
15 Swahili words to know before traveling to East Africa
1. Jambo – “Hello”
2. Habari – Also “Hello/Good Morning” When addressing an older individual
3. Nzuri – “Fine / Good / Beautiful”
4. Asante – “Thank You!” This will be used in most your conversations
5. Sana – “Very” Asante Sane – Thank you VERY much!
6. Pole – “Sorry” This applies to everything from dropping something, falling or sneezing.
7. Pole Pole – “Slowly, Slowly”
8. Nydio – “Yes”
9. Hapana – “No”
10. Safari – “Journey”
11. Tafadhali – “Please”
12. Rafiki – “Friend”
13. Maji – “Water”
14. Chakula – “Food”
15. Hatari – “Danger” This could mean that there is an elephant in the camp or it could be on a warning sign for drunk driving.