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TIME For Kids - Around The World
A golden statue of Buddha in front of an ancient temple.

Kenya



Native Lingo

If you've seen The Lion King, you already know a few phrases of Swahili, Kenya's official language. To go beyond "hakuna matata" (no worries), just click and listen below:


Hello
Jambo (JAHM-boh)
     

How are you?/What's the news?
Habari (huh-BAH-ree)
     

I'm fine
Nzuri (moo-ZOO-ree)
     

Thank you
Asante (ah-SAHN-teh)
     

You're welcome
Karibu (kah-REE-boo)
     

Goodbye
Kwaheri (kwah-HAIR-ree)
     

father
baba (BAH-buh)
     

mother
mama (MAH-muh)
     

to sleep
lala (LAH-luh)
     

journey
safari (sah-FAHR-ree)
     

What's your name?
Unaitwa nani? (OO-nah-EET-wah NAH-nee)
     

My name is Mahasi.
Jina langu ni. (JEE-nah LAHN-goo nee mah-HAH-see)
     

No worries
Hakuna matata (hah-KOO-nah mah-TAH-tah)
     

Cool!
Poa! (POH-ah)
     

Where can I get some pizza?
Je nita pata pizza? (jeh NEE-tah PAH-tah PEETZ-ah)
     

I'm speaking Swahili right now and you don't know it.
Nina Zungumza Kiswahili sasa hivi na wewe haufahamu.
(NEE-nah ZOON-goo-MOO-zuh kiss-SWAH-hee-lee SAH-sah HEE-vee nah weh-weh HOW-fah-HAH-moo)
     


Special thanks to Henry Mahasi for making the sound clips possible

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