Latest / Learn Swahili with Fexingo / Swahili Weather - Asking About Temperature
Transcript
- Lucas: Luna, welcome back to Learn Swahili with Fexingo. Ready for episode 98? Luna: I am so ready. I've been practicing my numbers from last time, thelathini na moja and all that. Lucas: Nice work. Today we're shifting gears a bit. Let's talk about the weather. Luna: Oh, perfect. It's been boiling here lately. Lucas: Then you'll want to know how to say 'It's hot' in Swahili. First, the word for heat is joto. Luna: Joto. Lucas: To ask 'Is it hot?' you say 'Kuna joto?' Luna: Kuna joto? Literally 'There is heat?' Lucas: Exactly. Try it. Luna: Kuna joto? Lucas: Perfect. If it's cold, the word is baridi. So 'Kuna baridi.' Luna: Kuna baridi. Lucas: Now, you can say 'Leo kuna joto' — 'Today it is hot.' Or 'Leo kuna baridi' — 'Today it is cold.' Luna: Leo kuna joto. That's easy. So if I'm sweating, I say 'Leo kuna joto.' Lucas: You've got it. Now, let me ask you a question. Halijoto ikoje? That means 'How is the temperature?' Luna: Halijoto ikoje? That's a new one. Halijoto meaning temperature? Lucas: Yes. So if someone asks you 'Halijoto ikoje?' you can answer with 'Kuna joto' or 'Kuna baridi.' Luna: Got it. So if I'm cold, I say 'Kuna baridi.' But could I also say 'Leo kuna baridi'? Lucas: Absolutely. Let's do a quick role play. I'll ask you 'Halijoto ikoje?' and you answer. Luna: Okay, hit me. Lucas: Halijoto ikoje? Luna: Leo kuna joto. Lucas: Nice. Now let me ask you, is it hot where you are today? Luna: Well, I'm in the studio, but let's say it's a bit chilly. So 'Leo kuna baridi.' Lucas: There you go. You can also ask someone 'Kuna joto?' to check. It's a simple yes or no question. Luna: Kuna joto? So if I step outside and I'm not sure, I can ask a friend that. Lucas: Exactly. And they might reply 'Ndiyo, kuna joto' or 'Hapana, kuna baridi.' Luna: Ndiyo, kuna joto. Hapana, kuna baridi. I like that. Lucas: Let's do a quick practice. I'll say the English, you say the Swahili. 'Is it hot?' Luna: Kuna joto? Lucas: 'It is cold today.' Luna: Leo kuna baridi. Lucas: Perfect. 'How is the temperature?' Luna: Halijoto ikoje? Lucas: You're nailing it. Now let's put it together in a mini conversation. Imagine you meet a neighbour. Luna: Alright, I'll play you. You be the neighbour. Lucas: Habari za leo? Luna: Nzuri. Halijoto ikoje? Lucas: Kuna joto sana. Luna: Oh, 'sana' means very. So 'Kuna joto sana' — it's very hot. Lucas: You picked that up fast. Sana is a useful word. So now you can say 'Kuna joto sana' or 'Kuna baridi sana.' Luna: Kuna baridi sana. That'll be useful in winter. Lucas: Let's hear you say 'It's very hot today.' Luna: Leo kuna joto sana. Lucas: Beautiful. You're getting the rhythm. Luna: Thanks. You know, I've been using Fexingo to learn, and honestly, these little phrases stick. If anyone else is finding this helpful too, I think it's worth supporting the show. Lucas: Yeah, that's a good point. If today's episode was worth a coffee to you, you can find us at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. It helps keep the show going and ad-free. Luna: Exactly. Just a small way to say thanks if you're able. Okay, back to the weather. So we have 'Kuna joto?' and 'Kuna baridi.' What about if it's just warm? Lucas: You can say 'Kuna joto kidogo' — it's a little hot. Kidogo means a little. Luna: Kuna joto kidogo. Or 'Kuna baridi kidogo.' Lucas: Perfect. So now you have a range. Let's do a final round. I'll give you a situation, you say the right phrase. You step outside and it's freezing. Luna: Kuna baridi sana. Lucas: You're inside and it's comfortable. Luna: Kuna joto kidogo. Lucas: You want to ask your friend about the temperature. Luna: Halijoto ikoje? Lucas: Excellent. You're ready for any weather conversation. Now, can you say 'Today it's not hot'? Luna: Hmm... 'Leo hakuna joto'? Lucas: Yes! 'Hakuna' means there is no. So 'Leo hakuna joto.' That's a bonus phrase. Luna: Leo hakuna joto. That's easy because of Hakuna Matata. Lucas: Exactly. So 'Hakuna joto' means there's no heat. And 'Hakuna baridi' means there's no cold. Luna: Hakuna baridi. That's great. Lucas: Alright, let's recap today's phrases. We have 'Kuna joto?' — is it hot? 'Kuna baridi' — it's cold. 'Leo kuna joto' — today it's hot. 'Leo kuna baridi' — today it's cold. And 'Halijoto ikoje?' — how is the temperature? Luna: And 'sana' and 'kidogo' to add intensity. I'm going to practice these all week. Lucas: That's the spirit. Keep practicing, and we'll see you next time on Learn Swahili with Fexingo. Luna: Kwa heri, everyone!