WecheGuide

Sheng versus Swahili: what is the difference?

Sheng is often described as slang, and sometimes as broken Swahili. Neither is quite right. Sheng is a living vernacular that grew up in Nairobi’s estates: it keeps Swahili grammar, the prefixes and verb endings, and fills it with words borrowed from English and from other Kenyan languages, or invented and reshaped by each new generation.

The difference that matters most is who you are talking to. Swahili works everywhere, with anyone. Sheng marks you as one of the group, which is warm among friends and out of place with an elder or a stranger in an office.

Calls with my grandmother

Swahili

  • Habari /ha-BA-ri/ hello (what news?)

    Opens almost every conversation. The answer is usually "nzuri", good.

  • Shikamoo /shee-ka-MO-oh/ respectful greeting to an elder

    Said first by the younger person. She answers "Marahaba".

  • Asante sana /a-SAN-teh SA-na/ thank you very much

    For anything she does or sends, however small.

  • Kwaheri /kwa-HEH-ree/ goodbye

    To end the call. To more than one person, "kwaherini".

Sheng

  • Niaje /nee-AH-jeh/ hi, what's up

    Casual. With an elder, switch to Swahili "Shikamoo".

  • Shosh /SHOSH/ grandmother

    Affectionate, the way grandchildren talk about her.

  • Poa /POH-a/ fine, cool

    The answer to "niaje?" or "sasa?".

  • Uko fiti? /OO-ko FEE-tee/ are you well?

    Checking in. "Fiti" is from English "fit".

The market and the matatu

Swahili

  • Bei gani? /BAY GA-nee/ how much?

    Point at the item and ask. Then the bargaining starts.

  • Punguza kidogo /poon-GOO-za kee-DOH-go/ bring it down a little

    The polite way to haggle.

  • Nitashuka hapa /nee-ta-SHOO-ka HA-pa/ I will get off here

    Tell the conductor before your stop.

  • Pesa /PEH-sa/ money

    Everyday word for cash and money in general.

Sheng

  • Mathree /ma-THREE/ matatu (minibus)

    The minibus taxi. The conductor is the "manamba".

  • Doh /DOH/ money

    From English "dough".

  • Ngiri /NGEE-ree/ a thousand shillings

    A KES 1,000 note.

  • Stage /STEJ/ matatu stop

    "Nishukishe stage" means drop me at the stop.

Sheng moves fast, so a word that is current this year may sound dated in a few. Browse the Sheng words and the Swahili words to compare more.