“Hakuna Matata,” both the catchphrase and the song, is one of the most iconic parts of The Lion King. But what does the phrase actually mean?
Simba singing with Timon and Pumbaa in the jungle in The Lion King
“Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King means “no trouble” or “take it easy” in Swahili, encapsulating a problem-free philosophy.
The movie popularized the phrase internationally, making it a cultural staple and synonymous with Disney’s family-friendly brand.
The song is taught to Simba by Timon and Pumbaa, helping him let go of his past and embrace the present, with Elton John composing the music and Tim Rice writing the lyrics.
“Hakuna Matata” is one of the most iconic quotes – and songs – from The Lion King, but what does it actually mean? The Lion King is an animated homage to Hamlet set in the animal kingdom. The story revolves around a lion cub named Simba who flees into the jungle when his evil uncle Scar kills his father Mufasa to usurp his throne as the King of the Pride Lands. When he grows up and receives wisdom from Mufasa from beyond the grave, Simba reluctantly returns to confront Scar and take his place as the rightful king.
The Lion King remains one of the most beloved and acclaimed films from the Disney Renaissance era. The movie is full of iconic songs composed by Elton John and memorable lines of dialogue that fans still quote to this day. “Hakuna Matata” is a rare example of both: it’s a memorable quote from the film, and it’s also the title of an iconic musical number. The phrase is taught to Simba by outcasts Timon and Pumbaa, with whom he grows up in the jungle. But what does the term actually mean?
“Hakuna matata” is a Swahili phrase that means “no trouble” or “take it easy.” “Hakuna” translates as “there is no/there are no” and “matata” translates as “worries,” so the phrase literally means “there is no worries.” The lyrics of The Lion King’s “Hakuna Matata” song stretch the meaning of the phrase slightly: “It means no worries, for the rest of your days…” Timon and Pumbaa refer to the phrase as their “problem-free philosophy,” which is an apt way to describe the meaning of the original Swahili phrase.
How The Lion King Popularized “Hakuna Matata”
The Lion King’s use of “hakuna matata” brought the phrase an unexpected international recognition. Ever since Disney featured the phrase “hakuna matata” in The Lion King and made it the focal point of a classic song, the phrase has achieved prominence and popularity in the Western world. In the movie, Timon and Pumbaa use the phrase – and the song named after it – to teach Simba to let go of his dark past and live in the present. John wrote the music for the song while Tim Rice, who discovered the phrase in a Swahili phrasebook, wrote the lyrics.
The song frequently plays at Disney’s resorts, hotels, and theme parks, and has become synonymous with the studio’s family-friendly corporate brand. The Mouse House’s attempt to trademark the phrase was met with backlash for its alleged cultural appropriation. “Hakuna Matata” received a nomination for Best Original Song at the 1995 Academy Awards, and later earned the 99th spot on the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 greatest songs ever featured in movies. The Lion King has made “hakuna matata” a worldwide cultural staple.
