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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/sw-daktari

How do you say doctor in Swahili?

Doctor is daktari.

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  1. Polisi
  2. Daktari ✔
  3. Mwalimu

Why: Daktari is the everyday word for a medical doctor. Polisi is police and mwalimu is teacher.

Huh, didn't know that: You may also hear mganga, which can mean a physician or a healer.

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I told the daktari I felt like a deck of cards. He said he would deal with me later.
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References

Answer: Daktari. Daktari is the everyday word for a medical doctor. Polisi is police and mwalimu is teacher.

  1. University of Kansas Kiswahili, Lesson 30 kiswahili.ku.edu/sites/kiswahili/files/documents/lessons/lesson_30.pdf
    daktari / mganga [doctor]
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  2. University of Kansas Kiswahili, Lesson 12 kiswahili.ku.edu/sites/kiswahili/files/documents/lessons/lesson_12.pdf
    mganga [healer; physician]
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  3. University of Kansas Kiswahili, Lesson 30 kiswahili.ku.edu/sites/kiswahili/files/documents/lessons/lesson_30.pdf
    zahanati / kliniki [clinic / dispensary]
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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