Latest / Learn Swahili with Fexingo / Swahili Office Phrases
Transcript
- Lucas: Welcome back to Learn Swahili with Fexingo. I'm Lucas. Luna: And I'm Luna. Lucas, last episode we learned how to say we don't understand. I've been using 'sielewi' all week. Lucas: That's great—it's such a useful phrase. Today, let's imagine you're at the office. We'll learn some basic Swahili for work. Luna: Oh, I like that! I've always wondered how to say 'I work in an office'. Lucas: Perfect start. First phrase: 'Ninafanya kazi ofisini.' Say it slowly: 'Ninafanya kazi ofisini.' Luna: Ninafanya kazi ofisini. Lucas: Exactly. 'Ninafanya' means 'I do' or 'I am doing', 'kazi' is 'work', 'ofisini' is 'in the office'. Luna: So 'I work in an office'—ninafanya kazi ofisini. That's clear. Lucas: You've got it. Now, if Fexingo has been helping you make actual progress with Swahili, a small number of listeners chip in monthly through buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo, and that's what keeps this ad-free. It's a quiet way to support the show. Luna: Yeah, we're really grateful for that. It helps us keep making episodes like this. Lucas: Right. Now, back to the office. Second phrase: 'Kompyuta yangu haifanyi kazi.' Meaning 'My computer is not working.' Listen: 'Kompyuta yangu haifanyi kazi.' Luna: Kompyuta yangu haifanyi kazi. 'Kompyuta' is computer, 'yangu' is my, 'haifanyi kazi' means not working. Lucas: Perfect. 'Haifanyi kazi' is a handy pattern. 'Ifanyi kazi' means works, 'haifanyi kazi' means doesn't work. Luna: So if my phone doesn't work, I could say 'simu yangu haifanyi kazi'? Lucas: Exactly. Now let's add a time phrase. 'Nina mkutano saa tatu.' That means 'I have a meeting at 9 o'clock.' Say it. Luna: Nina mkutano saa tatu. 'Saa tatu' is 9 AM, right? Because Swahili time starts at 6. Lucas: You remember. Saa tatu is the third hour after sunrise, so 9 AM. 'Nina mkutano' – 'I have a meeting'. Luna: Nina mkutano saa tatu. I have a meeting at 9. Lucas: Now, you might need something from a colleague. 'Tafadhali nipe karatasi.' – 'Please give me paper.' Luna: Tafadhali nipe karatasi. 'Nipe' is 'give me', 'karatasi' is 'paper'. Lucas: Good. You can use 'tafadhali nipe' with anything. 'Tafadhali nipe kitabu' – 'Please give me book'. Luna: And 'tafadhali nipe maji' for water. Got it. Lucas: Last phrase for today: 'Ninaomba likizo.' – 'I am requesting leave.' Say it. Luna: Ninaomba likizo. 'Likizo' means leave or vacation. Lucas: Yes. So if you need a day off, you say 'Ninaomba likizo.' Luna: Ninaomba likizo. That could be useful. Lucas: Let's do a quick review. Repeat after me: Ninafanya kazi ofisini. Luna: Ninafanya kazi ofisini. Lucas: Kompyuta yangu haifanyi kazi. Luna: Kompyuta yangu haifanyi kazi. Lucas: Nina mkutano saa tatu. Luna: Nina mkutano saa tatu. Lucas: Tafadhali nipe karatasi. Luna: Tafadhali nipe karatasi. Lucas: Ninaomba likizo. Luna: Ninaomba likizo. Lucas: Fantastic. Now practice these phrases at your desk or with a colleague. Master them before next time. Luna: And if you want to support the show, you know where to find us: buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. Thanks for listening. Lucas: We'll be back with more Swahili soon. Until then, keep practicing. Kwaheri. Luna: Kwaheri.