Kiswahili is widely spoken in East Africa and other parts of Africa. It has official language status in Kenya and Tanzania, and is also spoken in Uganda, DR Congo, and the Comoros, making it one of the languages you need to learn if you plan to visit East Africa.
Here are the top 100 Kiswahili words, and their translations in English.
- Jambo – Hello
- Habari za asubuhi – Good morning
- Habari za jioni – Good evening
- U hali gani? – How are you?
- Kwaheri – Goodbye
- Lala salama – Sleep well
- Ndio – Yes
- Hapana – No
- Asante – Thank you
- Njoo – Come
- Kwenda – To go
- Kuona – To see
- Cheka – Laugh
- Tengeneza – Make
- Kutenda – To do
- Kutumia – to use
- Leo – today
- Kesho – tomorrow
- Jana – yesterday
- Siku – day
- Wiki – week
- Mwaka – year
- Mchana – day
- Usiku – night
- Saa – Hour/clock
- Dakika – minute
- Sekunde – second
- Ndogo – small
- Nzuri – good
- Ngumu – hard
- Mbaya – bad
- Rahisi – easy
- Karibu – near
- Mbali – far
- Baba – father
- Mama – mother
- Mtoto – child
- Dada – sister
- Kaka – brother
- Babu – grandfather
- Nyanya – grandmother
- Mjukuu – grandchild
- Shangazi – aunt
- Mjomba – uncle
- Binamu – cousin
- Mwanaume – man
- Mwanamke – woman
- Daktari – doctor
- Mwalimu – teacher
- Mchungaji – pastor
- Rafiki – friend
- Mimi – me
- Wewe – you
- Sisi – we
- Yeye – he/she
- Mguu – leg
- Kichwa – head
- Mkono – hand
- Kidole – finger
- Mwili – body
- Tumbo – stomach
- Mgongo – back
- Kifua- chest
- Goti – knee (magoti – knees)
- Jicho – eye
- Sikio – ear
- Moja – one
- Mbili – two
- Tatu – three
- Nne – four
- Tano – five
- Sita – six
- Saba – seven
- Nane – eight
- Tisa – nine
- Kumi – ten
- Kahawa – coffee
- Chai – tea
- Pombe – beer
- Maji – water
- Maziwa – milk
- Chakula – food
- Nyama – meat
- Ng’ombe – cow
- Mbuzi – goat
- Kondoo – sheep
- Kuku – chicken
- Nguruwe – pig
- Samaki – fish
- Choo – toilet
- Kitanda – bed
- Pesa – money
- Gari –car
- Baiskeli – bicycle
- Pikipiki – motorcycle
- Duka – shop
- Nyumba – house
- Shule – school
- Simu – phone
- Kitabu – book
Now you are all set to converse with the locals! Karibu nyumbani (welcome home)!