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Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Travel Swahili: Must-Know Phrases for Beginners

 

Scenario & Situation Must-Use Words / Key Vocabulary Practice Questions / Tasks
✈️ AIRPORT (ARRIVAL / HELP DESK)
Just arrived in Tanzania and needs help
Words / Phrases: samahani, tafadhali, naomba, nisaidie / unaweza kunisaidia, iko wapi
Key Vocabulary: uwanja wa ndege, choo, mizigo, hoteli, teksi
• Ask where the toilet is
• Ask for help with luggage
• Ask where to get a taxi
• Ask how to find the hotel
🚖 TAXI / BODA / TRANSPORT
Needs to get to her hotel
Words / Phrases: samahani, naomba, tafadhali, unipeleke / nipeleke, hadi
Key Vocabulary: hoteli, bei, pesa, safari, karibu / sawa
• Ask the driver to take you to the hotel
• Ask how much the fare is
• Ask how long the trip will take
• Confirm if the price is OK
🏨 HOTEL CHECK-IN
Arrives at hotel reception
Words / Phrases: samahani, naomba, tafadhali, nina / sina, asante sana
Key Vocabulary: chumba, funguo, maji, choo, Wi-Fi
• Ask if a room is available
• Ask for the room key
• Ask if the room has water and a toilet
• Ask if there is Wi-Fi 
🍽️ RESTAURANT / FOOD
Ordering food politely
Words / Phrases: naomba, tafadhali, niletee, nina njaa, nina kiu
Key Vocabulary: chakula, maji, chai, ugali, wali, nyama
• Order a drink
• Order food
• Ask for a specific dish (e.g., ugali & sukuma wiki)
• Ask for the bill
🗺️ ASKING FOR DIRECTIONS
Lost and asks a stranger
Words / Phrases: samahani, tafadhali, unaweza, iko wapi, asante
Key Vocabulary: choo, hoteli, benki, duka, barabara
• Ask where the hotel is
• Ask where the bank is
• Ask where the toilet is
• Ask where a shop is
🛒 SHOP / MARKET
Buying something small
Words / Phrases: naomba, tafadhali, nipe, bei gani, asante
Key Vocabulary: maji, matunda, ndizi, pesa, chenji
• Ask for an item (e.g., ndizi)
• Ask the price
• Ask for water
• Ask for the change
⚠️ PROBLEM / CLARIFICATION
Didn’t understand / something goes wrong
Words / Phrases: samahani, sijaelewa, tafadhali rudia, polepole, nisaidie
Key Vocabulary: tena, kidogo, vizuri, sawa
• Ask someone to repeat
• Ask them to speak slowly
• Ask for help politely
• Indicate you don’t understand