Counting in Swahili is incredibly straightforward once you learn the basic numbers from zero to ten.

The counting system relies on a predictable, logical pattern that repeats itself all the way up to the millions.

You don’t have to memorize strange exceptions or irregular counting rules.

Instead, you simply stack the numbers together to build larger figures.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Swahili numbers and currency.

Numbers 0 to 10

The foundation of all Swahili counting starts with the numbers zero through ten.

Once you memorize these eleven words, building larger numbers becomes incredibly easy.

When you’re just counting out loud, you’ll use these exact words.

However, you should note that the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 will slightly change their prefixes when counting specific physical objects.

For example, “one person” is mtu mmoja instead of just mtu moja.

For now, simply focus on learning these base numbers.

Numbers 11 to 99

To count past ten, Swahili uses the word na, which means “and”.

You simply say the word for ten (kumi) followed by na, and then add the single digit.

For example, eleven is kumi na moja (ten and one).

Twelve is kumi na mbili (ten and two).

To count even higher, you’ll need to learn the multiples of ten.

Most of these words actually come from Arabic, which makes them sound a bit different from the numbers one through ten.

When you want to say a number like 24, you follow the exact same stacking rule.

You take the word for twenty (ishirini), add na (and), and finish with four (nne).

Hundreds, thousands, and millions

Counting into the hundreds and thousands uses the exact same logical system.

You just need to learn the base words for hundred, thousand, and million.

To say “two hundred”, you simply say mia mbili (hundred two).

To say “five thousand”, you say elfu tano (thousand five).

When connecting hundreds to tens or ones, you use the word na right before the final part of the number.

Swahili currency and money vocabulary

The official currency in the major Swahili-speaking countries of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda is the shilling.

In Swahili, this word is pronounced and written as shilingi.

When talking about money in general, you’ll use the words pesa or hela.

The word pesa is understood everywhere, while hela is very commonly used in Tanzania.

Here’s a list of helpful vocabulary words to use when handling money.

When you’re shopping at a local market, you’ll need to know how to ask for the price.

Here are a few ways to ask how much something costs and how a seller might respond.

You’ll also hear regional slang when dealing with currency in East Africa.

In Tanzania, a one thousand shilling note is famously referred to as buku.

In Kenya, people often refer to twenty shillings as mbao.

Knowing these local slang words will help you sound much more natural when buying things on the street.