Swahili for Travellers: 25 Words to Learn Before Zanzibar
You don’t need to speak Swahili to enjoy Zanzibar, but a few words will change your trip. Say asante to the woman who makes your breakfast, or shikamoo to an elder in the village, and watch the smiles. Here are the words our guests at Binta House use most, and the ones our dadas love to teach.
Greetings (the most important part)
In Swahili culture, you always greet before you ask. Skipping the greeting is like walking into someone’s house without knocking.
| Swahili | Meaning | How to answer |
|---|---|---|
| Jambo | Hello (the friendly tourist greeting) | Jambo! |
| Mambo? | What’s up? (casual) | Poa! (cool) or Safi! (great) |
| Habari? | How are you? (literally “what news?”) | Nzuri (good) |
| Habari za asubuhi? | Good morning, how are you? | Nzuri |
| Shikamoo | Respectful greeting to an elder | They reply Marahaba |
| Karibu | Welcome / come in / you’re welcome | Asante |
| Kwaheri | Goodbye | Kwaheri! |
| Lala salama | Sleep well | Asante, na wewe (thanks, you too) |
Tip: Karibu is everywhere. You’ll hear it when you arrive, when you enter a shop, when you say thank you. It’s the heart of Swahili hospitality.
Polite words
- Asante — thank you. Asante sana — thank you very much.
- Tafadhali — please.
- Samahani — excuse me / sorry.
- Pole — sorry (for your trouble). People will say it if you trip or look hot and tired. Answer asante.
- Ndiyo / Hapana — yes / no.
- Hapana, asante — no, thank you. Very useful on the beach!
Island life
- Pole pole — slowly, slowly. The rhythm of Zanzibar. Don’t fight it.
- Hakuna matata — no problem. Yes, people really say it.
- Hakuna shida — no problem (what locals say more often).
- Bahari — sea. Ufukwe — beach.
- Jua — sun. Maji — water.
- Rafiki — friend.
- Dada / Kaka — sister / brother. A friendly way to address a young woman or man. That’s why we call the women in our kitchen the dadas.
At the table and the market
- Chakula — food. Chakula kitamu! — the food is delicious!
- Bei gani? — how much?
- Ghali sana! — very expensive! (say it with a smile when you bargain)
- Nataka… — I want…
- Chai — tea. Kahawa — coffee.
Numbers for bargaining
Moja (1), mbili (2), tatu (3), nne (4), tano (5), sita (6), saba (7), nane (8), tisa (9), kumi (10), elfu (thousand).
A few tips
- Greet first, always. Even a quick habari before asking for directions makes a big difference.
- Try, even if it’s wrong. Zanzibaris love it when visitors try Swahili, and nobody will laugh at you (well, kindly, maybe).
- Ask the dadas. At Binta House, our guests often leave knowing more Swahili than they expected, learned over breakfast.
Karibu Zanzibar!
Read next: Swahili culture & etiquette in Zanzibar · What to eat in Zanzibar
Practise your Swahili with our dadas at Binta House, Nungwi. Check availability →
