ADULT HOBBYISTSConversational Swahili
SPEAK WITH CONFIDENCELearn Swahili the way people speak it
This course is for adults who want to actually talk: chat with friends and family, connect with East African colleagues and communities, or simply enjoy a beautiful language. Sessions are relaxed, interactive and practical, with grammar introduced only when it helps you say what you want to say.
COURSE OUTLINEWhat you will learn
Greet people the way locals do, keep small talk going and respond naturally.
Key words & phrases:
- Habari za asubuhi? – Good morning (How is the morning?)
- Mambo? – Poa! – What’s up? – Cool!
- Za siku nyingi? – Long time no see
- Karibu – Welcome
Share where you are from, what you do and what you enjoy.
Key words & phrases:
- Ninafanya kazi kama… – I work as…
- Ninaishi… – I live in…
- Ninapenda… – I like…
- Nimeoa / Nimeolewa – I am married (man / woman)
Use the key question words to keep conversations flowing.
Key words & phrases:
- Nani? Nini? Wapi? – Who? What? Where?
- Lini? Kwa nini? Vipi? – When? Why? How?
- Ngapi? – How many?
Learn the simple tense markers that let you talk about what happened, what is happening and what will happen.
Key words & phrases:
- Ninasoma – I am reading
- Nilisoma – I read (past)
- Nitasoma – I will read
- Nimesoma – I have read
Describe your day, your home and your family in connected sentences.
Key words & phrases:
- Ninaamka saa moja asubuhi – I wake up at 7 a.m.
- Kila siku – Every day
- Baadaye – Later
Talk about dishes, recipes and eating out with confidence.
Key words & phrases:
- Chakula kitamu! – Delicious food!
- Naomba… – May I have…
- Nimeshiba – I am full
Say how you feel, agree, disagree and share your point of view politely.
Key words & phrases:
- Nafikiri… – I think…
- Nimefurahi – I am happy
- Nimechoka – I am tired
- Pole! – Sorry (sympathy)
Invite friends, arrange meetings and accept or decline politely.
Key words & phrases:
- Unaweza kuja? – Can you come?
- Tuonane kesho – Let’s meet tomorrow
- Sawa! – Okay!
Understand respect, hospitality and the wisdom of Swahili proverbs (methali).
Key words & phrases:
- Haba na haba hujaza kibaba – Little by little fills the measure
- Pole pole ndio mwendo – Slowly, slowly is the way
- Shikamoo / Marahaba – Respectful greeting and reply
Put it all together: tell stories, describe experiences and hold longer conversations with guided feedback.
Key words & phrases:
- Zamani za kale… – Once upon a time…
- Halafu… – And then…