Bbc: L3: Useful Phrases For Learning Swahili

Question 0

kidogo

Answer 0

a bit

Ex: Kidogo kidogo hujaza kibaba.
Little by little fills the jar.

Question 1

Polepole

Answer 1

slower

Ex: Polepole ndio mwendo.
Slow pace is the right pace.

Question 2

kunradhi

Answer 2

Excuse me, / I’m sorry

Ex: Kunradhi nimechelewa.
I’m sorry, I’m late.

Question 3

kupata

Answer 3

to get (got)

Ex: Kupata matibabu, itakubidi uende hospitalini.
To get treatment, you’d better go to the hospital.

Question 4

unasemaje

Answer 4

how do you say

Ex: Unasemaje “food” kwa kiswahili?
How do you say food in Swahili?

Question 5

moja

Answer 5

one, 1

Ex: Nipe tiketi moja basi.
Then give me one ticket.

Question 6

kwa kiswahili

Answer 6

in Swahili

Ex: Tafadhali nipe jina la “street” kwa kiswahili?
Please, could you give me the name of a street in Swahili.

Question 7

hizo

Answer 7

that

Ex: Alipata pesa hizo kazini.
He got that money from work.

Question 8

la, usifanye

Answer 8

not, don’t

Ex: La, usifanye kelele hapa.
No, don’t make noise here.

Question 9

Nami

Answer 9

me

Ex: Dadangu nami tunaenda nga’mbo.
My sister and I are going overseas.

Question 10

naweza

Answer 10

can

Ex: Naweza kusema maneno haya kwa haraka.
I can say those words in haste.

Question 11

kusema

Answer 11

say that

Ex: Alisema namimi hadi usiku wa manane.
She talked with me till late in the night.

Question 12

mara moja tena

Answer 12

one more time

Ex: Tamka maneno haya mara moja tena tafadhali.
Say these words one more time.

Question 13

tafadhali

Answer 13

please

Ex: Tafadhali nisamehe, najua nimekosa.
      Please forgive me, I know I am wrong.
Ex: Waweza kukisema tena tafadhali?
 Can you say that again, please?
Ex: Hii saa tafadhali.
 This one please.