Proper English Translator

Translate a Swahili word to English by entering it into the search box above. You can also search for words in English to find the Swahili translation in the Swahili-English dictionary. Use the drop-down menu to search other dictionaries besides the Swahili to English dictionary. Result filters help you find the exact and correct Swahili translation in the Swahili-English dictionary. Use the filters to refine your results for category, style or even grammar.

Search the Swahili dictionary by letter

Search for any Swahili to English translation directly in the Swahili online dictionary. Click on the appropriate letter below to get a list of Swahili words beginning with the chosen letter. Then click on the word to see the translation in the Swahili-English dictionary.

Verify Swahili translation

Join our community to build the world's largest online dictionary. Below are the latest Swahili words and phrases and their proposed translations for the Swahili-English dictionary. Help us by verifying a Swahili word or phrase with your vote. If you discover an error use your vote to delete the proposed translation or to suggest a change to either the English or Swahili words.

can, be able to {v.t.} [folk.] [Can.] [lit.]

kuweza {v.t.} [folk.] [lit.]

love {o.sg.} [anthrop.] [Amer.] [resp.] [comp.]

mahaba {o.sg.} [anthrop.] [form.] [comp.]

Suggest new Swahili to English translation

Is the exact Swahili translation missing in the Swahili-English dictionary? Or do you know a specific Swahili phrase spoken only in a certain region? Then add your knowledge to the Swahili-English dictionary by entering the words here.

Latest word suggestions by users: equipment, to disturb, astronaut, better delay and get there, better late than never (more)

Why participate?

Join bab.la and help us build up the best and largest online dictionary for Swahili-English in the world. New Swahili words and Swahili phrases are created all the time. In addition, a Swahili to English translation can change depending on what context is is used in, such as medical or technical translations. For these reasons dictionaries offer multiple translations. Your help to add new Swahili to English translations to our Swahili dictionary is greatly appreciated. Contributions by our users are the best way to include colloquial and regional Swahili expressions in the online dictionary. However, new translations to the Swahili-English dictionary will not be added immediately. A new Swahili translation is always marked as unverified until 10 other users have given their vote to confirm the correctness. This way we ensure a high quality of the translations.
Register as a bab.la user to become part of our language community and accumulate points in the world ranking. Each new translation entry to the Swahili-English dictionary will give you points. If you have any questions about a Swahili word and its proper translation to English post your question in the Swahili-English forum. Other users will help you by answering your question about the Swahili language.