How are Swahili and English similar?

There are some broad similarities between the two languages. Swahili and English share the same (bare verb-) language class. Both languages are right headed languages, even though in Swahili a finite vowel can be placed after the head. Many of the morphological processes that occur in Swahili, occur in English as well.

How do you use Swahili in a sentence?

Swahili sentence example

1. The surrounding region has been overrun by Arabs and Swahili from the East African coast.
2. On the Swahili coast the south-east monsoon begins in April and the northeast monsoon in November.
3. The Swahili (q.v.) are a mixed Bantu and Semitic race inhabiting the seaboard.

What English words came from Africa?

English words of African origin

• azawakh – probably from Fula or Tuareg.
• banana – adopted from Wolof via Spanish or Portuguese.
• banjo – from Mandinka bangoe, which refers to the Akonting.
• basenji – breed of dog from Central Africa – Congo, Central African Republic etc.
• boma – from Swahili.
• bongo – West African boungu.

Is Swahili English?

Swahili is a word the Arabs used to describe “the coast” and only later did it come to apply to East African coastal culture specifically. Although Arabic and indigenous African languages are the main inspiration for Swahili, the language includes words derived from English, German, and Portuguese.

How do you say common words in Swahili?

Basic Swahili Phrases for Travelers

1. Hello: jambo/ hujambo/ ​salama.
2. How are you?: habari gani.
3. Fine (response): nzuri.
4. Goodbye: kwa heri/ kwa herini (more than one peson)
5. See you later: tutaonana.
6. Nice to meet you: nafurahi kukuona.
7. Goodnight: lala salama.

What is the African word for king?

Sultan – Ruler or king.

How common is Swahili?

There are about 16 million people throughout the world who speak a dialect of Swahili as a native language. As a second language, it has about 82 million speakers. The language is considered to be the lingua franca of the African Great Lakes region and other parts of eastern and southeastern Africa.

What language is Swahili similar to?

Swahili is predominantly a mix of local Bantu languages and Arabic. Decades of intensive trade along the East African coast resulted in this mix of cultures. Besides Arabic and Bantu, Swahili also has English, Persian, Portuguese, German and French influences due to trade contact.

What does Swahili mean in English?

Swahili is a word the Arabs used to describe “the coast” and only later did it come to apply to the distinctive East African coastal culture. In Swahili, the correct word to describe the language is Kiswahili and the people who speak Kiswahili as their mother tongue may call themselves Waswahilis.

How do you say I Love you in Swahili?

Nakupenda – ‘I love you’ Nakupenda is one of the most loving ways to say “I love you” in Swahili. You can emphasise the phrase by adding the word ‘sana’. This is the Swahili word for ‘a lot’ so will adapt the sentence to mean “I love you so much”.

Is Swahili a hard language to learn?

Although Arabic and indigenous African languages are the main inspiration for Swahili, the language includes words derived from English, German, and Portuguese. Swahili is a relatively simple language to learn, mostly because words are pronounced as they are written.

How do you Say Yes and no in Swahili?

Yes – Ndiyo. The more standard, common way you’ll hear “Yes” in Swahili is Ndiyo. It has much less flavor, color and attitude. It is also used to mean “that’s right, or exactly”. For example, if you are clarifying something with someone, the affirmative confirmation is usually “Ndiyo, ndiyo”. No – Hapana