Tanzania Glossary

A

Asante thanks

Asante sana a more polite way to reject a vendor offering goods.

D

Daladala traditional colorful buses and most common mode of transportation in Tanzania.

Dukas small shops

H

Hapana means, “no,” and a firm way to reject a bugging vendor. This is not to be used casually as it is offending.

K

Kangas colorful wrap-around clothing popular to Tanzanians of both genders

Karibu tena means welcome again, the locals’ greeting to tourists coming back to their land.

Kikoy colorful wrap-around clothing popular among women

M

Mzungu Swahili word for “white,” a common term the locals call tourists specially Caucasians.

P

Pole na kazi means “I'm sorry you have to work,” a common comment by Tanzanians. Tourists simply reply, asante or "thanks."

Posta mark on the daladala going to the city center. This is what tourists should look for if they are heading that way.

S

Shikamoo means “I hold your feet” in Swahili, a greeting given to elders even by tourists.

Shusha! what to shout when you want buses to stop

T

Tinga Tinga a unique kind of East African painting and a popular souvenir

Touts agents of hotels that hassle tourists. Avoid them as much as possible since they will charge the tourists with high sums of money just to get commissions.