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Lesson Transcript

Eric: Top 25 Swahili Questions You Need to Know - Lesson 16 “How are you?” in Swahili
(In each lesson of this 25 part series, you'll encounter a common question for Swedish learners, and then learn how to answer like a native. You'll learn how these key phrases work by breaking them down into each component. Then, through repetition and new vocabulary, you'll expand your understanding of the question, its answers, and any variations.)
In this lesson, you'll learn how to respond to the common question “How are you?” In Swahili this is
Medina: Habari yako?
Eric: The first word in the question is
Medina: habari
Eric: meaning “how are” in English.
Medina: (Slow, by syllable) habari
Eric: Listen again and repeat.
Medina: habari
{Pause}
Eric: This pattern of first introducing a word at natural speed, providing the translation, breaking it down, and then giving it again at natural speed will be repeated throughout the series. Try to speak aloud as often as possible. The next word in the question is
Medina: yako
Eric: meaning “yours” or in this case, “you”
Medina: (Slow, by syllable) yako
Eric: Now repeat.
Medina: yako
{Pause}
Eric: Listen to the entire question and repeat.
Medina: Habari yako?
{pause}
Eric: (You will hear this common question again and again throughout your studies.) Master the following pattern and responses to the question “How are you?”
Medina: Niko mzima.
Eric: "I'm fine.” You’ll hear it one more time, slowly. Repeat the phrase.
Medina: (Slow) Niko mzima.
{pause}
Eric: Let's break it down from the beginning. The first word is
Medina: Niko
Eric: meaning “I am.”
Medina: (Slow, by syllable) niko
Eric: Now repeat
Medina: niko
{Pause}
Eric: Next is
Medina: mzima
meaning “fine”
Medina: (Slow, by syllable) mzima
Eric:Now repeat.
Medina: mzima
{Pause}
{Pause}Eric: Listen to the speaker say “I'm fine” and then repeat.
Medina: Niko mzima.
{pause}Eric: To use a different phrase, replace “fine” with “okay”
Medina: sawa
Eric: “okay”
Medina: (slow) sawa (regular) sawa
Eric: Listen to the phrase again, this time with “okay”
Medina: Niko sawa.
Eric: It mostly stays the same, simply replace “fine” with “okay” Say “I'm okay.”
{pause}
Medina: Niko sawa.
Eric: To express a different feeling, replace “okay” with “pretty good.”
Medina: vizuri kabisa
Eric: “pretty good”
Medina: (slow) vizuri kabisa (regular) vizuri kabisa
Eric: Listen to the phrase again, this time with “pretty good.”
Medina: Niko vizuri kabisa.
Eric: Again, it’s almost the same, we just replace “okay” with “pretty good.” Let’s practice. Say “I'm pretty good.”
{pause}
Medina: Niko vizuri kabisa.
Eric: For more practice, replace “pretty good” with “wonderful.”
Medina: salama
Eric: “wonderful”
Medina: (slow) salama (regular) salama
Eric: Listen to the phrase again, this time with “wonderful.”
Medina: Niko salama.
Eric: It’s almost the same, we just replace “pretty good” with “wonderful.” Now say, “I'm wonderful.”
{pause}
Medina: Niko salama.
Eric: To say “I’m not fine” in a simple way, just say
Medina: Siko vyema.
Eric: This is literally “I’m not well” in English. Let's hear it slowly.
Medina: (Slowly) Siko vyema.
Eric: And one more time at normal speed.
Medina: Siko vyema.
Eric: Now it's time for a quiz. Imagine you’re visiting Kenya and someone asks you how you are. You’re fine. How would you answer?
Medina: Habari yako? (five seconds) Niko mzima.
Eric: Now imagine you’re okay. Respond to the question.
Medina: Habari yako? (five seconds) Niko sawa.
Eric: Imagine you’re pretty good. Answer the speaker's question.
Medina: Habari yako? (five seconds) Niko vizuri kabisa.
Eric: Imagine you're wonderful. What do you say?
Medina: Habari yako? (five seconds) Niko salama.
Eric: You want to ask someone how they’re doing. Ask the question.
(5 seconds)
Medina: Habari yako?
{pause}
Eric: Now it's time to answer the question with how you’re actually feeling.
Medina: Habari yako?
{pause}
Eric: This is the end of Lesson 16.

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