Even though English is widely spoken in most urban areas in Kenya, Swahili is widely spoken across the whole breadth of the land, so if you plan to visit the rural areas, a few choicy words used at the right moment can help break the ice and smoothen one’s journey. As regards pronunciation, its fairly easy as every letter is sounded out. For an accurate guide to pronunciation including audio examples, see Yale’s Kamusi Project Website.
1. GREETINGS AND CIVILITIES
(Hu)Jambo: Hi
How are you?: Habari gani
Fine (response): Mzuri
Yes: Ndio
No: Hapana
Thank you (very much): Ahsante (sana)
Please: Tafadhali
Excuse me: Samahani
No problem: Hakuna matata
You’re welcome: Karibu
Goodbye: Kwa heri
2. WHILE SHOPPING:
How much?: Pesa ngapi?
It’s very expensive: Ni bei kali sana
Lower the price a little: Punguza bei kidogo
I don’t want it: Sitaki
Thank you: Ahsante/Shukrani
3. WHILE DINING
I want...: Nataka...
Salt: Chumvi
Whats in it?: Imepikwa na nini?
How much time will it take?: Itachukua muda gani/Itachukua masaa ngapi?
It’s cold: Ni baridi
3. WHILE TRAVELLING
Drive to...: Nipeleke....
Drive faster: Twende haraka
Stop: Simama
Where is...: ... iko wapi?
How far is...: ... ni mbali kiasi gani?
How much (money) till...?: Ni (pesa) ngapi kwenda....
What time is it?: Saa ngapi?
NUMBERS
1. Moja
2. Mbili
3. Tatu
4. Nne
5. Tano
6. Sita
7. Saba
8. Nane
9. Tisa
10. Kumi
In addition to Swahili, their are over 40 region dialects that are spoken. For tribe-specific phrases, your homestay hosts would be happy to help you learn a few key phrases and will assist you by writing things down as and when you need them. Feel free to mail should you need assistance.
