Latest / Learn Swahili with Fexingo / Swahili at the Market - Bargaining
Transcript
- Lucas: Welcome back to Learn Swahili with Fexingo. I'm Lucas. Luna: And I'm Luna. Episode 106! I love these numbers. So, what are we learning today? Lucas: Today, we're going to the market. But not just to buy fruit or vegetables — we're going to bargain. Luna: Oh, bargaining! I've heard that's a big deal in many markets. I'm a little nervous. Lucas: Don't worry. We'll start simple. The first phrase you need is: Bei gani? Luna: Bei gani? Lucas: Perfect. 'Bei' means price, 'gani' means what or which. So 'Bei gani?' means 'How much?' or 'What's the price?' Luna: Bei gani. So I can point at something and ask that? Lucas: Exactly. Let's say you see a nice kanga fabric. You ask: Bei gani? Luna: Bei gani? Lucas: And the seller might say 'Elfu kumi' — ten thousand shillings. Now you want to bargain. You say: Punguza bei. Luna: Punguza bei. That means 'Reduce the price'? Lucas: Exactly. 'Punguza' means reduce, 'bei' is price. So: Punguza bei. Luna: Punguza bei. Can I just say that directly? Lucas: Absolutely. It's polite enough. Now the seller might counter. Then you can ask: Bei gani ya mwisho? Luna: Bei gani ya mwisho? What's that? Lucas: 'Mwisho' means last. So 'Bei gani ya mwisho?' means 'What's your final price?' Luna: Bei gani ya mwisho. I like that. It's like getting down to business. Lucas: Yes. And if you agree, you say: Nakubali. Luna: Nakubali. That means 'I accept' or 'I agree'. Lucas: Right. And then of course: Asante. Luna: Asante. So the whole negotiation: Bei gani? Punguza bei. Bei gani ya mwisho? Nakubali. Asante. Lucas: You've got it! Let's practice a little scene. I'll be the seller. You ask about a fabric. Luna: Okay. Bei gani? Lucas: Elfu kumi. Luna: Punguza bei. Lucas: Elfu nane. Luna: Bei gani ya mwisho? Lucas: Elfu saba. Luna: Nakubali. Asante! Lucas: Perfect! You just bargained in Swahili. That was great. Luna: I feel like a pro. But let me try again — slower. Lucas: Go for it. Luna: Bei gani? Punguza bei. Bei gani ya mwisho? Nakubali. Asante. Lucas: Beautiful. Your pronunciation is spot on. Luna: Thanks! And you know what, if Fexingo has been helping you learn these phrases, consider supporting the show at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. It keeps us ad-free. Lucas: Yeah, we really appreciate it. Okay, back to bargaining. Let's say you want to buy two fabrics. You can ask: Bei gani ya hizi mbili? Luna: Bei gani ya hizi mbili? 'Hizi' means these, 'mbili' means two. So 'What's the price of these two?' Lucas: Exactly. And if they say elfu kumi na tano, you can say: Punguza bei. Luna: Punguza bei. Then: Bei gani ya mwisho? Lucas: And they say elfu kumi na mbili. You say: Nakubali. Asante. Luna: Nakubali. Asante. I love it. Lucas: One more tip: If you're not sure, you can just ask 'Bei gani?' and listen. The numbers we've learned before will help. Luna: Right, numbers 1 to 20. So I can understand if they say 'elfu tano' or 'elfu kumi'. Lucas: Exactly. So today's phrases: Bei gani? Punguza bei. Bei gani ya mwisho? Nakubali. And Asante. Luna: I feel ready for the market now. Let's practice one more time. Lucas: Sure. I'll be the seller again. You start. Luna: Bei gani? Lucas: Elfu kumi na tano. Luna: Punguza bei. Lucas: Elfu kumi. Luna: Bei gani ya mwisho? Lucas: Elfu kumi na mbili. Luna: Nakubali. Asante! Lucas: Perfect. You did it again. Luna: Thanks, Lucas. I think I'm ready for the market. Lucas: Practice these phrases, and you'll be bargaining like a local. That's all for today's episode of Learn Swahili with Fexingo. Luna: See you next time! Kwaheri!