This is a basic guide to what I consider the essential parts of learning a language. This is not intended to be authoritative or exhaustive by any measure—the goal is just to provide the most efficient route possible to "get by" with a new language.
An important stylistic point to recognize in using this guide is that translations have been provided to match the intention of a words and phrases as opposed to the literal meanings. Notes are provided where the literal meanings deviate noticeably.
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bye | 再见 zài jiàn |
مع السلام
lit. with peace |
Adiós |
再見
zoi3 gin3 |
Kwaheri | Au revoir | пока | Ciao | Bye | ||
| Good evening | 晚上好 wǎn shàng hǎo | مساء الخير | Buenas noches |
晚上好
maan5 soeng6 hou2 |
Habari za jioni
lit. news of the evening |
Bonne soirée | Добрый вечер | Buonasera | Good evening | ||
| Good morning | 早上好 zǎo shàng hǎo | صباح الخير | Buenos días |
早晨
zou2 san4 |
Habari za asubuhi
lit. news of the morning |
Bonjour | Доброе утро | Buongiorno | Good morning | ||
| Have a good day! | siku njema! | Have a good day! | |||||||||
| Hi | 你好 nǐ hǎo |
السلام عليكم
lit. peace be upon you |
Hola |
你好
nei5 hou2 |
Hujambo
lit. you have no issues |
Bonjour | привет | Ciao | Hi | ||
| How's it going? | 怎么样? zěn me yàng |
شو أخبارك؟
lit. what's your news? |
Cómo estás?
lit. how are you? |
你點呀?
nei5 dim2 aa3 |
Habari gani?
lit. what's the news? |
Comment ça va? |
Как дела?
lit. how are you? |
Come stai? | How's it going? | ||
| I'm Daniel | 我叫 Daniel wǒ jiào Daniel , lit. I'm called Daniel |
اسمي دانيال
lit. My name is Daniel |
Soy Daniel |
我叫 Daniel
ngo5 giu3 Daniel , lit. I'm called Daniel |
Ninaitwa Daniel
lit. I'm called Daniel |
Je suis Daniel | Я Даниэль | Mi chiamo Daniel | I'm Daniel | ||
| See you later | 待会儿见 dài huìer jiàn | شوفك بعدين |
Hasta luego
lit. until then |
遲啲見
ci4 di1 gin3 |
Tutaonana baadaye | A plus tard | Увидимся | Ci vediamo | See you later |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| a little | 一点 yī dǐan | شوي | un poco |
少少
siu2 siu2 |
kidogo | un peu | un po | a little | |||
| a lot | 很多 hěn dūo | كتير | mucho |
好多
hou2 do1 |
mengi | beaucoup | molto | a lot | |||
| always | siempre | kawaida | toujours | sempre | always | ||||||
| good | 好 hǎo | كويس | bien |
好
hou2 |
nzuri | bon | хорошо | buono | good | ||
| maybe | 可能 kě néng | tal vez |
可能
ho2 nang4 |
labda | peut être | forse | maybe | ||||
| never | nunca | kamwe | jamais | mai | never | ||||||
| no | 不是 bú shì , lit. is not. See note for 是. | لا | no |
唔係
m4 hai6 , lit. is not. See note for 係. |
hapana | non | Нет | no | no | ||
| not good | 不好 bù hǎo | مش كويس | no bueno |
唔好
m4 hou2 |
si nzuri | pas bon | не хорошо | non buono | not good | ||
| nothing | nada | hakuna kitu | rien | niente | nothing | ||||||
| ok | 好 hǎo , lit. good | طيب | bueno |
好
hou2, lit. good |
sawa
lit. equal, same |
d'accord | va bene | ok | |||
| please | 请 qǐng |
لو سمحت
lit. if you allow it. |
por favor |
請
ceng2 |
tafadhali |
s'il vous plaît
lit. if it pleases you |
per favore | please | |||
| something | algo | chochote | quelque chose | qualcosa | something | ||||||
| sometimes | a veces | mara kwa mara | parfois | a volte | sometimes | ||||||
| thanks | 谢谢 xiè xiè | شكرا | gracias |
唔該
m4 goi1 . Also 多謝 (do1 ze6), though only when thanking someone for a gift |
asante | merci | grazie | thanks | |||
| that | 那个 | (f) هَدَاكْ / هَدِيكْ (m) | ese (m) / esa (f) |
嗰個
go2 go3 |
hiyo
Same note applies from "hii" |
ce / cette
ce is used for masculine nouns and cette for feminine nouns |
quello (m) / quella (f) | that | |||
| this | 这个 zhè ge |
هذا/هاي
هذا is used for masculine nouns and هاي for feminine nouns |
este/esta
este is used for masculine nouns and esta for feminine nouns |
呢個
ni1 go3 |
hii
Note there are nine different variations of "this" depending on noun class |
ce/cette
ce is used for masculine nouns and cette for feminine nouns |
questo/questa
questo is used for masculine nouns and questa for feminine nouns |
this | |||
| very | 很 hěn | كتير | muy |
好
hou2, lit. good |
sana | très | очень | molto | very | ||
| yes | 是 shì , lit. "is". Note Mandarin does not have words for yes/no, so responses depend on the question being asked. | إيوه | sí |
係
hai6 , lit. "is". Same note applies as for Mandarin. |
ndiyo | oui | да | sì | yes |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Do you speak [language]? | 你会讲中文吗？ nǐ huì jiǎng zhōng wén ma? | بتحكي عربي؟ | Hablas español? |
你識講廣東話呀?
nei5 sik1 gong2 gwong2 dung1 waa2 a1? |
Unasema Kiswahili? | Parlez-vous français? | Вы говорите по-русски? | Parla italiano? | Do you speak [language]? | ||
| English | 英文 yīng wén | انجليزي | Inglés | Kiingereza | anglais | inglese | English | ||||
| How do you say ... in [language]? | ... 中文怎么说？ ... zhōng wén zěn me shuō? | كيف تحكي... بالعربي؟ | ¿Cómo se dice ... en español? | Unasemaje ... kwa Kiswahili? | Comment dit-on ... en français? | Come si dice ... in italiano? | How do you say ... in [language]? | ||||
| I am ... years old. | عندي ... سنة |
Tengo ... años
lit. I have ... years |
Nina umri wa miaka ...
lit. I have years of age ... |
J'ai ... ans
lit. I have ... years |
Ho ... anni
lit. I have ... years |
I am ... years old. | |||||
| I am [nationality] | 我是中国人 wǒ shì zhōng guó rén, lit. I am China person | أنا عرب | Soy mexicano | Mimi ni mkenya | Je suis français | Sono italiano | I am [nationality] | ||||
| I don't have | 我没有 wǒ meí yoǔ | ما عندي | no tengo | sina | je ne ai pas | non ho | I don't have | ||||
| I don't know | 我不知道 wǒ bù zhī dào | ما بأعرف | No sé | Sijui | Je ne sais pas | Non lo so | I don't know | ||||
| I don't understand | 听不懂 tīng bù dǒng | ما بفهم | No entiendo |
聽(唔)懂
teng1 m4 dung2 |
Sifahamu | Je ne comprends pas | Non capisco | I don't understand | |||
| I go | 我去 wǒ qù | بروح | voy | ninaenda | je vais | vado | I go | ||||
| I have | 我有 wǒ yǒu | عندي | tengo |
我有
ngo5 jau5 |
Nina | J'ai | ho | I have | |||
| I'm from ... | ... انا من | Soy de ... | Natoka ... |
Je viens de ...
lit. I come from |
Vengo da ...
lit. I come from |
I'm from ... | |||||
| I'm hungry. | أنا جوعان | tengo hambre |
Nina njaa
lit. I have hunger |
J'ai faim
lit. I have hunger |
Ho fame
lit. I have hunger |
I'm hungry. | |||||
| Is that all right? | 好不好？ hǎo bù hǎo, lit. good not good? | هذا طيب؟ | ¿Está bien? |
Ni sawa?
lit. Is it equal? |
Est-ce bien? | Va bene? | Is that all right? | ||||
| Is there ...? | 有没有。。。？ yǒu méi yǒu | ¿Hay ...? | Kuna ...? | y at-il ...? | C'è ...? | Is there ...? | |||||
| Nice to meet you | Mucho gusto | Nafurahi kukuona | Enchanté | Piacere di conoscerti | Nice to meet you | ||||||
| What is that? | 那个是什么 Nèi ge shì shén me? | ¿Que es eso? | Hiyo ni nini? | Qu'est-ce que c'est? | Cos'è quello? | What is that? | |||||
| What time is it? | ¿Que hora es? | Ni saa ngapi? | Quelle heure est-il? | Che ora è? | What time is it? | ||||||
| What's your name? | 你叫什么名字？ nǐ jiào shén me míng zì?, lit. you're called what name | ¿Cuál es su nombre? |
Unaitwa nani?
lit. you called who? |
Comment t'appelles tu? | Come ti chiami? | What's your name? | |||||
| again | encore | again | |||||||||
| excuse me | 对不起 duì bù qǐ, lit. sorry | عفوا |
perdón
lit. pardon |
對唔住
deoi3 m4 zyu6, lit. sorry |
pole
lit. sorry, also samahani |
excusez-moi | scusi | excuse me | |||
| for example | par exemple | for example | |||||||||
| help | 帮助 bāng zhù | ayuda | msaada | l'aide | aiuto | help | |||||
| here | 这里 zhè lǐ | هون | aquí |
呢度
ni1 dou6 |
hapa | ici | qui | here | |||
| ma'am | señora |
bibi
lit. grandma, also "sista" in Kenya |
madame | signora | ma'am | ||||||
| of course | claro | bila shaka | bien sûr | certamente | of course | ||||||
| restroom | 洗手间 xǐ shǒu jiān, lit. handwashing room |
الحمام
lit. bath |
el baño
lit. bath |
洗手間
sai2 sau2 gaan1, lit. handwashing room |
vyoo
lit. toilet |
les toilettes
lit. the toilets |
gabinetti | restroom | |||
| sir | señor | bwana | monsieur | signore | sir | ||||||
| sorry | désolé | sorry | |||||||||
| there | 那里 nà lǐ | هناك | allí |
嗰度
go2 dou6 |
huko | là-bas | là | there | |||
| there is not | 没有 méi yǒu | no hay | Hakuna | il n'y a pas | non c'è | there is not |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| How long? | 多长时间？ duō cháng shí jiān | Muda gani? | Combien de temps? | Quanto tempo? | How long? | ||||||
| How much? | 多少？ duō shǎo | قديش | Ngapi? | Combien? | Quanto? | How much? | |||||
| How? | 怎么？ zěn me | كيف | Vipi? | Comment? | Come? | How? | |||||
| What? | 什么？ shé me? | شو | Nini? | Quoi? | Che cosa? | What? | |||||
| When? | 什么时候？ shén me shí hòu | امتى | Lini? | Quand? | Quando? | When? | |||||
| Where is ...? | ... 在哪里？ | وين ...؟ | Donde está ...? |
... 喺邊度?
hai6 bin1 dou6 |
... iko wapi? | Où est ...? | Dov'è ...? | Where is ...? | |||
| Which? | 哪一个？ nǎ yī gè, lit. which one | Gani? | Quel? | Quale? | Which? | ||||||
| Who? | 谁？ sheǐ | مين | Nani? | Qui? | Chi? | Who? | |||||
| Why? | 为什么？ wèi shé me? | لش | Kwa nini? | Pourquoi? | Perché? | Why? | |||||
| how far? | jinsi mbali | à quelle distance | how far? | ||||||||
| question | swali | la question | domanda | question |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | 我 wǒ | mimi | io | I | |||||||
| he | 他 tā | yeye | lui | he | |||||||
| her | 她的 tā de |
-ake
prefix consonant determined by noun class |
suo | her | |||||||
| his | 他的 tā de |
-ake
prefix consonant determined by noun class |
suo | his | |||||||
| my | 我的 wǒ de |
-angu
prefix consonant determined by noun class |
mio
can also be mia, miei, or mie depending on object |
my | |||||||
| our | 我们的 wǒ mén de |
-etu
prefix consonant determined by noun class |
nostro | our | |||||||
| she | 她 tā | yeye | lei | she | |||||||
| their | 他们的 tā mén de | -ao | loro | their | |||||||
| they | 他们 tā mén | wao | loro | they | |||||||
| we | 我们 wǒ mén | sisi | noi | we | |||||||
| you | 你 nǐ | wewe | tu | you | |||||||
| you all | 你们 nǐ mén | ninya | voi | you all | |||||||
| your | 你的 nǐ de |
-ako
prefix consonant determined by noun class |
tuo | your | |||||||
| your (plural) | 你们的 nǐ mén de |
-enu
prefix consonant determined by noun class |
vostro | your (plural) |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I buy | 我买 wǒ mǎi | بشتري | compro | ninanunua | j'achète | compro | I buy | ||||
| I come | بجي | vengo | ninakuja | je viens | vengo | I come | |||||
| I do | بسوّي | hago | ninafanya | je fais | I do | ||||||
| I drink | 我喝 wǒ hē | بشرب | tomo | ninakunywa | je bois | bevo | I drink | ||||
| I eat | 我吃 wǒ chī | بأكل | como | ninakula | je mange | mangio | I eat | ||||
| I know | 我知道 wǒ zhī dào | بعرف | sé |
我知道
ngo5 zi1 dou6 |
ninajua | je sais | so | I know | |||
| I learn | j'apprends | I learn | |||||||||
| I like | بحب |
me gusta
lit. it pleases me |
ninapenda |
j'aime
also I love |
Mi piace | I like | |||||
| I need | 我需要 wǒ xū yào | لازم | necesito | ninahitaji | je dois | devo | I need | ||||
| I speak | بحكي | hablo | ninasema | je parle | parlo | I speak | |||||
| I understand | 听不懂 tīng dǒng | بفهم | entiendo |
聽懂
teng1 dung2 |
ninafahamu | je comprends | capisco | I understand | |||
| I want | 我要 wǒ yào | بدي | quiero |
我要
ngo5 jiu1 |
ninataka | je veux | voglio | I want | |||
| I'm able to | 我能 wǒ néng; note that 会 (huì) is also very commonly used to express knowing how to do something | بقدر | puedo | ninaweza | je peux | posso | I'm able to |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I am | 我是 wǒ shì |
أنا
Note there is no present form of the verb to be, it is simply implied |
mimi ni | je suis | sono | I am | |||||
| I talk | بحكي | hablo | ninaongea | je parle | parlo | I talk | |||||
| he talks | بيحكي | habla | anaongea | il parle | parla | he talks | |||||
| they are | ils sont | sono | they are | ||||||||
| to talk | لأحكي | hablar | kuongea | parler | parlare | to talk | |||||
| we are | nous sommes | siamo | we are | ||||||||
| we talk | بنحكي | hablamos | tunaongea | nous parlons | parliamo | we talk | |||||
| you are | wewe ni | vous êtes | sei | you are | |||||||
| you talk | بتحكي | hablas | unaongea | vous parlez | parli | you talk |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eight | 八 bā | nane | otto | eight | |||||||
| eighty | 八十 bā shí | themanini | ottanta | eighty | |||||||
| eleven | 十一 shí yī | kumi na moja | undici | eleven | |||||||
| fifty | 五十 wǔ shí | hamsini | cinquanta | fifty | |||||||
| five | 五 wǔ | tano | cinque | five | |||||||
| forty | 四十 sì shí | arobaini | quaranta | forty | |||||||
| four | 四 sì | nne | quattro | four | |||||||
| nine | 九 jiǔ | tisa | nove | nine | |||||||
| ninety | 九十 jiǔ shí | tisini | novanta | ninety | |||||||
| one | 一 yī | moja | uno | one | |||||||
| one hundred | 一百 yī baǐ | mia moja | cento | one hundred | |||||||
| one hundred and one | 一百一 yī baǐ yī | mia moja na moja | centouno | one hundred and one | |||||||
| one hundred thousand | 十万 shí wàn | laki | centomila | one hundred thousand | |||||||
| one thousand | 一千 yī qiān | elfu moja | mille | one thousand | |||||||
| seven | 七 qī | saba | sette | seven | |||||||
| seventy | 七十 qī shí | sabini | settanta | seventy | |||||||
| six | 六 liù | sita | sei | six | |||||||
| sixty | 六十 liù shí | sitini | sessanta | sixty | |||||||
| ten | 十 shǐ | kumi | dieci | ten | |||||||
| ten thousand | 一万 yī wàn | elfu kumi | diecimila | ten thousand | |||||||
| thirty | 三十 sān shí | thelathini | trenta | thirty | |||||||
| three | 三 sān | tatu | tre | three | |||||||
| three hundred and thirty five | 三百三十五 sān shí sān shí wǔ | mia tatu kumi tatu na tano | trecentotrentacinque | three hundred and thirty five | |||||||
| twenty | 二十 èr shí | ishirni | venti | twenty | |||||||
| two | 二 èr | mbili | due | two |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bad | 坏 lit. evil | سي | malo | mbaya | cattivo | bad | |||||
| best | أحسن | el mejor | nzuri kuliko wote | migliore | best | ||||||
| better | أحسن | mejor | nzuri kuliko | meglio | better | ||||||
| big | 大 dà | كبير | grande |
大
daai6 |
mkubwa | grand | grande | big | |||
| cheap | 便宜 pián yí | رخيص | barato | nafuu | economico | cheap | |||||
| closed | مسكر | cerrado |
kufungwa
lit. to close |
chiuso | closed | ||||||
| cold | 冷 lěng | برد | frío | baridi | freddo | cold | |||||
| different | مختلف | diferente | tofauti | differente | different | ||||||
| earlier | بكير | temprano | mapema | prima | earlier | ||||||
| expensive | 贵 guì | غالي | caro | ghali | caro | expensive | |||||
| far | 远 yuǎn | بعيد | lejos | mbali | lontano | far | |||||
| fast | 快 kuài | سريع | rápido | mbio | rapido | fast | |||||
| hot | 热 rè | حار | caliente | moto | caldo | hot | |||||
| later | بعدين | luego | baadaye | dopo | later | ||||||
| less | اقل | menos | kidogo zaidi | meno | less | ||||||
| more | اكثر | más | zaidi | più | more | ||||||
| near | 近 jìn | قريب | cerca | karibu | vicino | near | |||||
| only | 只 zhǐ | بس | sólo | tu | solo | only | |||||
| open | مفتوح | abierto |
kufungua
lit. to open |
aperto | open | ||||||
| same | نفس | mismo | sawa | stesso | same | ||||||
| sick | مريض | enfermo | mgonjwa | malato | sick | ||||||
| slow | 慢 màn | بطي | lento | polepole | lento | slow | |||||
| small | 小 xǐao | صغير | pequeño |
小
siu2 |
mdogo | petit | piccolo | small |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| accent | lafudhi | accent | |||||||||
| address | anuani | address | |||||||||
| airplane | طائرة | ndege | aeroplano | airplane | |||||||
| airport | مطار | aeropuerto | uwanja wa ndege | aeroporto | airport | ||||||
| behind | 后边 hoù biān | ورا | detrás | nyuma | dietro | behind | |||||
| boat | سفينة | barco | mashua | barca | boat | ||||||
| building | 楼 lóu | بناية | jengo | edificio | building | ||||||
| car | سيارة | carro | gari | auto | car | ||||||
| city | مدينة | ciudad | mji | città | city | ||||||
| clothes | nguo | clothes | |||||||||
| country | بلد | país | nchi | nazione | country | ||||||
| culture | ثقافة | utamaduni | cultura | culture | |||||||
| east | شرق | mashariki | est | east | |||||||
| entrance | مدخل | mlango | entrata | entrance | |||||||
| exit | مخرج | kutoka | uscita | exit | |||||||
| foreigner | mgeni | foreigner | |||||||||
| guest | guest | ||||||||||
| hospital | مستشفى | hospitali | ospedale | hospital | |||||||
| hotel | فندق | hotel | hoteli | albergo | hotel | ||||||
| island | kisiwa | island | |||||||||
| keys | funguo | keys | |||||||||
| left | 左边 zuǒ biān |
يسار
also شمال |
izquierda | kushoto | sinistra | left | |||||
| life | حياة | maisha | vita | life | |||||||
| light | نور | nuru | luce | light | |||||||
| luggage | mizigo | luggage | |||||||||
| north | شمال | kaskazini | nord | north | |||||||
| pants | suruali | pants | |||||||||
| passport | جواز سفر | pasipoti | passaporto | passport | |||||||
| place | مكان | mahali | posto | place | |||||||
| police | polisi | police | |||||||||
| right | 右边 yoù biān | يمين | derecha | kulia | destra | right | |||||
| room | غرفة | cuarto | chumba | stanza | room | ||||||
| shirt | shati | shirt | |||||||||
| shower |
kuoga
also verb |
shower | |||||||||
| south | جنوب | kusini | sud | south | |||||||
| station | 站 zhàn | محطة | estación | stesheni | stazione | station | |||||
| straight | 前边 qián biān | دغري | todo recto | mbele | sempre diritto | straight | |||||
| street | 路 lù | شارع | barabara | strada | street | ||||||
| ticket | el boleto | tiketi | le ticket | ticket | |||||||
| traffic | trafiki | traffic | |||||||||
| train | el tren | treni | le train | train | |||||||
| vacation | likizo | vacation | |||||||||
| visa | visa | visa | |||||||||
| west | غرب | magharibi | ovest | west | |||||||
| world | عالم | dunia | mondo | world |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| How much is this? | 这个多少钱？ zhè ge duō shǎo qián , lit. How much money for this? | قديش هذه؟ |
Pesa ngapi hii?
lit. How much money for this? |
Quanto costa questo? | How much is this? | ||||||
| bank | بنك | benki | bank | ||||||||
| cheaper please | 请便宜一点 qǐng pián yí yī diǎn | أرخص أكثر لو سمحت | nafuu zaidi tafadhali | più economico per favore | cheaper please | ||||||
| credit card | كريدت كارد | kadi ya mkopo | credit card | ||||||||
| free | مجانا | bure | gratis | free | |||||||
| gift | هدية | zawadi | gift | ||||||||
| market | 市场 shì chǎng | سوق | soko | mercato | market | ||||||
| money | 钱 qían | فلوس | dinero | pesa | denaro | money | |||||
| store | 店 diàn | دكان | duka | negozio | store | ||||||
| too expensive | 太贵了 taì guì le | غالي أكثر | demasiado caro | ghali mno | troppo caro | too expensive | |||||
| type | نوع | aina | tipo | type |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| beef | 牛肉 niú ròu, lit. cow meat |
nyama ya ng'ombe
lit. meat of cow |
manzo | beef | |||||||
| beer | 啤酒 pí jiǔ | بيرة | la cerveza |
啤酒
be1 zau2 |
pombe
also means alcohol more generally |
la bière | birra | beer | |||
| bill | 账单 zhàng dān | bili | conto | bill | |||||||
| bowl | bakuli | bowl | |||||||||
| bread | mkate | pane | bread | ||||||||
| breakfast | 早饭 zǎo fàn | kifungua kinywa | colazione | breakfast | |||||||
| butter | siagi | burro | butter | ||||||||
| chair | kiti | chair | |||||||||
| cheese | jibini | formaggio | cheese | ||||||||
| chicken | 鸡 jī | kuku | pollo | chicken | |||||||
| chopsticks | 筷子 kuài zi | chopsticks | |||||||||
| coffee | 咖啡 kā fēi | قهوة | el café |
咖啡
gaa3 fe1 |
kahawa | caffè | coffee | ||||
| cup | 杯子 bēi zi | kikombe | tazza | cup | |||||||
| dinner | 晚饭 wǎn fàn | chakula za jioni | cena | dinner | |||||||
| egg | yai | uovo | egg | ||||||||
| enjoy your food | 慢慢吃 màn màn chī, lit. eat slowly | unafurahia chakula chako |
bon appétit
lit. good appetite |
buon appetito!
lit. good appetite |
enjoy your food | ||||||
| fish | 鱼 yú | samaki | pesce | fish | |||||||
| food | 饭 fàn, lit. rice | chakula | cibo | food | |||||||
| food is delicious | 很好吃 hěn hǎo chī, lit. very good to eat | chakula ni kitamu | cibo è delizioso | food is delicious | |||||||
| fork | 叉子 chā zi | uma | forchetta | fork | |||||||
| fried | kukaanga | fritto | fried | ||||||||
| fruit | matunda | fruit | |||||||||
| goat | 羊 yáng | mbuzi | capra | goat | |||||||
| grilled | kuchoma | grigliato | grilled | ||||||||
| juice | juisi | juice | |||||||||
| kitchen | jikoni | kitchen | |||||||||
| knife | 刀 dāo | kisu | coltello | knife | |||||||
| lunch | 午饭 wǔ fàn | chakula za mchana | pranzo | lunch | |||||||
| meal | meal | ||||||||||
| meat | 肉 ròu | nyama | carne | meat | |||||||
| milk | maziwa | latte | milk | ||||||||
| plate | 盘子 pán zi | sahani | piatto | plate | |||||||
| pork | 猪肉 zhū ròu, lit. pig meat |
nyama ya nguruwe
lit. meat of pig |
maiale | pork | |||||||
| restaurant | 餐馆 cān guǎn | mgahawa | ristorante | restaurant | |||||||
| rice | wali | riso | rice | ||||||||
| salt | chumvi | salt | |||||||||
| sauce | mchuzi | salsa | sauce | ||||||||
| soup | supu | soup | |||||||||
| spicy | pilipili | spicy | |||||||||
| spoon | 勺子 shāo zi | kijiko | cucchiaio | spoon | |||||||
| sugar | sukari | zucchero | sugar | ||||||||
| table | 桌子 zhūo zi | meza | tavolo | table | |||||||
| takeout | takeout | ||||||||||
| tea | 茶 chá | شاي | el té |
茶
caa4 |
chai | tè | tea | ||||
| trash | takataka | rifiuti | trash | ||||||||
| vegetables | 菜 cài | mboga | verdura | vegetables | |||||||
| water | 水 shuǐ | ميّ | el agua |
水
seoi2 |
maji | l'eau | acqua | water |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aunt | shangazi | aunt | |||||||||
| boy | mvulana | boy | |||||||||
| boyfriend | mpenzi | boyfriend | |||||||||
| brother | kaka | brother | |||||||||
| children | watoto | bambini | children | ||||||||
| dad | baba | papà | dad | ||||||||
| daughter | binti | daughter | |||||||||
| doctor | daktari | medico | doctor | ||||||||
| family | familia | famiglia | family | ||||||||
| foot | mguu | foot | |||||||||
| friend | amigo | rafiki | amico | friend | |||||||
| girl | msichana | girl | |||||||||
| girlfriend | mpenzi | girlfriend | |||||||||
| grandma | bibi | grandma | |||||||||
| grandpa | babu | grandpa | |||||||||
| hair | nywele | hair | |||||||||
| head | kichwa | head | |||||||||
| husband | mume | marito | husband | ||||||||
| love | mapenzi | love | |||||||||
| man | mwanaume | uomo | man | ||||||||
| mom | mama | mamma | mom | ||||||||
| people | watu | people | |||||||||
| person | mtu | persona | person | ||||||||
| sister | dada | sister | |||||||||
| son | mwana | figlio | son | ||||||||
| tourist | mtalii | tourist | |||||||||
| uncle | mjomba | uncle | |||||||||
| wife | mke | moglie | wife | ||||||||
| woman | mwanamke | donna | woman |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I arrive | بصل | llego | ninafika | I arrive | |||||||
| I ask | ninauliza | I ask | |||||||||
| I bring | بجيب | traigo | ninaleta | I bring | |||||||
| I change | ninabadili | I change | |||||||||
| I cook | بطبخ | cocino | ninapika | I cook | |||||||
| I dance | ninacheza | I dance | |||||||||
| I drive | بسوق | manejo | ninaendesha | I drive | |||||||
| I finish | بخلص | termino | ninamaliza | I finish | |||||||
| I forget | بنسى | olvido | ninasahu | I forget | |||||||
| I give | بعطي | doy | ninatoa | I give | |||||||
| I hear | بسمع | oigo | ninasikia | I hear | |||||||
| I help | I help | ||||||||||
| I hope | بتمنى | espero | ninatumaini | I hope | |||||||
| I improve | ninaboresha | I improve | |||||||||
| I leave | بروح | me voy | ninaondoka | I leave | |||||||
| I listen | بستمع | escucho | ninasikiliza | I listen | |||||||
| I look at | 我看 wǒ kàn | بشوف | miro | ninaangalia | I look at | ||||||
| I pay | بدفع | pago | ninalipa | I pay | |||||||
| I read | بقرأ | leo | ninasoma | I read | |||||||
| I receive | ninapata | I receive | |||||||||
| I recommend | بوصي | recomiendo | ninapendekeza | I recommend | |||||||
| I remember | بتذكر | recuerdo | ninakumbuka | I remember | |||||||
| I repeat | بكرر | repito | ninarudia | I repeat | |||||||
| I reside | بسكن | vivo | ninaishi | I reside | |||||||
| I return | برجع | vuelvo | ninarudi | I return | |||||||
| I run | ninakimbia | I run | |||||||||
| I search | ninatafuta | I search | |||||||||
| I see | 我看 wǒ kàn | بشوف | veo | ninaona | I see | ||||||
| I sell | ninauza | I sell | |||||||||
| I sit | بقعد | siento | ninakaa | I sit | |||||||
| I sleep | بنام | duermo | ninalala | I sleep | |||||||
| I start | ببدأ | empiezo | ninaanza | I start | |||||||
| I stay | بقعد | quedo | ninakaa | I stay | |||||||
| I study | ninasoma | I study | |||||||||
| I talk | بحكي | hablo | ninaongea | I talk | |||||||
| I teach | ninafundisha | I teach | |||||||||
| I think | بفكر |
pienso
note verb "creer" used for "to believe" |
ninadhani | I think | |||||||
| I translate | ninatafsiri | I translate | |||||||||
| I travel | بسافر | viajo | ninasafiri | I travel | |||||||
| I try | I try | ||||||||||
| I use | بستخدم | uso | ninatumia | I use | |||||||
| I visit | ninatembelea | I visit | |||||||||
| I wait | بنتظر | espero | ninasubiri | I wait | |||||||
| I walk | 我走 wǒ zǒu | بمشي | camino | ninatembea | I walk | ||||||
| I was born | ولدت | nací | nilizaliwa | I was born | |||||||
| I wash | ninanawa | I wash | |||||||||
| I write | بكتب | escribo | ninaandika | I write |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| about | sobre | kuhusu | sur | about | |||||||
| above | arriba | juu ya | above | ||||||||
| after | después | baada | dopo | after | |||||||
| and | y | na | e | and | |||||||
| because | عشان | porque | kwa sababu | perché | because | ||||||
| before | antes | kabla | prima | before | |||||||
| below | abajo | chini ya | below | ||||||||
| beside | kando ya | beside | |||||||||
| between | entre | baina ya | between | ||||||||
| from | de | toka | from | ||||||||
| hopefully | ojalá | kwa matumainio | hopefully | ||||||||
| if | si | kama | if | ||||||||
| in | en |
katika
also kwenye, though both are only used in preposition to a noun with adjectives; otherwise just add -ni suffix to noun |
in | ||||||||
| inside | dentro | ndani | inside | ||||||||
| like (comparative) | como | kama | like (comparative) | ||||||||
| or | or | ||||||||||
| outside | afuera | nje | outside | ||||||||
| so | así que | basi | so | ||||||||
| still | لسّا | todavía | bado | still | |||||||
| then | entonces | halafu | then | ||||||||
| therefore | por lo tanto | kwa hiyo | quindi | therefore | |||||||
| until | hasta | hata | until | ||||||||
| while | لمّا | mientras |
nilipokuwa
lit. "While I was" |
while | |||||||
| with | con | na | con | with | |||||||
| without | sin | bila | without |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | viernes | Ijumaa | Friday | ||||||||
| Monday | lunes | Jumatatu | Monday | ||||||||
| Saturday | sábado | Jumamosi | Saturday | ||||||||
| Sunday | domingo | Jumapili | Sunday | ||||||||
| Thursday | jueves | Alhamisi | Thursday | ||||||||
| Tuesday | martes | Jumanne | Tuesday | ||||||||
| Wednesday | miércoles | Jumatano | Wednesday | ||||||||
| afternoon | tarde | mchana | pomeriggio | afternoon | |||||||
| autumn | autumn | ||||||||||
| beginning | principio | mwanzo | inizio | beginning | |||||||
| day | día | siku | giorno | day | |||||||
| end | fin | mwisho | fine | end | |||||||
| evening | noche | jioni | sera | evening | |||||||
| future | futuro | wakati ujao | future | ||||||||
| hour | hora | saa | ora | hour | |||||||
| last week | semana pasada | wiki iliyopita | last week | ||||||||
| minute | minuto | dakika | minuto | minute | |||||||
| month | mes | mwezi | mese | month | |||||||
| morning | mañana | asubuhi | mattina | morning | |||||||
| next week | próxima semana | wiki ijayo | next week | ||||||||
| night | noche | usiku | notte | night | |||||||
| now | ahora | sasa | adesso | now | |||||||
| past | pasado | zamani | past | ||||||||
| season | majira | season | |||||||||
| soon | pronto | upesi | soon | ||||||||
| spring | spring | ||||||||||
| summer | summer | ||||||||||
| time | tiempo | wakati | tempo | time | |||||||
| today | hoy | leo | oggi | today | |||||||
| tomorrow | بكرة | mañana | kesho | domani | tomorrow | ||||||
| week | semana | wiki | settimana | week | |||||||
| winter | winter | ||||||||||
| year | año | mwaka | anno | year | |||||||
| yesterday | امبارح | ayer | jana | ieri | yesterday |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I work for ... | ... أنا بشتغل | Nafanya kazi kwa ... | I work for ... | ||||||||
| bag | شنطة | mfuko | bag | ||||||||
| business | تجارة | biashara | affari | business | |||||||
| class | صف | darasa | class | ||||||||
| company | شركة | kampuni | compagnia | company | |||||||
| computer | kompyuta | computer | |||||||||
| history | تاريخ | historia | history | ||||||||
| internet | intaneti | internet | |||||||||
| lamp | lamp | ||||||||||
| language | لغة | lugha | lingua | language | |||||||
| meeting | إجتماع | mkutano | meeting | ||||||||
| objective | lengo | objective | |||||||||
| office | ofisi | office | |||||||||
| opinion | رأي | maoni | opinion | ||||||||
| opportunity | fursa | opportunity | |||||||||
| password | nywila | password | |||||||||
| practice | ممارسة | mazoezi | practice | ||||||||
| problem | مشكلة | tatizo | problema | problem | |||||||
| project | project | ||||||||||
| respect | احترام | heshima | respect | ||||||||
| schedule | ratiba | schedule | |||||||||
| school | مدرسة | shule | school | ||||||||
| student | mwanafunzi | student | |||||||||
| teacher | معلم | mwalimu | teacher | ||||||||
| university | جامعة | chuo kikuu | university | ||||||||
| word | كلمة | neno | word | ||||||||
| work | شغل | kazi | lavoro | work |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| air | hewa | air | |||||||||
| beach | pwani | spiaggia | beach | ||||||||
| cloud | wingu | cloud | |||||||||
| ice | barafu | ice | |||||||||
| ocean | bahari | oceano | ocean | ||||||||
| rain | mvua | rain | |||||||||
| sun | jua | sun | |||||||||
| weather |
hali ya hewa
lit. state of the air |
weather |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| basketball | mpira wa kikapu | basketball | |||||||||
| game | mchezo | game | |||||||||
| gym | mazoezi | gym | |||||||||
| music | muziki | music | |||||||||
| soccer | mpira wa miguu | soccer | |||||||||
| song | wimbo | song | |||||||||
| sound | sauti | sound | |||||||||
| sports | michezo | sports | |||||||||
| team | timu | team |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I had | I had | ||||||||||
| I talked | hable | niliongea | I talked | ||||||||
| I was |
estaba
conditional form; descriptive is "era" |
I was | |||||||||
| he talked | habló | he talked | |||||||||
| they talked | hablaron | they talked | |||||||||
| we talked | hablamos | we talked | |||||||||
| you all talked | hablaron | you all talked | |||||||||
| you had | you had | ||||||||||
| you talked | hablaste | you talked | |||||||||
| you were |
estabas
conditional; descriptive "eras" |
you were |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| alive | حي | vivo | hai | alive | |||||||
| all | كل | todos | wote | all | |||||||
| alone | وحده | solo |
peke yangu
lit. only myself |
alone | |||||||
| another | آخر | otro | nyingine | another | |||||||
| any | any | ||||||||||
| beautiful | nzuri | beautiful | |||||||||
| black | أسود | negro | nyeusi | black | |||||||
| blue | أزرق | azúl | samawati | blue | |||||||
| boring | nchoshi | boring | |||||||||
| busy | مشغول | ocupado | mashughuli | busy | |||||||
| careful | حذر | cuidado | makini | careful | |||||||
| clean | clean | ||||||||||
| color | لون | color | rangi | color | |||||||
| dangerous | خطير | peligroso | hatari | dangerous | |||||||
| dead | ميت | muerto | wafu | dead | |||||||
| difficult | صعب | difícil | ngumu | difficult | |||||||
| dirty | dirty | ||||||||||
| easy | سهل | fácil | rahisi | easy | |||||||
| enough | كفاية | suficiente |
inatosha
lit. it is enough |
enough | |||||||
| entirely |
كلو
lit. all of them |
enteramente | kabisa | entirely | |||||||
| every | كل | todo | kila | every | |||||||
| exactly | بالضبط | exactamente | kwa hakika | exactly | |||||||
| false | خاطئة | falso | uongo | false | |||||||
| fun |
تمتع
lit. enjoyable |
divertido | furaha | fun | |||||||
| funny | مضحك | cómico | kuchekesha | funny | |||||||
| green | أخضر | verde | chanikiwiti | green | |||||||
| half | نص | medio | nusu | half | |||||||
| heavy | heavy | ||||||||||
| high | high | ||||||||||
| important | 重要 zhòng yào | مهم | importante | muhimu | important | ||||||
| interesting | ممتع | interesante | kuvutia | interesting | |||||||
| late | متأخر | tarde |
nimechelewa
actually a verb, lit. "I have lateness" |
late | |||||||
| lightweight | lightweight | ||||||||||
| long | طويل | largo | mrefu | long | |||||||
| low | low | ||||||||||
| majority | wengi | majority | |||||||||
| new | جديد | nuevo | mpya | new | |||||||
| nice | 好 hǎo, lit. good | لطيف | amable | njema | nice | ||||||
| old | قديم | viejo | mzee | old | |||||||
| poor | poor | ||||||||||
| ready | tayari | ready | |||||||||
| real | حقيقي | real | halisi | real | |||||||
| red | أحمر | rojo | nyekundu | red | |||||||
| rich | rich | ||||||||||
| sad | زعلان | triste | kusikitisha | sad | |||||||
| safe | آمن | seguro | salama | safe | |||||||
| short | قصير | corto | mfupi | short | |||||||
| some | some | ||||||||||
| strong | قوي | fuerte |
nguvu
lit. strength |
strong | |||||||
| tired | تعبان | cansado |
nimechoka
actually a verb, lit. "I have tiredness" |
tired | |||||||
| together | معبعض | juntos | pamoja | together | |||||||
| true | صح | cierto | kweli | true | |||||||
| weak | ضعيف | débil | dhaifu | weak | |||||||
| white | أبيض | blanco | nyeupe | white |
| 普通话 | عربي شامي | Español | 廣東話 | Kiswahili | Français | Pусский | Italiano | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I stop | I stop |