Latest / Learn Swahili with Fexingo / Swahili Days of the Week
Transcript
- Lucas: Welcome back to another episode of Learn Swahili with Fexingo. I'm Lucas. Luna: And I'm Luna! So excited to be here again. I've been practicing my drinks from last time. Nataka chai! Lucas: Perfect, Luna. That's exactly right. Today, we're going to talk about something you use every day: the days of the week. Luna: Oh, that's useful. I always mix up days when planning my week. Let's do it. Lucas: Great. So, let's start with the first day of the week. In Swahili, Monday is Jumatatu. Say it with me: Jumatatu. Luna: Jumatatu. Hmm... that's pretty straightforward. Lucas: Exactly. Now Tuesday: Jumanne. Jumanne. Luna: Jumanne. I like the rhythm of these words. Lucas: Wednesday is Jumatano. Jumatano. Luna: Jumatano. That's like Monday and Tuesday, but with 'tano'? What does 'tano' mean? Is it five? Lucas: Good observation! Yes, 'tano' means five, and Wednesday is the fifth day of the week in Swahili counting from Saturday. But we don't need to worry about that now. Let's keep going. Luna: Okay, got it. Lucas: Thursday is Alhamisi. Alhamisi. Luna: Alhamisi. That sounds different. More like Arabic? Lucas: That's right. Swahili borrows some words from Arabic. Friday is Ijumaa. Ijumaa. Luna: Ijumaa. That's a fun one. Lucas: Saturday is Jumamosi. Jumamosi. Luna: Jumamosi. And Sunday? Lucas: Sunday is Jumapili. Jumapili. Luna: Jumapili. So they all start with 'Juma' except Thursday and Friday? Lucas: Exactly. 'Juma' means week, and then the rest describes the day. Let's practice them all together. I'll say the day in English, you say it in Swahili. Luna: Ready! Lucas: Monday. Luna: Jumatatu. Lucas: Tuesday. Luna: Jumanne. Lucas: Wednesday. Luna: Jumatano. Lucas: Thursday. Luna: Alhamisi. Lucas: Friday. Luna: Ijumaa. Lucas: Saturday. Luna: Jumamosi. Lucas: Sunday. Luna: Jumapili. Wow, I did it! Lucas: You did great. Now let's put them in a sentence. For example, 'I go to work on Monday.' In Swahili: Ninaenda kazi Jumatatu. Luna: Ninaenda kazi Jumatatu. So the day comes at the end? Lucas: Yes, typically at the end. Let's try another: 'I have a meeting on Wednesday' — Nina mkutano Jumatano. Luna: Nina mkutano Jumatano. What about 'I rest on Sunday'? Lucas: Nice try. 'I rest' is ninapumzika. So Ninapumzika Jumapili. Luna: Ninapumzika Jumapili. That's my favorite day. Lucas: Mine too. Okay, let's do a quick call back to last episode. Luna, how do you say 'I want tea'? Luna: Nataka chai. Lucas: Perfect. Now, 'I want tea on Monday'? Luna: Nataka chai Jumatatu. Lucas: Excellent! And 'I want tea on Friday'? Luna: Nataka chai Ijumaa. That sounds like a good plan. Lucas: Definitely. Now, let's try a question. 'What day is it today?' in Swahili is Leo ni siku gani? Luna: Leo ni siku gani? So 'siku' is day? Lucas: Yes. And 'gani' means 'which'. So if I ask you, 'Leo ni siku gani?' and today is Tuesday, you say 'Leo ni Jumanne.' Luna: Leo ni Jumanne. Got it. Lucas: Let's practice. I'll ask you: Leo ni siku gani? Luna: Leo ni... hmm, let's say it's Wednesday. Leo ni Jumatano. Lucas: Perfect. Now you ask me. Luna: Leo ni siku gani? Lucas: Leo ni Ijumaa. Time for chai! Luna: Oh, can I have chai too? Nataka chai Ijumaa. Lucas: Of course. One more phrase: 'See you on Monday' is Tutaonana Jumatatu. Luna: Tutaonana Jumatatu. That's nice. Lucas: And 'See you on Sunday'? Luna: Tutaonana Jumapili. Lucas: Wonderful. Let's do a quick recap. Luna, what are the seven days? Luna: Jumatatu, Jumanne, Jumatano, Alhamisi, Ijumaa, Jumamosi, Jumapili. I got them! Lucas: You sure did. And remember, you can always practice by asking yourself 'Leo ni siku gani?' every morning. Luna: That's a great tip. I'll do that. Lucas: Well, that's all for today's episode of Learn Swahili with Fexingo. Keep practicing these days, and we'll see you next time. Tutaonana! Luna: Tutaonana! Bye!