Essential Lingala Phrases


Sometimes you don't have time to learn long lists of words and phrases. All you want to know are the bare essentials for communicating to get what you need, or where you need to go.

Here are the bare minimum of Lingala words and phrases you need to know to survive.

Learn the Top 10 Phrases if you only have time for the barest minimum. If you need or want more, then take a look at the Top 20 Phrases, Top 30 Phrases and the Extra Phrases.

If you need help with pronunciation, please see the Pronunciation Guide below. If you need help with the tones, please see the Tone Guide below. Here are ten easy phrases to get you started ... The Top 10 ... Mbóte. Mbóte na yó. Losáko. Hello. Tíkala malámu. (to the person staying) Kendé malámu. (to the person leaving) Goodbye. Olobaka Lingelésa? Olobaka Lifalansé? Do you speak English? Do you speak French? Nayókí té. I don't understand. Moké. A little. Íyo / Eé. Té. Yes. No. Ntálo ezalí bóní? How much is it? Óyo ntálo míngi. Malámu / Nandimí. Too expensive. OK / Agreed. Paladó. Sókí olingí. Please. Botóndi (míngi). Melesí (míngi). Thank you (very much).

Here are ten more phrases that will help you make new friends and ask for directions ... The Top 20 ...

Nkómbó na yó náni? What is your name? Nkómbó na ngáí ... My name is ... Nsángo níni? Ndéngé níni? How are you? Nazalí malámu. Na yo? Fine. And you? ... ezalí wápi? Where is ...? Kabiné ezalí wápi? Mibáli / Bǎsí Libúlú ezalí wápi? Mibáli / Bǎsí Where is the toilet? Men / Women Nayókí mâwa. Límbisa ngáí. Sorry. Excuse me. Likambo té. No problem. Nalingí ... I want ... Nalingí ... té. I don't want ...

Here are another ten phrases to help you make a little more conversation and to get around ... The Top 30 ...

Oútí wápi? Where are you from? Naútí Australia.* I am from Australia. Nalingí kofúta, paladó. The bill, please. (I want to pay, please.) Nabúngí nzelá. I'm lost. Téleme! Zela! Stop! Wait! Áwa, wâná, kúná. Here, there, over there. Taksí. Lotéle. Libándá lya mpépo. Lotéme. Taxi. Hotel. Airport. Station. Nalingí ... I like ... Nalingí ... té. I don't like ... mǒkó, míbalé, mísáto, mínei, mítáno. one, two, three, four, five. motóbá, sambo, mwambe, libwá, zómi. six, seven, eight, nine, ten. *Or choose your country: Ameríka - America Kanadá - Canada Ingelandi - England Ingelétele - England (UK) Irlandí - Ireland Zeland ya Sika - New Zealand

Here are some extra words and phrases you might find useful, especially if you have dietary needs or allergies ... Useful Extras ...

Na bokólóngónó na yó! Cheers! malámu / mabé good / bad monéne / moké big / small pembéni / mosíká near / far mwa / mosúsu less / more mosúsu / ekokí another / enough Nazalí vegetarian. I am vegetarian. Nalíyaka mosuni té. Nalíyaka nyama té. I don't eat meat. ... nsósó. ... chicken. ... mbísi. ... fish. Nakokí kolíya ngúba té. Nazalí na allergie na ngúba. I cannot eat peanuts. I am allergic to peanuts. ... mbísi. ... fish. ... biléi bya mbú. ... seafood. ... máki. ... eggs.