Swahili
Kiswahili

Swahili is a Bantu language, spoken mainly in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and parts of Rwanda and Zaire. Kiswahili developed as a means to communicate across tribal languages for trade and commerce. It is an easy language to learn because it consists of root words changed by adding various suffixes and prefixes. In Tanzania and on the Kenyan coast, the true grammatical form of Swahili is spoken. Most of the dictionaries and language helps in the United States teach this dialect of Swahili.

Kenyan Market
Kenya's two official languages are English and Swahili. Although you will be able to communicate with most everyone in English (unless you are in rural areas), you will still want to spend time learning some Swahili and the tribal language of your host family. Language learning is a great way to break down barriers between cultures, to adopt a learning posture, and to make friends. You may be surprised at the relationships you build during this process.

Below are some notes on the alphabet and a basic grammar lesson. Be sure to check out some Words and Phrases as well.

Alphabet

Swahili letters are pronounced the same as in English with a few variations. There are only five vowel sounds, no C (unless followed by an H) Q or X, and the addition of some double consonants: Dh, Gh, Kh, Sh, Th, Ng, Ny, and M.

A pronounced as in father
E pronounced as ai in maid
I pronounced as a double ee
O pronounced as in grow
U pronounced as a double oo
CH pronounced as in child
Dh pronounced as in dad
Gh pronounced as in gate
Kh pronounced as in kite
Sh pronounced as in shower
Th pronounced as in theatre
Ng pronounced as in ring
Ny pronounced as Spanish ñ
Mw pronounced as mm then w

Some Basic Grammar

In Kiswahili, the verb is not conjugated. When you make a simple sentence, you only need to worry about four parts.

1. Subject (Personal Pronoun)
2. Tense
3. Verb
4. Object

1. Subject
ni ----> I
u ----> you
a ----> he, she
tu ----> we
wa ----> they
m ----> you (pl)

2. Tense
na ----> Present
li ----> Past
ta ----> Future
me ----> Present Perfect

3. Verb*
kutaka ----> to want
kupenda ----> to love
kuja ----> to come
kula ----> to eat

4. Object
maji ----> water
chakula ----> food

*Verbs in the infinitive add ‘ku’ to represent ‘to’. If the verb has more than two syllables, it drops the ‘ku’ when it is the main verb in a sentence.

Put it all together: Subject + Tense + Verb + Object

I am eating. Ni + na + kula = Ninakula

You wanted water. U + li + taka maji = Ulitaka maji

They will want to eat food. M + ta + taka kula chakula = Mtataka kula chakula

He has come. A + me + kuja = Amekuja