Learn to speak
Swahili.

Start speaking Swahili with practical everyday phrases and a routine you can keep coming back to.

Start learning Swahili

Try free starter phrases. Choose Swahili when you enter the app.

Start with something you can say

Your first Swahili phrases

Shikamoo

Hello

Hujambo

Hello (polite)

bwana

Polite ending men say

Examples from the Swahili starter lessons in Bolo! Open the app to hear them and practice out loud.

A little practice. Your own voice.

Listen first

Hear a Swahili phrase in the app. Follow the written example and its meaning, then listen again.

Try it out loud

Hold the speaking button while you say the phrase. Release it when you finish and review your attempt.

Come back to it

Repeat one useful Swahili phrase before adding another. A small routine is easier to keep.

Make it part of your day

Your first week with Swahili

Days 1 and 2: make the first phrase familiar. Start with “Hello”. Hear it, try it, and revisit it tomorrow.
Days 3 and 4: add another exchange. Practice “Hello (polite)”. Try recalling it before looking at the written example.
Days 5 through 7: put your voice first. Revisit your Swahili starter phrases. Choose the one you would most like to use in a real conversation.

This is a suggested practice routine. Move at the pace that works for you.

Bolo! Africa app home shown in Swahili — Real Bolo! Africa screenshot, shown in Swahili. Select Swahili in the app.

Before you start

Can I start Swahili as a beginner?

Yes. Start with the Swahili examples above, then choose Swahili in Bolo! Africa. Listen and practice one short phrase at a time.

What if I understand Swahili but hesitate to speak?

Use a familiar phrase as your starting point. Say it in the app, listen again, and repeat it before adding something new. You can practice privately at your own pace.

Can I try Swahili for free?

Bolo! includes free starter phrases so you can try Swahili before deciding whether to buy access to more content. Check the app for current plans.

Which Bolo! app includes Swahili?

Swahili is included in Bolo! Africa. Use the store badges on this page, or start in your browser. A grey badge means that store release is coming soon.

Your next Swahili conversation starts with one phrase.

Start small. Say it out loud. Come back tomorrow.