Kiswahili phrases
How to say sorry in Kiswahili
Sorry in Kiswahili is “Pole”. There are 3 ways to say it below, with when to use each.
Pole
Every way to say sorry in Kiswahili
Pole
Sorry (sympathy)
Said when someone is tired, ill or has had bad luck - not an apology. The reply is Asante or Nimeshapoa.
Source: common usage, needs native check
Samahani
Sorry / excuse me
For your own mistake, or to get attention.
Source: common usage, needs native check
Poleni kwa msiba
Sorry for your loss (to the family)
Source: common usage, needs native check
Sorry in other African languages
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Questions
How do you say sorry in Kiswahili?
“Pole”. Said when someone is tired, ill or has had bad luck - not an apology. The reply is Asante or Nimeshapoa. Other ways: “Samahani” (Sorry / excuse me); “Poleni kwa msiba” (Sorry for your loss (to the family)).
Where does this Kiswahili come from?
Every one comes from a university language course, a dictionary, a government text or a native speaker's review, and its source is shown under it. Every one has been checked by our team.