{"id":16554,"date":"2021-03-16T16:23:18","date_gmt":"2021-03-16T16:23:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wildvoyager.com\/blog\/?p=16554"},"modified":"2023-12-06T12:22:52","modified_gmt":"2023-12-06T12:22:52","slug":"learn-swahili-for-your-africa-travel-common-words","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wildvoyager.com\/dev\/blog\/learn-swahili-for-your-africa-travel-common-words\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn Swahili For Your Africa Travel (common words)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you planning a trip to Africa<\/a> soon? Are you excited to go on Safaris<\/a> and experience a whole new culture? Visiting Africa can be an incredible journey on its own. Whether you go <\/span><\/span>for 5<\/span><\/span> days <\/span><\/span>or 5<\/span><\/span> months, the country is bound to mesmerize you with its beauty. <\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Masai<\/p>\n

Do you know what else can enhance your trip further and make it worth-while? Learning few basic phrases of Swahili that can help you converse with local people and bring you closer to their culture. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Introduction to Swahili<\/span> <\/span><\/h2>\n

Swahili, also known as Kiswahili, is a native language of Swahili people. It is spoken most commonly in East and Southern Africa. Kenya and Tanzania have declared Swahili as an official language alongside English. It is also spoken in Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, the DRC (the Democratic Republic of the Congo), Somalia, and Mozambique.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\"People<\/p>\n

 <\/span>Many<\/span> people speak Swahili as their first and second language. An estimated 90 million people in Africa speak Swahili, making it the widely spoken language of Africa. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Origins<\/span> of Swahili<\/span> <\/span><\/h2>\n

During 500-1000 AD, Arabs and Persians arrived on the Eastern African Coasts, bringing their native language with them. Swahili, thus, has been heavily inspired by the Arabic language. Arabs used the word ‘Swahili’ to describe ‘the coast\u2019 which later applied to the East African Coast.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Along with Arabic, Swahili has also borrowed words from English, Portuguese, Persian, Malagasy, and even Hindi!<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Learning Swahili<\/span> <\/span><\/h2>\n

Did you know the word \u2018Safari\u2019 originated from the Swahili language? Or that \u2018Hakuna Matata\u2019 actually means \u2018no worries\u2019 in Swahili? This beautiful language has given us various words that we can identify effortlessly.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\"People<\/p>\n

If you are an English speaker, Swahili is the easiest African language that can be learned. This is because Swahili words are pronounced similar to how they are written. Several words from the language like <\/span>Boksi<\/span> (Box) and <\/span>Muziki<\/span> (Music) sound <\/span>similar to<\/span> English and are easy to decipher.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

While on your trip, you can learn basic phrases or common words that help you go a long way. As the words and phrases can be read and spoken easily, you don\u2019t have to worry much about them.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

However, if you are a first-time learner, it is always recommended to write them in a pocket diary and carry it around. This way whenever you forget a word, <\/span>you<\/span> can always refer to the diary. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Practice these simple and <\/span>unchallenging phrases<\/span> before you leave for your trip:<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

1. Greetings<\/span> <\/span><\/h2>\n