INTRODUCTION |
In this lesson, we’ll introduce you to some more useful phrases for hotels and other types of accommodation. Let’s get started! |
BODY |
The first phrase is “What time is checkout?” In Swahili, this is |
Saa ya kutoka ni saa ngapi? |
Let’s break it down: |
(slow) Saa ya kutoka ni saa ngapi? |
Once more: |
Saa ya kutoka ni saa ngapi? |
The first word, saa, means “time.” |
(slow) saa |
saa |
ya is the preposition “for.” |
(slow) ya |
ya |
It’s followed with kutoka, which literally means “to leave”, but in this case it implies “check out.” |
(slow) kutoka |
kutoka |
The next phrase ni saa ngapi? which means “is what time” |
Breaking this down, we will have ni, which means “is” |
ni, |
(slow) ni, |
ni, |
saa is a familiar word meaning “time” |
saa |
(slow) saa |
saa |
The word ngapi in this context means “what” |
ngapi |
(slow) ngapi |
ngapi |
These become |
ni saa ngapi? |
(slow) ni saa ngapi? |
ni saa ngapi? |
All together: |
(slow) Saa ya kutoka ni saa ngapi? |
Saa ya kutoka ni saa ngapi? |
“What time is check out?” |
Let’s try to ask, “Can I have some soap?” This is |
Naomba sabuni. |
Let’s break it down: |
(slow) Naomba sabuni. |
Once more: |
Naomba sabuni. |
The first word, naomba, literally means “ I ask” But whenever it’s used, it implies a request, “may I.” |
(slow) naomba |
naomba |
and the last word sabuni which means ‘soap?’ |
(slow) sabuni |
sabuni |
All together it is |
(slow) Naomba sabuni. |
Naomba sabuni. |
Here are some additional things you may ask for when you are staying in a hotel. |
taulo “Towel” |
(slow) taulo |
taulo |
mswaki “Toothbrush” |
(slow) mswaki |
mswaki |
dawa ya meno “Toothpaste” |
(slow) dawa ya meno |
dawa ya meno |
shampu “Shampoo” |
(slow) shampu |
shampu |
You can use these words in the sentence above by replacing the noun sabuni. And don’t forget to add tafadhali meaning “please” in order to be polite at the end of the sentence. |
Comments
Hide