jina langu ni
To say "my name is" in Swahili, you can use jina langu ni or naitwa.
Meaning: a way to identify oneself (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Swahili |
|---|
| jina langu ni |
| naitwa |
Both forms are used to identify yourself to others. naitwa is very common in spoken Swahili for quick introductions.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase jina langu ni is composed of jina (name), langu (my) and ni (is).
Which one should you use?
jina langu ni literally means "my name is", whereas naitwa literally means "I am called".
Did you know?
- Swahili speakers often use a polite greeting like Shikamoo before introducing themselves to an elder. Using naitwa without this greeting could be seen as disrespectful.
- While naitwa means 'I am called', the verb root ita can also mean to shout or call someone over. In a crowded market, you might hear the same root used to get someone's attention.
- In some traditional contexts, identifying yourself by your father's or family's name is more significant than your own personal 'jina'. This reflects a cultural emphasis on lineage over the individual.
Examples in context
- Jina langu ni John.My name is John.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of jina langu ni.Tatoeba #3173925 by ecorralest101, translation #1098122 by cntrational
- Jina langu ni Sarah.My name is Sarah.
- Ninaitwa David.My name is David.
Example conversation
Neema and Bakari meet for the first time at a social gathering.
- NeemaHabari, jina langu ni Neema.Hello, my name is Neema.
- BakariHabari, jina langu ni Bakari.Hello, my name is Bakari.
- NeemaNimefurahi kukutana na wewe, Bakari.I am happy to meet you, Bakari.
- BakariMimi pia, Neema.Me too, Neema.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “my name is” translations and entries jina langu ni, naitwa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
