Learn Kikuyu

Where it's spoken

Central Kenya

Speakers

around 8 million

Writing system

Latin alphabet

Kikuyu is Kenya's most spoken first language and a natural second step after Swahili for anyone in Kenya.

What makes Kikuyu different

• Tone distinguishes words that look identical in writing.
• Some dialects differ noticeably in vocabulary.
• Proverbs are used in ordinary conversation, not just in speeches.

Your first Kikuyu phrases

Each phrase is written the way it's spelled, then respelled for English speakers with the stressed syllable in capitals.

• Wĩ mwegaHello/wee MWEH-ga/
• Nĩ ngathoThank you/nee n-GA-tho/
• WamũkĩrwoWelcome/wa-moo-KEE-rwo/
• Tigwo na wegaGoodbye/TEE-gwo na WEH-ga/
• ĨĩYes/EE-ee/
• AcaNo/A-cha/
• NdagũthaithaPlease/n-da-goo-THAI-tha/
• Nĩ njũguĩteSorry/nee n-joo-GOO-ee-teh/

Want the full list? Read the free Kikuyu phrasebook with pronunciation, grab the free printable Kikuyu starter kit, or compare SemaSoma with other African language apps.