Lesson 1: Classroom Instructions

Maagizo ya Darasani (Classroom Instructions)

• Basic Commands:

  • Rudia: repeat
  • Jibu: answer; respond
  • Uliza: ask

• Understanding and Questions:

  • Unaelewa?: do you understand?
  • Mnaelewa?: do you all understand?
  • Ndiyo: yes
  • La; Hapana: no
  • Swali: question
  • Mna swali?: does anyone have a question?
  • Mwalimu, nina swali: teacher, I have a question
  • Sielewi: I do not understand

• Listening and Speaking:

  • Sikiliza: listen (singular)
  • Sikilizeni: listen (plural)
  • Ongea/Zungumza/Sema: speak
  • Tafadhali, ongea/zungumza/sema katika Kiingereza: please, speak in English
  • Tafadhali, ongea/zungumza/sema katika Kiswahili: please, speak in Swahili
  • Tafadhali, ongea/zungumza/sema polepole: please, speak slowly
  • Haraka: fast
  • Tafadhali, ongea/zumgumza/sema haraka: please, speak quicker

• Actions and Movement:

  • Simama: stand
  • Tafadhali, simama: please, stand
  • Keti/Kaa: sit
  • Tafadhali, keti/kaa: please, sit
  • Kusanya karatasi: collect paper
  • Tafadhali, kusanya karatasi: please, collect the papers
  • Leta: bring
  • Tafadhali, leta karatasi: please, bring the papers
  • Enda: go
  • Tafadhali, enda: please, go
  • Tazama: look
  • Funga kitabu: close the book
  • Fungua kitabu: open the book
  • Tafadhali, fungua mlango: please, open the door
  • Tafadhali, funga mlango: please, close the door

• Politeness:

  • Tafadhali: please
  • Nyamaza: be quiet (singular)
  • Nyamazeni: be quiet (plural)
  • Samahani: pardon; excuse me
  • Samahani, mwalimu, nina swali: excuse me, teacher, I have a question

• Commands for Tasks:

  • Taja: mention
  • Tamka: pronounce
  • Soma: read; study
  • Andika: write
  • Andika kwa Kiswahili: write in Swahili
  • Jaribu tena: try again
  • Jaribu tena tafadhali: try again please

• Expressions and Phrases:

  • Kumbuka: remember (singular)
  • Mnakumbuka: remember (plural)
  • Karibu: welcome
  • “Crying” ni nini kwa Kiswahili?: What is "crying" in Swahili?
  • Tafsiri: translate
  • Chemsha bongo: brain teaser
  • Sijui: I do not know
  • Kwaheri: goodbye
  • Kwaheri, tutaonana kesho: goodbye, hope to see you tomorrow
  • Kwaheri, tutaonana baadaye: goodbye, hope to see you later
  • Asante: thank you
  • Asante sana: thank you very much
  • Njoo: come
  • Tafadhali, njoo: please, come

• Compliments and Feedback:

  • Vizuri: good
  • Vizuri sana: very good
  • Wewe ni mzuri: You are good
  • Wewe ni mbaya: You are bad
  • Kazi nzuri: good work

• Class Activities:

  • Kazi ya nyumbani: homework
  • Leo tutasoma _____.: Today we will learn _____.
  • Jana tulisoma nini?: What did we learn/study yesterday?
  • Leo tumesoma nini?: What have we learned/studied today?