Bringing Kiswahili to Campus Life
Welcome! Karibu
This is the first lesson in our Kiswahili series. Today, we will learn basic greetings and simple words you can use in university life in Uganda.
Respectful Greeting: Shikamoo
- Shikamoo – Use when greeting elders, lecturers or senior staff.
- Reply: Marahaba
Example:
- Student: Shikamoo, Profesa!
- Lecturer: Marahaba, mwanafunzi.
Tip: Always use Shikamoo for respect.
Simple Greetings
| English | Swahili | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Good morning? | Habari za asubuhi? | Greeting lecturers, staff, or friends in the morning |
| Good afternoon? | Habari za mchana? | After lunch |
| Good evening? | Habari za jioni? | Evening events or lectures |
| How are you? | Habari? / Habari yako? | Asking someone how they are |
| I’m fine | Nzuri / Sawa | Replying to Habari? |
Tip: All greetings containing the word “Habari” are responded by “NZURI” or “NJEMA” not “MZURI” as many people respond, that’s not standard Kiswahili.
Example:
- Habari za asubuhi, Profesa! (Good morning, Professor!)
- Nzuri, asante! (I’m fine, thank you!)
Casual Greetings for Friends
| Swahili | Response |
|---|---|
| Hujambo? (Hello / How are you?) | Sijambo (I’m fine) |
| Hali gani? (How’s it going?) | Nzuri / Poa (Good / Cool) |
| Mambo vipi? (What’s up?) | Poa / Nzuri (Cool / Fine) |
| Habari za leo? (How’s your day?) | Nzuri / Sawa (Good / Fine) |
| Vipi, ndugu? (What’s up, friend?) | Poa / Nzuri (Cool / Fine) |
Tip: Use casual greetings with peers or younger students.
Polite Words to Use Every Day
| English | Swahili | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Please | Tafadhali | Tafadhali, naomba kalamu. (Please, I need a pen) |
| Thank you | Asante / Asante sana | Asante kwa msaada wako. (Thank you for your help) |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Samahani | Samahani, naomba kupita. (Excuse me, may I pass?) |
| I don’t understand | Sielewi | Sielewi somo hili. (I don’t understand this lesson) |
| Can you help me? | Unaweza kunisaidia? | Unaweza kunisaidia kuelewa hoja hii? (Can you help me with this point?) |
Short Prayer Phrases in Kiswahili – Easy Examples
| English | Kiswahili | Example (Easy Kiswahili) |
|---|---|---|
| Let us pray | Hebu tuombe (Let us pray) | Tuombe kwa amani. (Let us pray for peace) |
| Thank God | Asante Mungu (Thank God) | Asante Mungu kwa familia yangu. (Thank you, God, for my family) |
| God bless you | Mungu akubariki (God bless you) | Mungu akubariki ndugu yangu. (God bless you, my friend) |
| Guide us | Tuelekeze (Guide us) | Tuelekeze kufanya maamuzi mazuri. (Guide us to make good decisions) |
| Give us wisdom | Tupatie hekima (Give us wisdom) | Tupatie hekima kuelewa somo hili. (Give us wisdom to understand this lesson) |
| Protect us | Tulinde (Protect us) | Tulinde tunapopita njia hii. (Protect us as we pass thru this road) |
| Peace be upon us | Amani iwe nasi (Peace be upon us) | Amani iwe na chuo chetu . (Peace be upon our University) |
| Help us succeed | Tusaidie tufanikiwe (Help us succeed) | Tusaidie tufanikiwe katika mitihani. (Help us succeed in exams) |
Tip: Use these short prayer phrases every day to start your day with gratitude, guidance, and positivity
Simple Conversation Practice
Meeting a lecturer:
- Student: Shikamoo, Profesa!
- Lecturer: Marahaba, mwanafunzi.
- Student: Tafadhali, naomba msaada wako. (Please, I need your help)
- Lecturer: Sawa. Njoo ofisini (it’s ok, come to the office)
With friends:
- A: Mambo vipi?
- B: Poa!
Practice for Today
- Greet one lecturer with Shikamoo.
- Greet two friends with Mambo vipi or Hujambo.
- Use Tafadhali or Asante in a simple sentence.
ANZA LEO, JIFUNZE KISWAHILI – Start Today, Learn Kiswahili – Bringing Kiswahili to Campus life
arigumaho810@arigumaho810
Jifunze Kiswahili na mwalimu Johnpaul Arigumaho 