Introduction
Swahili is a language that fuses African Bantu with Arabic. Arab sailors and traders have established links and ties with East Africa for centuries, their language strongly merged with the local language to produce a creole derivative.
The word Swahili itself is derived from Arabic Sawahili سواحلي which is plural for ساحل meaning [Language] of the Coast.
This article gives some examples of Arabic words still in today's Swahili.
Here are some words.
| Swahili | Arabic | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| hatari | خطر | Danger. Also the title of a 1962 movie starring John Wayne, set in Africa. |
| Safari | سفر | Travel. Also: trip |
| mahali | محل | Place |
| vitabu | كتاب | Book |
| msumari | مسمار | Nail |
| kata | قطع | Cut, chop |
| habari | خبر | news |
| huru | حر | free |
| dhamiri | ضمير | conscience |
| kamusi | قاموس | dictionary |
| baridi | بارد | cold |
| samahani | سامحني | forgive me, excuse me |
| rafiki | رفيق | companion, friend |
| tafadhali | تفضل | please |
| furahi | فرح | happy |
Time
The terms for time are strongly influenced by Arabic. Many of it taken by the prayer times of Islam.
| Swahili | Arabic | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| asubuhi | صبح | morning |
| dakika | دقيقة | minute |
| saa | ساعة | hour |
| wakati | وقت | time |
| alasri | العصر | late afternoon |
| magharibi | المغرب | sunset |
| alfajiri | الفجر | dawn |
| karne | قرن | century |
The Swahili names for the first five days of the week all start with Juma, then the order of the day of the week, Saturday being the first day of the week. Jumaa is derived from the Arabic word جمعة which means Friday, as well as "week. Only two days of the week got the Arabic names:
| Swahili | Arabic | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| alkhamisi | الخميس | Thursday |
| ijumaa | الجمعة | Friday |
Animal Names
Animal names are all native African Bantu (e.g. simba lion). However, there are a few exceptions.
| Swahili | Arabic | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Tausi | طاوس | Peacock, being non-native to Africa, it took the Arabic name, which in turn took it from Persian. |
Numbers
The number system is also heavily Arabic, although not exclusively so.
| Swahili | Arabic | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| nusu | نص | Half. The proper classical Arabic word is نصف nisf. In many present day dialects it is "nus", like in Swahili. |
| robo | ربع | Quarter |
| sita | ستة | 6 |
| saba | سبعة | 7 |
| tisa | تسعة | 9 |
| ishrini | عشرين | 20 |
| thalathini | ثلاثين | 30 |
| arubaini | أربعين | 40 |
| hamsini | خمسين | 50 |
| sitini | ستين | 60 |
| sabini | سبعين | 70 |
| thamanini | ثمانين | 80 |
| tisini | تسعين | 90 |
| mia | مئة | 100. The middle letter in classical Arabic is Hamza, however, in present day dialects, like Swahili, it is a Y sound. |
| elfu | ألف | 1000 |
Resources
Here are some useful links on Swahili.
- List of useful Swahili words
- History of Swahili.
- Wikipedia page on Swahili.
- Ethnologue page on Swahili.
- Omniglot page on Swahili.
Comments
cheikh (not verified)
that caliphate was not just
Wed, 2018/09/26 - 18:58that caliphate was not just arabs alone its was arabised muslims from africa it was not only arab it was a religion just like isis today come together for caliphate and we know that muslims is every race same for the caloiphate in spain was from moroccco ,mauritania, egypt, mali, libya, tunisia was a mixture of people who were muslims wanting to establish islamic empire not arab
Anonymous (not verified)
more words of arabic
Wed, 2007/09/12 - 14:20more words of arabic origin
shughuli-work
mthihani-exam/test
darasa-class
muktasari-summary/headlines
thibiti-stop
ardhi-land
Abdul Salim (not verified)
Thibiti As in think = confirm
Tue, 2018/05/29 - 18:44Thibiti As in think = confirm. Imethibit = it is confirmed.
Dhibiti As in this = control or stop
Anonymous (not verified)
THANKS!!! :D
Sun, 2007/11/04 - 11:53hey all,
I'm Tanzanian by nationality but I was born and brought up in Dubai. I've always had this fascination for the links between Arabic and Swahili and this page was a great help!
Thnx to all who posted - your comments are appreciated :)
Anonymous (not verified)
NOMA
Tue, 2009/12/22 - 12:32yaani kiarabu na kiswahili ni mjomba na shangazi
Anonymous (not verified)
tafadhal-please /wellcome
Wed, 2008/04/02 - 04:24tafadhal-please /wellcome
Anonymous (not verified)
Hello people i've got Some
Tue, 2008/05/27 - 05:22Hello people i've got Some more words to add of Arabic Origin
aadaabu manners
aakhir last/final
aalam world/universe/regions/public/beauty/period
aalim learned/wise/intelligent
aaqil wise/sensible
aashiq lover/suitor
abd slave/servant
abnaa sons
adaalat court
ajab wonder/astonishment
ajab wonderful/amazing/strange/rare
ajeeb wonderful/surprising/rare/admirable/unique
ajnabee stranger/foreigner/alien
akbar greatest
akhbaar news/newspaper
al the
aleem wise/learned
amaanat something
aql intellect/reason/knowledge
arz land/region/earth
asl root/foundation/essence
asli original/genuine/real/true
atr perfume
aulaad children
wauqaat times
wauqaat status/position
awwaal first/excellent/best
azaab torment/pain/punishment
azeez dear/beloved/honored/respected/worthy
baab door/gate/chapter/topic/subject
baaqee residue/remainder/arrears
badal exchange/change/substitution
baHaal status
bait house/abode
bait couple/verse
balaa calamity/distress/trial/misfortune
barkat abundance/prosperity/blessing/auspiciousness
bi by/with/from/in/into/near/on/for/towards
bila without
daakhil entering
daar house/country
dafa time/turn/section/class
dafn burial/concealment
dakhl entrance/access/reach/skill
daulat riches/fortune/happiness/cause/means
dawaa medicine
dawaa claim/law
dawat invitation/banquet
deen faith/religion
diyaar country/region
duaa blessing/prayer/wish
dunyaa world/worldly
durr pearl
faaidah benefit/profit/utility
faakhir a
fahm understanding/intellect
fakhr glory/honor/pride/egotism
falak sky/heaven/fortune/fate
faqr poverty
farq difference/distance/separation/defect
farz duty/moral
fatwaa judicial
fikr opinion/notion/care/concern/anxiety/counsel
firdaus garden/paradise
fitnah sedition/revolt/mischief/temptation
fursat opportunity/leisure/rest/recovery
ghaaib hidden/absent
ghaflat negligence/drowsiness/stupor
ghair stranger/foreigner
ghair besides
ghair other/different/alien/bad
ghair without/except/but/save
ghairat honor/modesty/bashfulness/envy/enmity
ghalat wrong/incorrect/inaccurate
gharib poor/destitute/strange/innocent/wonderful
ghazal ode/poem
Haakim ruler/governor/judge/an
Haal state/condition/narrative/circumstance
Haalat condition/state/circumstance
Haazir present/ready/in
Habeeb beloved/sweetheart/comrade/friend
Hadd boundary/limit
Hadd very/at
Hads novelty/innovation
Haja need
Hakeem wise
Halaal legal/permitted
Haqeeqat truth/reality/narration/condition
Haqq just/truth/right
Haraam unlawful/forbidden
Haseen beautiful/elegant/charming/handsome
hawaa wind/breeze/air/atmosphere
Hawaalah charge/custody/care
Hijaab veil/modesty/bashfulness/night
Hikma wisdom/knowledge/cleverness/device
Himaayat protection/patronage/support/defence
Hoor virgin
Hoorriyat emancipation/freedom
Hubb love/friendship/desire/affection/wish
Hukm order/decree/statute/law
Husn beauty/elegance
ibaadat prayers/devotion
ibn son
ibtisaamu smile/cheerfulness
iHsaan beneficence/favor/good
iHsaas feeling/emotion
ijaaz miracle/marvel/wonder
ijaazat permission/leave/sanction
ilm knowledge/science/doctrine
imaan belief/faith/creed/conscience
imtiHaan examination/test/trial/proof/experiment
insaan man/human
insaaniyyat humanity/civility
intizaar waiting
jaahil ignorant/illiterate/barbarous
jahaaz ship/vessel
jamaal beauty/elegance
janaazah corpse/funeral
jannat paradise/garden
jawaab answer/equal/parallel/match
junoon madness/insanity
jurm crime/guilt
kaafir infidel/sweetheart/mistress
kaafir impious/ungrateful
kaafur camphor
kaatib scribe/writer
kabeer great/large/immense
kalaam discourse/oration/a
kamaal excellence/perfection/miracle/art
kareem bountiful/generous/merciful/epithet
khaalis pure/genuine/sincere(friend)
khaas special/particular/private/noble/unmixed
khabar news/information/report/rumor/notice
khair good/best
khair very
khair welfare/happiness
khalaas deliverance/redemption/freedom
khanjar dagger
khatm conclusion/seal
khatm finished/done
khatt letter/note/mark
khayaal thought/imagination/opinion/care/respect
kitaab book/writing/despatch
kufr paganism/infidelity/profanity
kul all/complete/entire/aggregate/universe
laa no/not/by
laazim necessary/compulsory/important
lughat tongue/speech/dialect/word/dictionary
maahir skilled/expert/master/excel
maal riches/property/merchandise/revenue
maalik master/lord/owner/God
maghlaati mistakes
maghroor proud/arrogant
maHabbat love/friendship
maHboob lover/friend/sweetheart
maHboob loved/lovely
maHboobah mistress/sweetheart
maHboos confined/imprisoned
maHjoob modesty/shame/bashfulness
majboor compelled/helpless/oppressed
majnoon. insane/madly
majrooh wounded/hurt/smitten
makaan house/place/habitation
maloom known/evident/clear
manzoor admired/chosen/approved/accepted/granted
mareez patient
marhoom dead/deceased
masal proverb/example
mashhoor noted/famous/reported/proclaimed
mashooq beloved/sweetheart
matlab object/aim/meaning/motive/wish/desire
maujood present/existing/at
maut death/mortality
mazboot strong/firm/resolute/valid
mazhab religion/sect/doctrine
mazloom injure/oppressed/wronged
moojib cause/reason
mubaahaat contending
mubaarak auspicious/blessed/felicitation
muddat period(of
muHtaj needy/poor/defective
mujrim criminal/culpable/faulty
mujrim felon/criminal/sinner
mulaaqaat meeting/encounter/interview/visit
mulaazim servant/aide
mulk nation/realm/territory
mumkin possible/feasible
mumtaaz exalted/eminent/chosen
muqaabil opposite/converse/against/matching
murshid teacher/spiritual
musaafir traveller/stranger
museebat misfortune/calamity/adversity/evil
mushkil difficult/intricate/hard/painful
mutabassim smiling/laughing
naar fire/hell
nafs soul/spirit/essence
najeeb praiseworthy/noble/generous
najm star/planet/fortune/horoscope
naseeb fortune/fate/destiny
nazaarah sight/view/vista
nikaah matrimony
niyyat intention/purpose/will/aim
noor light
qaabil worthy/able/competent/deserving/clever
qaail confessing/agreeing/conceding/subdued
qaanoon rule/law/system/state
qaatil murderer/assassin/homicide
qaazee judge
qabr grave/tomb
qalam reed/pen/handwriting
qalb heart/mind/soul/intellect/marrow/pith
qamar moon
qarz debt/loan
qatl killing/murder/assassination
qaul word/saying/promise/consent/vow
qeemat price/value/woth/cost
qismat fortune/fate/share/portion/head/category
qiyaamat resurrection/Judgement
qubool consent/acceptance/assent/recognition
qurbaan sacrifice/victim/offering
raazi willing/satisfied/agreed/pleased
rabb creator/god
rafeeq friend/ally
rafi high/sublime/exalted
rahm mercy/pity/compassion/kindness/tenderness
rasool a
rukhsat leave/permission/dismissal/indulgence
saaf clean/pure/innocent/clear/legible/plain
saahib master/lord/ruler/companion/title
saaHil shore/beach
saaHir magician
saalim safe/sound/perfect/whole
sabab cause/reason
sabr patience/endurance/submission/suffering
safar journey
salaam salutation/peace/safety/compliment
saleeqah good
sanh year/era
sawaab reward/recompense
sawaal question/petition/application/request/demand
shaair poet
shaamil including/comprising/connected/mingled/common
shabaab youth
shaheed martyr
shaikh elder
shaitaan satan/devil/demon
shakk doubt/suspense/hesitation
sharaab wine/liquor
shareef noble/eminent/honorable
shart condition/agreement/wager
shukr gratitude
sirri secrets
subH morning/dawn
taajjub wondering/admiration/amazement/surprise
taalluq connection/relation/consideration
taareef explanation/description/praise/definition
taarikh date/annals
tabassum smile/smiling
tabdeel change
taiyyaar ready
tajribah experience/experiment/test/proof
takleef imposition
tamaam entire/complete/perfect/end
taqdeer fate/luck
taqriban approximately
taqwaa piety/abstinence/fear
tarjumaan interpreter
tarkeeb composition/mixture/plan/mode/method
tashreef honoring
umri age/life-time/span
waahid unique/one/single/unit
waalid father
waalidah mother
waarid coming/arriving/happening
waaris heir
wadood loving/friendly
wakeel lawyer/attorney
walee lord/prince/master/friend/guardian
watan native
yataamaa orphans
yateem orphan
zaahir manifest/clear/evident
zaakir remembering/grateful
zaakir grateful
zaalim tyrant/oppressor
zaheer ally/associate
zann suspicion
zikr remembrance/memory/Qur'an
ziyaarat pilgrimage/visit
zulm oppression/tyranny
Anonymous (not verified)
It would be helpful if you
Mon, 2011/02/07 - 11:36It would be helpful if you write the exact suaheli term next to the arabic term. Second: I found your list sometims not correct (no suaheli expression corresponding with your arabich word).
Saleha Akhtar Qazi (not verified)
contribution
Wed, 2011/07/06 - 04:04Salaam. I have been translating for a long time now. for many years myself and most people I know who work in the same field have been translating the words "Interpreter" and "Interpret" as "Mfasiri" and "Kutafsiri" respectively.
while reflecting on the word while I was translating some serious material, I realised that we have been mistaken for a long time. The true translation of "Interpreter is Mfafanuzi" ergo "To interpret is Kufafanua". this is logical because there is no need to change language to interpret aany given information or material, just explain it in the same language.
I hope my contribution will help other translators.
Sally
ahmed bhegani (not verified)
List of Swahili Words of Arabic Origin
Thu, 2008/05/29 - 06:05Hello people i've got Some more words to add of Arabic Origin (by ahmed bhegani)
i worked very hard on this list so .
aadaabu manners
aakhir last/final
aalam world/universe/regions/public/beauty/period
aalim learned/wise/intelligent
aaqil wise/sensible
aashiq lover/suitor
abd slave/servant
abnaa sons
adaalat court
ajab wonder/astonishment
ajab wonderful/amazing/strange/rare
ajeeb wonderful/surprising/rare/admirable/unique
ajnabee stranger/foreigner/alien
akbar greatest
akhbaar news/newspaper
al the
aleem wise/learned
amaanat something
aql intellect/reason/knowledge
arz land/region/earth
asl root/foundation/essence
asli original/genuine/real/true
atr perfume
aulaad children
wauqaat times
wauqaat status/position
awwaal first/excellent/best
azaab torment/pain/punishment
azeez dear/beloved/honored/respected/worthy
baab door/gate/chapter/topic/subject
baaqee residue/remainder/arrears
badal exchange/change/substitution
baHaal status
bait house/abode
bait couple/verse
balaa calamity/distress/trial/misfortune
barkat abundance/prosperity/blessing/auspiciousness
bi by/with/from/in/into/near/on/for/towards
bila without
daakhil entering
daar house/country
dafa time/turn/section/class
dafn burial/concealment
dakhl entrance/access/reach/skill
daulat riches/fortune/happiness/cause/means
dawaa medicine
dawaa claim/law
dawat invitation/banquet
deen faith/religion
diyaar country/region
duaa blessing/prayer/wish
dunyaa world/worldly
durr pearl
faaidah benefit/profit/utility
faakhir a
fahm understanding/intellect
fakhr glory/honor/pride/egotism
falak sky/heaven/fortune/fate
faqr poverty
farq difference/distance/separation/defect
farz duty/moral
fatwaa judicial
fikr opinion/notion/care/concern/anxiety/counsel
firdaus garden/paradise
fitnah sedition/revolt/mischief/temptation
fursat opportunity/leisure/rest/recovery
ghaaib hidden/absent
ghaflat negligence/drowsiness/stupor
ghair stranger/foreigner
ghair besides
ghair other/different/alien/bad
ghair without/except/but/save
ghairat honor/modesty/bashfulness/envy/enmity
ghalat wrong/incorrect/inaccurate
gharib poor/destitute/strange/innocent/wonderful
ghazal ode/poem
Haakim ruler/governor/judge/an
Haal state/condition/narrative/circumstance
Haalat condition/state/circumstance
Haazir present/ready/in
Habeeb beloved/sweetheart/comrade/friend
Hadd boundary/limit
Hadd very/at
Hads novelty/innovation
Haja need
Hakeem wise
Halaal legal/permitted
Haqeeqat truth/reality/narration/condition
Haqq just/truth/right
Haraam unlawful/forbidden
Haseen beautiful/elegant/charming/handsome
hawaa wind/breeze/air/atmosphere
Hawaalah charge/custody/care
Hijaab veil/modesty/bashfulness/night
Hikma wisdom/knowledge/cleverness/device
Himaayat protection/patronage/support/defence
Hoor virgin
Hoorriyat emancipation/freedom
Hubb love/friendship/desire/affection/wish
Hukm order/decree/statute/law
Husn beauty/elegance
ibaadat prayers/devotion
ibn son
ibtisaamu smile/cheerfulness
iHsaan beneficence/favor/good
iHsaas feeling/emotion
ijaaz miracle/marvel/wonder
ijaazat permission/leave/sanction
ilm knowledge/science/doctrine
imaan belief/faith/creed/conscience
imtiHaan examination/test/trial/proof/experiment
insaan man/human
insaaniyyat humanity/civility
intizaar waiting
jaahil ignorant/illiterate/barbarous
jahaaz ship/vessel
jamaal beauty/elegance
janaazah corpse/funeral
jannat paradise/garden
jawaab answer/equal/parallel/match
junoon madness/insanity
jurm crime/guilt
kaafir infidel/sweetheart/mistress
kaafir impious/ungrateful
kaafur camphor
kaatib scribe/writer
kabeer great/large/immense
kalaam discourse/oration/a
kamaal excellence/perfection/miracle/art
kareem bountiful/generous/merciful/epithet
khaalis pure/genuine/sincere(friend)
khaas special/particular/private/noble/unmixed
khabar news/information/report/rumor/notice
khair good/best
khair very
khair welfare/happiness
khalaas deliverance/redemption/freedom
khanjar dagger
khatm conclusion/seal
khatm finished/done
khatt letter/note/mark
khayaal thought/imagination/opinion/care/respect
kitaab book/writing/despatch
kufr paganism/infidelity/profanity
kul all/complete/entire/aggregate/universe
laa no/not/by
laazim necessary/compulsory/important
lughat tongue/speech/dialect/word/dictionary
maahir skilled/expert/master/excel
maal riches/property/merchandise/revenue
maalik master/lord/owner/God
maghlaati mistakes
maghroor proud/arrogant
maHabbat love/friendship
maHboob lover/friend/sweetheart
maHboob loved/lovely
maHboobah mistress/sweetheart
maHboos confined/imprisoned
maHjoob modesty/shame/bashfulness
majboor compelled/helpless/oppressed
majnoon. insane/madly
majrooh wounded/hurt/smitten
makaan house/place/habitation
maloom known/evident/clear
manzoor admired/chosen/approved/accepted/granted
mareez patient
marhoom dead/deceased
masal proverb/example
mashhoor noted/famous/reported/proclaimed
mashooq beloved/sweetheart
matlab object/aim/meaning/motive/wish/desire
maujood present/existing/at
maut death/mortality
mazboot strong/firm/resolute/valid
mazhab religion/sect/doctrine
mazloom injure/oppressed/wronged
moojib cause/reason
mubaahaat contending
mubaarak auspicious/blessed/felicitation
muddat period(of
muHtaj needy/poor/defective
mujrim criminal/culpable/faulty
mujrim felon/criminal/sinner
mulaaqaat meeting/encounter/interview/visit
mulaazim servant/aide
mulk nation/realm/territory
mumkin possible/feasible
mumtaaz exalted/eminent/chosen
muqaabil opposite/converse/against/matching
murshid teacher/spiritual
musaafir traveller/stranger
museebat misfortune/calamity/adversity/evil
mushkil difficult/intricate/hard/painful
mutabassim smiling/laughing
naar fire/hell
nafs soul/spirit/essence
najeeb praiseworthy/noble/generous
najm star/planet/fortune/horoscope
naseeb fortune/fate/destiny
nazaarah sight/view/vista
nikaah matrimony
niyyat intention/purpose/will/aim
noor light
qaabil worthy/able/competent/deserving/clever
qaail confessing/agreeing/conceding/subdued
qaanoon rule/law/system/state
qaatil murderer/assassin/homicide
qaazee judge
qabr grave/tomb
qalam reed/pen/handwriting
qalb heart/mind/soul/intellect/marrow/pith
qamar moon
qarz debt/loan
qatl killing/murder/assassination
qaul word/saying/promise/consent/vow
qeemat price/value/woth/cost
qismat fortune/fate/share/portion/head/category
qiyaamat resurrection/Judgement
qubool consent/acceptance/assent/recognition
qurbaan sacrifice/victim/offering
raazi willing/satisfied/agreed/pleased
rabb creator/god
rafeeq friend/ally
rafi high/sublime/exalted
rahm mercy/pity/compassion/kindness/tenderness
rasool a
rukhsat leave/permission/dismissal/indulgence
saaf clean/pure/innocent/clear/legible/plain
saahib master/lord/ruler/companion/title
saaHil shore/beach
saaHir magician
saalim safe/sound/perfect/whole
sabab cause/reason
sabr patience/endurance/submission/suffering
safar journey
salaam salutation/peace/safety/compliment
saleeqah good
sanh year/era
sawaab reward/recompense
sawaal question/petition/application/request/demand
shaair poet
shaamil including/comprising/connected/mingled/common
shabaab youth
shaheed martyr
shaikh elder
shaitaan satan/devil/demon
shakk doubt/suspense/hesitation
sharaab wine/liquor
shareef noble/eminent/honorable
shart condition/agreement/wager
shukr gratitude
sirri secrets
subH morning/dawn
taajjub wondering/admiration/amazement/surprise
taalluq connection/relation/consideration
taareef explanation/description/praise/definition
taarikh date/annals
tabassum smile/smiling
tabdeel change
taiyyaar ready
tajribah experience/experiment/test/proof
takleef imposition
tamaam entire/complete/perfect/end
taqdeer fate/luck
taqriban approximately
taqwaa piety/abstinence/fear
tarjumaan interpreter
tarkeeb composition/mixture/plan/mode/method
tashreef honoring
umri age/life-time/span
waahid unique/one/single/unit
waalid father
waalidah mother
waarid coming/arriving/happening
waaris heir
wadood loving/friendly
wakeel lawyer/attorney
walee lord/prince/master/friend/guardian
watan native
yataamaa orphans
yateem orphan
zaahir manifest/clear/evident
zaakir remembering/grateful
zaakir grateful
zaalim tyrant/oppressor
zaheer ally/associate
zann suspicion
zikr remembrance/memory/Qur'an
ziyaarat pilgrimage/visit
zulm oppression/tyranny
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