Learn how to tell time, understand vocabulary, and ask calendar-related questions in Kiswahili.
A Senior One Kiswahili guide to telling time (saa), using time-related vocabulary, reading calendars, and answering date questions — explained in English with translated examples and visuals.
Introduction: Telling Time in Kiswahili
Understanding how to tell time (saa) and talk about dates (tarehe) is a vital part of everyday communication. In Kiswahili, telling time follows a unique system, different from English. Also, learning how to read a calendar and ask questions about dates and days helps learners in school, at home, and in daily life.
This blog will walk you through:
- How to read the time in Kiswahili
- Vocabulary used when telling time
- Calendar terms and how to answer questions about dates
1. Saa na Msamiati Wake – Time and Its Vocabulary
In Kiswahili, time is counted from sunrise (around 6:00 AM) as the first hour, not midnight. This is known as the Swahili Clock System.
🕒 How to Tell Time in Kiswahili
| English Time | Kiswahili Time | Meaning |
| 7:00 AM | Saa moja asubuhi | One in the morning (1st hour after sunrise) |
| 8:00 AM | Saa mbili asubuhi | Two in the morning |
| 1:00 PM | Saa saba mchana | Seven in the afternoon |
| 6:00 PM | Saa kumi na mbili jioni | Twelve in the evening |
| 9:00 PM | Saa tatu usiku | Three at night |
🧠 TIP:
To convert English time to Kiswahili time:
- Subtract 6 from the hour if it’s between 6 AM and 6 PM
- Add 6 if it’s between 7 PM and 5 AM
🕘 Key Time Vocabulary – Msamiati Muhimu wa Saa
| English | Kiswahili |
| Time | Saa |
| Hour | Saa |
| Minute | Dakika |
| Second | Sekunde |
| Morning | Asubuhi |
| Afternoon | Mchana |
| Evening | Jioni |
| Night | Usiku |
| Now | Sasa |
| Today | Leo |
| Tomorrow | Kesho |
| Yesterday | Jana |
📝 Examples in Sentences
- Ni saa tatu asubuhi. → It is 9:00 AM.
- Tunakutana saa saba mchana. → We meet at 1:00 PM.
- Mkutano unaanza saa mbili usiku. → The meeting starts at 8:00 PM.
📊 Illustration: Kiswahili Clock vs English Clock
Kiswahili Time Dial:
12 1 2
| | |
11 * 3
| |
10 6 4
|
5
6 AM → Saa 12
7 AM → Saa 1
8 AM → Saa 2
…
6 PM → Saa 12 jioni
2. Kalenda na Maswali Kuhusu Tarehe – Calendar and Date Questions
After learning how to tell time, learners need to understand how to read a calendar and answer questions about days, months, and specific dates.
📅 Kiswahili Calendar Terms
| English | Kiswahili |
| Calendar | Kalenda |
| Date | Tarehe |
| Day | Siku |
| Month | Mwezi |
| Year | Mwaka |
| Week | Wiki/Juma |
| Weekend | Mwisho wa wiki |
| Public Holiday | Sikukuu ya kitaifa |
| Birthday | Siku ya kuzaliwa |
🗣️ Common Questions About Dates
| English Question | Kiswahili Translation |
| What is the date today? | Leo ni tarehe ngapi? |
| What day is today? | Leo ni siku gani? |
| What is your date of birth? | Tarehe yako ya kuzaliwa ni ipi? |
| When is Independence Day? | Sikukuu ya Uhuru ni lini? |
| Which month comes after July? | Ni mwezi gani hufuata Julai? |
| How many days are in a week? | Kuna siku ngapi katika wiki? |
📘 Sample Dialogue: Asking and Answering Date Questions
Amina: Leo ni tarehe ngapi?
John: Leo ni tarehe kumi na mbili, Mei.
Amina: Kesho ni siku gani?
John: Kesho ni Ijumaa.
Translation:
Amina: What is the date today?
John: Today is the 12th of May.
Amina: What day is tomorrow?
John: Tomorrow is Friday.
3. Activities and Practice Section
✍️ A. Match the Time
| English Time | Kiswahili Time |
| 6:00 AM | a) Saa saba mchana |
| 1:00 PM | b) Saa sita usiku |
| 10:00 PM | c) Saa kumi jioni |
| 7:00 AM | d) Saa moja asubuhi |
Answers:
6:00 AM → d, 1:00 PM → a, 10:00 PM → b, 7:00 AM → d
📆 B. Fill in the Calendar
Complete the sentences using correct date vocabulary:
- Today is __________ (Tuesday)
- My birthday is on __________ (12th August)
- The teacher arrived at __________ (9:00 AM)
- Independence Day is on __________ (9th October)
Sample Answers:
- Leo ni Jumanne
- Siku yangu ya kuzaliwa ni tarehe kumi na mbili, Agosti
- Mwalimu alifika saa tatu asubuhi
- Sikukuu ya Uhuru ni tarehe tisa, Oktoba
Conclusion: Mastering Time and Dates in Kiswahili
Learning how to tell time and talk about dates in Kiswahili is a key survival skill. Whether you’re planning your day, attending events, or answering questions in class, these expressions and vocabulary will help you communicate confidently.
🕒 Ukifahamu saa na tarehe, unaweza kupanga siku yako vizuri!
(If you understand time and date, you can organize your day better!)
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