Swahili
Essential Travel Phrases in Swahili
abigail
Lesson Objectives:
-
By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:
- Ask for directions and assistance politely
- Navigate unfamiliar places
- Use formal and informal expressions appropriately
- Understand common responses when arriving somewhere new
Polite Introductions & Requests
- Samahani – Excuse me / Sorry
- Tafadhali – Please
- Asante sana – Thank you very much
- Shikamoo – Respectful greeting (to elders)
- Hujambo? / Hamjambo? – How are you? (singular/plural)
Asking for Directions
- Naweza kupata wapi…? – Where can I find…?
- …iko wapi? – Where is…?
- Ninawezaje kufika…? – How can I get to…?
- Ni mbali au karibu? – Is it far or near?
- Unaweza kunielekeza? – Can you direct me?
At Transport / Arrival Points
- Kituo cha basi kiko wapi? – Where is the bus station?
- Hii ni njia ya kwenda…? – Is this the way to…?
- Nimeshafika? – Have I arrived?
- Ninahitaji teksi – I need a taxi
Checking In / Getting Help
- Nina nafasi iliyohifadhiwa – I have a reservation
- Jina langu ni… – My name is…
- Ninahitaji msaada – I need help
- Kuna huduma ya Wi-Fi? – Is there Wi-Fi?
- Ninaweza kuingia sasa? – Can I check in now?
Responses
- Nenda moja kwa moja – Go straight
- Geuka kushoto/kulia – Turn left/right
- Ni karibu sana – It’s very close
- Ni mbali kidogo – It’s a bit far
- Subiri hapa – Wait here
Exercise 1: Matching
Match the Swahili phrase with its correct English meaning.
| Swahili | English |
|---|---|
| 1. Samahani | A. Where is it? |
| 2. Nauli ni kiasi gani? | B. Excuse me |
| 3. Nenda moja kwa moja | C. Go straight |
| 4. …iko wapi? | D. How much is the fare? |
| 5. Nahitaji msaada | E. I need help |
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blank
Fill in the blanks with the correct Swahili word or phrase.
- __________, unaweza kunisaidia? (Excuse me)
- Kituo cha treni __________ wapi?
- Naweza __________ kufika hotelini?
- Ni __________ au karibu?
- Tafadhali, __________ kushoto kwenye barabara hii.
Exercise 3: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct answer.
- How do you say “Where can I find a taxi?”
- a) Nauli ni kiasi gani?
- b) Naweza kupata wapi teksi?
- c) Nenda moja kwa moja
- What does “Geuka kulia” mean?
- a) Turn left
- b) Turn right
- c) Go straight
- Which phrase would you use to say “I have a reservation”?
- a) Nina nafasi iliyohifadhiwa
- b) Nimeshafika
- c) Nahitaji msaada
- How would you ask “Is it far?”
- a) Ni karibu?
- b) Ni mbali?
- c) Unaweza kunielekeza?
- What is the polite way to get someone’s attention?
- a) Tafadhali
- b) Samahani
- c) Asante
Exercise 4: Translate into Swahili
- Excuse me, how can I get to the bus station?
- Is it far or near?
- I need help finding my hotel.
- Can you show me the way?
- I have just arrived.
