hello / How are you? |
| Habari ya asubuhi | …yah ah-soo-BOO-hee | Good morning |
| Habari ya mchana | …yah m-CHAH-nah | Good afternoon |
| Habari ya jioni | …yah jee-OH-nee | Good evening |
| Nzuri | n-ZOO-ree | Good / Fine (response to habari) |
| Nzuri sana | n-ZOO-ree SAH-nah | Very good |
| Karibu | kah-REE-boo | Welcome |
| Karibu sana | kah-REE-boo SAH-nah | You are very welcome |
| Asante | ah-SAHN-teh | Thank you |
| Asante sana | ah-SAHN-teh SAH-nah | Thank you very much |
| Tafadhali | tah-fah-DHAH-lee | Please |
| Samahani | sah-mah-HAH-nee | Sorry / Excuse me |
Important: When someone says Habari?, the standard reply is Nzuri (good) or Salama (peaceful). Answering with a detailed status update is unusual - the greeting is more a social ritual than an actual inquiry about your wellbeing.
The Jambo Exception
You will hear Jambo used in tourist areas as a greeting - it is the simplified tourist version of Habari. Using Habari instead of Jambo immediately signals that you are making an effort beyond the basic tourist script. Tanzanians notice and appreciate this.
Safari Terms
Your guide will use these terms during game drives:
| Swahili | English |
|---|---|
| Simba | Lion |
| Tembo | Elephant |
| Twiga | Giraffe |
| Nyati | Buffalo |
| Kiboko | Hippo |
| Fisi | Hyena |
| Chui | Leopard |
| Duma | Cheetah |
| Nyumbu | Wildebeest/Gnu |
| Punda milia | Zebra (literally “donkey with stripes”) |
| Ndege | Bird |
| Mamba | Crocodile |
| Mbio | Run/fast |
| Simama | Stop |
| Tazama | Look |
| Pole pole | Slowly / take it easy |
Pole pole (POH-leh POH-leh) is one of the most culturally significant Swahili phrases - it expresses the Tanzanian philosophy of patience and unhurried movement through life. You will hear it constantly on Kilimanjaro treks, where it is the guide’s mantra for preventing altitude sickness.
At the Market
Bargaining is expected at markets in Tanzania (not at supermarkets or fixed-price shops):
| Swahili | English |
|---|---|
| Bei gani? | How much? |
| Ghali sana | Too expensive |
| Punguza kidogo | Reduce a little |
| Nipe bei nzuri | Give me a good price |
| Nitachukua | I will take it |
| Ninahitaji… | I need… |
| Ninataka… | I want… |
| Hapana | No |
| Ndiyo | Yes |
| Sawa | OK / Agreed |
| Sawa sawa | Absolutely fine |
Bargaining tip: Start your counter-offer at about 40 to 50% of the asking price. Smile throughout - aggressive bargaining is considered poor form. If a seller says sawa, they genuinely agree. If they say bado (not yet), there is more room.
Food and Restaurants
| Swahili | English |
|---|---|
| Chakula | Food |
| Maji | Water |
| Chai | Tea |
| Kahawa | Coffee |
| Nyama | Meat |
| Samaki | Fish |
| Mboga | Vegetables |
| Ugali | Stiff maize porridge (staple food) |
| Pilipili | Pepper / Chilli |
| Nataka kula | I want to eat |
| Nimeshiba | I am full |
| Ladha nzuri | Delicious |
| Bili, tafadhali | The bill, please |
Getting Around
| Swahili | English |
|---|---|
| Wapi? | Where? |
| Njia gani? | Which road/way? |
| Naenda… | I am going to… |
| Daladala | Local minibus |
| Gari | Car |
| Ndege | Aeroplane (same word as bird) |
| Bandari | Port / Harbour |
| Uwanja wa ndege | Airport |
| Kwa sababu gani? | Why? |
| Karibu | Near (also “welcome” - context differs) |
| Mbali | Far |
| Kushoto | Left |
| Kulia | Right |
| Moja kwa moja | Straight ahead |
Accommodation and Hotels
| Swahili | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Hoteli | ho-TEH-lee | Hotel |
| Chumba | CHOOM-bah | Room |
| Chumba kimoja | …kee-MOH-jah | One room |
| Naweza kuona chumba? | nah-WEH-zah… | Can I see the room? |
| Chumba na bafuni | …bah-FOO-nee | Room with a bathroom |
| Maji ya moto | MAH-jee yah MOH-toh | Hot water |
| Funguo | foon-GOO-oh | Key |
| Nitabaki usiku mmoja | nee-tah-BAH-kee oo-SEE-koo… | I will stay one night |
| Saa ngapi? (check-out) | SAH nn-GAH-pee | What time (check-out)? |
| Jasho linaniudhi | JAH-shoh lee-nah-nee-OO-dhee | There is a problem |
| Ninataka kuondoka kesho | …koo-on-DOH-kah KEH-shoh | I want to leave tomorrow |
Lodge tip: At luxury safari lodges, most communication happens in English. Swahili matters most at budget guesthouses, local B&Bs, and on Zanzibar’s south coast. Saying asante sana to your room attendant at checkout earns genuine warmth.
Numbers
Numbers unlock markets, transport prices, and tip conversations:
| Number | Swahili | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moja | MOH-jah |
| 2 | Mbili | m-BEE-lee |
| 3 | Tatu | TAH-too |
| 4 | Nne | n-NEH |
| 5 | Tano | TAH-noh |
| 6 | Sita | SEE-tah |
| 7 | Saba | SAH-bah |
| 8 | Nane | NAH-neh |
| 9 | Tisa | TEE-sah |
| 10 | Kumi | KOO-mee |
| 20 | Ishirini | ee-shee-REE-nee |
| 50 | Hamsini | ham-SEE-nee |
| 100 | Mia moja | MEE-ah MOH-jah |
| 1,000 | Elfu moja | EL-foo MOH-jah |
Practical note: Tanzanian shillings are quoted in thousands - kumi (10,000 shillings) is standard. A daladala ride in Dar es Salaam is typically mia mbili (200 shillings, approximately TZS 200). Markets price in round thousands: elfu tano (5,000 shillings ≈ USD 2).
For teens, combine kumi na (ten and): kumi na tatu = 13. For multiples of ten, combine: ishirini na tano = 25.
Emergencies and Medical
Learning these phrases before you need them is always worthwhile:
| Swahili | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Msaada! | m-SAH-ah-dah | Help! |
| Ninauma | nee-nah-OO-mah | I am in pain |
| Daktari | dak-TAH-ree | Doctor |
| Hospitali | hoh-spee-TAH-lee | Hospital |
| Dawa | DAH-wah | Medicine |
| Wezi! | WEH-zee | Thief! |
| Nipigie simu polisi | …POH-lee-see | Call the police |
| Nimepoteza pasipoti yangu | nee-meh-poh-TEH-zah pah-see-POH-tee | I have lost my passport |
| Ninahisi vibaya | nee-nah-HEE-see vee-BAH-yah | I feel unwell |
| Malaria | mah-LAH-ree-ah | Malaria (same word) |
| Natafuta dawa ya… | nah-tah-FOO-tah DAH-wah yah | I am looking for medicine for… |
| Mzigo wangu ulibiwa | m-ZEE-goh wah-ngoo oo-lee-BEE-wah | My bag was stolen |
Emergency numbers in Tanzania: dial 112 and ask for police, fire or ambulance. Response outside Dar es Salaam can be slow, so call your hotel or lodge as well.
Cultural Phrases
These phrases go beyond the tourist script and genuinely impress locals:
| Swahili | English |
|---|---|
| Ninafurahi kukuona | I am happy to see you |
| Tanzania ni nzuri sana | Tanzania is very beautiful |
| Nimefurahi sana | I am very happy |
| Naweza kusaidia? | Can I help? |
| Unamaanisha nini? | What do you mean? |
| Sielewi | I do not understand |
| Tena, tafadhali | Please repeat |
| Nilikuwa Tanzania mara ya kwanza | This is my first time in Tanzania |
| Hii ni safari yangu ya kwanza | This is my first safari |
Swahili Culture: What You Should Know
Ubuntu philosophy: Tanzanian culture is built on ujamaa - a concept of community solidarity that President Julius Nyerere used as the foundation of national identity after independence in 1961. The phrase Mungu ibariki Tanzania (God bless Tanzania) reflects the national pride that connects Tanzanians of different ethnic backgrounds.
Handshakes: Extended handshakes with the left hand supporting the right forearm are standard in formal greetings. A limp or rushed handshake can seem dismissive.
Shoes at the entrance: Remove shoes when entering a home or mosque. This applies to all mosques in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
Patience: Tanzanian time operates on pole pole principles. Meetings, buses, and meals may start later than scheduled. Expressing frustration is considered impolite - breathe, and embrace the pace.
Tipping: Tipping your safari guide is culturally expected and genuinely important to them economically. The standard is approximately 10 to 20 USD per day for a driver-guide, 3 to 5 USD per day per person for a lodge butler or porter. Give tips in cash, directly to the individual.
Plan Your Trip
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