16 emergency phrases in Swahili

Kiswahili

The phrases that matter when something goes wrong — asking for help, calling an ambulance, reaching your embassy — in Swahili, verified, with pronunciation where the script is not Latin.

Health

I need help

Ninahitaji msaada

Call an ambulance

Pigeni simu ya ambulensi

Where is the nearest hospital?

Hospitali iliyo karibu zaidi iko wapi?

I have a medical emergency

Nina dharura ya matibabu

Safety

Call the police

Pigeni simu polisi

I have been robbed

Nimeibiwa

I am lost

Nimepotea

I do not feel safe

Sijisikii salama

Documents & embassy

I have lost my passport

Nimepoteza pasipoti yangu

Where is my country embassy?

Ubalozi wa nchi yangu uko wapi?

I need to contact my embassy

Ninahitaji kuwasiliana na ubalozi

Someone stole my belongings

Mtu ameiba vitu vyangu

Communication

Do you speak English?

Unazungumza Kiingereza?

I do not understand

Sielewi

Can you help me, please?

Unaweza kunisaidia, tafadhali?

Please call this number

Tafadhali piga simu kwa nambari hii

Every phrase on this page is available with audio in Swahili inside the Telcomia app — ready to play out loud when you need it.

Where Swahili is spoken

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These phrases help you communicate in an emergency — always call the local emergency number first. Informational only.

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