hapana
The Swahili word for no is hapana.
hapana is a particle used to show disagreement or negation. It can be used as a standalone response to a yes/no question.
Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)
Which one should you use?
Use hapana to express disagreement or to say 'no' to a question, whereas si is used as a negative prefix for verbs or to mean 'is not'. Hakuna is used specifically to indicate the non-existence of something (there is no/are no), while hapana is a direct negation of a proposition or answer.
Related words
Did you know?
- In formal settings, saying hapana to a superior can be seen as confrontational. It is common to answer a request with nitajaribu meaning 'I will try', even if the speaker knows the answer is effectively 'no'.
- While hapana is the literal word for 'no', many Swahili speakers avoid using it directly because it can sound too blunt or rude. They often use a polite phrase like samahani meaning 'excuse me' to soften a refusal.
- The word hapana can be repeated as hapana hapana to express a strong, emphatic 'absolutely not' or to indicate a stern prohibition.
Examples in context
- Baba yangu alisema hapana.My papa said no.This sentence shows how to use hapana when reporting that someone said no.Tatoeba #10807117 by ecorralest101, translation #25533 by letsgolanguages
- Upekuzi kati ya marafiki ni kamwe hapana.Spying between friends is an absolute no no.This example uses hapana to express that an action is an absolute no no.Tatoeba #10853544 by ecorralest101, translation #2821727 by al_ex_an_der
- Nimekuwa mwanachama wa shirika hili kwa miaka mitano. Ah ngoja, hapana. SitaI've been a member of this organization for five years. Oh wait, no. Six.This sentence demonstrates using hapana to correct oneself during a statement.Tatoeba #10845649 by ecorralest101, translation #2023223 by FlamingTofu
- Unaweza kunitumia ripoti hiyo? – Nisamehe, sina ripoti hiyo.Can you send me that report? – Forgive me, I don't have that report.
- Tafadhali nisaidie na kazi hii. – Siwezi, nina kazi nyingine nyingi.Please help me with this task. – I can't, I have too much other work.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Neema asks Said if he wants more tea.
- NeemaSaid, unataka chai nyingine?Said, do you want more tea?
- SaidHapana, asante sana.No, thank you very much.
- NeemaJe, unataka biskuti badala yake?Do you want a biscuit instead?
- SaidHapana, nimeshabana.No, I am already full.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations and entries hapana, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
