Tafadhali sema pole pole (please speak slowly).

Kiswahili is of Bantu (African) origin. There are borrowed words from other languages such as Arabic. The word "Swahili" was used by early Arab visitors and it means "the coast".

Tonight was the first class of our Basic Swahili Course, LANGUAGE WITH LOYCE. Loyce is a teacher who comes highly recommended within the school community. She is a funky woman with a lot of energy. This evening she had us role playing, knocking on doors and offering one another our chairs (kitis?)

Greetings are a huge deal in Tanzania and in general a good way to respect a foreign culture.  Coming from the BVI, we are very accustomed to saying Good Morning, Good Afternoon and Good Night whenever we walk into a building or pass a stranger on the street, so it seems like a good place to start.  Luckily, Tanzanians are very welcoming when it comes to our attempts (complete with many mispronunciations and choppy grammar). It seems as though they respect a willingness to try, and in return they are happy to help you learn.

Greetings can go on and on... How are you? How is your work? How is your home? How are your children? How is your cart? The easy answer to all of these questions is Nzuri (good). So I've got that one down.

Try out some phrases... 

When entering someone’s house or a room/gate etc.....

A: Hodi! Hodi! (use when you want to enter someone’s house or a room)

B: Karibu (welcome)

A: Asante, Hujambo? (Thank you, How are you?)

B: Sijambo. Habari za leo? (I’m good, How is your day?)

A: Nzuri (good) Njema (ok) Nusu Nusu (so so/ half half)

B: Karibu kiti (Welcome to the chair… take  seat)

A: Asante (thanks)

Habari za nyumbani (How is your home?)

Habari za kazi (How is work?)

Habari za hapa? (How are you doing here?)

Mzima? (Doing ok?)

Mzima (I’m doing well) or  Hapana Mzimba (Not well)

Salama? (peace?)

Salama  (peace) ß this could be said as you meet or as you depart

Formal Greeting (say this to an elder.) 

a. Shikamoo (I respect you elder)

b. Marahaba (I accept your respect)

a. Hujambo?

b. Sijambo. …..

Mama Doris taught me 'Shikamoo' in the art room. Doris has been the Art RoomTechnician/ for over 20 years at IST. She knows the ropes and inner workings of the school... so I say "Shikamoo Doris" out of respect when I see her in the morning.

Hapana (no)

Ndiyo (yes)

Hapana Asante (no thanks)

Hamna shida (no problem)

Getting to know one another…

Jinalangu ni Stacy (My name is stacy)

Nawewe? sounds like nawayway  (and you?)

Ninatoka Maricani (I am from America)

Jina lako nani? (What is your name?)

Mimi ni (I am a….)

            Mimi ni mwalimu (I am a teacher)

Mimi ni mwalimu a sanaa (I am a teacher of art)

Mimi ni mwalimu wa sayansi (for matt... I am a teacher of science)

Mimi pia (Me too!)

Unasemaje  (How do you say….)

Unasemaje kwa kiswahili (How do you say in Kiswahili?)

Tafadhali sema pole pole (please speak slowly)

If you like a food in a restaurant you could say….

Chakula Kizuri (it’s very good/delicious)

 Or

Chakula ktamu (it’s very sweet)