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Language
Kiswahili is Tanzania’s national language and is spoken throughout
the country, however most people speak their own tribal language as well.
In Kagera, Kihaya is the main tribal language with in addition languages
of minority tribes. The ability to grasp a few words in the local dialect
when visiting Kagera is much appreciated by the community. English is
taught as a subject in primary school, but is the medium of instruction
from Secondary education upwards.
Common greetings - Salamu za kawaida
| Good morning/ afternoon/ evening/ night |
Habari ya asubuhi/ mchana/ jioni/ usiku |
| A respectful greeting to elders, actually meaning "I hold your
feet" |
Shikamoo |
| Their reply: "I am delighted" |
Marahaba |
| How are you? |
Habari yako? |
| I am fine |
Nzuri / Sijambo |
| How are things? |
Mambo? |
| Good / cool / cool & crazy |
Safi / poa / poa kichizi |
| See you later |
Tutaonana baadaye |
| Welcome! (Welcome again!) |
Karibu! (Karibu tena!) |
| Goodbye |
Kwaheri |
On the move - Kwenye mwendo
| Where can I get a taxi? |
Teksi iko wapi? |
| Where is the bus station? |
Stendi ya basi iko wapi? |
| When will we arrive? |
Tutafika lini? |
| Can you show me the bus? |
Unaweza ukanioyesha basi? |
| How much is the ticket? |
Tiketi ni bei gani? |
| Is it safe walking here at night? |
Ni salama kutembea hapa usiku? |
Facing the touts - Kuwaona wasumbufu
| Sorry, I don't have time |
Samahani, sina muda |
| I don't want to buy anything |
Sitaki kununua chochote |
| I have already booked a safari |
Tayari nimeisha lipia safari |
| I don't have money |
Sina hela |
| I'm not single |
Nina mchumba / siko peke yangu |
| Could you please leave me alone? |
Tafadhali, achana na mimi |
About yourself - Kuhusu wewe mwenyewe
| Where do you come from? |
Unatokea wapi? |
| I come from Norway |
Mimi ninatokea Norway |
| How old are you? |
Una miaka mingapi? |
| I am 25 years old |
Nina miaka 25 (ishirini na tano) |
| What is your name? |
Jina lako nani? |
| My name is Rene Lugemalila |
Jina langu ni Rene Lugemalila |
| How long have you been here? |
Una muda gani hapa? |
| I've been here 1 day / week / month |
Nina siku / wiki / mwezi 1 (mmoja) |
| What is your profession? |
Fani yako ni nini? |
| I am a student |
Mimi ni mwanafunzi |
| I am working in a hospital |
Ninafanya kazi hospitali |
How much, did you say? - Umesema bei gani?
| 1 One |
moja |
| 2 Two |
mbili |
| 3 Three |
tatu |
| 4 Four |
nne |
| 5 Five |
tano |
| 6 Six |
sita |
| 7 Seven |
saba |
| 8 Eight |
nane |
| 9 Nine |
tisa |
| 10 Ten |
kumi |
| 100 One hundred |
mia mmoja |
| 1,000 One thousand |
elfu mmoja |
| 10,000 Ten thousand |
elfu kumi |
| 100,000 |
laki mmoja |
| 1,000,000 |
milioni mmoja |
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