Are you able to greet someone in Maa {Maasai Language} or Swahili? When our guests arrive in Tanzania, one of the first things they ask our knowledgeable travel guides at Kipe Adventure is this one. One of the easiest ways to have a more genuine vacation experience in Tanzania is to be able to welcome locals. Learning how to say hello in Maa and Swahili will help you communicate with new people and their culture, no matter how simple the words are.
In Tanzania, Swahili (also known as Kiswahili) is the first language of most locals. Although your Kipe Adventure guides always speak fluent English – and the majority in the tourism business also speak English extremely well! – it is still well worth learning a few words of the local language. Here we take a look at some of the most important phrases to learn in Swahili before your trip to Tanzania.
How to say hello in Swahili and Maa { Maasai Language}
Karibu Tanzania! This means welcome to Tanzania and is probably one of the very first Swahili phrases you will hear upon arrival in Tanzania. But how do you reply?
Maa Swahili English
Keiya – Habari – Hello
Supai – Habari Yako – How are you
Sidai – Nzuri sana – Very fine thank you.
Many Swahili terms are spoken phonetically, but easy-to-understand definitions of any challenging ones are provided in travel guides like Lonely Planet’s Swahili phrasebook! Understanding these informal conversations from the amiable Tanzanians only requires a small amount of work. Even if you pronounce half of the words utterly wrong, making the attempt to speak the local tongue will always be seen as a sign of interest in and respect for the culture.
1. Say hello in Swahili
How to say hello in Swahili as well as how to say please and thank you in Swahili! A few manners always go a long way.
| Hello | Habari |
| How are you? | Habari yako / Habari gani? |
| (Very) fine thank you/Cool | Nzuri (sana) / Poa / Safi |
| Please | Tafadhali |
| Thank you (very much) | Asante (sana) |
| Welcome | Karibu |
| Goodbye | Kwaheri |
| Good night | Lala salama |
| Ok | Sawa {Powa |
2. Directions & useful words
Useful local phrases when it comes to directions and getting around Tanzania.
| Right | Kulia |
| Left | Kushoto |
| Behind | Nyuma |
| Front | Mbele |
| Up | Juu |
| Down | Chini |
| Let’s go! | Twende! |
| Hotel | Hoteli |
| Car | Gari |
| Where is the supermarket? | supermarket iko wapi? |
3. Animals
The five iconic wild creatures of East Africa’s ecosystem are known as the “Big Five.” Without going on a Tanzania safari to view the amazing wild creatures, what vacation to Tanzania is complete?
| Elephant | Tembo |
| Buffalo | Mbogo |
| Rhino | Kifaru |
| Lion | Simba |
| Leopard | Chui |
Congratulations! You should now be able to say hello in Swahili and have a lot more Kiswahili words in your pocket. Are you prepared to begin organising your own Tanzanian holiday? Reach out to Kipe Adventure to start honing your Swahili right away!
