Phrases › Bambara
Phrases
In Bambara, hello is I ni sɔgɔma and thank you is I ni ce. Here are 20 everyday Bambara phrases with pronunciation, for travel and a first conversation.
How to say hello in Bambara · How to say thank you in Bambara · How to say goodbye in Bambara · How to say please in Bambara · How to say sorry in Bambara
| English | Bambara |
|---|---|
| Hello | I ni sɔgɔma Literally 'you and the morning'; swap sɔgɔma for tile (midday) or wula (evening) depending on time of day. |
| Goodbye | K'an bɛn Literally 'let's meet (again)'. |
| Please | Aw ye a diya Softens a request; used with the plural/polite 'aw' even to one person for politeness. |
| Thank you | I ni ce Say 'Aw ni ce' to more than one person or to show extra respect. |
| Yes | Awɔ |
| No | Ayi |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Hakɛ to yen Literally 'leave the fault there'; a common apology. |
| Do you speak English? | I bɛ tubabukan fɔ wa? Tubabukan literally means 'European/foreigner's language', used for English or French depending on context. |
| I don't understand | N ma faamu |
| Please speak slowly | Aw ye kuma dɔɔni dɔɔni Dɔɔni dɔɔni means 'little by little / slowly'. |
| How much is it? | A sɔngɔ ye joli ye? |
| Where is the bathroom? | Nyɛgɛnbon bɛ min? |
| I'd like this, please | Ne b'a fɛ nin |
| The bill, please | Wari kalo, aw ye a lase n ma More simply: 'N b'a fɛ ka wari sara' (I want to pay). |
| Where is …? | … bɛ min? Put the place name before 'bɛ min?'. |
| Help! | Dɛmɛ! |
| I need a doctor | N mago bɛ dɔgɔtɔrɔ la |
| Call the police! | Aw ye polisi wele! |
| I don't speak Bambara | N tɛ Bamanankan fɔ |
| Can you help me? | I bɛ se ka n dɛmɛ wa? |
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