المعنى
Inviting someone to take a seat.
خلفية ثقافية
Offering a seat is often accompanied by 'Udi' (incense) and a small cup of bitter coffee (Kahawa) and a date. It is rude to refuse the seat even if you are in a hurry. In rural areas, if there are no chairs, the host will lay out a 'Mkeka' (woven mat). You should still say 'Tafadhali keti' as they gesture to the mat. In fast-paced cities like Nairobi, 'Tafadhali keti' is used in offices, but in homes, people often jump straight to 'Karibu' and point to the sofa. Never sit before an elder. If you are already sitting and an elder enters, you must stand up and offer your seat using this phrase.
The Palm Gesture
When saying this, gesture towards the chair with an open palm facing up. Pointing with one finger is considered rude.
Don't forget the '-ni'
If you say 'Tafadhali keti' to a group, it sounds like you are only inviting one specific person to sit while the others stand.
المعنى
Inviting someone to take a seat.
The Palm Gesture
When saying this, gesture towards the chair with an open palm facing up. Pointing with one finger is considered rude.
Don't forget the '-ni'
If you say 'Tafadhali keti' to a group, it sounds like you are only inviting one specific person to sit while the others stand.
Wait for the 'Asante'
In Swahili culture, the guest will usually say 'Asante' before sitting. Wait for this acknowledgment to show you are a patient host.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the missing word to make the sentence polite.
________ keti, mgeni wangu.
'Tafadhali' is the word for 'please', making the invitation polite.
You are speaking to three people. Which is correct?
Wageni, tafadhali...
The suffix '-ni' is required when addressing more than one person.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
1. Tafadhali keti. 2. Kaa hapa! 3. Tafadhali ketini.
1 is formal singular, 2 is a command (informal), 3 is plural.
Complete the dialogue.
Host: Karibu nyumbani! Guest: Asante sana. Host: ________.
After welcoming someone (Karibu), the next logical step is to offer a seat.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Seating Etiquette
Formal
- • Tafadhali keti
- • Chukua nafasi
Informal
- • Kaa hapa
- • Keti tu
بنك التمارين
4 تمارين________ keti, mgeni wangu.
'Tafadhali' is the word for 'please', making the invitation polite.
Wageni, tafadhali...
The suffix '-ni' is required when addressing more than one person.
1. Tafadhali keti. 2. Kaa hapa! 3. Tafadhali ketini.
1 is formal singular, 2 is a command (informal), 3 is plural.
Host: Karibu nyumbani! Guest: Asante sana. Host: ________.
After welcoming someone (Karibu), the next logical step is to offer a seat.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
5 أسئلةNot at all. It's perfectly polite. However, with very close friends, you might just say 'Keti' or 'Kaa hapa'.
'Keti' specifically means to sit down. 'Kaa' can mean sit, but also 'stay', 'live', or 'wait'.
Use 'Tafadhali keti, bosi' or 'Tafadhali keti, mheshimiwa' for extra respect.
Yes, putting 'tafadhali' at the end is also correct and very common.
You can still say 'Tafadhali keti' while pointing to a mat, a bench, or even the grass.
عبارات ذات صلة
Karibu ukae
similarWelcome and sit.
Pumzika
builds onRest.
Simama
contrastStand up.
Jihisi uko nyumbani
similarFeel at home.
