Numbers from 0 to 10 in Swahili
Learning Swahili (Kiswahili) starts with the basics—and numbers are one of the most useful. You’ll use them for prices, time, dates, phone numbers, and everyday conversation. Here are the Swahili numbers from 0 to 10, plus pronunciation help and practical examples.
Swahili numbers 0 to 10 (with pronunciation tips)
| Number | Swahili | Pronunciation (simple guide) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | sifuri | see-FOO-ree |
| 1 | moja | MOH-jah |
| 2 | mbili | M-BEE-lee |
| 3 | tatu | TAH-too |
| 4 | nne | nn-eh (hold the “n”) |
| 5 | tano | TAH-noh |
| 6 | sita | SEE-tah |
| 7 | saba | SAH-bah |
| 8 | nane | NAH-neh |
| 9 | tisa | TEE-sah |
| 10 | kumi | KOO-mee |
Two quick pronunciation notes
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mb in mbili starts with a humming “m” sound, then “bili.”
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nne is pronounced with a double n—hold it a moment: nn-eh.
Useful example sentences (real-life Swahili)
0 – sifuri
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Nina sukari sifuri. → I have zero sugar.
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Sifuri, sihitaji. → Zero, I don’t need it.
1 – moja
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Nataka chai moja. → I want one tea.
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Nina dakika moja. → I have one minute.
2 – mbili
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Tafadhali maji mawili. → Two waters, please.
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Tuna watoto wawili. → We have two children.
3 – tatu
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Nipe tiketi tatu. → Give me three tickets.
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Ni saa tatu. → It’s three o’clock.
4 – nne
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Meza nne, tafadhali. → Table for four, please.
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Nina vitabu vinne. → I have four books.
5 – tano
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Ni shilingi tano. → It’s five shillings.
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Tuko watu tano. → We are five people.
6 – sita
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Nitaondoka saa sita. → I’ll leave at six o’clock.
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Nina siku sita. → I have six days.
7 – saba
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Tunakutana saa saba. → We meet at seven o’clock.
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Nipe ndizi saba. → Give me seven bananas.
8 – nane
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Nina maswali nane. → I have eight questions.
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Ni dakika nane tu. → It’s only eight minutes.
9 – tisa
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Tunafika saa tisa. → We arrive at nine o’clock.
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Nimekaa hapa miaka tisa. → I’ve lived here for nine years.
10 – kumi
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Nataka mayai kumi. → I want ten eggs.
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Ni dakika kumi. → It’s ten minutes.
Quick memory tricks (that actually help)
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tatu / tano / tisa / sita: notice how many end with -ta / -sa sounds.
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nane (8) and nne (4) are easy to mix up—remember:
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nne is short (4) and the word is short
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nane is longer (8) and the word is longer
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