The official languages are Swahili and English. In primary schools all the lessons are in Swahili. English is widely spoken and understood. It’s used as second official language, as commercial language as well as teaching language for some subjects in secondary school. Your effort to speak Swahili or few words of Swahili will be appreciated. Otherwise there are more then 120 tribal languages and dialects. Arabic language is widely spoken in the coastal areas, especially on Zanzibar.
| Good morning | Habari za asubuhi |
| Good afternoon | Habari za mchana |
| Good night | Usiku mwema |
| Good bye | kwa heri |
| My name is... | Jina langu ni... |
| What's your name? | Jina Lako nani? |
| Mrs. …, Miss…? | Bwana…., Bibi…? |
| My wife, my husband… | Mke wangu, mume wangu |
| My daughter, my son… | (Mtoto wa kike) (Mtoto wa kiume, ) |
| My friend | Rafiki yangu |
| Glad to meet you | Ninafurahi kukuona |
| How are you? | Habari gani? Habari? Hujambo? |
| Good thanks. | Sijambo. |
| Fine, thank you. And how are you? | Nzuri, asante. Na habari za kwako? |
| Give my regards to… | Umsalimie… |