LanguageKnow Dictionary
Explore words and phrases from languages around the world
Welcome to the dictionary
Here you can explore words and phrases from every language on the platform. The most useful first step is to pick a language below and browse its words.
5,872 languages with published entries
Sign languages
4 sign languages with signs. Signs are shown in SignWriting, never as notation.
Swahili
May include AI-generated content. Most words have not yet been reviewed by a native speaker.
Samahani
Excuse me / I'm sorry
[sa-ma-ha-ni]
- This term is used to show politeness when interrupting someone or expressing regret for an action.
Samahani, sijui.
Excuse me, I do not know.
[sah-mah-HAH-nee, see-JOO-ee]
Context: Used politely when someone asks a question you cannot answer.
Samahani, nisaidie.
Excuse me, help me.
[sa-ma-ha-ni ni-sa-i-di-e]
Context: A polite way to attract someone's attention and ask for assistance.
- You use this when you need to grab someone's attention quickly in order to ask for their help with something.
Samahani, naomba njia.
Excuse me, I am asking for the way.
[sa-ma-ha-ni na-om-ba nji-a]
Context: Asking to pass through a crowd or path.
- This phrase is a polite request used when a person needs to move through a crowded space or past others.
Samahani, nimechelewa.
Excuse me, I am late.
[sa-ma-HA-nee nee-me-che-LE-wa]
Context: Used to apologize for arriving after the scheduled time.
- This phrase is used to offer an apology when arriving at a meeting or appointment after the agreed time.
Samahani, naomba msaada
Excuse me, I request help
[sa-ma-ha-nee na-o-mba msa-a-da]
Context: Used when you need assistance from a stranger or a friend.
- You use this phrase to request assistance from anyone when you have a specific task or problem you cannot solve alone.
Samahani, ninaomba njia.
Excuse me, I request a path.
[sa-ma-ha-ni ni-na-o-mba nji-a]
Context: Used to politely ask people to move so you can pass through.
- This phrase is a social tool used to request physical space in a crowded area so the speaker may pass by.
Samahani, siwezi kuelewa.
Sorry, I cannot understand.
[Sah-mah-hah-nee, see-weh-zee kweh-leh-wah.]
Context: Use when you have difficulty understanding something in the meeting.
- This expression is used to indicate that you need further clarification because the previous explanation was not clear to you.
Samahani, naweza kupata menyu?
Excuse me, can I get the menu?
[sah-mah-hah-nee, nah-weh-zah koo-pah-tah men-yoo]
Context: When you want to request the menu
- This polite request is used by a customer to initiate the process of choosing food when dining at a restaurant or café.
Samahani, ninaweza kusema nawe?
Excuse me, can I speak with you?
[sa-ma-ha-ni, ni-na-we-za ku-se-ma na-we]
Context: Used to politely interrupt someone to start a conversation.
- This polite request is used to gain the attention of someone before you begin a conversation with them.
Samahani, chakula changu hakijafika.
Excuse me, my food hasn't arrived.
[sah-mah-hah-nee, chah-koo-lah chah-ngoo hah-kee-jah-fee-kah]
Context: When checking on your food order's status
- You use this phrase to politely call the server's attention to the fact that your ordered meal has not yet reached your table.
Samahani, nilichelewa kupata habari.
Sorry, I was late to get the news.
[sah-ma-HAH-nee, nee-lee-CHEH-leh-wah koo-PAH-tah hah-BAH-ree.]
Context: Use this phrase when apologizing for being late with updates or news within the family.
- You use this when you need to explain why you provided information to family members later than you had initially promised.
Showing 12 of 12. To find one entry quickly, type it in the search box at the top of this page.