You asked, so we provided—easy-to-follow instructions on how to set up your electronic devices to write in Swahili! We’ll also give you a few excellent tips on how to use this keyboard, as well as some online and app alternatives if you prefer not to set up a Swahili keyboard.
Learning a new language is made so much easier when you’re able to read and write/type it. This way, you will:
Get the most out of any dictionary and Swahili language apps on your devices
Expand your ability to find Swahili websites and use the various search engines
Be able to communicate much better online with your Swahili teachers and friends, and look super cool in the process!
2. Setting up Your Computer and Mobile Devices for Swahili
It takes only a few steps to set up any of your devices to read and type in Swahili. It’s super-easy on your mobile phone and tablet, and a simple process on your computer.
On your computer, you’ll first activate the onscreen keyboard to work with. You’ll only be using your mouse or touchpad/pointer for this keyboard. Then, you’ll need to change the language setting to Swahili, so all text will appear in Swahili. You could also opt to use online keyboards instead. Read on for the links!
On your mobile devices, it’s even easier—you only have to change the keyboard. We also provide a few alternatives in the form of online keyboards and downloadable apps.
3. How to Activate an Onscreen Keyboard on Your Computer
1- Mac
1. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard.
2. Check the option “Show Keyboard & Character Viewers in Menu Bar.”
3. You’ll see a new icon on the right side of the main bar; click on it and select “Show Keyboard Viewer.”
2- Windows
1. Go to Start > Settings > Easy Access > Keyboard.
2. Turn on the option for “Onscreen Keyboard.”
3- Online Keyboards
If you don’t want to activate your computer’s onscreen keyboard, you also have the option to use online keyboards. Here is a good option:
Instead of an online keyboard, you could also choose to download a Google extension to your browser for a language input tool. The Google Input Tools extension allows users to use input tools in Chrome web pages, for example.
4. How to Change the Language Settings to Swahili on Your Computer
Now that you’re all set to work with an onscreen keyboard on your computer, it’s time to download the Swahili language pack for your operating system of choice:
Windows 8 (and higher)
Windows 7
Mac (OS X and higher)
1- Windows 8 (and higher)
Go to “Settings” > “Change PC Settings” > “Time & Language” > “Region & Language.”
Click on “Add a Language” and select “Kiswahili.” This will add it to your list of languages. It will appear as Kiswahili with the note “language pack available.”
Click on “Kiswahili” > “Options” > “Download.” It’ll take a few minutes to download and install the language pack.
As a keyboard layout, you’ll only need the one marked as “Kiswahili.” You can ignore other keyboard layouts.
2- Windows 7
Go to “Start” > “Control Panel” > “Clock, Language, and Region.”
On the “Region and Language” option, click on “Change Keyboards or Other Input Methods.”
On the “Keyboards and Languages” tab, click on “Change Keyboards” > “Add” > “Kiswahili.”
Expand the option of “Kiswahili” and then expand the option “Keyboard.” Select the keyboard layout marked as “Kiswahili.” You can ignore other keyboard layouts. Click “OK” and then “Apply.”
3- Mac (OS X and higher)
If you can’t see the language listed, please make sure to select the right option from System Preferences > Language and Region
1. From the Apple Menu (top left corner of the screen) go to System Preferences > Keyboard.
2. Click the Input Sources tab and a list of available keyboards and input methods will appear.
3. Click on the plus button, select “Kiswahili,” and add the “Kiswahili” keyboard.
5. Activating the Swahili Keyboard on Your Mobile Phone and Tablet
Texting and searching in Swahili will greatly help you master the language! Adding a Swahili keyboard on your mobile phone and/or tablet is super-easy.
You could also opt to download an app instead of adding a keyboard. Read on for our suggestions.
Below are the instructions for both iOS and Android mobile phones and tablets.
1- iOS
1. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard.
2. Tap “Keyboards” and then “Add New Keyboard.”
3. Select “Kiswahili” from the list.
4. When typing, you can switch between languages by tapping and holding on the icon to reveal the keyboard language menu.
2- Android
1. Go to Settings > General Management > Language and Input > On-screen Keyboard (or “Virtual Keyboard” on some devices) > Samsung Keyboard.
2. Tap “Language and Types” or “ + Select Input Languages” depending on the device and then “MANAGE INPUT LANGUAGES” if available.
3. Select “Kiswahili” from the list.
4. When typing, you can switch between languages by swiping the space bar.
3- Applications for Mobile Phones
If you don’t want to add a keyboard on your mobile phone or tablet, this is a good app to consider:
As a matter of fact, when typing in Swahili, you can actually just use the English (US) keyboard. The letters are equivalent to the English alphabet, but the Swahili alphabet doesn’t contain the letters Q or X.
7. How to Practice Typing Swahili
As you probably know by now, learning Swahili is all about practice, practice, and more practice! Strengthen your Swahili typing skills by writing comments on any of our lesson pages, and our teacher will answer. If you’re a SwahiliPod101 Premium PLUS member, you can directly text our teacher via the My Teacher app—use your Swahili keyboard to do this!
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“Where do you live?”
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도쿄에 살고 있습니다.
Tokyo-e salgo isseumnida.
“I live in Tokyo.”
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Imagine having a conversation with a native speaker and hesitating because you lack a solid vocabulary base.
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은행 계좌를 만들고 싶어요
eunhaeng gyejwaleul mandeulgo sip-eoyo.
I want to open a bank account.
Everything went smoothly, and I exited the bank with a new account!
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Do you know your left from your right in Swahili? Asking for directions can mean the difference between a heavenly day on the beach and a horrible day on your feet, hot and bothered and wondering how to even get back to the hotel. Believe me – I know! On my earlier travels, I didn’t even know simple terms like ‘go straight ahead’ or ‘go west,’ and I was always too shy to ask locals for directions. It wasn’t my ego, but rather the language barrier that held me back. I’ve ended up in some pretty dodgy situations for my lack of directional word skills.
This never needs to happen! When traveling in Kenya, you should step out in confidence, ready to work your Swahili magic and have a full day of exploring. It’s about knowing a few basic phrases and then tailoring them with the right directional words for each situation. Do you need to be pointed south in Swahili? Just ask! Believe me, people are more willing to help than you might think. It’s when you ask in English that locals might feel too uncertain to answer you. After all, they don’t want to get you lost. For this reason, it also makes sense that you learn how to understand people’s responses.
Asking directions in Kenya is inevitable. So, learn to love it! Our job here at SwahiliPod101 is to give you the confidence you need to fully immerse and be the intrepid adventurer you are.
1. Talking about position and direction in Swahili
Have you ever tried saying the compass directions of north, south, east and west in Swahili? These words are good to know, being the most natural and ancient method of finding direction. In the days before GPS – before the invention of the compass, even – knowing the cardinal directions was critical to finding the way. Certainly, if you were lost somewhere in the mountain regions now and using a map to navigate, you’d find them useful. Even more so if you and a Kenyan friend were adrift at sea, following the stars!
In most situations, though, we rely on body relative directions – your basic up, down, left and right, forward and backwards. Most cultures use relative directions for reference and Swahili is no exception. Interestingly, in a few old languages there are no words for left and right and people still rely on cardinal directions every day. Can you imagine having such a compass brain?
Well, scientists say that all mammals have an innate sense of direction, so getting good at finding your way is just a matter of practice. It’s pretty cool to think that we were born already pre-wired to grasp directions; the descriptive words we invented are mere labels to communicate these directions to others! Thus, the need to learn some Swahili positional vocabulary. So, without further ado… let’s dive in.
1- Top – kilele
If planting a flag at the top of the highest mountain in Kenya is a goal you’d rather leave for adrenaline junkies, how about making it to the top of the highest building? Your view of the city will be one you’ll never forget, and you can take a selfie for Twitter with your head in the clouds.
2- Bottom – chini
The ‘bottom’ can refer to the lower end of a road, the foot of a mountain, or the ground floor of a building. It’s the place you head for after you’ve been to the top!
What are your favorite ‘bottoms’? I love the first rung of a ladder, the base of a huge tree or the bottom of a jungle-covered hill. What can I say? I’m a climber. Divers like the bottom of the ocean and foxes like the bottom of a hole. Since you’re learning Swahili, hopefully you’ll travel from the top to the bottom of Kenya.
3- Up – juu
This is a very common and useful word to know when seeking directions. You can go up the street, up an elevator, up a cableway, up a mountain… even up into the sky in a hot air balloon. It all depends on how far up you like to be!
4- Down – chini
What goes up, must surely come down. This is true of airplanes, flaming arrows and grasshoppers – either aeronautics or gravity will take care of that. In the case of traveling humans who don’t wish to go down at terminal velocity, it’s useful to know phrases such as, “Excuse me, where is the path leading back down this mountain?”
5- Middle – katikati
In Lord of the Rings, Tolkien’s characters live in Middle-earth, which is just an ancient word for the inhabited world of men; it referred to the physical world, as opposed to the unseen worlds above and below it. The ancients also thought of the human world as vaguely in the middle of the encircling seas.
When we talk about the ‘middle’, we’re referring to a point that’s roughly between two horizontal lines – like the middle of the road or the middle of a river. While you’re unlikely to ask for directions to the ‘middle’ of anything, you might hear it as a response. For example, “You’re looking for the castle ruins? But they’re in the middle of the forest!”
6- Center – katikati
Although similar in meaning to ‘middle’, this word is more specific. Technically, it means the exact central point of a circular area, equally distant from every point on the circumference. When asking for directions to the center of town, though, we don’t mean to find a mathematically-accurate pinpoint!
7- Front – mbele
The front is the place or position that is seen first; it’s the most forward part of something. In the case of a hotel, the front is going to be easy to recognize, so if you call a taxi and are told to wait “in front of the hotel”, you won’t have a problem. It’s pretty cool how just knowing the main Swahili directional words can help you locate something if there’s a good landmark nearby.
8- Back – nyuma
I once rented a house in a charming little street that was tucked away at the back of a popular mall. It was so easy to find, but my boss took three hours to locate it from 300 meters away. Why? Well, because she spoke no English and I had no clue what the word for ‘back’ was. All she heard, no matter which way I said it, was “mall, mall, mall”. As a result, she hunted in front of and next to the mall until she was frazzled.
Knowing how to describe the location of your own residence is probably the first Swahili ‘directions’ you should practice. This skill will certainly come in handy if you’re lost and looking for your way home.
9- Side – upande
If the place you’re looking for is at the ‘side’ of something, it will be located to the left or the right of that landmark. That could mean you’re looking for an alleyway beside a building, or a second entrance (as opposed to the main entrance).
As an example, you might be told that your tour bus will be waiting at the right side of the building, not in front. Of course, then you’ll also need to understand “It’s on the right” in Swahili.
10- East – mashariki
If you’re facing north, then east is the direction of your right hand. It’s the direction toward which the Earth rotates about its axis, and therefore the general direction from which the sun appears to rise. If you want to go east using a compass for navigation, you should set a bearing of 90°.
We think of Asia as the ‘East’. Geographically, this part of the world lies in the eastern hemisphere, but there’s so much more that we’ve come to associate with this word. The East signifies ancient knowledge and is symbolic of enlightenment in many cultures.
11- West – magharibi
West is the opposite to east and it’s the direction in which the sun sets. To go west using a compass, you’ll set a bearing of 270 degrees.
If you were on the planet Venus, which rotates in the opposite direction from the Earth (retrograde rotation), the Sun would rise in the west and set in the east… not that you’d be able to see the sun through Venus’s opaque clouds.
Culturally, the West refers mainly to the Americas and Europe, but also to Australia and New Zealand, which are geographically in the East. The Western way of thinking is very different to that of the East. One of the most striking differences is individualism versus collectivism. In the West, we grew up with philosophies of freedom and independence, whereas in the East concepts of unity are more important.
Food for thought: as a traveler who’s invested in learning the languages and cultures of places you visit, you have an opportunity to become a wonderfully balanced thinker – something the world needs more of.
12- North – kaskazini
North is the top point of a map and when navigating, you’d set a compass bearing of 360 degrees if you want to go that way. Globes of the earth have the north pole at the top, and we use north as the direction by which we define all other directions.
If you look into the night sky, the North Star (Polaris) marks the way due north. It’s an amazing star, in that it holds nearly still in our sky while the entire northern sky moves around it. That’s because it’s located nearly at the north celestial pole – the point around which the entire northern sky turns. Definitely a boon for lost travelers!
13- South – kusini
South is the opposite of north, and it’s perpendicular to the east and west. You can find it with a compass if you set your bearings to 180 degrees.
The south celestial pole is the point around which the entire southern sky appears to turn. In the night sky of the southern hemisphere, the Southern Cross is a very easy to find constellation with four points in the shape of a diamond. If you come from the southern hemisphere, chances are your dad or mum pointed it out to you when you were a kid. You can use the Southern Cross to find south if traveling by night, so it’s well worth figuring it out!
14- Outside – nje
This word refers to any place that is not under a roof. Perhaps you’ve heard talk about some amazing local bands that will be playing in a nearby town on the weekend. If it’s all happening outside, you’ll be looking for a venue in a park, a stadium or some other big open space. Come rain or shine, outside definitely works for me!
15- Inside – ndani
I can tolerate being inside if all the windows are open, or if I’m watching the latest Homeland episode. How about you? I suppose going shopping for Kenyan-style accessories would be pretty fun, too, and that will (mostly) be an inside affair.
16- Opposite – kinyume
This is a great word to use as a reference point for locating a place. It’s right opposite that other place! In other words, if you stand with your back to the given landmark, your destination will be right in front of you.
17- Adjacent – kando
So, the adorable old man from next door, who looks about ninety-nine, explains in Swahili that the food market where he works is adjacent to the community hall on the main road. ‘Adjacent’ just means next to or adjoining something else, so… head for the hall!
While you’re marveling at the wondrous and colorful displays of Kenyan food, think about how all of these delicious stalls lie adjacent to one another. Having a happy visual association with a new word is a proven way to remember it!
18- Toward – kuelekea
To go toward something is to go in its direction and get closer to it. This word can often appear in a sentence with ‘straight ahead’, as in:
“Go straight ahead, toward the park.”
If you’ve come to Kenya to teach English, you might have to ask someone how to find your new school. Depending on what town you’re in, you could simply head toward the residential area at lunch time. You’ll see (and probably hear) the primary school soon enough – it will be the big fenced building with all the kids running around the yard!
19- Facing – tazama
If you look at yourself in a mirror, you’ll be facing your reflection. In other words: you and your reflection look directly at each other. Many plush hotels are ocean-facing or river-facing, meaning the main entrance is pointed directly at the water, and the beach out front faces the hotel.
20- Beside – kando
I know of a special little place where there’s a gym right beside a river. You can watch the sun go down over the water while working out – it’s amazing. What’s more, you can park your scooter beside the building and it will still be there when you come out.
21- Corner – kona
I love a corner when it comes to directions. A street corner is where two roads meet at an angle – often 90 degrees – making it easier to find than a location on a straight plane.
“Which building is the piano teacher in, sir?”
“Oh, that’s easy – it’s the one on the corner.”
The key to a corner is that it leads in two directions. It could form a crossroads, a huge intersection, or it could be the start of a tiny one-way cobblestone street with hidden treasures waiting in the shadow of the buildings.
22- Distant – mbali
When a location is distant, it’s in an outlying area. This Swahili word refers to the remoteness of the site, not to how long it takes to get there. For that reason, it’s a very good idea to write the directions down, rather than try to memorize them in Swahili. Even better, get a Kenyan person to write them down for you. This may seem obvious, but always include the location of your starting point! Any directions you’re given will be relative to the exact place you’re starting from.
23- Close – funga
This word is always a good one to hear when you have your heart set on a very relaxing day in the sun. It means there’s only a short distance to travel, so you can get there in a heartbeat and let the tanning commence. Remember to grab your Nook Book – learning is enhanced when you’re feeling happy and unencumbered. Being close to ‘home’ also means you can safely steal maximum lazy hours and leave the short return trip for sunset!
24- By – kwa
This word identifies the position of a physical object beside another object or a place. A Bed and Breakfast can be ‘by the sea’ if it’s in close proximity to the sea.
‘By’ can also be used to describe the best mode of transport for your route, as in:
“You can get there by bus.”
25- Surrounding – kuzungukia
If something is surrounding you, it is on every side and you are enclosed by it – kind of like being in a boat. Of course, we’re not talking about deep water here, unless you’re planning on going fishing. Directions that include this word are more likely to refer to the surrounding countryside, or any other features that are all around the place you’re looking for.
26- All sides – pande zote
Another useful descriptive Swahili term to know is ‘all sides’. It simply means that from a particular point, you will be able to see the same features to the front, back and sides of you. It doesn’t necessarily imply you’ll be completely surrounded, just more-or-less so. Say, for example, you’re visiting the winelands for the day. When you get there, you’ll see vineyards on all sides of you. How stunning! Don’t neglect to sample the local wines – obviously.
27- Next to – kando na
The person giving you directions is probably standing next to you. The place being described as ‘next to’ something is in a position immediately to one side of it. It could refer to adjoining buildings, neighbouring stores, or the one-legged beggar who sits next to the beautiful flower vendor on weekdays. ‘Next to’ is a great positional term, as everything is next to something!
“Excuse me, Ma’am. Where is the train station?”
“It’s that way – next to the tourist market.”
28- Above – juu ya
This is the direction you’ll be looking at if you turn your head upwards. Relative to where your body is, it’s a point higher than your head. If you’re looking for the location of a place that’s ‘above’ something, it’s likely to be on at least the first floor of a building; in other words, above another floor.
‘Above’ could also refer to something that will be visible overhead when you get to the right place. For example, the road you’re looking for might have holiday decorations strung up from pole to pole above it. In the cities, this is very likely if there’s any kind of festival going on.
29- Under – chini ya
Under is the opposite of above, and refers to a place that lies beneath something else. In the case of directions in Swahili, it could refer to going under a bridge – always a great landmark – or perhaps through a subway. In some parts of the world, you can even travel through a tunnel that’s under the sea!
Of course, you might just be missing your home brew and looking for an awesome coffee shop that happens to be under the very cool local gym you were also looking for. Nice find!
2. Getting directions in Swahili
The quickest and easiest way to find out how to get where you’re going is simply to ask someone. Most people on the streets of Kenya won’t mind being asked at all and will actually appreciate your attempt to ask directions in Swahili. After all, most tourists are more inclined to ask in their own language and hope for the best. How pedestrian is that, though?
I know, I know – you normally prefer to find your own way without asking. Well, think of it like this: you obviously need to practice asking questions in Swahili as much as you need to practice small talk, counting, or ordering a beer. Since you can’t very well ask a complete stranger if they would please help you count to five hundred, you’ll have to stick with asking directions!
We spoke earlier about body relative directions and these tend to be the ones we use most. For example:
“Turn left.”
“Go straight.”
“Turn right.”
Remember, too, that your approach is important. Many people are wary of strangers and you don’t want to scare them off. It’s best to be friendly, direct and get to the point quickly. A simple ‘Hi, can you help me?” or “Excuse me, I’m a bit lost,” will suffice. If you have a map in your hand, even better, as your intentions will be clear.
The bottom line is that if you want to find your way around Kenya with ease, it’s a good idea to master these basic phrases. With a little practice, you can also learn how to say directions in Swahili. Before you know it, you’ll be the one explaining the way!
3. Conclusion
Now that you have over thirty new directional phrases you can learn in Swahili, there’s no need to fear losing your way when you hit the streets of Kenya. All you need is a polite approach and your own amazing smile, and the locals will be excited to help you. It’s a chance for them to get better at explaining things to a foreigner, too. Most will enjoy that!
I advise keeping a few things handy in your day pack: a street map, a highlighter, a small notebook and pen, and your Swahili phrasebook. It would be useful to also have the Swahili WordPower app installed on your phone – available for both iPhone and Android.
Here’s a quick challenge to get you using the new terms right away. Can you translate these directions into Swahili?
“It’s close. Go straight ahead to the top of the hill and turn left at the corner. The building is on the right, opposite a small bus stop.”
You’re doing amazingly well to have come this far! Well done on tackling the essential topic of ‘directions’ – it’s a brave challenge that will be immensely rewarding. Trust me, when you’re standing at a beautiful location that you found just by knowing what to ask in Swahili, you’re going to feel pretty darn good.
If you’re as excited as I am about taking Swahili to an even deeper level, we have so much more to offer you. Did you know that we’ve already had over 1 billion lesson downloads? I know – we’re blown away by that, too. It’s amazing to be bringing the world’s languages to people who are so hungry for learning. Let me share some of our best options for you:
If you haven’t done so already, grab your free lifetime account as a start. You’ll get audio and video lessons, plus vocabulary building tools.
My favorite freebie is the word of the day, which will arrive in your inbox every morning. Those are the words I remember best!
Start listening to Swahili music. I’m serious – it really works to make the resistant parts of the brain relax and accept the new language. Read about it here for some tips.
If you enjoy reading, we have some great iBooks for your daily commute.
If you have a Kindle and prefer to do your reading on a picnic blanket, there are over 6 hours of unique lessons in Swahili for you right there.
That’s it for today! Join SwahiliPod101 to discover many more ways that we can offer you a truly fun and enriching language learning experience. Happy travels!
What is the most defining moment you will face this year? From memories that you immortalize in a million photographs, to days you never wish to remember, one thing’s for certain: big life events change you. The great poet, Bukowski, said, “We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well, that death will tremble to take us.” The older I get, the more I agree with him!
Talking about significant events in our lives is part of every person’s journey, regardless of creed or culture. If you’re planning to stay in Kenya for more than a quick visit, you’re sure to need at least a few ‘life events’ phrases that you can use. After all, many of these are shared experiences, and it’s generally expected that we will show up with good manners and warm wishes.
Do you know how to say “Happy New Year” in Swahili? Well, the New Year is a pretty big deal that the whole world is in on! We celebrate until midnight, make mindful resolutions, and fill the night sky with the same happy words in hundreds of languages. No doubt, then, that you’ll want to know how to say it like a local!
Big life events are not all about fun times, though. Real life happens even when you’re traveling, and certain terminology will be very helpful to know. From talking about your new job to wishing your neighbors “Merry Christmas” in Swahili, here at SwahiliPod101, we’ve put together just the right vocabulary and phrases for you.
1- Birthday – siku ya kuzaliwa
If you’re like me, any excuse to bring out a pen and scribble a note is a good one. When there’s a birthday, even better: hello, handwriting!
Your Kenyan friend will love hearing you wish them a “Happy birthday” in Swahili, but how much more will they appreciate a thoughtful written message? Whether you write it on their Facebook wall or buy a cute card, your effort in Swahili is sure to get them smiling! Write it like this:
Sikukuu ya kuzaliwa
Now that you know the words, I challenge you to put them to music and sing your own “Happy birthday” song in Swahili! It’s not impossible to figure out even more lyrics, once you start discovering the language from scratch.
2- Buy – kununua
If there’s a special occasion, you might want to buy somebody a gift. As long as you’ve checked out Swahili etiquette on gift-giving (do a Google search for this!), it will be a lovely gesture. If you’re not sure what to buy, how about the awesome and universally-appealing gift of language? That’s a gift that won’t stop giving!
3- Retire – kustaafu
If you’re planning to expand your mind and retire in Kenya, you can use this word to tell people why you seem to be on a perpetual vacation!
Retirement is also a great time to learn a new language, don’t you think? And you don’t have to do it alone! These days it’s possible to connect to a vibrant learning community at the click of a button. The added benefit of a Daily Dose of Language is that it keeps your brain cells alive and curious about the world. After all, it’s never too late to realize those long-ignored dreams of traveling the globe…
4- Graduation – mahafali
When attending a graduation ceremony in Kenya, be prepared for a lot of formal language! It will be a great opportunity to listen carefully and see if you can pick up differences from the everyday Swahili you hear.
5- Promotion – panda cheo
Next to vacation time, receiving a promotion is the one career highlight almost everyone looks forward to. And why wouldn’t you? Sure, it means more responsibility, but it also means more money and benefits and – the part I love most – a change of scenery! Even something as simple as looking out a new office window would boost my mood.
6- Anniversary – makumbusho
Some anniversaries we anticipate with excitement, others with apprehension. They are days marking significant events in our lives that can be shared with just one person, or with a whole nation. Whether it’s a special day for you and a loved one, or for someone else you know, this word is crucial to know if you want to wish them a happy anniversary in Swahili.
7- Funeral – matanga
We tend to be uncomfortable talking about funerals in the west, but it’s an important conversation for families to have. Around the world, there are many different customs and rituals for saying goodbye to deceased loved ones – some vastly different to our own. When traveling in Kenya, if you happen to find yourself the unwitting observer of a funeral, take a quiet moment to appreciate the cultural ethos; even this can be an enriching experience for you.
8- Travel – safiri
Travel – my favorite thing to do! Everything about the experience is thrilling and the best cure for boredom, depression, and uncertainty about your future. You will surely be forever changed, fellow traveler! But you already know this, don’t you? Well, now that you’re on the road to total Swahili immersion, I hope you’ve downloaded our IOS apps and have your Nook Book handy to keep yourself entertained on those long bus rides.
9- Graduate – hitimu
If you have yet to graduate from university, will you be job-hunting in Kenya afterward? Forward-looking companies sometimes recruit talented students who are still in their final year. Of course, you could also do your final year abroad as an international student – an amazing experience if you’d love to be intellectually challenged and make a rainbow of foreign friends!
10- Wedding – harusi
One of the most-loved traditions that humans have thought up, which you’ll encounter anywhere in the world, is a wedding. With all that romance in the air and months spent on preparations, a wedding is typically a feel-good affair. Two people pledge their eternal love to each other, ladies cry, single men look around for potential partners, and everybody has a happy day of merrymaking.
Ah, but how diverse we are in our expression of love! You will find more wedding traditions around the world than you can possibly imagine. From reciting love quotes to marrying a tree, the options leave no excuse to be boring!
11- Move – hama
I love Kenya, but I’m a nomad and tend to move around a lot, even within one country. What are the biggest emotions you typically feel when moving house? The experts say moving is a highly stressful event, but I think that depends on the circumstances. Transitional periods in our lives are physically and mentally demanding, but changing your environment is also an exciting adventure that promises new tomorrows!
12- Be born – kuzaliwa
I was not born in 1993, nor was I born in Asia. I was born in the same year as Aishwarya Rai, Akon, and Monica Lewinsky, and on the same continent as Freddy Mercury. When and where were you born? More importantly – can you say it in Swahili?
13- Get a job – pata kazi
The thought of looking for a job in a new country can be daunting, but English speakers are in great demand in Kenya – you just have to do some research, make a few friends and get out there! Also, arming yourself with a few Swahili introductions that you can both say and write will give you a confidence boost. For example, can you write your name in Swahili?
14- Die – kufa
Death is a universal experience and the final curtain on all other life events. How important is it, then, to fully live before we die? If all you have is a passport, a bucket list, and a willingness to learn some lingo, you can manifest those dreams!
15- Home – nyumbani
If home is where the heart is, then my home is on a jungle island completely surrounded by the turquoise ocean. Right now, though, home is an isolation room with a view of half a dry palm tree and a tangle of telephone wires.
If you’re traveling to Kenya for an extended stay, you’ll soon be moving into a new home quite unlike anything you’ve experienced before!
16- Job – kazi
What job do you do? Does it allow you much time for travel, or for working on this fascinating language that has (so rightfully) grabbed your attention? Whatever your job, you are no doubt contributing to society in a unique way. If you’re doing what you love, you’re already on the road to your dream. If not, just remember that every single task is one more skill to add to your arsenal. With that attitude, your dream job is coming!
If you’re lucky enough to be invited to see a friend’s baby just after they are born, you’ll have all my respect and all my envy. There is nothing cuter! Depending on which part of the country you’re in, you may find yourself bearing witness to some pretty unexpected birth customs. Enjoy this privilege!
18- Engaged – posa
EE Cummings said, “Lovers alone wear sunlight,” and I think that’s most true at the moment she says “yes.” Getting engaged is something young girls dream of with stars in their eyes, and it truly is a magical experience – from the proposal, to wearing an engagement ring, to the big reveal!
In the world of Instagram, there’s no end to the antics as imaginative couples try more and more outrageous ways to share their engagement with the world. I love an airport flashmob, myself, but I’d rather be proposed to on a secluded beach – salt, sand, and all!
Engagement customs around the world vary greatly, and Kenya is no exception when it comes to interesting traditions. Learning their unique romantic ways will inspire you for when your turn comes.
The one you marry will be the gem on a shore full of pebbles. They will be the one who truly mirrors your affection, shares your visions for the future, and wants all of you – the good, the bad and the inexplicable.
From thinking up a one-of-a-kind wedding, to having children, to growing old together, finding a twin flame to share life with is quite an accomplishment! Speaking of which…
2. Marriage Proposal Lines
Ah, that heart-stopping moment when your true love gets down on one knee to ask for your hand in marriage, breathlessly hoping that you’ll say “Yes!” If you haven’t experienced that – well, it feels pretty darn good, is all I can say! If you’re the one doing the asking, though, you’ve probably had weeks of insomnia agonizing over the perfect time, location and words to use.
How much more care should be taken if your love is from a different culture to yours? Well, by now you know her so well, that most of it should be easy to figure out. As long as you’ve considered her personal commitment to tradition, all you really need is a few words from the heart. Are you brave enough to say them in Swahili?
3. Talking About Age
Part of the wonder of learning a new language is having the ability to strike up simple conversations with strangers. Asking about age in this context feels natural, as your intention is to practice friendly phrases – just be mindful of their point of view!
When I was 22, I loved being asked my age. Nowadays, if someone asks, I say, “Well, I’ve just started my fifth cat life.” Let them ponder that for a while.
In Kenya, it’s generally not desirable to ask an older woman her age for no good reason, but chatting about age with your peers is perfectly normal. Besides, you have to mention your birthday if you want to be thrown a birthday party!
4. Conclusion
Well, there you have it! With so many great new Swahili phrases to wish people with, can you think of someone who has a big event coming up? If you want to get even more creative, SwahiliPod101 has much to inspire you with – come and check it out! Here’s just some of what we have on offer at SwahiliPod101:
Free Resources: Sharing is caring, and for this reason, we share many free resources with our students. For instance, start learning Swahili with our basic online course by creating a lifetime account – for free! Also get free daily and iTunes lessons, free eBooks, free mobile apps, and free access to our blog and online community. Or how about free Vocabulary Lists? The Swahili dictionary is for exclusive use by our students, also for free. There’s so much to love about SwahiliPod101…!
Innovative Learning Tools and Apps: We make it our priority to offer you the best learning tools! These include apps for iPhone, iPad, Android and Mac OSX; eBooks for Kindle, Nook, and iPad; audiobooks; Roku TV and so many more. This means that we took diverse lifestyles into account when we developed our courses, so you can learn anywhere, anytime on a device of your choice. How innovative!
Live Hosts and One-on-One Learning: Knowledgeable, energetic hosts present recorded video lessons, and are available for live teaching experiences if you upgrade. This means that in the videos, you get to watch them pronounce those tongue-twisters, as if you’re learning live! Add octane to your learning by upgrading to Premium Plus, and learn two times faster. You can have your very own Swahili teacher always with you, ensuring that you learn what you need, when you need to – what a wonderful opportunity to master a new language in record time!
Start Where You Are: You don’t know a single Swahili word? Not to worry, we’ve absolutely got this. Simply enroll in our Absolute Beginner Pathway and start speaking from Lesson 1! As your learning progresses, you can enroll in other pathways to match your Swahili level, at your own pace, in your own time, in your own place!
Learning a new language can only enrich your life, and could even open doors towards great opportunities! So don’t wonder if you’ll regret enrolling in SwahiliPod101. It’s the most fun, easy way to learn Swahili.
Did you know that every minute of the day, one billion tons of rain falls on the earth? Hard to believe, considering the climate crisis! Of course, all that rain is not equally shared across the planet.
So, would you mention this fascinating fact to your new Kenyan acquaintance? Well, small talk about local weather is actually a great conversation-starter. Everyone cares about the weather and you’re sure to hear a few interesting opinions! Seasons can be quite unpredictable these days and nobody knows the peculiarities of a region better than the locals.
SwahiliPod101 will equip you with all the weather vocabulary you need to plan your next adventure. The weather can even be an important discussion that influences your adventure plans. After all, you wouldn’t want to get caught on an inflatable boat with a two-horsepower motor in Hurricane Horrendous!
If you’re like me, your day’s activity plan is likely to begin with a strong local coffee and a chat about what the sky is doing. After all, being prepared could be the difference between an amazing day and a miserable one! Luckily, it’s not difficult to comment on Kenyan weather – just start with these simple words and phrases.
1- The rain is falling on the street – Mvua unanyesha barabarani.
Watercolor artists, take out your paints! You might not be able to venture out on foot today, but just embrace the rain as part of your Kenyan experience. When the rain stops, the air will be clean and colours vibrant.
2- The snow has covered everything – Theluji limefunika kila kitu.
A fresh blanket of snow is irresistibly beautiful. Pull on your boots and beanie, and leave your tracks in this foreign landscape. Don’t resist the urge to build a snowman – you need this!
3- Fluffy cloud – mawingu nyepesi
When you’re waiting for a warm beach day, fluffy white clouds in a blue sky are a good sign. Don’t forget your sunscreen, as clouds will intensify the UV rays hitting your skin.
4- The water froze on the glass – Maji yaliganda kuwa barafu ndani ya bilauri.
Night temperatures can get chilly and might freeze the condensation on your windows. A good way to clear them up is with warm salt water.
5- The heavy rain could cause flash flooding – Hii mvua kubwa inaweza sabasisha mafuriko ya ghafla.
If you’re visiting Kenya in the wet season, it’s important to stay informed when heavy rain sets in, so keep an eye on the weather radar. Avoid river activities and rather spend this time making a home-cooked meal and brushing up on your Swahili weather words.
6- Flood – mafuriko
If you do get caught in a flood, your destination should no longer be ‘home’, but the nearest high ground.
Not all countries experience typhoons, but you need to know when to prepare for one! It will be very scary if you’ve never experienced one before. Your local neighbours are the best people to advise you on where to take shelter, as they’ve been doing it for generations. Be sure to get the low-down at the first sign of rough weather!
8- Check the weather report before going sailing – Angalia hali ya hewa kabla ya kuenda kutanga.
When planning an outdoor activity, especially on a body of water, always be prepared for a change in the weather. Ask your hotel receptionist or neighbour where you can get a reliable daily weather report, and don’t forget your sweater!
9- Today’s weather is sunny with occasional clouds – Hali ya anga leo ni jua na mawingu hapa na pale.
Sunny weather is the dream when traveling in Kenya! Wake up early, pack the hats and sunblock and go and experience the terrain, sights and beautiful spots. You’ll be rewarded with happy vibes all around.
10- Rainy – kunyesha
Remember when you said you’d save the Swahili podcasts for a rainy day? Now’s that day!
11- Scenic rainbow – mandhari ya upinde wa mvua
The best part about the rain is that you can look forward to your first rainbow in Kenya. There’s magic in that!
12- Flashes of lightning can be beautiful, but are very dangerous – Miale ya radi yaweza kuonekana nzuri lakini ni hatari.
Lightning is one of the most fascinating weather phenomena you can witness without really being in danger – at least if you’re sensible and stay indoors! Did you know that lightning strikes the earth 40-50 times per second? Fortunately, not all countries experience heavy electric storms!
Asking a local what the outside temperature will be is another useful question for planning your day. It’s easy if you know the Swahili term for ‘degrees Celsius’.
14- Fahrenheit – Farenheiti
Although the Fahrenheit system has been replaced by Celsius in almost all countries, it’s still used in the US and a few other places. Learn this phrase in Swahili in case one of your companions develops a raging fever.
15- Clear sky – shwari
Clear skies mean you’ll probably want to get the camera out and capture some nature shots – not to mention the great sunsets you’ll have later on. Twilight can lend an especially magical quality to a landscape on a clear sky day, when the light is not filtered through clouds.
16- Light drizzle – manyunyu nyepesi
Days when it’s drizzling are perfect for taking in the cultural offerings of Kenya. You could go to the mall and watch a Kenyan film, visit museums and art galleries, explore indoor markets or even find the nearest climbing wall. Bring an umbrella!
17- Temperature – joto
Because of the coronavirus, many airports are conducting temperature screening on passengers. Don’t worry though – it’s just a precaution. Your temperature might be taken with a no-touch thermometer, which measures infrared energy coming off the body.
18- Humid – unyevu
I love humid days, but then I’m also a water baby and I think the two go
together like summer and rain. Find a pool or a stream to cool off in – preferably in the shade!
19- With low humidity the air feels dry – Unyevu dhalili hufanya hewa kuwa kavu.
These are the best days to go walking the hills and vales. Just take at least one Kenyan friend with you so you don’t get lost!
20- The wind is really strong – upepo ni kali sana
A strong wind blows away the air pollution and is very healthy in that respect. Just avoid the mountain trails today, unless you fancy being blown across the continent like a hot air balloon.
21- It’s windy outside – Kuna upepo nje.
Wind! My least favourite weather condition. Of course, if you’re a kitesurfer, a windy day is what you’ve been waiting for!
22- Wet roads can ice over when the temperature falls below freezing – Barabara zilizo na unyevu zaweza kuwa na barafu, wakati pimo la joto linapoanguka chini ya kiwango cha kutunduaa.
The roads will be dangerous in these conditions, so please don’t take chances. The ice will thaw as soon as the sun comes out, so be patient!
23- Today is very muggy – Leo hewa limejaa unyevu.
Muggy days make your skin feel sticky and sap your energy. They’re particular to high humidity. Cold shower, anyone? Ice vest? Whatever it takes to feel relief from the humidity!
24- Fog – ukungu
Not a great time to be driving, especially in unknown territory, but keep your fog lights on and drive slowly.
25- Hurricane – tufani
Your new Kenyan friends will know the signs, so grab some food and candles and prepare for a night of staying warm and chatting about wild weather in Kenya.
26- Big tornado – kibunga kubwa
If you hear these words, it will probably be obvious already that everyone is preparing for the worst! Definitely do whatever your accommodation hosts tell you to do when a tornado is expected.
27- It’s cloudy today – Ni siku ya mawingu.
While there won’t be any stargazing tonight, the magnificent clouds over Kenya will make impressive photographs. Caption them in Swahili to impress your friends back home!
28- Below freezing temperatures – chini ya kipimo cha joto ya kutunduaa
When the temperature is below freezing, why not take an Uber and go shopping for some gorgeous Kenyan winter gear?
29- Wind chill is how cold it really feels outside – Upepo wa baridi ni namna ya baridi iliyonje.
Wind doesn’t change the ambient temperature of the air, it just changes your body temperature, so the air will feel colder to you than it actually is. Not all your Kenyan friends will know that, though, so learn this Swahili phrase to sound really smart!
30- Water will freeze when the temperature falls below zero degrees celsius – Maji yatakanda wakati kipimo cha joto linapoangu chini ya centigredi sufuri.
If you’re near a lake, frozen water is good news! Forgot your ice skates? Don’t despair – find out where you can hire some. Be cautious, though: the ice needs to be at least four inches thick for safe skating. Personally, I just slide around on frozen lakes in my boots!
31- Waiting to clear up – kungoja ili iwe nzuri
Waiting for the weather to clear up so you can go exploring is frustrating, let’s be honest. That’s why you should always travel with two things: a scintillating novel and your Swahili Nook Book.
32- Avoid the extreme heat – epukana na joto jingi
Is the heat trying to kill you? Unless you’re a hardened heatwave hero, definitely avoid activity, stay hydrated and drink electrolytes. Loose cotton or linen garb is the way to go!
33- Morning frost – jadili ya asubuhi
Frost is water vapour that has turned to ice crystals and it happens when the earth cools so much in the night, that it gets colder than the air above it. Winter is coming!
34- Rain shower – kunyesha kwa mvua
Rain showers are typically brief downpours that drench the earth with a good drink of water.
35- In the evening it will become cloudy and cold – Jioni, kutakuwa na mawingu na baridi.
When I hear this on the Swahili weather channel, I buy a bottle of wine (red, of course) and wood for the fireplace. A cold and cloudy evening needs its comforts!
36- Severe thunderstorm – doruba kali
Keep an eye on the Kenyan weather maps if it looks like a big storm is coming, so you’ll be well-informed.
37- Ice has formed on the window – Barafu limetengenezeka kwenye dirisha.
You could try this phrase out on the hotel’s helpful cleaning staff, or fix the problem yourself. Just add a scoop or two of salt to a spray bottle of water – that should work!
38- Large hailstones – mvua mkubwa wa mawe
As a kid, I found hail crazy exciting. Not so much now – especially if I’m on the road and large hailstones start pummeling my windscreen!
39- Rolling thunder – gurumo kubwa
The rumble of rolling thunder is that low-volume, ominous background sound that goes on for some time. It’s strangely exciting if you’re safely in your hotel room; it could either suddenly clear up, or escalate to a storm.
40- Sleet – mvua ya theluji
Sleet is tiny hard pieces of ice made from a mixture of rain and melted snow that froze. It can be messy, but doesn’t cause major damage the way hail does. Pretty cool to know this word in Swahili!
2. Words for the first day of spring
You know the feeling: your heart skips a beat when you wake up and spring has sprung! Spring will reward you with new blossoms everywhere, birdsong in the air, kittens being born in the neighborhood and lovely views when you hit the trails. Pack a picnic and ask a new Kenyan friend to show you the more natural sights. Don’t forget a light sweater and a big smile. This is the perfect time to practice some Swahili spring words!
3. Do You Know the Essential Summer Vocabulary?
Summer! Who doesn’t love that word? It conjures up images of blue skies, tan skin, vacations at the beach and cruising down the coast in an Alfa Romeo, sunglasses on and the breeze in your hair. Of course, in Kenya there are many ways to enjoy the summer – it all depends on what you love to do. One thing’s for sure: you will have opportunities to make friends, go on picnics, sample delicious local ice-cream and maybe even learn to sing some Swahili songs. It’s up to you! Sail into Kenyan summer with this summer vocab list, and you’ll blend in with ease.
4. Must-Know Autumn vocabulary
Victoria Ericksen said, “If a year was tucked inside of a clock, then autumn would be the magic hour,” and I agree. Who can resist the beauty of fall foliage coloring the Kenyan landscape? Birds prepare to migrate; travelers prepare to arrive for the best weather in Kenya.
The autumnal equinox marks the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator, making day and night almost equal in length. The cool thing about this event is that the moon gets really bright – the ‘harvest moon’, as it’s traditionally known.
So, as much as the change of season brings more windy and rainy days, it also brings celebration. Whether you honor Thanksgiving, Halloween or the Moon Festival, take some time to color your vocabulary with these Swahili autumn words.
5. Winter
Winter is the time the natural world slows down to rest and regroup. I’m a summer girl, but there are fabulous things about winter that I really look forward to. For one, it’s the only season I get to accessorize with my gorgeous winter gloves and snug down coat!
Then, of course, there’s ice skating, holiday decorations and bonfires. As John Steinbeck said, “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?” Get ready for the cold season with our list of essential Winter words!
6. SwahiliPod101 can prepare you for any season.
Now that you know how to inquire and comment on the weather in Kenya, you
can confidently plan your weather-ready travel itinerary. How about this for an idea: the next
time you’re sitting in a Kenyan street café, try asking someone local this question:
“Do you think the weather will stay like this for a few days?” If you loved learning these cool Swahili weather phrases with us, why not take it a step further and add to your repertoire? SwahiliPod101 is here to help!
Learning a language on your own or without traditional classroom instruction may seem quite daunting at first. What if you run into questions? How do you stay motivated and on track to achieving goals?
Don’t worry, not only is it possible to learn Swahili or any language without traditional classroom instruction: SwahiliPod101 has created the world’s most advanced and extensive online language learning system. Not only is SwahiliPod101 specifically designed to help you with learning a language on your own, it’s actually faster, more convenient, and less expensive than traditional classroom options!
Let’s look at some of the benefits of learning Swahili or any language alone.
Also, don’t forget to download your free cheat sheet – How to Improve Your Language Skills too!
3 Reasons to Learn a Language Alone
1. Learn at Your Own Pace and On Your Schedule
In today’s fast-paced world, there just isn’t time for traditional classroom instruction. Between getting to class and studying on some professor or teacher’s schedule, traditional classroom learning is simply impossible to fit in. But when you learn Swahili alone, you can study in bed if you like and whenever suits your schedule best, making it far easier to actually reach your goal of learning and mastering the language.
2. Learning a Language on Your Own Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Speaking in front of a class, pop quizzes, and tests are just a few of the stressors you will encounter when you learn a language in a traditional classroom setting. Specifically, these are external stressors that often derail most people’s dream of learning a new language. But when you learn Swahili alone, there are no external stressors. Without the external stress and anxiety, it becomes much easier and more exciting to study Swahili and reach your very own goals—all on your own!
3. Learning Swahili Alone Helps Improve Cognitive Function and Overall Success
Learning a language on your own is indeed more challenging in some ways than being taught in a traditional classroom setting. In fact, while classroom instruction requires more rote memorization and following instructions, studying a language on your own requires more problem-solving and higher cognitive function to self-teach lessons and hit goals. So while it’s more challenging and requires higher levels of cognition, teaching yourself a language pays dividends throughout life by better preparing you for social/work opportunities that arise.
How to Learn a Language on Your Own with SwahiliPod101
1. Access to the World’s Largest Collection of Swahili Audio & Video Lessons
The best way to learn a language on your own is to study from native speaking instructors. Ideally, you want audio and/or video lessons that teach vocabulary, grammar, and provide actual Swahili conversations and dialogue to help you with pronunciation. SwahiliPod101 has hundreds of hours of HD audio and video lessons created by real Swahili instructors and every lesson is presented by professional Swahili actors for perfect pronunciation. Plus, all lessons can be accessed 24/7 via any mobile device with Internet access. And, if you download the PDF versions of each lesson, you can even study without Internet access once the lesson is stored on your device!
2. “Learning Paths” with Swahili Courses Based Upon Your Exact Needs & Goals
Although SwahiliPod101 has more than thousands of video and audio lessons, you need not review each and every one to learn the language. In fact, SwahiliPod101 has developed a feature called “Learning Paths”. You simply tell us your goals and we will identify the best courses and study plan to help you reach them in the shortest time possible. So even though you are technically learning a language on your own, our team is always here to help and make sure you reach your goals FAST!
3. Advanced Learning Tools Reduce Learning Time and Boost Retention
When you have the right tools and Swahili learning resources, it’s actually easy to teach yourself a language! In the past 10+ years, SwahiliPod101 has developed, tested, and refined more than 20 advanced learning tools to boost retention and reduce learning time, including:
Spaced Repetition Flashcards
Line-by-Line Dialogue Breakdown
Review Quizzes
Voice Recording Tools to Help Perfect Pronunciation
Armed with our growing collection of advanced learning tools, it’s truly a breeze to learn Swahili alone and reach your goals!
Conclusion
Learning a language on your own is not only possible, it’s actually easier and more beneficial for you than traditional classroom instruction. In fact, when you learn Swahili on your own you can study at your own pace, eliminate stress, and actually increase cognitive function.
SwahiliPod101 is the world’s most advanced online language learning system and a great resource to help you teach yourself a new language. With the world’s largest collection of HD audio and video lessons, more than 20 advanced learning tools, and customized “Learning Paths”, SwahiliPod101 makes learning a new language easier, more convenient, and less expensive than traditional classroom instruction.
And the best part is: With SwahiliPod101, you can study in bed, your car, or wherever you have a few spare minutes of time. Create your Free Lifetime Account now and get a FREE ebook to help “kickstart” your dream of learning a language on your own below!
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