Asante sana (Thank you very much)     Karibu  (Welcome) greeting     Karibu sana  (you’re welcome)     Sawa (OK)

Kwa heri  (good bye)     Ndiyo  (yes)     Hapana  (no)     Rafiki (friend)     Chakula (food)    Nzuri (good)   Mbaya (bad)

Hello (literal translation)                                         Reply:

Habari?  (News?)……………………………………….  Nzuri  (Good)

Habari gani?  (News what?)………………………     Nzuri sana (Good very)

Jambo?..........................................................   Jambo

(slang – you will hear this a lot on the mountain)                                           

Mambo?  (Things)…………………………………….     Safi (clean) or Poa (cool)

Mambo vipi? (Things how?)……………………..     Safi or Poa

Mountain Phases

Jambo

Mambo

Pole pole (slowly or slow down), Pole (sorry)

Kuwa makini  (be careful)

Twende  (Let’s go)

Nimechoka  (I am tired)

Ninakiu  (I am thirsty), Maji (water)

Ninanjaa  (I am hungry)

Nasikia baridi (I am feeling cold)

Habari za asubuhi? (good morning – literally “news of morning”?)

Usiku mwema (good night)

Lala salama  (safe sleeping)

Choo  (toilet)

Cheka (smile – literally “laugh”) When taking a picture

Counting

Moja – one     Mbili – two     Tatu – three     Nne – four     Tano – five     Sita – six     Saba – seven     Nane – eight

Tisa – nine     Kumi – ten

Animals

Paka = Cat     Duma = Cheetah     Ndege = Bird     Mbwa = Dog     Tembo = Elephant     Twiga = Giraffe     

Simba = Lion    Mbuzi = Goat 

Common works used in English that are actually Swahili words

Safari = travel, journey, trip

Jenga (wood block game) = build

Taco = buttocks

Jamba (as in Jamba Juice) = Flatulence