馃嚢馃嚜 Swahili phrases

How to Say "I'm sorry" in Swahili

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Samahani
"I'm sorry" in Swahili 路 say it like sah-mah-hah-nee

The most natural way to say "I'm sorry" 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 in more casual or informal situations
Nisamehe
more formal, meaning 'forgive me'

When to use it

Use 'Samahani' when you want to apologize for a mistake or inconvenience. It is appropriate in both formal and informal settings. You can use it when bumping into someone or when you need to interrupt someone politely.

Say it out loud, get corrected

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

Examples in Swahili

SwahiliEnglish
Samahani, nilikukosea.I'm sorry, I made a mistake with you.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 'Samahani' with 'Pole', but 'Pole' is more casual.

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'?

You should use 'Samahani' in any situation where you need to apologize.

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