馃嚢馃嚜 Swahili phrases

How to Say "Water" in Swahili

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
maji
"Water" in Swahili 路 say it like mah-jee

The most natural way to say "Water" in Swahili is maji. 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

maji safi
used to refer specifically to clean water
maji ya kunywa
used to refer to drinking water

When to use it

You can use 'maji' in everyday conversations when talking about water. It is appropriate in both formal and informal settings. For example, when ordering a drink or discussing hydration, 'maji' is the word to use.

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Examples in Swahili

SwahiliEnglish
Ninahitaji maji mengi ili kuishi.I need a lot of water to live.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 'maji' with 'maji ya kunywa' when they mean drinking water.

The fastest way to remember it

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

What is the difference between 'maji' and 'maji safi'?

'Maji' is general for water, while 'maji safi' specifically means clean water.

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