Swahili
Swahili Lesson on Traveling Around Town
One of the most useful categories of vocabulary to learn when preparing to visit a country in which people speak your target language is transportation. No matter where you end up going or what you are doing there, it can be useful to know at least something about the most common types of transportation in the area, and vocabulary is a good place to start. Learning about the possible modes of travel can also provide a window into the topological or geographical features of an area. In East Africa, there are some Swahili words that depend upon the country. For example, the large vans and mini buses with designated routes around the major cities and that rose to fill the need for public transportation in this region are known in Kenya as matatus and in Tanzania as daladalas (pictured above).
Below are the Swahili words for more types of transportation you might encounter while in this region:
| Swahili | English |
| Ndege | Airplane |
| Teksi | Taxi |
| Daladala/matatu | Large vans/mini buses |
| Basi | Bus |
| Bajaji | Auto rickshaw |
| Pikipiki | Motorcycle |
| Baisikeli | Bicycle |
| Lori | Truck |
| Gari | Car |
| Trekta | Tractor |
| Feri/kivuko | Ferry |
| Boti/mashua | Boat |
| Meli | Ship |
| Kwa miguu | By foot |
| Treni/gari moshi | Train |
Key phrases that might be useful for traveling around town:
| Swahili | English |
| Kituo cha basi kiko wapi? | Where is the bus station? |
| Vipi ninaweza kwenda kituo cha daladala? | How can I get to the daladala station? |
| Nauli kiasi gani? | What’s the fare? |
| Ni mbali kutoka hapa? | Is it far from here? |
| Safari njema! | Have a safe trip! |
| Tunaenda uwanja wa ndege gani? | Which airport are we going to? |
| Ninaenda kati kati ya mji. | I am going downtown/to the city center. |
