arabic loanwords in the swahili language?

One Comment

1. MK says:

   November 2, 2009 at 3:23 pm

   Here are some words:
   [note: the format of the list is...
   * The word in Swahili (the origin in Arabic) = the meaning in English]

   * Marahabaa (from "marhaba" in Arabic) = greeted answer
   * Tafadhali (from "tafadal") = please
   * Haraka (from "haraka") = quickly
   * Baridi (from "bared") = cold
   * Hatari (form "khatar") = danger
   * Samahani (from "samehni") = excuse me
   * Rafiki (from "rafik") = friend
   * Safiri (from "safer") = travel
   * Furahi (from "farah") = happy
   * Alhamisi (from "al-khamis") = Thursday
   * Ijumaa (from "al-juma’") = Friday
   * Sita (from "sitta") = six
   * Saba (from "saba’") = seven
   * Tisa (from "tesa’") = nine
   * Ishirini (from "ushrin") = 20
   * Thalathini (from "thalathin") = 30
   * Arubaini (from "arba’in") = 40
   * Hamsini (from "khamsin") = 50
   * Sitini (from "sittin") = 60
   * Sabini (from "sab’in") = 70
   * Thamanini (from "thamanin") = 80
   * Tisini (from "tes’in") = 90
   * Mia (from "mi’a") = 100
   * Elfu (from "alf") = 1000
   * Nusu (from "nusf" or "nus" in spoken Arabic) = half
   * Robo (from "rob’") = quarter
   * Saa (from "sa’a) = hour
   * Asubuhi (from "as-sabah") = morning
   * Magharibi (from "maghreb") = dusk
   * Alfajiri (from "al-fajr") = early morning