Travelling generally has barriers in communication. Public transport is quite unique in East Africa, unlike countries such as Europe, U.S.A that have regulated public transport systems. Learning some basic Swahili phrases will help you get around.
Vocabulary
English
Swahili
Stop
Simama
Car
Gari
Please
Tafadhali
Take
Chukua
Me
Mimi
Left
Kushoto
Right
Kulia
Ahead
Mbele
Close
Karibu
Best
Zuri zaidi
Eat
Kula
Where
Wapi
Motorcycle
Pikipiki
Visit
Tembelea
Thank you
Asante
Am requesting
Naomba
Take me
Unifikishe
Take me
Nipeleke
Road/Way/Path
Njia
Enter
Ingia
We
Sisi
All of us
Sisi sote
Can I
Naweza?
Road
Barabara
Here
Hapa
Everyone
Kila mtu
Here are a few sample sentences below:
Context
English
Swahili
Simple conversations with a driver.
Please stop the car.
Tafadhali simamisha gari.
Please drive the car everyone has entered.
Tafadhali endesha gari kila mtu ameingia.
You can take a left turn right here.
Unaweza kuchukua barabara ya kushoto hapa.
Please take a right turn here sir.
Tafadhali chukua barabara ya kulia hapa.
Please keep going straight ahead on this road.
Tafadhali enda tu mbele.
Please take me to the hotel.
Naomba unifikishe kwa hoteli.
Please take me to the airport.
Tafadhali nipeleke kiwanja cha ndege.
Thank you for the ride.
Asante kwa kunibeba.
Asking for different means of transport.
Which is the closest public transport area?
Je, ni steji gani iliyokaribu?
Where can I find the closest transport for taxis?
Je, naweza pata texi ya kunibeba wapi?
Where can I get a motorcycle ride?
Je, naweza pata pikipiki ya kunibeba wapi?
Asking for an ATM point from the driver.
Please take me to the closest ATM.
Tafadhali nipeleke kwa mashine ya ATM iliyokaribu.
Zanele Kawalya-Kagwa says:
Good fun, but my predictive text keeps getting in the way
Zanele Kawalya-Kagwa says:
One was marked wrong, but was correct.
Denis says:
So nice to learn from you