Swahili language which is also locally referred, to as Kiswahili; is the national language of Kenya as well as other East African countries.
The language is a fusion of Arab language and coastal Bantu dialects; but its believed the language did exist even before the arrival of the Arabs; trade and intermarriage between the Arabs and the local Bantus served as the origin of current day Swahili, which is made up of many borrowed word from the Arabic and Persian languages. And after all, Swahili is an Arab word (Sahil) which mean boundary/coastal.
Even though the had a huge presence in the coast of Kenya, the language did not spread to mainland Kenya until the 1800AD, when the rulers of Zanzibar organized trade routes into the mainland East Africa; and the Swahili (waswahili/Coastal people) merchant settled along the trade routes and intermarried with the mainland people; this led to Swahili changing somewhat as the language borrowed word from the local languages.
Learn Swahili
When you arrive in Kenya the first words you will hear are – Karibu Kenya Hakuna Matata-( welcome to Kenya no worries / no trouble )
Greetings Salamu Response
How are you? Habari yako? Nzuri
Hallo Jambo / Hujambo Jambo / Sijambo
Good Morning? Habari za asubuhi? Sibaya / Salama
Good afternoon? Habari za mchana Sibaya / Salama
Good evening Habari za usiku Sibaya / Salama
Comein / welcome Karibu / ingia Asante(thank you)
Good bye Kwaheri Kwaheri
Thank you Asante
People Watu
Mr / Sir – Bwana
Mum / Mrs, Miss – Mama
Boy – Mvulana
Girl – Msichana
Youth / Teenager – Kijana (Vijana)
Baby / Kid – Mtoto
Grandfather – Babu
Grandmother – Nyanya
Father – Baba
Mother – Mama
Brother – Ndugu
Sister – Dada
Basic Phrases
Do you speak English Una Sema Kiingeleza
My name is Jina langu ni
I am from Cananda Ninatoka Cananda
Where are you from Umetoka Wapi
I am American Mimi ni Mmarekani
I do not speak Swahili Sisemi Kiswahili
Where can I stay ? Naweza kukaa wapi?
Thank you very much Asante sana
money Pesa
How much? Ngapi?
What price? Bei gani?
How much does it cost? Pesa Ngapi?
Food and Drinks
Breakfast – Kifungua kinyua
Lunch – Chakula cha mchana
Dinner – Chakula cha Jioni
Bread – Mkate
Eggs – Mayai
Chicken – Kuku
Beef – Ngombe
Meat – Nyama
Water – Maji
Tea – Chai
Coffee – Kahawa
Wine – Mvinyo
Beer – Pombe
Fruits – Matunda
Cake – Keki
