Food, Drinks, and Eating Out

New Words and Phrases (in English)

Here are useful words and phrases for talking about food and ordering in a café or restaurant. Each item includes pronunciation and an example sentence.

Language Pattern (in English)

1. Using "Ningependa" to order politely

Ningependa (neen-geh-PEHN-dah) literally means "I would like". It is a polite and very common way to order food or drinks.

Structure:

• Ningependa + noun

Examples:

• Ningependa kahawa. – I would like coffee.
• Ningependa maji baridi. – I would like cold water.
• Ningependa menyu. – I would like the menu.

You can also join items with na (and):

• Ningependa kahawa na maji. – I would like coffee and water.

2. Negative: Saying what you do not eat

To say you do not eat something, you can use:

• Siili ... – I do not eat ...

Example from the vocabulary:

• Siili nyama. – I do not eat meat.

You can add a follow-up question:

• Siili nyama. Una chakula cha mboga? – I do not eat meat. Do you have vegetarian food?

3. Polite questions in a restaurant

Use Naweza kupata ...? to ask "Can I get ...?":

• Naweza kupata menyu, tafadhali? – Can I get the menu, please?
• Naweza kupata glasi ya maji? – Can I get a glass of water?

Use Una mapendekezo gani? to ask for recommendations:

• Una mapendekezo gani ya chakula cha jioni? – What do you recommend for dinner?

Practice Dialogue (in English)

In this dialogue, a customer orders food and asks about recommendations and dietary needs at a café.

Check Your Understanding (in English)

Answer this question to check your understanding of how to order politely in Swahili.