A lot of tools only look for English words like "price" or "buy". But your customers do not write like a textbook. They write the way they speak, and often mix English, Kiswahili and Sheng in one sentence.
Here is a working list to train your eye, or your team. It is not complete, and new phrases appear all the time, so treat it as a starting point and add your own.
Phrases that usually mean a buyer
| What they write | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Bei ni ngapi? | How much is it? | Reply with the price and what it includes |
| Nipe bei | Give me the price | Same, and ask what quantity |
| Naomba bei | Please give me the price | Same |
| Mko wapi? | Where are you? | Give the area and a landmark or map link |
| Mnapatikana wapi? | Where can I find you? | Same |
| Mnafikisha? | Do you deliver? | Say where you deliver and the cost |
| Mnatuma mkoani? | Do you send upcountry? | Give the options and the time it takes |
| Naweza order vipi? | How can I order? | Give the simplest way: a number, a link or a form |
| Naomba namba yenu | Please give me your number | Send it, and ask for theirs too |
| Nipigie | Call me | Call them. This is a warm lead |
| Inbox bei | Send the price in inbox | Answer in public as well, so others see it |
| Ni available? | Is it available? | Confirm stock and how to get it |
Phrases that mean "I might leave"
| What they write | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Nimeagiza jana bado sijapata | I ordered yesterday and still have not received it | Reply first today, and fix it |
| Mko serious? | Are you serious? | They are losing patience, so respond fast and calmly |
| Pole but... | Sorry but... | Often a polite complaint, so read to the end |
Three habits that help
- Read the whole sentence. "Hongera! Bei ni ngapi?" is praise and a price question at once.
- Reply in the language they used. A Kiswahili question answered in Kiswahili feels like a person, not a system.
- Keep your own list growing. Every time a customer uses a phrase you did not expect, add it to your notes.
SikiaIQ is built to read comments written this way, including sentences that mix languages. It still makes mistakes with slang and sarcasm, which is why every finding shows you the comment behind it, so you can always check.