Swahili for Beginners

QuestionAnswer
if he is afraid / when he is afraid
akiogopa
If he hunts a shark, he will eat this shark.
Akiwinda papa, atakula papa huyu.
which / who (M/Wa- pl)
ambao
which / who (M/Wa- sg)
ambaye
trustworthy / honest
aminifu
he has / she has
ana
She has problems.*
Ana matata.
*btw I only allowed this intruder for the sake of Lion King vocabulary :XD We didn't study the right word class yet.
he/she goes
anaenda
He is going to the harbour.
Anaenda bandarini
he eats
anakula
he drinks
anakunywa
he drinks
anakunywa
He/she is afraid
Anaogopa
he is afraid
anaogopa
He is afraid of crocodiles.
Anaogopa mamba.
He /she likes
Anapenda
He loves seagulls.
Anapenda shakwe.
He likes giraffes.
Anapenda twiga.
thank you
asante
thank you very much
asante sana
morning
asubuhi
true N/N noun class
morning
asubuhi
Good morning
Asubuhi njema
he will drink
atakunywa
The Atlantic is a large ocean.
Atlantiki ni bahari kubwa.
or
au
father
baba
Dad drinks tea in the morning.
Baba anakunywa chai asubuhi.
our fathers and mothers
baba na mama zetu
the father of their friend
baba wa rafiki yao
His father is severe.
Baba yake ni mkali.
our father
baba yetu
sea / ocean
bahari
true N/N noun class
harbour
bandari
true N/N noun class
a big harbour / big harbours
bandari kubwa
the biggest harbour in the country of Mozambique
bandari kubwa zaidi nchini Msumbiji
the biggest port of the country
bandari kubwa zaidi ya nchi
the seaport
bandari ya bahari
a port on the Pacific Ocean / a Pacific Ocean port
bandari ya bahari ya Pasifiki
road
barabara
true N/N noun class
The streets are not going to the seaport.
Barabara haziendi kwenye bandari ya bahari.
the street goes
barabara inaenda
The street goes home.
Barabara inaenda nyumbani.
a long road / long roads
barabara ndefu
their road
barabara yao
country roads
barabara za nchi
the streets go
barabara zinaenda
The streets go to the sea
Barabara zinaenda baharini
The streets are going to the harbour.
Barabara zinaenda bandarini.
ice
barafu
a letter
barua
spider(s)
buibui
a small spider and a big spider
buibui mdogo na buibui mkubwa
spiders and cockroaches
buibui na mende
those spiders
buibui wale
Those spiders are so small.
Buibui wale ni wadogo sana.
pufferfish
bunju
N/N class noun - Animal

no plural / behaves like M/Wa nouns

when the pufferfish is afraid
bunju akiogopa
When the pufferfish is afraid, he drinks (future) a lot of water and becomes bigger.
Bunju akiogopa, atakunywa maji mengi na kuwa mkubwa zaidi.
The pufferfish is a fish.
Bunju ni samaki.
tea
chai
iced tea
chai ya barafu
chalk
chaki
chalk or pen
chaki au kalamu
Your chalk is short
Chaki yako ni fupi.
oyster
chaza
N/N class noun - Animal

no plural / behaves like M/Wa nouns

under
chini ya
under the sea
chini ya bahari
leopard
chui
Those leopards are big.
Chui wale ni wakubwa.
salt
chumvi
a bottle
chupa
this bottle and these bottles
chupa hii na chupa hizi
these bottles
chupa hizi
these bottles and those bottles
chupa hizi na chupa zile
a big bottle of iced tea
chupa kubwa ya chai ya barafu
a small bottle of medecine
chupa ndogo ya dawa
a bottle of iced tea
chupa ya chai ya barafu
a bottle of juice
chupa ya juisi
sister
dada
this sister
dada huyu
The sister of my mother is beautiful.
Dada wa mama yangu ni mzuri.
My sister is afraid of tall people.
Dada yangu anaogopa watu warefu.
her sisters
dada zake
Her sisters are nice.
Dada zake ni wazuri.
= His sisters are nice.
your sisters
dada zako
Your (pl) sisters are shorter than she.
Dada zenu ni wafupi zaidi kuliko yeye.
medecine
dawa
The medecine is bad.
Dawa ni mbaya.
horse
farasi
That horse is bigger than the donkey.
Farasi yule ni mkubwa zaidi kuliko punda.
news
habari
How is the morning ? / How are you doing ? / What's up? / (lit. the news (sg) of the morning)
Habari ya asubuhi ?
How is the morning ? / How are you doing ? / What's up? / (lit. the news (pl) of the morning)
Habari za asubuhi ?
How is work?
Habari za kazi?
How is home? ( How is the family? )
Habari za nyumbani ?
How is/was the trip?
Habari za safari ?
How is school?
Habari za shule?
he /she doesn't go
haendi
He is not going to school. (never ever)
Haendi shule.
it doesn't go ( used for N/N sg nouns)
haiendi
M/Wa sg : a-na-enda e.g. Mpishi anaenda. - The cook goes

M/Wa sg neg. : ha-end-i e.g. Mpishi haendi. - The cook doesn't go

N/N sg : i-na-enda e.g. Barabara inaenda. - The road goes

N/N sg neg. : ha-i-end-i e.g. Barabara haiendi. - The road doesn't go

he doesn't eat
hali
You (pl) don't eat
hamli
You (pl) don't eat vegetables.
Hamli mboga.
you (pl) don't have
hamna
You (pl) don't have birds.
Hamna ndege.
you ( pl) don't drink
hamnywi
You (pl) don't drink iced tea in the morning.
Hamnywi chai ya barafu asubuhi.
You (pl) don't like
Hampendi
you (pl) don't go
hamwendi
* Did you notice the extra 'w'. HamWendi ?
You (pl) don't go in the morning
Hamwendi asubuhi.
you (pl) are not afraid*
Hamwogopi
* Did you notice the additional 'w'? This is the only exception. HamWogopi
he/she doesn't have
hana
he doesn't drink
hanywi
no
hapana
No, we are not going to our country now.
Hapana, hatuendi kwenye nchi yetu sasa,
No, I am a teacher.
Hapana, mimi ni mwalimu.
No, I am not Asha.
Hapana, mimi si Asha.
No, I don't go to the sea today.
Hapana, siendi baharini leo.
No, I am not jumping.
Hapana, siruki.
No, they are not men.
Hapana, wao si wanaume.
No, they are not cooks, they are nurses.
Hapana, wao si wapishi, wao ni wauguzi.
he/she doesn't like
hapendi
She doesn't like mice.
Hapendi panya.
we don't go
hatuendi
We don't go home now.
Hatuendi nyumbani sasa.
we don't eat
hatuli
We don't eat porc.
Hatuli nyama ya nguruwe.
we don't have
hatuna
We don't have problems.*
Hatuna matata.
*at least as long as you don' try to use this word on your own. Remember we didn't learn yet the correspondant word class.
we don't drink
hatunywi
We don't drink from bottles.
Hatunywi kutoka kwa chupa.
We are not afraid of dogs.
Hatuogopi mbwa.
we don't like
hatupendi
We don't like big spiders
Hatupendi buibui wakubwa.
We don't like that man.
Hatupendi mwanaume yule.
these (M/Wa)
hawa
these (M/Wa)
hawa
they don't go
hawaendi
They don't go every morning.
Hawaendi kila asubuhi.
They don't go to school today.
Hawaendi shuleni leo.
they don't eat
hawali
They don't eat snails.
Hawali konokono.
they don't have
hawana
They don't have a brother.
Hawana kaka.
they don't drink
hawanywi
They don't like
Hawapendi
They don't like to eat fish.
Hawapendi kula samaki.
they don't go ( used for N/N pl nouns)
haziendi
M/Wa pl : wa-na-enda e.g. Wapishi wanaenda. - The cooks go

M/Wa pl neg. : hawa-end-i e.g. Wapishi hawaendi. - The cooks don't go

N/N pl : zi-na-enda e.g. Barabara zinaenda. - The roads go

N/N pl neg. : ha-zi-end-i e.g. Barabara haziendi. - The roads don't go

this (N/N)
hii
these (N/N)
hizi
May I come in? / Knock knock
Hodi hodi
May I come inside (the house) ?
Hodi nyumbani ?
you don't go
huendi
Hallo
Hujambo
you don't eat
huli
You don't eat goat meat.
Huli nyama ya mbuzi.
You don't have.
huna
You don't have an engineer.
Huna mhandisi.
you don't drink
Hunywi
You don't drink iced coffee.
Hunywi kahawa ya barafu.
You don't like
hupendi
You don't like the cook.
Hupendi mpishi.
this (M/Wa)
huyu
this (M/Wa)
huyu
that (N/N)
ile
it goes (for N/N sg words)
inaenda
(is ?) (optional question particle to introduce a yes/no question)
je ?
Is Emilian your best friend?
Je Emilian ni rafiki yako mkubwa?
Don't you like cockroaches?
Je hampendi mende ?
You (pl) don't like the giraffe?
Je hampendi twiga?
Aren't you (pl) afraid of crocodiles?
Je hamwogopi mamba?
Are you not going to the sea?
Je huendi baharini?
Do you (pl) have cockroaches?
Je mna mende ?
Are you (pl) going to your country?
Je mnaenda kwenye nchi yenu?
Are you (pl) afraid of sharp dogs?
Je mnaogopa mbwa wakali?
Are you fishermen?
Je ninyi ni wavuvi?
Is this zebra nicer than the donkey?
Je punda milia huyu ni mzuri zaidi kuliko punda?
Do you have a dog?
Je una mbwa?
Do you like tea and coffee?
Je unapenda chai na kahawa ?
Do you like cats?
Je unapenda paka?
Are they going to the harbour?
Je wanaenda bandarini?
Is Asha a good friend of yours?
Je, Asha ni rafiki yako mzuri?
juice
juisi
juice with ice
juisi na barafu
above / on top of
juu ya
above the sea
juu ya bahari
over the sea sand
juu ya mchanga wa bahari
crab
kaa
N/N class noun - Animal

no plural / behaves like M/Wa nouns

= kururu

N/N class noun - Animal

no plural / behaves like M/Wa nouns

The crab walks in the sea sand.
Kaa anatembea kwenye mchanga wa bahari.
The crab is walking on the rock.
Kaa anatembea kwenye mwamba.
coffee
kahawa
coffee or tea?
kahawa au chai?
iced coffee
kahawa ya barafu
brother
kaka
the brother of my mother
kaka wa mama yangu
my brother and my cat
kaka yangu na paka wangu
my brothers
kaka zangu
Brother, are you going now?
Kaka, je unaenda sasa?
pen / pencil
kalamu
a pen and paper
kalamu na karatasi
a long pencil and a short pencil
kalamu ndefu na kalamu fupi
sharp / fierce (N/N)
kali
lobster
kambakoche
N/N class noun - Animal

no plural / behaves like M/Wa nouns

The lobster lives under the sea.
Kambakoche anaishi chini ya bahari.
The lobster walks on the sand.
Kambakoche anatembea juu ya mchanga.
The lobster is fierce.
Kambakoche ni mkali.
paper
karatasi
paper for letters
karatasi kwa barua
Welcome
Karibu
in / inside
katika
work
kazi
Kenia is our beautiful country.
Kenya ni nchi yetu nzuri.
(verb infix for when/if clause)
ki
every
kila
every morning
kila asubuhi
everything
kila kitu
computer
kompyuta
Your computer is better than mine.
Kompyuta yako ni nzuri zaidi kuliko kompyuta yangu.
My computer is nice.
Kompyuta yangu ni nzuri.
sheep
kondoo
This sheep is so nice.
Kondoo huyu ni mzuri sana.
snail
konokono
N/N class noun - Animal

no plural / behaves like M/Wa nouns

sea snail
konokono wa baharini
N/N class noun - Animal

no plural / behaves like M/Wa nouns

The sea snail has a house.
Konokono wa baharini ana nyumba.
The sea snail walks on the the sand at the bottom of the sea.
Konokono wa baharini anatembea juu ya mchanga chini ya bahari.
Sea snails are snails which live in the sea.
Konokono wa baharini ni konokono ambao wanaishi baharini.
to live
kuishi
to live
kuishi
chicken
kuku
these chickens and those chickens
kuku hawa na kuku wale
this chicken and that chicken
kuku huyu na kuku yule
those chickens
kuku wale
to eat
kula
to eat
kula
than
kuliko
to drink
kunywa
to swim
kuogelea
to swim
kuogelea
to be afraid of
kuogopa
to be afraid of
kuogopa
to love /like
kupenda
to love
kupenda
to fly / to jump
kuruka
to fly / jump
kuruka
to walk
kutembea
to walk
kutembea
to walk over the sea sand
kutembea juu ya mchanga wa bahari
from / out of
kutoka kwa
to be
kuwa
to have
kuwa na
to hunt
kuwinda
to hunt
kuwinda
to (a person)
kwa
for
kwa
Bye.
Kwa heri.
to the engineer
kwa mhandisi
to your place*
kwako
kwa and possessive = to yours - meaning to your place
to go
kwenda
to go
kwenda
to go to school / to attend school *
kwenda shule

There is no -ni suffix on the word shule. We are talking of habital going, of being inscribed, of taking classes.

If you add -ni (shuleni) it would be like : Are you going to school right now? Are you going to the school (building)?

to (a place - used for combos e.g. bandari ya bahari)
kwenye
near / in / at / on
kwenye
but
lakini
but
lakini
today
leo
special
maalum
a lot of water
maji mengi
mother
mama
Mum likes her kids.
Mama anapenda watoto wake.
Mum doesn't have a nurse.
Mama hana muuguzi.
Mum doesn't like my friends.
Mama hapendi rafiki zangu.
her mother
mama yake
your mother
mama yako
my mother
mama yangu
our mother
mama yetu
their mothers
mama zao
Your (pl) mothers are so honest.
Mama zenu ni waaminifu sana.
our mothers
mama zetu
crocodile(s)
mamba
The crocodile is not afraid of the mouse.
Mamba haogopi panya
The crocodile is more fierce than the fish.
Mamba ni mkali zaidi kuliko samaki.
Crocodiles are big and bad.
Mamba ni wakubwa na wabaya.
My crocodiles are bigger than yours.*
Mamba wangu ni wakubwa zaidi kuliko wako.
*How do we know that there are crocodileS and not just one for each of us? Wangu and Wake don't tell us anything about the number, but there is Wakubwa in the sentence which is definitely plural. Had we each only one crocodile it should be Mkubwa.
that crocodile
mamba yule
bad (M/Wa Class sg)
mbaya
vegetables
mboga
goat
mbuzi
The goat eats salt.
Mbuzi anakula chumvi.
The goat doesn't eat meat.
Mbuzi hali nyama.
these goats
mbuzi hawa
these goats and these coconuts
mbuzi hawa na nazi hizi
this goat
mbuzi huyu
seahorse
mbuzi wa bahari
N/N class noun - Animal

no plural / behaves like M/Wa nouns

= farasi wa bahari

N/N class noun - Animal

no plural / behaves like M/Wa nouns

The seahorse is a small animal.
Mbuzi wa bahari ni mnyama mdogo.
The seahorse is very beautiful.
Mbuzi wa bahari ni mzuri sana.
that goat
mbuzi yule
dog(s)
mbwa
The dog is afraid of the farmer.
Mbwa anaogopa mkulima .
The dog is not afraid of children.
Mbwa haogopi watoto.
Dogs don't like cats.
Mbwa hawapendi paka.
The farmer's dogs are fierce.
Mbwa wa mkulima ni wakali.
The boy's dog is big.
Mbwa wa mvulana ni mkubwa.
The boy's dogs are big.
Mbwa wa mvulana ni wakubwa.
Sharp dogs are not nice.
Mbwa wakali si wazuri.
your dog(s)
mbwa wako
Your (pl) dog is big.
Mbwa wenu ni mkubwa.
Our dog and our cat are friends.
Mbwa wetu na paka wetu ni rafiki.
sand
mchanga
M/Mi class noun

(We will discuss this later but let me give one secret away... in sg it uses 'wa' for of - mchanga wa bahari = sea sand)

sea sand
mchanga wa bahari
small (M/Wa Class sg)
mdogo
smaller than
mdogo zaidi kuliko
cockroach
mende
A cockroach is small.
Mende ni mdogo.
Cockroaches are bad.
Mende ni wabaya.
His cockroaches are worse than your (pl) spiders.
Mende wake ni wabaya zaidi kuliko buibui wenu.
table
meza
a big table
meza kubwa
The long table is nice.
Meza ndefu ni nzuri.
short (M/Wa Class sg)
mfupi
a guest
mgeni
engineer
mhandisi
This engineer doesn't have cooks.
Mhandisi huyu hana wapishi.
an engineer and a farmer
mhandisi na mkulima
The engineer is a tall man.
Mhandisi ni mwanaume mrefu.
coral reef
miamba ya matumbawe
M/Mi class noun -pl

We will treat that later

I
mimi
I am a cat. I am not a dog.
Mimi ni paka. Mimi si mbwa.
I am Emilian.
Mimi ni Emilian.
I am a farmer and you are an engineer.
Mimi ni mkulima na wewe ni mhandisi.
I am a cook.
Mimi ni mpishi.
I am a girl.
Mimi ni msichana.
I am a man.
Mimi ni mwanaume.
I live in a house.
Mimi ninaishi katika nyumba.
I live at home.
Mimi ninaishi nyumbani.
I am not short.
Mimi si mfupi.
I am not a fish.
Mimi si samaki.
sharp / fierce / severe (M/Wa class sg)
mkali
big (M/Wa class sg)
mkubwa
bigger than
mkubwa zaidi kuliko
a farmer
mkulima
The farmer is afraid of lions
Mkulima anaogopa simba.
The farmer likes his dog.
Mkulima anapenda mbwa wake.
The farmer is taller than the fisherman.
Mkulima ni mrefu zaidi kuliko mvuvi.
That farmer has a sharp dog.
Mkulima yule ana mbwa mkali.
you (pl) have
mna
you (pl) go
mnaenda
You (pl) go to the seaport.
Mnaenda kwenye bandari ya bahari.
You (pl) eat
mnakula
Do you (pl) eat bananas?
Mnakula ndizi ?
You (pl) drink
mnakunywa
Do you (pl) drink ice tea?
Mnakunywa chai ya barafu ?
You (pl) are afraid
Mnaogopa
Are you (pl) afraid of nurses?
Mnaogopa wauguzi?
you (pl) love/like
mnapenda
Do you (pl) like those people?
Mnapenda watu wale?
animal
mnyama
M/Wa noun class
a sea animal
mnyama wa bahari
a cook
mpishi
The cook likes to go to the sea.
Mpishi anapenda kwenda baharini.
a bad cook
mpishi mbaya
The cook is a tall person.
Mpishi ni mtu mrefu.
the cook is a man
mpishi ni mwanaume
Their cook is better than ours.
Mpishi wao ni mzuri zaidi kuliko wetu.
gentle
mpole
tall / long (M/Wa Class sg)
mrefu
traveler
msafiri
The traveler has a dog.
Msafiri ana mbwa.
This traveler is my guest.
Msafiri huyu ni mgeni wangu.
the traveler and the girl
msafiri na msichana
The traveler is a guest.
Msafiri ni mgeni.
The traveler is a teacher.
Msafiri ni mwalimu.
girl
msichana
The girl has a bird.
Msichana ana ndege.
a pretty girl
msichana mzuri
The girl is small.
Msichana ni mdogo.
Mozambique
Msumbiji
child
mtoto
a big child
mtoto mkubwa
The child is a student.
Mtoto ni mwanafunzi.
person
mtu
this person
mtu huyu
This person is not a teacher.
Mtu huyu si mwalimu.
a good person (morally upright/kind)
mtu mwema
nurse
muuguzi
The nurse has medicine.
Muuguzi ana dawa.
The short nurse is African.
Muuguzi mfupi ni mwafrika.
the nurse and the child
muuguzi na mtoto
The woman's nurse is beautiful.
Muuguzi wa mwanamke ni mzuri.
my nurse
muuguzi wangu
That nurse is honest.
Muuguzi yule ni mwaminifu.
This boy doesn't have my dog.
Mvulana huyu hana mbwa wangu.
a fisherman
mvuvi
The fisherman likes fish.
Mvuvi anapenda samaki.
The fisherman doesn't drink juice.
Mvuvi hanywi juisi.
the fisherman and his fish
mvuvi na samaki wake
That fisherman doesn't have fishes.
Mvuvi yule hana samaki.
African (person)
mwafrika
This African is so tall.
Mwafrika huyu ni mrefu sana.
teacher
mwalimu
The student's teacher is tall.
Mwalimu wa mwanafunzi ni mrefu.
our teacher
mwalimu wetu
rock
mwamba
M/Mi class

its plural is 'miamba' = rocks

as we have seen in 'miamba ya matumbawe' = rocks of corals = coral reef

student
mwanafunzi
woman
mwanamke
This woman is the girl's mother.
Mwanamke huyu ni mama wa msichana.
a nice woman
mwanamke mzuri
man
mwanaume
a tall man
mwanaume mrefu
that man
mwanaume yule
That man is my father.
Mwanaume yule ni baba yangu.
pleasant / nice (M/Wa)
mwema
parent
mzazi
beautiful / nice /good / pretty (M/Wa Class sg)
mzuri
better than / nicer than
mzuri zaidi kuliko
and
na
who
nani
coconut
nazi
this coconut and that coconut
nazi hii na nazi ile
these coconuts
nazi hizi
Coconuts are not vegetables.
Nazi si mboga.
those coconuts
nazi zile
country
nchi
true N/N noun class
The biggest country of Africa is Algeria and the smallest country are the Seychelles.
Nchi kubwa zaidi ya Afrika ni Algeria na nchi ndogo zaidi ni Shelisheli.
a small country / small countries
nchi ndogo
my country
nchi yangu
Our country is a country of farmers.
Nchi yetu ni nchi ya wakulima.
Our country is beautiful.
Nchi yetu ni nzuri.
Our countries are countries of farmers.
Nchi zetu ni nchi za wakulima.
bird(s) / airplanes
ndege
Birds don't like cats.
Ndege hawapendi paka.
Birds are beautiful.
Ndege ni wazuri.
The girl's bird is beautiful.
ndege wa msichana ni mzuri.
Her bird is very beautiful.
Ndege wake ni mzuri sana.
Birds like fish.
Ndege wanapenda samaki.
Birds fly.
Ndege wanaruka.
My bird and the bird of your sister
Ndege wangu na ndege wa dada yako.
yes
ndiyo
Yes, I am Asha.
Ndiyo, mimi ni Asha.
Yes, I am an African.
Ndiyo, mimi ni mwafrika.
Yes, they are going to the harbour as well.
Ndiyo, wanaenda bandarini pia.
banana
ndizi
this banana
ndizi hii
that banana and those bananas
ndizi ile na ndizi zile
cow / ox
ng'ombe
these cows
ng'ombe hawa
a nice cow
ng'ombe mzuri
nice cows
ng'ombe wazuri
that cow
ng'ombe yule
that cow and that butter
ng'ombe yule na siagi ile
squid
ngisi
N/N class noun - Animal

no plural / behaves like M/Wa nouns

The squid is swimming near the coral reef.
Ngisi anaogelea kwenye miamba ya matumbawe.
clothes
nguo
big clothes and small clothes
nguo kubwa na nguo ndogo
nices clothes
nguo nzuri
pig
nguruwe
these pigs
nguruwe hawa
this pig
nguruwe huyu
this pig and this banana
nguruwe huyu na ndizi hii
am / is / are
ni
to (a place) / suffix
ni
If I eat vegetables, I will get big.
Nikila mboga, nitakuwa mkubwa.
If I eat fish, I will drink water.
Nikila samaki, nitakunywa maji.
If I eat I, I will drink, too.
Nikila, nitakunywa pia.
When I am afraid
nikiogopa
When I am big... (when I grow up...)
Nikiwa mkubwa
I have
Nina
I have a cat. I don't have dogs.
Nina paka. Sina mbwa.
I have children.
Nina watoto.
I go
ninaenda
I go home.
Ninaenda nyumbani.
I eat
Ninakula
I eat meat.
Ninakula nyama.
I drink
ninakunywa
I drink coffee every morning.
Ninakunywa kahawa kila asubuhi.
I swim in the sea.
Ninaogelea baharini.
I am afraid of
Ninaogopa
I am afraid of spiders.
Ninaogopa buibui.
I am afraid of this man.
Ninaogopa mwanaume huyu.
I am afraid of tall women.
Ninaogopa wanawake warefu.
I love/like
ninapenda
I like your letter.
Ninapenda barua yako.
I love coffee.
Ninapenda kahawa.
I like to swim.
Ninapenda kuogelea.
I like the hyrax a lot.
Ninapenda pimbi sana.
I like that donkey.
Ninapenda punda yule.
I like your trousers.
Ninapenda suruali yako.
I love children.
Ninapenda watoto.
I like honest people.
Ninapenda watu waaminifu.
I love you.
Ninapenda wewe.
I walk over the sea sand.
Ninatembea juu ya mchanga wa bahari.
you (pl)
ninyi
You (pl) are afraid of crocodiles.
Ninyi mnaogopa mamba.
You (pl) and your dogs and your cats.
Ninyi na mbwa wenu na paka wenu.
You are girls.
Ninyi ni wasichana.
I will have a cat.
Nitakuwa na paka.
I will be a cat.
Nitakuwa paka.
I will swim
nitaogelea
pleasant /nice (N/N)
njema
Come ! *
Njoo !
We didn't have this verb yet. The imperative is irregular. Just learn it like this for now.
Come to my place !
Njoo kwangu !
meat
nyama
chicken (meat)
nyama ya kuku
goat meat
nyama ya mbuzi
beef
nyama ya ng'ombe
beef with bell pepper
nyama ya ng'ombe na pilipili hoho.
porc
nyama ya nguruwe
whale
nyangumi
N/N class noun - Animal

no plural / behaves like M/Wa nouns

Whales are very big.
Nyangumi ni wakubwa sana.
Whales are sea animals.
Nyangumi ni wanyama wa bahari.
The whale is not a fish.
Nyangumi si samaki.
baboon
nyani
The baboon eats a banana.
Nyani anakula ndizi.
A baboon is not a buffalo.
Nyani si nyati.
buffalo
nyati
Those buffalos are very fierce.
Nyati wale ni wakali sana.
house
nyumba
true N/N noun class
The house has light.
Nyumba ina taa.
a nice house
nyumba nzuri
your houses
nyumba zako
(to) home
nyumbani
Fine / I am fine./ Everything is fine.
Nzuri.
gazelle / deer
paa
This little gazelle is very gentle.
Paa mdogo huyu ni mpole sana.
cat(s)
paka
The cat is afraid of the dog.
Paka anaogopa mbwa.
The cat loves mice.
Paka anapenda panya.
a small cat and a big lion
paka mdogo na simba mkubwa
cats and dogs
paka na mbwa
cats and mice
paka na panya
the cats and their mouse / mice*
paka na panya wao
* paka is plural because of wao (their)

panya can be either sg or pl

The cook's cat(s) / the cat(s) of the cook
paka wa mpishi
her cat(s)
paka wake
my cat(s)
paka wangu
My cat is afraid of water.
Paka wangu anaogopa maji.
My cat doesn't swim.
Paka wangu haogelei.
My cat doesn't like water.
Paka wangu hapendi maji.
My cat is my friend.
Paka wangu ni rafiki yangu.
mouse /mice
panya
The mouse is afraid of the cat.
Panya anaogopa paka.
Mice are small.
Panya ni wadogo.
the mouse /mice of the cat(s)
panya wa paka
Sharks don't drink coffee.
Papa hawanywi kahawa.
Sharks eat littie fishes.
Papa wanakula samaki wadogo.
too / as well
pia
also / too
pia
pepper
pilipili
bell pepper / Paprika
pilipili hoho
hyrax*
pimbi
* You don't know what I am ? Look at the lecture file and you ll see my photo. I am sooooo cute.
Cool. / Calm. / I am fine.
Poa.
dolphin
pomboo
The dolphin jumps out of the water.
Pomboo anaruka nje ya maji.
Dolphins are very gentle.
Pomboo ni mpole sana.
Dolphins are not fish.
Pomboo si samaki.
When the dolphins swim in the sea, they also jump out of the water.
Pomboo wakiogelea baharini, pia wataruka nje ya maji.
Dolphins live in the sea.
Pomboo wanaishi baharini.
Dolphins swim in the sea and jump.
Pomboo wanaogelea baharini na wanaruka.
donkey
punda
zebra
punda milia
octopus
pweza
N/N class noun - Animal

no plural / behaves like M/Wa nouns

The octopus lives in the sea.
Pweza anaishi baharini.
The octopus is swimming under the water.
Pweza anaogelea chini ya maji.
Maji is from the Ji/Ma noun class.

Nothing to worry about for now

The octopus is very big.
Pweza ni mkubwa sana.
The octopus is a big animal.
Pweza ni mnyama mkubwa.
friend
rafiki
The big elephant's best friend is the little mouse.
Rafiki mkubwa wa tembo mkubwa ni panya mdogo.
The best friend of the elephant is the mouse.
Rafiki mkubwa wa tembo ni panya.
the friend of their father
rafiki wa baba yao
the friends of your sister
rafiki wa dada yako
His friend is more trustworthy than him.
Rafiki yake ni mwaminifu zaidi kuliko yeye.
my best friend
rafiki yangu mkubwa
a good friend of mine
rafiki yangu mzuri
My friend is tall.
Rafiki yangu ni mrefu.
My friend is nicer than yours.
Rafiki yangu ni mzuri zaidi kuliko yako.
soap
sabuni
a special soap
sabuni maalum
a special soap for children's clothes
sabuni maalum kwa nguo za watoto
a good soap for clothes
sabuni nzuri kwa nguo
trip / journey
safari
clean / pure / I am fine.
Safi.
plates
sahani
Peaceful / I am fine. / Everything is peaceful.
Salama.
sorry
samahani
Fish
Samaki
The fish swims in the sea.
Samaki anaogelea baharini.
Fishes don't like birds.
Samaki hawapendi ndege.
Fishes are beautiful.
Samaki ni wazuri.
your fish and his fish
samaki wako na samaki wake
The fishes swim in the sea.
Samaki wanaogelea baharini.
very
sana
now
sasa
seagull
shakwe
N/N class noun - Animal

no plural / behaves like M/Wa nouns

The seagull flies over the sea.
Shakwe anaruka juu ya bahari.
The seagull walks over the sand.
Shakwe anatembea juu ya mchanga.
A seagull is a bird.
Shakwe ni ndege.
When the seagulls fly over the sea they will hunt for fish and crabs.
Shakwe wakiruka juu ya bahari, watawinda samaki na kaa.
When the seagulls hunt for crabs, they also hunt for sea snails.
Shakwe wakiwinda kaa, pia watawinda konokono wa baharini.
the Seychelles
Shelisheli
school
shule
true N/N noun class
am not / are not / is not
si
I am not.
Si
butter
siagi
that butter
siagi ile
cow butter
Siagi ya ng’ombe
I don't go
siendi
I am not going to school (I will go tomorrow)
Siendi shuleni.
I don't live in the sea.
Siishi baharini.
I don't eat
Sili
I don't eat pepper.
Sili pilipili.
I don't eat sugar.
Sili sukari.
lion(s)
simba
A lion is a big cat.
Simba ni paka mkubwa.
Lions are big.
Simba ni wakubwa.
I don't have
sina
I don't have children.
Sina watoto.
I don't drink
Sinywi
I don't drink coffee with sugar.
Sinywi kahawa na sukari.
I don't like
Sipendi
I don't like cockroaches.
Sipendi mende.
I don't like fish.
Sipendi samaki
I don't like you.
Sipendi wewe.
we
sisi
Are we friends again?
Sisi ni rafiki tena?
We are guests.
Sisi ni wageni.
We are teachers.
Sisi ni walimu.
We are men.
Sisi ni wanaume.
Are we travelers?
Sisi ni wasafiri?
We are girls.
Sisi ni wasichana.
We are not fishes. We don't live in the sea.
Sisi si samaki. Sisi hatuishi baharini.
socks
soksi
Socks and trousers are clothes.
Soksi na suruali ni nguo.
pots / pans
sufuria
big pots
sufuria kubwa
pots and plates
sufuria na sahani
sugar
sukari
sugar and salt
sukari na chumvi
The trousers are very big.
Suruali ni kubwa sana.
(verb infix for future tense)
ta
light
taa
Tanzania is the land of the farmer.
Tanzania ni nchi ya mkulima.
elephant
tembo
elephants
tembo
The elephant is afraid of the mouse.
Tembo anaogopa panya.
The elephant is not afraid of crocodiles.
Tembo haogopi mamba.
The elephant is big.
Tembo ni mkubwa.
African elephants are not small.
Tembo wa Afrika si wadogo.
big elephants
tembo wakubwa
again
tena
When we go to the sea, we will swim.
Tukienda baharini, tutaogelea.
when we are afraid
tukiogopa
we have
tuna
We have a girl and a boy.
Tuna msichana na mvulana.
we go
tunaenda
We go to our country.
Tunaenda kwenye nchi yetu.
we eat
tunakula
We eat chicken (meat).
Tunakula nyama ya kuku.
We eat butter every morning.
Tunakula siagi kila asubuhi.
we drink
tunakunywa
We drink a bottle of juice.
Tunakunywa chupa ya juisi.
We are afraid
Tunaogopa
We are afraid of big cockroaches.
Tunaogopa mende wakubwa.
we love/ like
tunapenda
We love birds
Tunapenda ndege.
We are walking on the sand.
Tunatembea juu ya mchanga.
We are also walking on the rocks.
Tunatembea pia juu ya mwamba.
giraffe(s)
twiga
The giraffe is taller than the lion.
Twiga ni mrefu zaidi kuliko simba.
The giraffe is tall.
Twiga ni mrefu.
The giraffes are tall.
Twiga ni warefu.
When you go to the sea, you will walk on the sand.
Ukienda baharini, utatembea juu ya mchanga.
When you swim in the sea, you will be afraid of sharks.
Ukiogelea baharini, utaogopa papa.
if you are afraid
ukiogopa
you have
una
You go
unaenda
You go to the sea.
Unaenda baharini.
You eat
Unakula
You eat beef.
Unakula nyama ya ng'ombe.
you drink
unakunywa
Do you drink juice ?
Unakunywa juisi ?
you are afraid
unaogopa
You are afraid of lions.
Unaogopa simba.
You love/like
Unapenda
Are you jumping?
Unaruka?
Africans
waafrika
The Africans are students.
Waafrika ni wanafunzi.
The tall Africans are engineers.
Waafrika warefu ni wahandisi.
The guests are Africans.
Wageni ni waafrika.
The guests of the engineer are African people.
Wageni wa mhandisi ni watu wa Afrika.
The guests have children.
Wageni wana watoto.
My guests don't like spiders.
Wageni wangu hawapendi buibui.
our guests
wageni wetu
engineers
wahandisi
If they like lobster, they will eat everything.
Wakipenda kambakoche, watakula kila kitu.
the farmers and their dog(s)
wakulima na mbwa wao
farmers and engineers
wakulima na wahandisi
farmers are not fishermen
wakulima si wavuvi
Those farmers don't have cats.
Wakulima wale hawana paka.
those (M/Wa)
wale
those (M/Wa)
wale
teachers
walimu
these teachers and those students
walimu hawa na wanafunzi wale
The teachers are Africans.
Walimu ni waafrika.
they have
wana
they go
wanaenda
They go to your place.
Wanaenda (nyumbani) kwako.
They are going to the sea.
Wanaenda baharini.
They go to the engineer.
Wanaenda kwa mhandisi.
They go home.
Wanaenda nyumbani.
students
wanafunzi
Students are not teachers.
Wanafunzi si walimu.
the teacher's students / the students of the teacher
wanafunzi wa mwalimu
their students
wanafunzi wao
They eat
wanakula
They eat fish.
Wanakula samaki.
they drink
wanakunywa
They drink tea at home.
Wanakunywa chai nyumbani.
They are afraid
Wanaogopa
They are afraid of their teacher.
Wanaogopa mwalimu wao.
They like
Wanapenda
They love tall women.
Wanapenda wanawake warefu.
men
wanaume
men and woman
wanaume na wanawake
The men are teachers.
Wanaume ni walimu.
tall men
wanaume warefu
women
wanawake
women and children
wanawake na watoto
Those women have beautiful girls.
Wanawake wale wana wasichana wazuri.
The women are afraid of mice but I am not .
Wanawake wanaogopa panya lakini mimi siogopi.
animals
wanyama
M/Wa noun class - pl
sea animals
wanyama wa bahari
they
wao
Are they men?
Wao ni wanaume?
Are they cooks?
Wao ni wapishi?
They are tall people..
Wao ni watu warefu.
These cooks are better than ours.
Wapishi hawa ni wazuri zaidi kuliko wapishi wetu.
These chiefs are dishonest.
Wapishi hawa si waaminifu.
the cooks and the guests
wapishi na wageni
The teacher's cooks are bad.
Wapishi wa mwalimu ni wabaya.
bad cooks
wapishi wabaya
The travelers are worse than my guests.
Wasafiri ni wabaya zaidi kuliko wageni wangu.
The travelers are men.
Wasafiri ni wanaume.
The short travelers are guests.
Wasafiri wafupi ni wageni.
The girls are students.
Wasichana ni wanafunzi.
girls are children
wasichana ni watoto
they will walk
watatembea
Children don't drink coffee.
Watoto hawanywi kahawa.
The children are not afraid of the dog.
Watoto hawaogopi mbwa.
children are people
watoto ni watu
The children are nice.
Watoto ni wazuri.
Children are not big people.
Watoto si watu wakubwa.
the children of our cook
watoto wa mpishi wetu
big children
watoto wakubwa
The children eat coconuts.
Watoto wanakula nazi.
The children like their mother.
Watoto wanapenda mama yao.
nice children
watoto wazuri
people
watu
these people
watu hawa
These people are honest, but those people are bad.
Watu hawa ni waaminifu lakini watu wale ni wabaya.
The people are guests.
Watu ni wageni.
If people eat lobsters, they also like oysters.
Watu wakikula kambakoche, pia watapenda chaza.
The people eat sugar, but they don't eat vegetables.
Watu wanakula sukari, lakini hawali mboga.
The people are afraid and jump.
Watu wanaogopa na wanaruka.
People like to eat oysters.
Watu wanapenda kula chaza.
People like to eat lobsters.
Watu wanapenda kula kambakoche.
People hunt whales.
Watu wanawinda nyangumi.
good people (morally upright / kind)
watu wema
the nurses
wauguzi
The nurses have soap.
Wauguzi wana sabuni.
The boys are bad.
Wavulana ni wabaya.
The boys are small.
Wavulana ni wadogo.
Those fishermen and their fishes.
Wavuvi wale na samaki wao.
The fishermen have fishes.
Wavuvi wana samaki.
The fishermen go to the sea every morning.
Wavuvi wanaenda baharini kila asubuhi.
parents
wazazi
parents and children
wazazi na watoto
the child's parents / the parents of the child
wazazi wa mtoto
His parents are so nice.
Wazazi wake ni wazuri sana.
you
wewe
you and your fish(es)
wewe na samaki wako
Are you Asha?
Wewe ni Asha?
You are an engineer.
Wewe ni mhandisi.
Are you an African?
Wewe ni mwafrika?
Are you a student?
Wewe ni mwanafunzi?
Who are you?
Wewe ni nani?
You are my best friend.
Wewe ni rafiki yangu mkubwa.
You are a good friend of mine.
Wewe ni rafiki yangu mzuri.
You are a lion.
Wewe ni simba.
he / she
yeye
He is a boy.
Yeye ni mvulana.
He is a fisherman.
Yeye ni mvuvi.
She is a woman.
Yeye ni mwanamke.
that (M/Wa)
yule
that (M/Wa)
yule
more
zaidi
those (N/N)
zile
they go (for N/N pl words)
zinaenda