Swahili, or Kiswahili as it is known in its native form, is a Bantu language widely spoken in East Africa. If you’ve already mastered the basics, congratulations! You’re on your way to becoming more proficient in this beautiful language. This article aims to help you expand your vocabulary and improve your conversational skills by introducing you to some essential Swahili words and phrases at the intermediate level.

Common Verbs and Their Conjugations

Verbs are the backbone of any language, and Swahili is no different. Here’s a list of some common verbs you should know, along with their meanings and example sentences:

1. **Kusoma** – To read/study
– *Example:* Ninapenda kusoma vitabu. (I like to read books.)
2. **Kuandika** – To write
– *Example:* Anaandika barua kwa rafiki yake. (She is writing a letter to her friend.)
3. **Kucheza** – To play
– *Example:* Watoto wanapenda kucheza mpira. (Children like to play football.)
4. **Kufanya** – To do
– *Example:* Tunafanya kazi nyumbani. (We are doing work at home.)
5. **Kula** – To eat
– *Example:* Wanapenda kula matunda. (They like to eat fruits.)

Conjugation of verbs in Swahili is straightforward. Generally, prefixes are added to the verb stem to indicate the subject and tense. For instance, the verb “to eat” (kula) can be conjugated as follows:

– Mimi ninakula (I am eating)
– Wewe unakula (You are eating)
– Yeye anakula (He/She is eating)
– Sisi tunakula (We are eating)
– Ninyi mnakula (You all are eating)
– Wao wanakula (They are eating)

Useful Nouns

Nouns are equally crucial as they help you identify people, places, and things. Here are some intermediate-level nouns that you should incorporate into your vocabulary:

1. **Kitabu** – Book
– *Example:* Nimesoma kitabu kizuri sana. (I have read a very good book.)
2. **Chakula** – Food
– *Example:* Chakula cha Kenya ni kitamu. (Kenyan food is delicious.)
3. **Nyumba** – House
– *Example:* Ninaishi katika nyumba kubwa. (I live in a big house.)
4. **Gari** – Car
– *Example:* Baba yangu ana gari jipya. (My father has a new car.)
5. **Shule** – School
– *Example:* Watoto wangu wanapenda kwenda shule. (My children like to go to school.)

Descriptive Adjectives

Adjectives add color to your sentences, allowing you to describe nouns more vividly. Here are some useful adjectives:

1. **Kubwa** – Big
– *Example:* Nina nyumba kubwa. (I have a big house.)
2. **Ndogo** – Small
– *Example:* Ana gari ndogo. (She has a small car.)
3. **Nzuri** – Good
– *Example:* Chakula hiki ni nzuri. (This food is good.)
4. **Mbaya** – Bad
– *Example:* Hii ni hali mbaya. (This is a bad situation.)
5. **Kali** – Sharp/Strict
– *Example:* Mwalimu wetu ni kali. (Our teacher is strict.)

Common Phrases

Understanding and using common phrases can significantly enhance your conversational skills. Here are some must-know phrases for intermediate learners:

1. **Habari yako?** – How are you?
– *Response:* Nzuri, asante. (Good, thank you.)
2. **Unasemaje?** – What do you say?
– *Response:* Ninasema ndio. (I say yes.)
3. **Nina swali.** – I have a question.
– *Example:* Nina swali kuhusu somo hili. (I have a question about this lesson.)
4. **Pole sana.** – I am very sorry.
– *Example:* Pole sana kwa kusumbua. (I am very sorry for disturbing.)
5. **Tafadhali, unaweza kunisaidia?** – Please, can you help me?
– *Response:* Ndiyo, naweza kusaidia. (Yes, I can help.)

Expressions of Time

Knowing how to express time is essential in any language. Here are some useful words and phrases related to time:

1. **Leo** – Today
– *Example:* Leo ninaenda sokoni. (Today I am going to the market.)
2. **Jana** – Yesterday
– *Example:* Jana nilikula chakula kizuri. (Yesterday I ate good food.)
3. **Kesho** – Tomorrow
– *Example:* Kesho tutatembelea rafiki yetu. (Tomorrow we will visit our friend.)
4. **Saa** – Hour
– *Example:* Tutakutana baada ya saa moja. (We will meet after one hour.)
5. **Dakika** – Minute
– *Example:* Tafadhali, subiri kwa dakika tano. (Please wait for five minutes.)

Questions and Interrogatives

Asking questions is a crucial part of communication. Here are some essential question words and examples of how to use them:

1. **Nani** – Who
– *Example:* Nani anakuja? (Who is coming?)
2. **Nini** – What
– *Example:* Hii ni nini? (What is this?)
3. **Wapi** – Where
– *Example:* Unaenda wapi? (Where are you going?)
4. **Lini** – When
– *Example:* Tutakutana lini? (When will we meet?)
5. **Kwa nini** – Why
– *Example:* Kwa nini umechelewa? (Why are you late?)

Numbers and Counting

Being able to count and use numbers is fundamental. Here are numbers 1-10 in Swahili and some examples of their use:

1. **Moja** – One
– *Example:* Nina mojakitabu. (I have one book.)
2. **Mbili** – Two
– *Example:* Ana mbili watoto. (She has two children.)
3. **Tatu** – Three
– *Example:* Tuna tatu magari. (We have three cars.)
4. **Nne** – Four
– *Example:* Walikuja watu nne. (Four people came.)
5. **Tano** – Five
– *Example:* Tafadhali subiri kwa tano dakika. (Please wait for five minutes.)
6. **Sita** – Six
– *Example:* Nina sita ndugu. (I have six siblings.)
7. **Saba** – Seven
– *Example:* Ana miaka saba. (He is seven years old.)
8. **Nane** – Eight
– *Example:* Tulipanda miti nane. (We planted eight trees.)
9. **Tisa** – Nine
– *Example:* Alinunua maembe tisa. (He bought nine mangoes.)
10. **Kumi** – Ten
– *Example:* Niliona ndege kumi. (I saw ten birds.)

Prepositions and Conjunctions

Prepositions and conjunctions help to link words and phrases, making your sentences more complex and nuanced. Here are some common ones:

1. **Na** – And/With
– *Example:* Ninaenda sokoni na dada yangu. (I am going to the market with my sister.)
2. **Kwa** – For/To
– *Example:* Hii zawadi ni kwa rafiki yangu. (This gift is for my friend.)
3. **Katika** – In/At
– *Example:* Anaishi katika nyumba kubwa. (She lives in a big house.)
4. **Lakini** – But
– *Example:* Ninapenda chai, lakini sipendi kahawa. (I like tea, but I don’t like coffee.)
5. **Au** – Or
– *Example:* Unataka chai au kahawa? (Do you want tea or coffee?)

Expressions of Politeness

Politeness is vital in any language, and Swahili has its own set of expressions to show respect and courtesy:

1. **Tafadhali** – Please
– *Example:* Tafadhali, unaweza kunisaidia? (Please, can you help me?)
2. **Asante** – Thank you
– *Example:* Asante kwa msaada wako. (Thank you for your help.)
3. **Samahani** – Excuse me/I’m sorry
– *Example:* Samahani, naweza kupita? (Excuse me, can I pass?)
4. **Karibu** – Welcome
– *Example:* Karibu nyumbani kwetu. (Welcome to our home.)
5. **Pole** – Sorry (used to express sympathy)
– *Example:* Pole kwa kupoteza kazi yako. (Sorry for losing your job.)

Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions add flavor to your language skills and help you sound more like a native speaker. Here are some common Swahili idioms:

1. **Kuwa na bahati** – To be lucky
– *Example:* Alikuwa na bahati kushinda bahati nasibu. (He was lucky to win the lottery.)
2. **Kuwa na njaa** – To be hungry
– *Example:* Baada ya kazi, nina njaa sana. (After work, I am very hungry.)
3. **Kuwa na furaha** – To be happy
– *Example:* Nilikuwa na furaha kuonana naye. (I was happy to see him.)
4. **Kuwa na wasiwasi** – To be worried
– *Example:* Usiku mzima alikuwa na wasiwasi. (He was worried all night.)
5. **Kuwa na hasira** – To be angry
– *Example:* Alikuwa na hasira kwa sababu ya kuchelewa. (He was angry because of being late.)

Practice and Immersion

The key to mastering any language is practice and immersion. Here are some tips to help you practice your Swahili:

1. **Engage in Conversations**: Try to speak with native Swahili speakers as much as possible. This will help you get used to the natural flow of the language.
2. **Watch Swahili Media**: Watch movies, TV shows, and listen to music in Swahili to improve your listening skills and learn new vocabulary.
3. **Read Books and Articles**: Reading helps you see how words and phrases are used in context. Look for books, newspapers, and online articles in Swahili.
4. **Use Language Apps**: There are numerous language learning apps that can help you practice Swahili, such as Duolingo, Memrise, and Babbel.
5. **Join a Language Class**: If possible, join a Swahili language class to get structured learning and feedback from a teacher.

Conclusion

Expanding your Swahili vocabulary and improving your conversational skills will open up new opportunities for you to connect with people and cultures in East Africa. By focusing on common verbs, useful nouns, descriptive adjectives, and idiomatic expressions, you’ll be well on your way to becoming more proficient in Swahili. Remember to practice regularly and immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. Happy learning!