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

How do you ask someone 'What is your name?' (literally 'You are called who?') in Swahili?

Unaitwa nani? They answer 'Ninaitwa...'

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  1. Unaitwa nani? ✔
  2. Unatoka wapi?
  3. Uko wapi?

Why: Unaitwa nani? means 'you are called who?' The answer starts with ninaitwa, I am called. Unatoka wapi? asks where you are from, and uko wapi? asks where you are right now.

Huh, didn't know that: After names, say 'Nimefurahi kukufahamu', which means 'I am happy to know you'.

The dad joke
I asked my GPS 'Unaitwa nani?' It said 'Recalculating.' Strange name.
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References

Answer: Unaitwa nani?. Unaitwa nani? means 'you are called who?' The answer starts with ninaitwa, I am called. Unatoka wapi? asks where you are from, and uko wapi? asks where you are right now.

  1. Baylor University, Elementary Swahili I: Kuuliza Majina openbooks.library.baylor.edu/elementaryswahili1/chapter/lesson-2-kuuliza-majina
    Ninaitwa mwalimu Gorrety. Na wewe unaitwa nani?
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  2. Northwestern University, Elementary Swahili: Greetings nulib-oer.github.io/swahili/topics/greetings
    Mimi ninaitwa Pili. Na wewe je, unaitwa nani?
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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