Language/Swahili-individual-language/Grammar/Slang-and-Colloquialisms
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As a Swahili language teacher for the past 20 years, I have noticed that most language learners struggle with slang and colloquial expressions in Swahili. That's why I decided to dedicate this lesson to teaching some common Swahili slang and colloquial expressions, including their usage and contexts in which they are appropriate.
With the completion of this lesson, consider investigating these related pages: Questions & Conditional Mood.
Swahili Slang
Swahili slang is used among friends and in informal situations. It is a way of expressing oneself in an exciting and humorous way. Here are some of the most commonly used Swahili slang words and their meanings:
| Swahili (individual language) | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Mzuka | m-zoo-ka | Excitement or thrill |
| Sare | sa-re | Equal or fair |
| Mshikaji | m-shee-ka-jee | Friend or buddy |
| Haina Kesi | ha-y-na ke-see | No problem or no worries |
| Kanyaga | ka-nya-ga | Step on it or hurry up |
| Kiki | kee-kee | A joke or something funny |
Swahili Colloquialisms
Swahili colloquialisms are used in everyday speech by Swahili people. They are not offensive but may be considered informal. Here are some of the most commonly used Swahili colloquialisms and their meanings:
- Sasa – Hello or hi (used as a greeting)
- Vipi – How are you?
- Shikamoo – Respectful greeting used to greet elders
- Pole – Sorry or my condolences
- Basi – Okay or enough
- Tafadhali – Please
- Asante – Thank you
Using Swahili Slang and Colloquialisms
It's essential to use slang and colloquialisms appropriately because they may have different meanings and connotations depending on the context. It's essential to use them with friends or family members and avoid using them in formal situations, such as job interviews or official meetings. When in doubt, it's always safe to use formal and polite expressions.
That's all for this lesson on Swahili slang and colloquialisms. Remember to practice with friends or family members to become more comfortable using them. In the next lesson, we will cover more Swahili proverbs and their significance in Swahili culture.
Other Lessons
- Swahili Dialects
- Negation
- Future Tense
- Nominalization
- Causative Verbs
- Proverbs
- Dependent Clauses
- Adjectives
- Conditional Mood
| ◀️ Swahili Dialects — Previous Lesson |