What does Jambo mean? Common Swahili Phrases
Jambo means "Hello" in Swahili — the most recognised greeting in East Africa. Below are essential bilingual phrases for greetings, mealtime, bedtime, animals and emotions, each with audio pronunciation.
Greetings
Jambo
Hello
JAHM-boh
Habari yako?
How are you?
hah-BAH-ree YAH-koh
Nzuri sana
Very good
n-ZOO-ree SAH-nah
Karibu
Welcome
kah-REE-boo
Kwaheri
Goodbye
kwah-HEH-ree
Asante sana
Thank you very much
ah-SAHN-teh SAH-nah
Mealtime
Nina njaa
I am hungry
NEE-nah N-jah
Maji, tafadhali
Water, please
MAH-jee tah-fah-THAH-lee
Chakula ni kitamu
The food is delicious
chah-KOO-lah nee kee-TAH-moo
Tafadhali
Please
tah-fah-THAH-lee
Nimeshiba
I am full
nee-meh-SHEE-bah
Bedtime
Lala salama
Sleep well
LAH-lah sah-LAH-mah
Usiku mwema
Good night
oo-SEE-koo MWEH-mah
Ndoto njema
Sweet dreams
n-DOH-toh n-JEH-mah
Nakupenda
I love you
nah-koo-PEN-dah
Hadithi
Story
hah-DEE-thee
Animals
Simba
Lion
SEEM-bah
Tembo
Elephant
TEM-boh
Twiga
Giraffe
TWEE-gah
Nyoka
Snake
NYOH-kah
Samaki
Fish
sah-MAH-kee
Bata
Duck
BAH-tah
Emotions
Nimefurahi
I am happy
nee-meh-foo-RAH-hee
Nina huzuni
I am sad
NEE-nah hoo-ZOO-nee
Ninaogopa
I am scared
nee-nah-oh-GOH-pah
Nimeshangaa
I am surprised
nee-meh-shahn-GAH
Pole sana
I'm very sorry
POH-leh SAH-nah
Classroom
Mwalimu
Teacher
mwah-LEE-moo
Kitabu
Book
kee-TAH-boo
Kalamu
Pen
kah-LAH-moo
Namba
Number
NAHM-bah
Sikiliza
Listen
see-kee-LEE-zah
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