Learn KiswahiliKiswahili like English is the national language in Kenya. It is commonly used in the informal sector. It is an interesting language with a very rich history. It is also quite easy to learn. Whilst speaking, you only need to pronounce the words as you see them. For example, habari is said as ha-ba-ri. A word like "mti" meaning tree would be pronounced as "m-ti". Simple huh! In this page, I will give you some really useful kiswahili words followed by how to use them in different context such as when in a restaurant, or shopping, travelling etc...
Useful kiswahili words at a glance: * How are you - Habari *Very well - Mzuri * Thank you - Asante * Thank you very much - Asante sana * Ok - Sawa * Good bye - Kwa heri * Food - Chakula * Tea - Chai * White person - Mzungu * Black person - Mwafrika * Time - Saa * What time is it? - Ni saa ngapi * How much is this? - Hii ni pesa ngapi? * Give me a better price please? - Nifanyie bei mzuri tafadhali * Sina hiyo pesa - I don't have that amount of money
Tips on Effective Salutations Habari yako means how are you? A good response in Kiswahili would be mzuri sana meaning I am very well thank you. Sometimes you will hear someone say jambo. It also means how are you and you may respond by saying mzuri sana.
Whilst greeting someone, especially older people, it is expected that you give them a good handshake. Though I'm Kenyan, I sometimes find it tiring because if you meet a group of people, say about fifteen of them, you are expected to shake hands with all of them.
That notwithstanding, there are some tribes that pat your head instead of a handshake. This is popular amongst the maasai peoples where an older person will place their hand on your head as a means of greeting you. You will encounter Maasai people in the Rift Valley areas, Ngong hills, Kiserian or the Maasai Mara game reserve areas.
Effective Kiswahili words when Shopping: Ideally, when shopping the key questions that you will ask will relate to the price. It is important to note that Kenya has a culture of bargaining. This means that the price that you will be told at the onset is negotiable. In most cases, the price given by the vendor is usually three times the actual price. For example, if you want to buy a pair of sandals, the vendor will tell you that it is Ksh 1200. In such a case, tell him that you only have Ksh 400 and he will tell you that he can only sell it for Ksh 900.
The idea is to continue with the negotiation process until he comes to the lowest price possible. In most cases, if you are not satisfied with the price offered, pretend to walk away and the vendor will rush after you and make you an offer close to what you initially asked. It works like magic!!
Despite this bargaining culture, it is good to bear in mind that these vendors live such difficult lives and letting them get slightly more than you had planned to spend is a way of giving to the Kenyan community.
So here are some common kiswahili phrases when shopping; * How much is this? - Hii ni pesa ngapi? * Give me a better price please? - Nifanyie bei mzuri tafadhali * Sina hiyo pesa - I don't have that amount of money
Travelling If you intend to come to Kenya on a self organised trip then you may need to know some of these kiswahili phrases. * Bus - Basi. * What time will the bus come? - Busi itakuja saa ngapi? * What time is it? - Ni saa ngapi * What time shall we leave / depart? - Tutatoka saa ngapi * What time shall we arrive? - Tutafika saa ngapi * What time shall we meet? - Tutakutana saa ngapi? * Where are the buses to__________? - Basi zakwenda _________ziko wapi?
Bus timetables do not exist, at least for short haul trips. Aside from the conventional buses, we have matatus which are tourist look-like shuttles converted into public transport. Getting into one of them is a must for an adventurous traveller. They are a good way to experience the every day life of the local people.
At a restaurant Kenya has all sorts of restaurants and eating houses. Kiswahili phrases that may come in handy include;
* Kindly give me the menu please - nipe menu tafadhali (pronounced ta-fa-dha-li) * What food do you have- Mko na chakula gain?
In most cases, the menus are divided into breakfast, lunches and drinks available.
A sample local breakfast menu; * Tea - 15/- * Mandazi - 25/- * Chapati - 25/- * Eggs - 30/- * Sausage - 35/-
Mandazi's look and taste like doughnuts and are common accompaniments to tea. The kiswahili word for tea is chai. Chapati's look like pancakes only salty. They are designed to accompany savoury meals but they also taste great as a snack.
A sample lunch menu would read; * Beef stew served with chapati, irio or ugali - Ksh 150 * Chicken Stew served with Chapati, irio or ugali - ksh 250
Irio is a traditional dish that includes - maize, beans, potatoes and peas. It was a favourite to the kikuyu peoples that lived in the central highlands.
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