Looking for practical NKo to Swahili phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the NKo phrase first, then the Swahili translation (Swahili) — so you can scan quickly before a trip, class, or video call.
The phrases are grouped into eight topics: greetings and pleasantries, useful phrases for travellers, everyday conversation, directions and getting around, shopping and dining, emergencies and health, work and business, and time, days and numbers. Use the table of contents to jump straight to greetings, directions, dining, emergencies, or numbers. You do not need perfect grammar to start — short, clear sentences often work better than silence when you are learning Swahili.
Tip: pick five Swahili phrases from the greetings section and use them in a real message today. Small daily practice beats cramming before a trip.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the NKo to Swahili translator to paste your own messages and get an instant translation.
Greetings and pleasantries
Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and polite introductions for meeting new people.
ᎣᏍᏆ
Habari(Oscha)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ
Asante(Ascadodi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎡᏚᏙᏗ
Habari ya asubuhi(Oscha Edodhi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎠᏧᏍᏆᏗ
Habari ya mchana(Oscha Atsachadi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏚᏗ
Habari ya jioni(Oscha Dagadudi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Usiku mwema(Oscha Datsicha)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏙᏗ
Tutaonana baadaye(Oscha Dagadodi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏁᏙᏗ
Kwaheri(Oscha Danodi)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎢᏳᏍᏆ?
Jina lako nani?(Hisch Ascadodi Iyuscha?)
ᎠᏓ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎠᏍᏆ ᏥᏍᏆ
Jina langu ni John(Ada Ascadodi Ascha Tischa)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎯᏍᏆ?
Habari gani?(Hisch Hisch?)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Nafurahi kukutana na wewe(Ascadodi Tischa)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Unazungumza Kiingereza?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Sizungumza Hindi vizuri.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߓߊ߬
Sielewi.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Tafadhali ongea polepole.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Unaweza kusema tena?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Choo kiko wapi?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ninafika vipi katikati ya jiji?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Geuka kushoto.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Geuka kulia.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Nenda moja kwa moja.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Nauli ni kiasi gani?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Tiketi moja, tafadhali.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Je, ni mbali na hapa?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Nimepotea.(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ninaweza kununua kadi ya SIM wapi?(aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ndio
𞤈𞤢𞤣
Hapana
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Pengine
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢
Ninakubaliana
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Sikubaliani
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Inasikika vizuri
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Unafikiriaje?
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢
Unaweza kunisaidia?
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Nahitaji msaada
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Subiri kidogo
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ninasikitika
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Hakuna shida
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Hongera
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Siku ya kuzaliwa njema
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Safari njema
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬
Kituo cha treni kiko wapi?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Kituo cha basi kiko wapi?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Ni jukwaa gani?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Inatoka saa ngapi?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Je, hii ndiyo njia sahihi?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Iko karibu hapa(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Iko mbali na hapa(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Unaweza kunionesha kwenye ramani?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Simama hapa, tafadhali(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Inachukua muda gani?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.
ߊߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌߟߌ?
Hii inagharimu kiasi gani?(aɡa fɔtɔ?)
߉ߠߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ
Hiyo ni ghali sana(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Je, una kitu chochote cha bei nafuu?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Naweza kulipa kwa kadi?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Ningependa meza ya watu wawili(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Tafadhali, bili(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Je, huduma imejumuishwa?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Mimi ni mboga(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Tafadhali, sina chakula chenye pilipili(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Hii ni tamu(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ?
Naweza kupata menyu?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Tafadhali, glasi ya maji(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
Emergencies and health
Help, police, doctor, pharmacy, and urgent situations when you need assistance fast.
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߍ߬ߟߌ߬
Piga simu polisi(Kâkâ lîsî)
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߟߌ߬ߞߌ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Piga simu ya wagonjwa(Kâkâ ambûlâns)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬
Nahitaji daktari(Dî nîdâ dâktôr)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Ninajisikia mgonjwa(Dî fîl sîk)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߍ߬ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬
Nina mzio wa karanga(Dî âmâ lêrjîk tû pînâts)
ߞߍ߬ ߝߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߞߌ߬?
Hospitali iliyo karibu iko wapi?(Kô wâhâ nîrâst hôspîtâl)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Inaniuma hapa(Dî hûrts hîr)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߓߊ߬
Nimepoteza pasipoti yangu(Dî lôst mî pâspôrt)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߚߊ߬?
Unaweza kupiga simu hoteli yangu?(Kâ nû kâl mî hôtêl)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ߡߊ߬!
Nisaidie!(Kâ hâlp!)
Work and business
Meetings, email tone, schedules, and professional phrases for the workplace.
መይ ወይ ደሊ እንደ ወይ
Nafurahi kukutana nawe(mey wey deli ende wey)
ንደ ወርክ ወን ወይ
Tuweke mkutano(nda werk wen wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ni saa ngapi inakufaa?(nda wey wey wey)
እኔ ወይ ወርክ ወይ ወይ
Nitaituma ripoti leo(eñe wey werk wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Tunaweza kuzungumza kesho?(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Tafadhali pata faili iliyoambatishwa(nda wey wey wey)
መይ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Asante kwa muda wako(mey wey wey wey)
እኔ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Natarajia kufanya kazi na wewe(eñe wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Unaweza kufafanua hiyo pointi?(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Nitarudi kwako(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Muda wa mwisho ni Ijumaa(nda wey wey wey)
Time, days and numbers
Clock times, days of the week, months, quantities, and counting for appointments and plans.