Learning The Basics of Kiswahili..

Swahili comes from the plural sawahili, a derivative from the Arabic Sahil, which means boundaries or coast. With the ki- in front, kiswahili literally means coastal language.

Swahili (or Kiswahili) is a bantu language that is the national language of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, (Coastal Countries) along with being a means of communication through much of East Africa. Some of the language is derived from Arabic due to the years of Arabic-inhabitants, but there is also some incoorporation of Portugese, German, French, Persian and English due to contact with traders and slavers over the years. 
So, I'll start somewhere simple that everyone loves.. The Lion King! As it uses a few Swahili words that I've picked up on:

Hakuna Matata - No Worries!
Simba - Lion
Sarabi - Mirage
Pumba - Careless; to be a fool; to be bewildered!
Rafiki - Friend
Banzai - Skulk/Lurk
Upendo - Love
Shenzi - uncouth, savege, demon, barbarous

Some Swahili words are incorporated into English:
Safari - Journey/Travel
Jenga - From 'Kujenga',which means to build
Tote - Possibly derived from 'Tuta', meaning to haul

There are also some English words that have been incorporated into Swahili Too!!:
Polisi - Police
Boksi - Box
Hoteli - Hotel
Televisheni - TV
Baiskeli - Bicycle
Hospitali - Hospital
Soksi - Socks
Picha - Picture
Muziki - Music
Redio - Radio

Here are some general, basic phrases that I've picked up:
Jambo - Hello (Mambo is the more informal version of this)
Shikamoo - Greeting to an elder, which originally meant literally 'I touch your feet', as a sign of respect
Kwaheri - Goodbye

Habari? - How are you? Or literally, 'news?'

Variations on this include:

Habari yako? - What's your news?

Habari za leo? - How are you today?
Habari za kazi? - How's work?
Habari za nyumbani? - How's home?
Habari za asubuhi? - How are you this morning?
Habari za usiku? - How are you tonight?
Habari za mchana? - How are you this afternoon?
Habari za jioni? How are you this evening?

(I am yet to fully master all of these variations - and am still working out the correct pronouciation!)

An informal version is, 'Mambo Vipi' - How's it going?

Responses to these can be:
Nzuri - Good
Njema/Mzema - Fine
Poa/Shwari/Bomba/Mzuka - All meaning 'cool', which can can be doubled up, ie. poa poa

To ask in response you would say, 'Za Kwako?'

Asante - Thank you
Asante Sana - Thank you Very Much
Tafadhali - Please

Karibu - Welcome/You're Welcome

Samahani - Sorry (Forgive me)

Apparently, this is a word that I will hear a lot, not in an offensive way, but just as a statement - 'Mzungu' meaning foreigner!

Jina langu Ni.. - My name Is..
Ninaitwa.. - I am called..
Jina lako Nani..? - Your name is..?
Unaitwa..? - You are called..?

Ndiyo - Yes (Or just raising both eyebrows!)
Hapana - No

There's a lot to learn and I am trying my very hardest! I'm working on body parts and phrases I will use more in the hospital at the moment, so when I've got a better grasp of those, I will let you know and post some of them up here too!