Kenya Vacations
Kenya Language
The official languages in Kenya are Swahili and English, with many other local languages
including kikuyu
, Luo
, Luhya and
Maasai
spoken. Both Swahili and English are tough in all primary schools and secondary
schools in Kenya. Almost all Kenyan can speak English and Swahili so you shouldn't
experience too many problems. Most people working in hotels in the Coastal region speak Italian and German. Swahili is widely
spoken in Kenya but the language becomes more basic further you move from the Kenyan
coast.
While in Kenya, you might also come across another language known as Sheng. Most
spoken the youth, Sheng is a mixture of words borrowed from Swahili, English and
other local languages such as Kikuyu. While most of the people you will interact
with will speak English, basic knowledge of Swahili, especially outside the urban
areas will be very helpful.
Common phrases in Swahili
|
|
Hello
|
Jambo
|
|
How are you
|
Habari yako
|
|
Welcome
|
Karibu
|
|
I am fine thank you
|
Nzuri
|
|
Goodbye
|
Kwaheri
|
|
Thank you
|
Asante
|
|
Please
|
Tafadhali
|
|
Yes
|
Ndio
|
|
No
|
Hapana
|
|
Sorry
|
Pole
|
|
Pardon me
|
Samahani
|
|
may i take a picture?
|
Naomba kupiga picha
|
|
What's your name
|
Unaitwa nani?
|
|
May name is
|
mimi naitwa
|
Directions
|
|
Near
|
Karibu na
|
|
East
|
Mashariki
|
|
West
|
Magaribi
|
|
North
|
Kaskazini
|
|
South
|
Kusini
|
Emergencies
|
|
Help!
|
Saidia
|
|
I am lost
|
nimepotea
|
|
Leave me alone!
|
Niache!
|
|
Call the police
|
Ita polisi
|
|
Call a doctor
|
Ita daktari
|
|
Accident
|
Ajali
|
|
Thief!
|
Mwizi!
|
Health
|
|
Hospital
|
Hospitali
|
|
Doctor
|
Daktari
|
|
Medicine
|
Dawa
|
|
Antiseptic
|
Dawa ya kusafisha jeraha
|
|
Painkiller
|
Viandoa Maumivua
|
|
Condom
|
Kondom
|
|
Contraceptive
|
Kingamimba
|
|
Pain
|
maumivu
|
Time & Dates
|
|
Time
|
saa
|
|
What time is it?
|
Ni saa ngapi
|
|
Day
|
siku
|
|
Daytime
|
Mchana
|
|
Morning
|
Asabuhi
|
|
Night
|
Usiku
|
|
Evening
|
Jioni
|
|
Sunset
|
Magharibi
|
|
Sunrise
|
Alfajiri
|
|
Sunrise
|
Alfajiri
|
|
Today
|
Leo
|
|
Yesterday
|
Jana
|
|
Tomorrow
|
Kesho
|
|
Monday
|
Jumatatu
|
|
Tuesday
|
Jumanne
|
|
Wednesday
|
Jumatano
|
|
Thursday
|
Alhamisi
|
|
Friday
|
Ijumaaa
|
|
Saturday
|
Jumamosi
|
|
Sunday
|
Jumapili
|
|
January
|
Mwezi wa kwanza
|
|
February
|
Mwezi wa pili
|
|
March
|
Mwezi wa tatu
|
|
April
|
Mwezi wa nne
|
|
May
|
Mwezi wa tano
|
|
June
|
Mwezi wa sita
|
|
July
|
Mwezi wa saba
|
|
August
|
Mwezi wa nane
|
|
September
|
Mwezi wa tisa
|
|
October
|
Mwezi wa kumi
|
|
November
|
Mwezi wa kumi na moja
|
|
December
|
Mwezi wa kumi na mbili
|
|