Dialogue

Vocabulary

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Lesson Transcript

INTRODUCTION
In this lesson, we'll cover phrases used for apologizing. Since you haven’t quite mastered Swahili, it's probably a good idea to go over the phrases for apologizing, as it’s likely they’ll come in handy.
BODY
We’ll start with “Excuse me” or “Pardon me,” which in Swahili is
Kunradhi
Let’s break it down:
(slow) Ku - n - ra - dhi
Once more:
Kunradhi
This expression can be used to apologize for accidentally pushing someone on the street, but it can also precede a question you ask a stranger, much like “Excuse me.” Use this when you are trying to work your way through a crowd, when you are trying to get someone’s attention in a store, or when asking for directions.
Kunradhi!
If you want to be even more apologetic, or if you’ve done something worse than just bumping into someone, you can say “I am sorry”:
Samahani.
Let’s break it down:
(slow) Sa - ma - ha - ni.
Once more:
Samahani.
To sum this section up:
Use Kunradhi when you’ve done minor damage to someone or want to get someone’s attention.
Use Samahani when the damage is more significant.
Pole is another phrase that can be used for apologizing. But it is used only for minor apologies.
Let’s break it down:
(slow) Pole.
Once more:
Pole
The word pole mean “sorry.”
If someone says one of these to you, you’ll want to respond with “No problem” or “It doesn't matter.” The proper response is
Sawa.
Let’s break it down:
(slow) Sa - wa.
Once more:
Sawa.
Sawa means “okay.”

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