Haya is a Bantu language spoken in the Kagera region in northwest Tanzania.
If you're just starting to learn Haya, I've compiled a list of commonly used words with their English translations to make mastering the language a breeze. I hope this resource will be helpful in your language journey!
GREETINGS IN HAYA
| ENGLISH | HAYA |
|---|---|
| Good morning | Agolaileyo |
| Good afternoon | Agasibayo |
| Good evening | Aga ombigolo |
| How are you? | Nogendelela ote? |
| How are you today? | Nogendelela ote mbwenu? |
| How was your day | Wasibamwota? |
| I am fine | Ndige |
| Have a good day | Osibege |
| I am doing great | Ningendelelagi |
| Hi/Hello | Waguma |
| Nice to meet you | Nashemelelwa kutekina neiwe |
| See you soon | Tubonangane kale |
| See you later | Tubonangane hila |
LOVE WORDS IN HAYA
| ENGLISH | HAYA |
|---|---|
| I love you | Nkwenda |
| I miss you | Nkubulwao |
| Love you so much | Nkwenda mnoo |
| I want to see you. | Nkwetaga |
| I love you with all my heart | Nkwenda hushagao |
| I love you too | Nkwenda nanye |
| I like you | Nkwenda |
| You are beautiful | Iwe mlungi |
| My love | Omgonzibwa wange |
| I miss you so much, darling | Nakubulwa omgonzibwa wange |
| Goodbye my love | mpao omgonzibwa wange |
| See you tomorrow | Tulabonangano nyekya |
| I will marry you | Ndakubona |
| I want some space | Ompe omda |
| I need your love | Ninyenda |
| You are mine | Iwe wange |
| I love you my wife | Mkazi wange omgonzibwa |
| I love you my husband | Msheija wange omgonzibwa |
| The rib of my heart | Olubaju lwa moyo wange |
| Good night my love | O’alega omgonzibwa wange |
DIRECTIONS IN HAYA
| ENGLISH | HAYA |
|---|---|
| Where are you? | Olinkahi? |
| Where did you go? | Okagendankahi? |
| Where do you live? | Noikala nkaa? |
| Where are you going? | Nogya nkaa? |
| Where were you? | Waba olinkaa? |
COMMON QUESTIONS IN CONVERSATIONS IN HAYA
| ENGLISH | HAYA |
|---|---|
| How much? | Amaela ganga? |
| How are you feeling? | Notekeleza ota? |
| How have you been? | Wabaute? |
| What is your name? | Ibala lyawe oliowa? |
| What are you doing? | Wokolaki? |
| What are you cooking/eating? | Nolya/ nochumbaki? |
| Are you okay dear? | Olige omgonzibwa? |
| When are you coming? | Noija maki? |
| How was your night ? | Enilo kyawe kibile kita? |
| How was your day? | Ekilo kyawe kibile kita? |
| How are you doing? | Nogendelela ota? |
| How is your family? | Abawe mbagendelela bata? |
| How is the weather over there? | Ehali yigulu ilyele? |
| Have you gone to church? | Waga kwegashaniza? |
| What is this? | Wabaki? |
| What’s going on? | Nikiwe ekili kugendelela? |
| Are you listening? | Naulila? |
| Have you heard? | Waulila? |
| Can I go home? | Nimbasa kugya omka? |
| Can I ask you something? | Nimbasa kubaza? |
| How is everything? | ehari yawe? |
| What is your phone number? | Nokola nkaa emilimo ? |
| How old are you? | Weine emyaka engaa? |
| Where do you live? | Noikala nkaa? |
| Have you eaten? | Walile? |
| What are you saying? | Nogambaote? |
EVERYDAY CONVERSATIONS IN HAYA
| ENGLISH | HAYA |
|---|---|
| Happy birthday | Weiuka nekuzalwa |
| Thank you | Wakola |
| I am sorry | Onganyile |
| You are welcome | Nonyegezibwa |
| Me too | Nanyetyo |
| God bless you | Omkama akubele |
| May god protect you | Omkama akulinde |
| She is happy | Yashemelelwa |
| Please help me | Bojo onjune |
| I don’t know | Timanya |
| I will come tomorrow | Ninyija nyekya |
| Come here | Hija aaha |
| Feel at home | Oyeulile omka |
| Be blessed | Obelwe |
| I coming soon | Ninyija mbwenu aaha |
| Excuse me | Onganyile |
| Leave me alone | Ondeke |
| It is okay | Onganyile |
| I don’t want | Tinkwenda |
| Love is a beautiful thing | Engonzi nizilungi |
| Let me tray | Oleke ndenge |
| Welcome home | Onyegela omka |
| I reached home safely | Ngobilege |
| God is good | Omkama mlungi |
| I don’t understand | Tinkwiamu |
| We are happy to see you | Twashemelelwa kukubona |
| I have it | Nyinayo |
| Rest in peace | Onyame nemilembe |
| I don’t have money | Tinyine maela |
| I am done | Namala |
| Happy new year | Weuka nomwaka |
| Bad manners | Omwenendo gubi |
| Stop using your phone | Oleke kutumia esimu |
| Great to see you again | Nashemelelwa kukubona dindi |
| I real appreciate it | Ninsima mno |
| You made my day | Wakola ekilo kyange |
| Let us go home | Tugende omka |
| I am very tired | Nalemwa mno |
| I have agreed | Neikeliza |
| I am married | Nshwilwe |
| She/ he is crying | Nalila |
| She/he is digging | Nalima |
| I am bathing | Ninyoga |
| I am playing | Ninzana |
| I am eating | Nindya |
| You are late | Wakelelelwa |
| What are you carrying? | Oehile ekiki? |
| Who are you? | Iwe doi? |
What next?
Keep going! Learning a language takes consistent practice, but it doesn't have to be difficult. A useful tip is to learn five Haya words every day from the Haya dictionary to improve your skills.
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