At Giving Hands Tanzania, we encourage our volunteers to learn a few words before they arrive — and then keep learning once they are here.
Here are some of the most useful Swahili words and phrases you should know before coming to Tanzania.
🇹🇿 1. Jambo – Hello
Jambo means hello and is probably one of the first Swahili words visitors learn.
You will hear it often in tourist areas.
However, if you want to sound a little more natural in everyday Tanzanian conversations, you will often hear people use “Habari?” instead.
👋 2. Habari? – How are you? / How is…?
Habari? literally relates to “news” or “how are things?”
It is one of the most common greetings.
You might hear:
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Habari? – How are you?
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Habari yako? – How are you?
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Habari za asubuhi? – How is your morning?
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Habari za leo? – How are you today?
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Habari za kazi? – How is work?
A common response is:
Nzuri! – Good!
You can also say:
Nzuri, asante. – Good, thank you.
❤️ 3. Asante – Thank you
This is one word you should definitely remember.
Asante = Thank you.
And if someone does something especially kind for you:
Asante sana = Thank you very much.
You will use this word every single day.
🙏 4. Tafadhali – Please
Tafadhali means please.
For example:
Tafadhali, maji.
Please, water.
Or:
Tafadhali, unaweza kusaidia?
Please, can you help?
Using tafadhali and asante is a simple way to make everyday interactions more respectful and friendly.
😊 5. Karibu – Welcome
Karibu is a beautiful and very important Tanzanian word.
It means welcome.
You may hear:
Karibu Tanzania!
Welcome to Tanzania!
You might also hear it when entering someone’s home, a restaurant, a shop, or another place.
You can respond with:
Asante.
Thank you.
You may also hear karibu used when offering something to someone, almost like saying “please, have some.”
👋 6. Kwaheri – Goodbye
When you leave, you can say:
Kwaheri – Goodbye.
If you are saying goodbye to more than one person:
Kwaherini – Goodbye everyone.
You will quickly get used to hearing kwaheri throughout your time in Tanzania.
❤️ 7. Nzuri – Good
Nzuri means good or nice.
Someone might ask:
Habari?
You can simply answer:
Nzuri!
You will hear this word everywhere.
👍 8. Sawa – Okay / Alright
Sawa is incredibly useful.
It can mean:
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Okay
-
Alright
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Fine
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Sounds good
For example:
Tutaonana saa mbili?
Shall we meet at 8?
Sawa!
Okay!
😂 9. Pole – Sorry / I’m sorry
This is an important word to understand because pole is used differently from the English word “sorry.”
It can express sympathy or compassion when someone is tired, hurt, sick, has had a difficult experience, or is going through something unpleasant.
For example, if someone tells you they have been working all day, you might say:
Pole na kazi.
This roughly means:
Sorry for the hard work / I hope the work isn’t too tiring.
You will hear Tanzanians say pole very often.
💪 10. Pole pole – Slowly, slowly
You will probably hear this phrase very quickly after arriving in Tanzania.
Pole pole means:
Slowly, slowly.
It is also a phrase that perfectly captures a certain Tanzanian attitude toward life.
Things don’t always happen at the speed you might be used to at home.
The bus may be late.
Someone may take their time.
A conversation may last longer than expected.
And sometimes the best thing you can do is simply:
Pole pole.
Slow down.
Take a breath.
Enjoy where you are.
🇹🇿 11. Hakuna matata – No problem
Yes — you really will hear this phrase in Tanzania.
Hakuna matata means:
No problem / There is no problem.
It became famous internationally through The Lion King, but the phrase itself is genuinely used in East Africa.
You might hear:
Hakuna matata!
And you will probably start saying it yourself before long.
💰 12. Bei gani? – How much?
If you are shopping at a market, this phrase is essential.
Bei gani?
How much?
You can also ask:
Hii ni bei gani?
How much is this?
And if you think the price is too high:
Ni ghali.
It is expensive.
Learning a little Swahili can make market interactions much more fun and friendly.
🍚 13. Chakula – Food
You will definitely need this word in Tanzania!
Chakula = Food.
Some other useful food words:
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Maji – Water
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Chai – Tea
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Kahawa – Coffee
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Maziwa – Milk
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Nyama – Meat
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Samaki – Fish
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Mchele – Rice
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Matunda – Fruit
And if the food is delicious:
Chakula ni kitamu!
The food is delicious!
❤️ 15. Nakupenda – I love you
You might already know this one!
Nakupenda means:
I love you.
You will hear it between couples, family members, parents and children, and friends.
And if you want to say:
I love Tanzania
you can say:
Naipenda Tanzania.
👶 16. Mtoto – Child
You will hear this word often when volunteering.
Mtoto = Child.
Plural:
Watoto = Children.
For example:
Watoto wanafurahi.
The children are happy.
At Giving Hands Tanzania, you may hear many different words and expressions while working with children, teachers, families, and local communities.
🧑🤝🧑 17. Rafiki – Friend
Rafiki means friend.
And hopefully, by the end of your time with us, you will have made many new ones.
Rafiki yangu = My friend.
🙋 18. Naitwa… – My name is…
One of the first things you will want to learn when meeting someone is how to introduce yourself.
Naitwa Sarah.
My name is Sarah.
You can ask:
Unaitwa nani?
What is your name?
This is a simple way to start a conversation with someone you have just met.
🇹🇿 19. Ndio / Hapana – Yes / No
Two very simple but very useful words:
Ndiyo – Yes
Hapana – No
You will quickly become familiar with both!
Bonus: Words You’ll Hear All the Time in Tanzania
Once you arrive, you may hear some words that don’t necessarily translate directly into the way you would use them in English.
Mzungu
A word commonly used to refer to a white/European foreigner.
You may hear children or adults say “Mzungu!” when they see you.
Don’t automatically assume it is meant negatively. Context matters, and the word is commonly used in Tanzania.
Boda boda
Motorcycle taxi.
You will see them everywhere, especially in towns and cities.
Daladala
A local public minibus.
Dada
Sister / young woman.
Kaka
Brother / young man.
Mama
Mother, but also commonly used respectfully when addressing an older woman.
Baba
Father, but also commonly used respectfully for an older man.
These words can become part of your everyday life very quickly.
The Most Important 10 Words to Memorize
If you don’t have time to learn everything before your flight, start with these:
| Swahili | English |
|---|---|
| Habari? | How are you? |
| Nzuri | Good |
| Asante | Thank you |
| Asante sana | Thank you very much |
| Tafadhali | Please |
| Karibu | Welcome |
| Kwaheri | Goodbye |
| Sawa | Okay |
| Pole | Sorry / sympathy |
| Pole pole | Slowly, slowly |
Swahili Is More Than a Language
When you volunteer in Tanzania, you are not simply visiting another country.
You are entering communities, meeting families, working alongside local people, and sharing everyday experiences.
Learning a few words of Swahili shows something important:
You are willing to meet people halfway.
You don’t have to speak perfect Swahili.
You don’t have to memorize hundreds of words.
But saying asante instead of simply “thank you,” greeting someone with habari, or telling someone pole when they are having a difficult day can create a completely different connection.
And perhaps that is one of the most beautiful things about traveling:
Sometimes a single word can bring people closer.