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🇰🇪 Swahili greetings and polite words

Hello, thank you, sorry, please. Four words that carry more weight than anything else you will learn, because they are the ones that tell a stranger you are trying. The polite forms are here too, and they matter more than beginners expect. Press any line to hear it.

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Greetings & Basics

HabariHello
AsanteThank you
NdiyoYes
HapanaNo
SamahaniSorry / Excuse me
Habari yako?How are you?
Niko salamaI'm fine
KwaheriGoodbye
UsijaliNo worries
Nimefurahi kukufahamuNice to meet you

Magic Little Words

Neno la heshima (wanaume)Polite word (men)
Neno la heshima (wanawake)Polite word (women)
Neno la swali (ndiyo/hapana)Question word (yes/no)
TayariAlready
Ita- (wakati ujao)Will (future)
Ina- (sasa hivi)Right now (-ing)
Zaidi ya yoteThe most (superlative)
SanaVery / a lot
KidogoA little bit
PiaAlso / too

Formal & Polite

Wewe (rasmi)You (very formal)
Tafadhali (rasmi)Please (formal)
Naomba ruhusa…May I… (permission)
Mpendwa… (barua rasmi)Dear… (formal letter)
Kwa heshimaWith respect
Asante sana (rasmi)Thank you (very formal)
Samahani (rasmi)Apologies (formal)
Furaha kukuhudumiaHappy to serve you
Tafadhali subiri kidogoPlease wait a moment (formal)
Ya haraka zaidiMost urgent

Compliments & Cheer

Una kipaji!Very talented!
Umefanya vizuriWell done
Ninajivunia weweProud of you
Usikate tamaaDon't give up
JiaminiBelieve in yourself
Endelea kupiganaKeep fighting
Ya kushangazaAmazing / impressive
Endelea hivyo!Keep it up!
Bora sanaOutstanding
Asante kwa kutokata tamaaThanks for not giving up

Reactions & Interjections

Wow!Wow!
Lo!Whoa!
Pole sana!Oh no! / that's bad
Vizuri sana!That's great!
Kweli?!Really?!
Una bahati!Lucky you!
InasikitishaWhat a shame
NimeshtukaStartled / shocked
Eh?Huh? / eh?
Bora kabisa!Awesome!

Polite & Kind Words

Neno la heshima (mwanaume)Polite particle (male speaker)
Neno la heshima (mwanamke)Polite particle (female speaker)
SamahaniSorry / excuse me
Naomba…May I have…
Tafadhali nisaidiePlease help
TafadhaliKindly / please
Karibu sanaYou're welcome / gladly
Bahati njemaGood luck
Karibu, endeleaPlease, go ahead
Asante sanaThank you very much
Usione hayaNo need to be shy / it's fine
Kwa furahaMy pleasure

Useful Phrases

KaribuWelcome
Hakuna shidaNo problem
Narudi sasa hiviBe right back
Subiri kidogoWait a moment
Jisikie huruMake yourself comfortable
Bahati njemaGood luck
Kuwa makiniBe careful
Ndoto njemaSweet dreams
Upone harakaGet well soon
HongeraCongratulations
Unaweza!You can do it!
Tutaonana baadayeSee you later

Apologies & Excuses

Samahani sana kabisaI'm so sorry
Nimechelewa kuamkaI overslept
Nimesahau kabisaI totally forgot
SikukusudiaI didn't mean to
Haitatokea tenaIt won't happen again
Kuna jambo la dharuraSomething urgent came up
NisameheForgive me
Kosa languMy fault
Kutoa visingizioTo make excuses
Samahani mapemaApologies in advance