馃嚢馃嚜 Swahili phrases

How to Say "Excuse me" in Swahili

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Samahani
"Excuse me" in Swahili 路 say it like sah-mah-hah-nee

The most natural way to say "Excuse me" in Swahili is Samahani. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

Pole
used more casually to apologize or express sympathy
Samahani kidogo
a slightly more polite way to say excuse me

When to use it

Use 'Samahani' when you want to politely interrupt someone or get their attention. It is appropriate in both formal and informal settings. You can also use it when you accidentally bump into someone or need to ask a question.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Excuse me" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Swahili

SwahiliEnglish
Samahani, naweza kukusaidia?Excuse me, can I help you?
Samahani, ningeweza kupita?Excuse me, may I pass?
Common mistake
Some learners confuse 'Samahani' with 'Asante' (thank you) and use it inappropriately.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Samahani, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Swahili with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

When should I use 'Samahani'?

'Samahani' is used to politely ask for attention or to apologize in various situations.

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