Jambo! First Encounters
Chapter Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Greet someone and say goodbye in common everyday situations.
- State your name and ask another person's name.
- Introduce yourself using basic identity statements.
- Use core courtesy expressions including asante, tafadhali, and samahani.
- Respond to simple questions about well-being.
- Recognize the independent pronouns mimi, wewe, yeye, sisi, ninyi, and wao.
- Pronounce and spell the five Swahili vowels accurately and read familiar words aloud with correct stress.
Communication Scenario
You have arrived at a community language program in Dar es Salaam. People are filtering in, finding seats, and introducing themselves before the session begins. Everyone wants to know the same essential things: What is your name? Where are you coming from? Are you well? You have never spoken a word of Swahili — but by the time this chapter ends, you will be able to handle that entire opening exchange.
- In English, how many different ways can you greet someone you have just met? Some feel warmer or more formal than others. Think about what makes you choose one over another.
- In many East African communities, a greeting is not a quick transaction — it is a small conversation in itself. Keep that in mind as you learn the expressions in this chapter.
Core Vocabulary
Greetings and Responses
| Swahili | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hujambo? | How are you? (to one person) | Polite everyday greeting |
| Sijambo. | I am fine. / Fine, thank you. | Standard response to Hujambo? |
| Hamjambo? | How are you all? (to a group) | Plural form of Hujambo? |
| Hatujambo. | We are all fine. | Standard group response |
| Habari? | What's the news? / How are things? | Very common casual greeting |
| Habari yako? | How are you? (your news?) | Slightly fuller form of Habari? |
| Nzuri. | Good. / Fine. | Standard response to Habari? |
| Nzuri sana. | Very good. / Very well. | Warmer version of Nzuri |
| Salama. | Fine. / Safe and well. | Also used in response to Habari? |
| Habari za asubuhi? | Good morning. (How is the morning?) | Time-specific morning greeting |
| Habari za mchana? | Good afternoon. (How is the midday?) | Time-specific midday greeting |
| Habari za jioni? | Good evening. (How is the evening?) | Time-specific evening greeting |
| Jambo! | Hello! | Widely recognized, often used with visitors; not the most common everyday greeting between Swahili speakers |
| Karibu. | Welcome. / Come in. | Also used when offering something |
| Asalamu alaikum. | Peace be upon you. | Islamic greeting, requires an appropriate response — see Culture section |
Farewells
| Swahili | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kwaheri. | Goodbye. (to one person) |
| Kwaherini. | Goodbye. (to more than one person) |
| Tutaonana. | We will see each other. / See you. |
| Tutaonana baadaye. | See you later. |
| Usiku mwema. | Good night. |
| Lala salama. | Sleep well. (lit. Sleep safely) |
Names and Identity
| Swahili | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jina langu ni… | My name is… | Jina = name; langu = my |
| Jina lako ni nani? | What is your name? | Direct, clear question |
| Unaitwa nani? | What are you called? | Also common and natural |
| Naitwa… | I am called… / My name is… | Response to Unaitwa nani? |
| Mimi ni… | I am… | Pronoun + ni for identification |
| Ndiye. | That is correct. / Yes, that's the person. | Confirms an identification |
Courtesy Expressions
| Swahili | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Asante. | Thank you. |
| Asante sana. | Thank you very much. |
| Karibu. / Karibu sana. | You're welcome. / You're very welcome. |
| Tafadhali. | Please. |
| Samahani. | Excuse me. / Sorry. / Pardon. |
| Ndiyo. | Yes. |
| Hapana. | No. |
| Sawa. | OK. / Alright. / Agreed. |
Classroom Survival Expressions
| Swahili | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tafadhali sema tena. | Please say that again. |
| Pole pole, tafadhali. | Slowly, please. |
| Sijaelewa. | I do not understand. |
| Naelewa. | I understand. |
| Hiyo ni nini kwa Kiswahili? | What is that in Swahili? |
| Hiyo ni nini kwa Kiingereza? | What is that in English? |
Kiswahili means "the Swahili language." Kiingereza means "the English language." You will learn more about this pattern in Chapter 3.
Person Nouns to Recognize (M-WA class)
| Singular | Plural | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| mtu | watu | person / people |
| mwalimu | walimu | teacher / teachers |
| mwanafunzi | wanafunzi | student / students |
| rafiki | marafiki | friend / friends |
| bwana | mabwana | Mr. / sir / gentleman |
| bibi | mabibi | Mrs. / Ms. / grandmother / respectful address for older woman |
These are nouns that refer to people. They all belong to the M-WA noun class — a pattern you will explore more fully in Chapter 3. For now, simply recognize and use these words as vocabulary. Note that some, like rafiki and mwalimu, do not show a typical M-WA plural prefix — you will learn why later.
Pronunciation and Spelling
The Swahili Alphabet
Swahili uses the Latin alphabet. The standard Swahili alphabet consists of the following letters. Vowels are highlighted:
Several entries above — ch, dh, gh, kh, ng', ny, sh, th — each represent a single sound and function as single units in the alphabet. You will study the sounds they represent in Chapter 2 and beyond.
The Five Vowels
Swahili has five vowel sounds, and each is spelled with one letter. Unlike English vowels, Swahili vowels are stable — each letter represents approximately the same sound in every word, every time. There are no silent vowels and no diphthongs within a single vowel letter.
| Letter | Approximate sound | Example word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| a | like the a in "father" — never like the a in "cat" | asante | thank you |
| e | like the e in "bed" or "they" (but without the glide) | wewe | you (one person) |
| i | like the ee in "see" — always clear, never the i in "bit" | mimi | I / me |
| o | like the o in "go" (but without the glide — a pure, steady sound) | ndiyo | yes |
| u | like the oo in "moon" — always clear and rounded | hujambo | how are you? |
English vowels often glide from one position to another — English "go" sounds more like "goh-w" and "they" sounds more like "theh-y." Swahili vowels stay in one position and do not glide. Train your ear and your mouth to hold each vowel steady. This is the single most important habit for Swahili pronunciation at this stage.
Practice these words, holding every vowel steady: asante habari nzuri sijambo tafadhali samahani.
Open Syllables
Nearly all Swahili syllables end in a vowel — they are open. This means that even consonant combinations follow a consonant-vowel pattern in most words. Say these words and notice how each syllable opens onto a vowel:
Penultimate Stress
In standard Swahili, stress typically falls on the second-to-last syllable — what linguists call the penultimate syllable. This is a highly reliable pattern for the words in this chapter. Count from the end of the word to find where to place extra emphasis:
- ha-BA-ri · a-SAN-te · si-JAM-bo · ta-fa-DHA-li · sa-ma-HA-ni The underlined syllable is stressed. Count two from the end: that's the one.
Practice: With a partner or aloud to yourself, say each farewell from the vocabulary table, placing stress on the penultimate syllable. Then say the greetings. Use the syllable cards above as a guide.
Spelling and Sound Correspondence
Swahili spelling closely mirrors pronunciation. A letter generally represents the same sound wherever it appears, which means that if you can pronounce a word, you can usually spell it — and if you can read a word, you can usually pronounce it. This is very different from English spelling, so use it to your advantage.
One important note: the spelling is close to pronunciation, but should not be described as perfectly phonetic. A few consonant combinations have sounds that you will study more carefully in Chapter 2. For now, focus on mastering the five vowels and the penultimate-stress pattern.
Grammar Instruction
1.1 Independent Pronouns
Purpose: refer to people in conversation and in identity statements.
In Swahili, independent pronouns are not required in most sentences the way English pronouns are. From Chapter 3 onward, you will learn that the verb form itself indicates who is acting. Mimi may be added for emphasis or contrast, but Ni mwalimu. ("I am a teacher.") is just as complete and natural as Mimi ni mwalimu.
In Chapter 1, you will encounter independent pronouns in identity statements and in recognition exercises. Use them freely at this stage — you will naturally learn when to omit them as your skills develop.
1.2 The Equational ni and Negative si
Purpose: state who or what someone is, and deny it.
Swahili uses the word ni to link a subject to an identity. It corresponds roughly to the English verb "am / is / are" when describing what someone or something is. To deny an identity, use si.
- Mimi ni mwanafunzi.I am a student.
- Yeye ni mwalimu.She/He is a teacher.
- Jina langu ni Amina.My name is Amina.
- Mimi si mwalimu. Mimi ni mwanafunzi.I am not a teacher. I am a student.
- Yeye si Amina. Yeye ni Fatuma.She is not Amina. She is Fatuma.
Swahili has several ways of expressing what English calls "to be." The word ni is used for identification and classification — saying what someone or something is. It is not the full verb kuwa (to be), which you will encounter in later chapters for other purposes. For now, use ni only for identity statements of the form X ni Y.
1.3 Simple Questions
Purpose: ask for names, identity, and basic information.
Swahili yes-no questions are often formed by intonation alone — the statement word order stays the same, and the voice rises slightly at the end. Information questions use question words. Here are the most important ones for this chapter:
| Question word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| nani? | who? | Yeye ni nani? — Who is she/he? |
| nini? | what? | Jina lako ni nini? — What is your name? |
| ndiyo / hapana | yes / no | responses to yes-no questions |
- Jina lako ni nini?What is your name? (lit. Your name is what?)
- Unaitwa nani?What are you called?
- Yeye ni nani?Who is that person? / Who is he/she?
- Wewe ni mwanafunzi?Are you a student? (yes-no question by intonation)
1.4 Word Order
Purpose: build basic Swahili sentences correctly.
The default word order in a Swahili statement is Subject — Verb/Predicate — Object or Complement. In the simple identity sentences of this chapter, this looks like:
- Mimi (subject) · ni (linking word) · mwalimu (identity).I am a teacher.
- Jina langu (subject) · ni (linking word) · Hamisi (name).My name is Hamisi.
Question words such as nani and nini typically appear at the end of the sentence in everyday questions, unlike English, where they move to the front.
- Jina lako ni nini?Your name is what? → What is your name?
- Yeye ni nani?She/he is who? → Who is she/he?
Practice — Complete with ni or si:
- Mimi _____ mwanafunzi.
- Yeye _____ Amina. Yeye ni Fatuma.
- Jina lako _____ nini?
- Sisi _____ walimu. Sisi ni wanafunzi.
- Wewe _____ mwalimu?
Practice — Write the question for each answer:
- Jina langu ni Baraka.
- Ndiyo, mimi ni mwanafunzi.
- Yeye ni mwalimu.
Language Focus
1. Swahili spelling and pronunciation are closely matched. Each of the five vowel letters represents one stable sound, and stress reliably falls on the penultimate syllable. Once you internalize these two patterns, you can read almost any new Swahili word aloud with reasonable accuracy. English does not work this way — use Swahili's regularity as an asset.
2. Independent pronouns are often omitted. English requires a subject pronoun in nearly every sentence: "I am a teacher," not "Am a teacher." Swahili often omits the independent pronoun because the verb or sentence structure makes the subject clear. In identity statements with ni, Swahili speakers may say Ni mwalimu as naturally as Mimi ni mwalimu. You will see this pattern expand significantly in Chapter 3.
3. Question words appear at the end, not the front. In English, "What is your name?" moves the question word to the beginning. In Swahili, Jina lako ni nini? keeps the question word at the end. Resist the urge to rearrange Swahili sentences into English word order.
4. M-WA person nouns are introduced as vocabulary, not yet as a full paradigm. Words like mwalimu and mwanafunzi belong to a class of nouns that refer to people. You are learning them now as useful words, and you will understand the agreement system they trigger when you study Chapter 3 and beyond.
Language Building Block
- Mimi ni Amina.I am Amina.
- Jina langu ni Amina.My name is Amina.
- Yeye ni mwalimu.She/he is a teacher.
- Sisi ni wanafunzi.We are students.
To deny: replace ni with si. Mimi si mwalimu. → I am not a teacher.
Model Dialogue
Setting: The community language program in Dar es Salaam. Two participants arrive at the same moment and find seats near each other. Register: respectful and friendly, between adult strangers meeting for the first time.
(The instructor enters. Everyone turns to greet her.)
Maswali ya ufahamu — Comprehension questions:
- What is the name of the woman who arrives first?
- What expression does Hassan use when he hears Amina's name?
- Are Amina and Hassan both students?
- What greeting does the teacher use for the whole group? Why is it different from Hujambo?
- Find two examples from the dialogue of someone responding to a greeting with a follow-up greeting. Write them out.
Listening
Listening Script for Instructor, Partner, or Text-to-Speech Use. Read each introduction at a natural pace, twice.
Introduction 1: "Habari. Jina langu ni Baraka. Mimi ni mwanafunzi. Asante."
Introduction 2: "Habari za asubuhi. Naitwa Fatuma. Mimi ni mwalimu. Karibu."
Introduction 3: "Hujambo? Sijambo. Jina langu ni Omar. Mimi ni mwanafunzi. Asante sana."
Introduction 4: "Habari yako? Nzuri. Naitwa Zawadi. Mimi si mwalimu. Mimi ni mwanafunzi."
Task A — Identification: Listen to each introduction and fill in the table.
| Speaker | Name | Greeting used | Teacher or student? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ______ | ______ | ______ |
| 2 | ______ | ______ | ______ |
| 3 | ______ | ______ | ______ |
| 4 | ______ | ______ | ______ |
Task B — True or false? After listening, decide whether each statement is true (Kweli) or false (Si kweli). Correct the false ones.
- Baraka ni mwalimu.
- Fatuma anasema "Habari za asubuhi."
- Omar anasema "Asante."
- Zawadi ni mwalimu.
Reading
The following name tags are displayed at the entrance to the language program. Read each one carefully.
Task A — Questions:
- How many teachers are at the program?
- What title appears before Hassan's name? What does it likely mean?
- Write a full sentence identifying Bi. Zawadi using ni: Bi. Zawadi ni…
- Using what you have learned, write a sentence saying that Baraka is not a teacher.
Now read the following short exchange posted on the program's welcome board:
Karibu kwenye darasa letu! — Welcome to our class!
Habari? Nzuri, asante. Jina lako ni nini? Jina langu ni Baraka. Unaitwa nani? Naitwa Fatuma. Wewe ni mwanafunzi? Ndiyo, mimi ni mwanafunzi. Na wewe? Mimi pia ni mwanafunzi. Vizuri sana! Karibu.
Task B — Reread the exchange above and answer:
- What are the two names in this exchange?
- Find the question word nini. What is it asking?
- What word tells you that both people are students?
- What does Karibu mean in this context?
Writing Workshop
- Study the model. Read this short self-introduction: Habari. Jina langu ni Zawadi. Mimi ni mwalimu. Asante, karibu. Identify: the greeting, the name statement, the identity statement, and the closing courtesy expression.
- Plan. Write down three facts about yourself: the greeting you want to use, your name, and whether you are a student (mwanafunzi) or a teacher (mwalimu).
- Write your first draft. Using the model as your guide, write four sentences introducing yourself in Swahili.
- Check. Review your draft using the checklist below.
- Write your final version. Rewrite cleanly for your portfolio or to share with a classmate.
Revision checklist:
- I used a greeting from this chapter's vocabulary.
- I used Jina langu ni… or Naitwa… to state my name.
- I used ni to state my identity (student or teacher).
- I ended with a courtesy expression such as asante or karibu.
- All five vowels in my Swahili words are spelled correctly.
- I used a capital letter only at the start of a sentence or for a proper name.
Second task — Introduce another person: Write three to four sentences introducing a partner, friend, or invented person. Use the third-person form: Jina lake ni… Yeye ni…
Speaking Practice
Controlled Practice — Greeting Circuit
With a partner, take turns greeting each other using at least three different greetings from this chapter's vocabulary — for example, Hujambo?, Habari?, and Habari za asubuhi? — and respond appropriately each time. Then try the same with farewells.
Communicative Task — First Day Introductions
Stand up and introduce yourself to three different classmates. For each interaction: (1) greet the person and respond to their greeting; (2) exchange names; (3) confirm whether each of you is a student or a teacher; (4) close with a courtesy expression. Keep each exchange to four to six turns.
Individual Alternative
If you are studying independently: record yourself performing both sides of a complete first-meeting exchange — greeting, name exchange, identity statements, and farewell. Listen back and identify one place where your vowel pronunciation could be more stable or where your stress placement could be adjusted.
Culture and Communication
In many East African communities where Swahili is spoken, a greeting is not a brief formality to get out of the way before the "real" conversation starts. It is part of the conversation itself. When you ask Habari? and someone says Nzuri, they may well follow up by asking how you are, how things are at home, how work is going, and so on — and the expected response is to reciprocate. Taking time for this exchange signals respect, attentiveness, and care for the other person.
This varies by setting, relationship, age, and individual preference, as it does in any large speech community. A busy market vendor and a close family elder will be greeted differently. Learn to read the context rather than applying one rule everywhere.
Jambo! is the greeting most widely recognized internationally — you will see it on tourist materials, shop signs, and language-learning apps. It is a real Swahili word and is understood everywhere. However, between Swahili speakers in everyday life, Habari? and Hujambo? are considerably more common. Think of Jambo the way an English speaker might think of "Good day!" — recognizable, friendly, but not what most people say to each other day to day. This course teaches you the fuller range so that your greetings sound natural in real East African contexts, not only in tourist settings.
The greeting Assalamu alaikum (Peace be upon you) and its response Wa alaikum assalam (And upon you peace) are used among Muslim speakers and are part of the daily life of many Swahili-speaking communities, particularly along the East African coast and in cities with large Muslim populations. These are Arabic-origin expressions that have become integrated into Swahili social life in many communities. Use them only when the context makes them natural and appropriate — they are not interchangeable with secular greetings in every setting. Be aware that their use and reception depend on community, individual, and situation.
Bwana (abbreviated Bw.) and Bibi (abbreviated Bi.) are widely used respectful titles in many Swahili-speaking contexts. Bwana is used for men; Bibi for women. You may also encounter Dada (sister, used as a friendly address for a woman) and Kaka (brother, used for a man) in more informal contexts, particularly among younger speakers in Tanzania and Kenya. Which titles and forms of address are appropriate depends on age, relationship, region, and setting. The course does not present any one regional habit as universal — observe and adapt as your experience grows.
Common Mistakes
Error: Saying Mimi am mwanafunzi or Yeye is mwalimu — inserting an English verb into a Swahili sentence.
Correction: Use ni for identity statements: Mimi ni mwanafunzi. Yeye ni mwalimu. There is no separate verb here; ni does the work of "am / is / are" in this pattern.
Error: Putting the question word at the beginning: Nini jina lako?
Correction: In everyday Swahili questions of this type, the question word typically comes at the end: Jina lako ni nini? Resist English word order here — the Swahili pattern is different.
Error: Responding to Hujambo? with Sijambo sana.
Correction: The standard response is simply Sijambo. You can add warmth with a follow-up: Sijambo, asante. Habari yako? The modifier sana (very much) attaches to nouns and adjectives in Swahili, not to the response sijambo. You may say Nzuri sana, however, as a response to Habari?
Error: Pronouncing vowels with English diphthong quality — for example, saying the o in ndiyo like the gliding vowel in English "go."
Correction: Each Swahili vowel is a single, stable sound. In ndiyo, the i and o are two separate vowels pronounced one after the other — ndi-yo — not a single diphthong. Keep both sounds clear and distinct.
Chapter Review
Part A — Vocabulary
1. Write the appropriate response to Hujambo?
2. How do you say "Good evening" in Swahili?
3. What is the plural greeting for a group? How does it differ from the singular?
4. Write four different ways to say goodbye in Swahili.
5. What does samahani mean? Give one situation where you would use it.
Part B — Grammar
1. Complete: Yeye _____ mwalimu. (positive)
2. Complete: Mimi _____ mwanafunzi. Mimi ni mwalimu. (negative)
3. Write the question whose answer is: Jina langu ni Baraka.
4. Write the question whose answer is: Ndiyo, mimi ni mwanafunzi.
5. Give the Swahili independent pronouns for: I, you (one person), she/he, we, you all, they.
Part C — Pronunciation and Spelling
1. Write the five Swahili vowels and give one example word for each.
2. Divide these words into syllables and mark the stressed syllable: habari · asante · samahani · mwanafunzi · tafadhali.
3. A classmate spells a word as aasante. What is the error, and what is the correct spelling?
Part D — Reading
1. Reread the model dialogue. List every Swahili greeting that appears in it.
2. Find one example of ni and one example of si in the chapter. Write the full sentence for each.
Part E — Writing
1. Write a four-to-six-line introductory exchange between two people meeting for the first time. Include a greeting, name exchange, identity statements, and a farewell. Use only vocabulary and grammar from this chapter.
Part F — Speaking (Self-Assessment)
1. Without referring to the book, greet a partner using two different greetings, exchange names, say whether you are a student or a teacher, and say goodbye — all in Swahili. If working independently, record yourself doing both sides.
Chapter Performance Task
Kazi ya Onyesho — Performance Task
Mazungumzo ya Kwanza — First Conversations
With a partner, conduct a complete introductory exchange of four to six turns. Your exchange must include:
- An appropriate greeting and response.
- A name exchange — use both Jina langu ni… and Unaitwa nani? / Naitwa… at least once between you.
- An identity statement for each person using ni.
- At least one courtesy expression.
- An appropriate farewell.
Then write the exchange out in full, exactly as you performed it, and check it against the revision checklist in the Writing Workshop.
Answer Key
Grammar Practice — ni or si
1. ni 2. si 3. ni 4. si 5. ni (rising intonation makes it a question)
Grammar Practice — Write the question
1. Jina lako ni nini? (or: Unaitwa nani?) 2. Wewe ni mwanafunzi? 3. Yeye ni nani?
Listening — Task A
- Speaker 1: Baraka — Habari — mwanafunzi
- Speaker 2: Fatuma — Habari za asubuhi — mwalimu
- Speaker 3: Omar — Hujambo — mwanafunzi
- Speaker 4: Zawadi — Habari yako — mwanafunzi
Listening — Task B
1. Si kweli — Baraka ni mwanafunzi. 2. Kweli. 3. Kweli. 4. Si kweli — Zawadi ni mwanafunzi.
Reading — Task A (Name Tags)
1. Two teachers (Bi. Zawadi and Bw. Omar). 2. Bw. appears before Hassan's name; it is an abbreviation of Bwana, a respectful title for a man. 3. Bi. Zawadi ni mwalimu. 4. Baraka si mwalimu.
Reading — Task B (Welcome Board)
1. Baraka and Fatuma. 2. Nini is asking for a name — Jina lako ni nini? = "What is your name?" 3. The word pia (also / too) combined with the identity statement confirms both are students. 4. Karibu means "Welcome" here.
Chapter Review — Part A
1. Sijambo. 2. Habari za jioni? 3. Hamjambo? (plural); it uses Ham- instead of Hu- to address more than one person. 4. Kwaheri / Kwaherini / Tutaonana / Tutaonana baadaye / Usiku mwema / Lala salama (any four). 5. Samahani means "Excuse me / I'm sorry / Pardon." It can be used to get someone's attention, to apologize for a small mistake, or to ask to get past someone.
Chapter Review — Part B
1. ni 2. si 3. Jina lako ni nini? (or: Unaitwa nani?) 4. Wewe ni mwanafunzi? 5. mimi, wewe, yeye, sisi, ninyi, wao
Chapter Review — Part C
1. a (e.g. asante) · e (e.g. wewe) · i (e.g. mimi) · o (e.g. ndiyo) · u (e.g. hujambo). 2. ha-BA-ri · a-SAN-te · sa-ma-HA-ni · mwa-na-FUN-zi · ta-fa-DHA-li. 3. The error is a doubled vowel; the correct spelling is asante. In standard Swahili, a double vowel letter would signal two separate vowel sounds in sequence, which is not the case here.
Chapter Review — Part D
1. Greetings in the dialogue: Habari za asubuhi · Habari yako · Hamjambo · Habari. 2. Sample ni: Mimi ni mwanafunzi. Sample si: Mimi si mwalimu. (Other accurate examples are equally acceptable.)
Chapter Review — Part E, model
A: Habari? B: Nzuri, asante. Jina lako ni nini? A: Jina langu ni Amina. Unaitwa nani? B: Naitwa Baraka. Wewe ni mwanafunzi? A: Ndiyo, mimi ni mwanafunzi. Na wewe? B: Mimi pia ni mwanafunzi. Vizuri! Kwaheri. A: Kwaheri. Tutaonana. Other accurate and natural exchanges are equally acceptable — check your own work against the revision checklist.
Looking Ahead
Unachokijua sasa — What you know now
You can greet someone in multiple ways, exchange names, state who you are, respond to questions about your well-being, and say goodbye. You have heard and used the core independent pronouns and the equational words ni and si. And you have begun to train your ear to hear Swahili vowels and stress clearly. That is a genuine, usable set of conversational skills.