馃嚢馃嚜 Swahili phrases

How to Say "I am thirsty" in Swahili

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Nina kiu
"I am thirsty" in Swahili 路 say it like nee-nah kee-oo

The most natural way to say "I am thirsty" in Swahili is Nina kiu. 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

Nina kiu sana
Use this to emphasize that you are very thirsty.
Nina hamu ya kunywa
This is a more formal way to express thirst.

When to use it

You can use this phrase when you feel thirsty and want to express that to someone. It is a common expression in everyday conversations. You might say it when you are at home, at work, or out with friends.

Say it out loud, get corrected

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

Examples in Swahili

SwahiliEnglish
Nina kiu, naomba maji.I am thirsty, please give me water.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 'kiu' with 'kikosi', which means 'team'.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Nina kiu, 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

How do I ask for water in Swahili?

You can say 'Naomba maji' which means 'Please give me water'.

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