Start off the year by learning how to introduce yourself properly in Swahili! Learn easily with SwahiliPod101 in this four-minute video!
Table of Contents
- 10 Lines You Need for Introducing Yourself in Swahili
- Important Tips for Introducing Yourself
- Video – How to Introduce Yourself in Swahili
- Why SwahiliPod101 is Perfect for Learning all about Swahili Introductions
1. 10 Lines You Need for Introducing Yourself in Swahili
First impressions are absolutely everything! Right? No, wrong – who you are every day is much more important. But first impressions are definitely not unimportant either. Make sure to introduce yourself correctly, as it could mean the difference between getting a job offer or a polite refusal from an employer. SwahiliPod101 shows you how to read, write and pronounce these self-introductions and conversation-starters like a native speaker!
But first, a tip – wait to be asked before offering personal details such as your age. Good conversation is about unspoken reciprocity, and giving too many personal details too soon can be embarrassing for your Kenyan friend. Rather use phrases that encourage your friend to talk about him or herself – most people like doing that! Also, it shows you take real interest in other people.
1- Hello, it’s nice to meet you.
Hello, ni vyema kukutana na wewe.
This phrase is an excellent way to start an introduction. It is a greeting that immediately expresses interest in the other person.
2- My name is Sharon.
Jina langu ni Sharon.
Self-explanatory – just replace ‘Kevin’ with your own name! Also, pay close attention to what your new Kenyan acquaintance’s name is. Remembering it will make them feel that you are really interested in him/her as a person!
3- I’m from Kenya.
Mimi natoka Kenya.
Sharing something about yourself is a nice conversation starter. It shows that you’re willing to engage meaningfully with the other person. In an informal setting, you can expect the other person to respond in kind. At work, this is probably information you need to volunteer only if asked. Again, remember to replace ‘Kenya’ with your own country of birth!
4- I live in Nairobi.
Ninaishi Nairobi.
Same as above – replace ‘Nairobi’ with your town or city of abode!
5- I’ve been learning Swahili for a year.
Nimekuwa nikijifunza Kiswahili kwa mwaka mmoja.
Say this only if it’s true, obviously. And prepare to dazzle your audience! If you have indeed worked faithfully at your Swahili for a year, you should be pretty good at it! Use this phrase after your introduction – it is likely to indicate that you wish to engage in Swahili conversation.
6- I’m learning Swahili at SwahiliPod101.com.
Ninajifunza Kiswahili katika SwahiliPod101.com.
This will be the best reply if anyone asks (Very impressed, of course!) where you study Swahili! Simply volunteering this information, especially in a casual conversation, could make you sound like a salesperson, and you want to avoid that. Often, an employer will want this information though, so best to memorize and have this phrase handy!
7- I’m 27 years old.
Nina umri wa miaka ishirini na saba.
This is a line that may just get you a ‘TMI!’ look from a stranger if you volunteer it without being asked. He/she may not be willing to divulge such an intimate detail about him/herself right at the start of your acquaintance, so don’t force reciprocity. However, it’s a good phrase to know in a job interview; again, probably best only if your prospective Kenyan employer asks. Also, remember to give your true age!
8- I’m a teacher.
Mimi ni mwalimu.
You’re still offering information about yourself, which lends good momentum to keep the conversation going! Replace ‘teacher’ with your own occupation – and learn the related vocabulary with SwahiliPod101!
9- One of my hobbies is reading.
Moja ya kozi yangu ni kusoma.
Your hobby is another topic with lots of potential for starting a good conversation! People are often eager to talk about their hobbies, and why they like them!
10- I enjoy listening to music.
Napenda kusikiliza muziki.
If you’re still talking about your hobbies, this would be a good line to go with the previous one. Otherwise, wait for your conversation partner to start talking about what they enjoy doing!
2. Important Tips for Introducing Yourself
A correct Swahili introduction will make a good impression upon meeting a person for the first time. Why is this first impression important? Simple – it gives an indication of who you are as a person. So, while you want to be truthful when representing yourself, you also need to be prepared to put your best foot forward!
First impressions are often lingering and difficult to change. In addition, it’s easier to make a negative impression than a good one, often without intending to. So, how can you make sure that your self-introduction will impress Kenyan natives?
1- Research: First, research the culture! Different cultures have different social rules, and you will be halfway towards making a great first impression if you know the proper Kenyan customs for self-introductions. It will also help you avoid social mistakes – sometimes, what is acceptable in one culture is insulting in another, such as making eye contact, or giving a handshake. In your culture, what is appropriate when a person introduces him or herself?
Also, be sure to distinguish between introductions in different situations, such as a formal and a social situation. There are bound to be differences in how you address people! The internet can be an important tool for this endeavor. Alternatively, you could visit your local library to search for books on this topic, or you could ask Kenyan friends to explain and demonstrate their cultural habits for introductions. Honoring someone’s culture shows that you respect it, and as we know – a little respect can go a very long way in any relationship!
2- Study the Correct Phrases and Vocabulary: Be sure to learn Swahili phrases and vocabulary that tell people who you are, and that encourage them to engage in conversation with you. Each situation will determine how to address the person you want to introduce yourself to. Also, make sure your pronunciation is correct! It would be most valuable to have Swahili-speaking friends who can help you with this. Or read on for a quick phrase and video lesson on Swahili introductions right here at SwahiliPod101!
3- Appearance: This is pretty obvious – if you want to make a good impression introducing yourself to anyone for the first time, you need to be neatly dressed and well groomed! A shabby, dirty or careless appearance and bad body odor are to be avoided at all costs; in most cultures, these will not impress!
Also, make sure to dress appropriately, not only for the occasion, but also for the culture. For instance, bare shoulders or an open-necked shirt is an acceptable gear in many Western countries. Yet, in some cultures, dressing like this could deeply offend your host. No amount of good manners and properly expressed introductions is likely to wipe out a cultural no-no! So, be sure to know how to dress, and take care with your appearance when you are about to introduce yourself to someone for the first time!
Following are some neat phrases with which you can introduce yourself in Swahili, and get a conversation started too!
3. Video – How to Introduce Yourself in Swahili
Good, you read and perhaps even memorized the preceding phrases to successfully introduce yourself in Swahili! Watch this short video now to get a quick lesson on Swahili grammar for these introductions, as well as how to pronounce them correctly. You will sound like a native when you can copy the presenter perfectly!
4. Why SwahiliPod101 is Perfect for Learning all about Swahili Introductions
- Culturally Focused Lessons: All our material is aimed not only to help you learn perfect Swahili, but also to introduce you to the Kenyan culture! Learn here, for instance, a list of favorite Kenyan foods. Or, how about exploring the Kenyan business culture in these 12 introductory lessons? Alternatively, listen to these audio lessons on Kenyan culture! Studying through us could be very valuable before visiting Kenya for any purpose.
- Accurate and Correct Pronunciation & Inflection: Our hosts and voice actors are native Swahili speakers of the best quality! It is important for us that you speak Swahili correctly to avoid embarrassing misunderstandings and miscommunications. If you practice and can copy these presenters well, you will sound just like Swahili natives and your introduction will be easily understood!
- State-of-the-Art Lesson Formats and Methods: Efficacy in learning is our highest priority. You will have access to learning tools that were carefully developed by learning specialists over more than a decade! We use only well-researched, proven lesson formats and teaching methods to ensure fast, accurate, fun and easy learning! Millions of happy subscribers can’t be wrong! Create a lifetime account with SwahiliPod101 for free access to many learning tools that are updated every week.
- Learn to Read and Write in Swahili: We don’t only teach you to speak, you can also learn to read and write in Swahili! This way you can express your Swahili introduction in more than one way and be thoroughly prepared.
- A Learning Plan that Suits your Pocket: SwahiliPod101 takes pride in making learning not only easy and fun, but also affordable. Opening a lifetime account for free will offer you a free seven-day trial, after which you can join with an option that suits your needs and means. Learning Swahili has never been easier or more affordable! Even choosing only the ‘Basic’ option will give you access to everything you need to learn Swahili effectively, like thousands of audio and video lessons! However, if you need to learn Swahili fast, the Premium and Premium Plus options will be good to consider, as both offer a vast number of extra tools to ensure efficient learning. This way you can be sure that you will reach your learning goal easily!
Whatever your needs are for learning Swahili, make sure to do it through SwahiliPod101, and you will never have to google: “How do I introduce myself in Swahili” again!
