What to Say in a Swahili Market (So You Don’t Get Overcharged)
By: Chimdindu Ken-Anaukwu
If you're heading to an East African market armed with only hand gestures and hopeful smiles, you're either very brave or very broke.
Markets in Swahili-speaking countries are vibrant, chaotic, and wonderfully alive. They're also places where prices can shift faster than your bargaining confidence. The solution? Speak a little Swahili. Not only will you get better prices, but you'll earn a ton of respect from the locals—and probably a few jokes too.
Here's your ultimate guide to surviving (and thriving) at the market in Swahili.
1. Greetings Come First (Always)
Respect is currency.
Start every interaction with a warm Swahili greeting. It makes vendors soften up faster than hot chapati.
Habari? — How are you?
Mzuri! Na wewe je? — I'm good! And you?
Shikamoo — A respectful greeting to elders (literally: "I hold your feet")
Marahaba — The elder's reply to Shikamoo
2. Asking for the Price (Without Sounding Like an ATM)
You don't want to come off like you’ve got dollars leaking out of your pockets.
Bei gani? — What's the price?
Ni bei ya mwisho? — Is that your final price?
Punguza bei tafadhali — Reduce the price, please
Siwezi lipa hivyo — I can't pay that much
Smile when you say it. Swahili speakers love a polite haggler.
3. Talking About Quantity and Items
Whether you're buying bananas or a new leso, clarity matters.
Nataka kilo moja ya nyanya — I want one kilo of tomatoes
Nipe mbili tafadhali — Give me two, please
Hii ni nzuri sana! — This is very nice!
Una nyingine? — Do you have another one?
…Nataka kilo moja ya nyanya
4. Numbers You Must Know
You don’t need to recite the entire Swahili number chart, but these will save you from buying one mango for the price of a goat:
Moja (1), Mbili (2), Tatu (3), Nne (4), Tano (5)
Kumi (10), Ishirini (20), Hamsini (50), Mia (100), Elfu moja (1,000)
Pro tip: Practice them out loud—yes, even on the boda boda.
5. Being Polite Pays Off
Even if you forget everything else, remember this:
Asante — Thank you
Tafadhali — Please
Samahani — Excuse me / I'm sorry
These little words work like magic.
Bonus: Humor is a Weapon
If you can crack a joke or laugh along with the vendor, you’re halfway to getting the local price.
Try this when the price is high:
Unauza au unaniibia? — Are you selling or robbing me? 🤣
It’ll probably earn you a discount—or at least a really good comeback.
Final Tip:
Markets are more than shopping. They're social spaces, full of energy, rhythm, and stories. The more Swahili you speak, the more doors open—and not just bargain bins.
So go ahead, practice a few phrases, and prepare to leave with full bags and an even fuller heart.
Want more Swahili that actually sticks? Download the NKENNE app and start speaking like a local today.
Karibu sokoni! (Welcome to the market!)