Swahili Names for Common Vegetables, Herbs & Spices

Most of the common vegetables in Kenya are often referred to by their English names rather than their Swahili equivalent. Good examples include spinach, carrot, and cabbage.

This makes sense since a majority of these vegetables are exotic to these parts despite how commonplace they’re today. Herbs and spices often get a similar treatment with the exception being regions where spicy dishes are a long-standing tradition e.g. the Kenyan coast.

The more obvious exception however are the traditional, or rather indigenous vegetables, which tend to be referred in their vernacular. Good examples include the likes of Terere, Managu, Kunde and Mrenda.

Below is a list of translations for some common vegetables and herbs & spices to clear the confusion as to their Swahili or English names.

Vegetables

Note: Names in the brackets are vernacular (not Swahili) to help with identification.

Herbs and Spices

Other Translations

• Swahili Names for Common Cereals & Legumes
• Swahili Names for Common Fruits & Nuts
• English Words For Common Kenyan Foods