Phrases › Kabiye
Phrases
Early draft: There was little reliable source material for this language, so some lines may be wrong. Check with a speaker before relying on them.
In Kabiye, hello is Ŋlɩwá lɛ? and thank you is Ŋlaba lɛ. Here are 12 everyday Kabiye phrases with pronunciation, for travel and a first conversation.
How to say hello in Kabiye · How to say thank you in Kabiye · How to say goodbye in Kabiye · How to say please in Kabiye · How to say sorry in Kabiye
| English | Kabiye |
|---|---|
| Hello | Ŋlɩwá lɛ? Morning greeting to one person (6-11 am); Ɩlɩwá lɛ to several people or to show respect. Afternoon: Ñánà wɩsɩ. Evening: Ñánà ɖánaɣ. Reply: Yáá (OK) or Alafɩa (fine). |
| Goodbye | Pɩlábá tásɩ Literally 'see you soon'. 'See you tomorrow': Pɩlábá céé. For someone leaving on a trip: Ŋɖɔ cámɩyɛ. |
| Please | Kafaɖa Also the word to announce yourself or say 'excuse me'. 'Please' as a request is also mendendaŋ. |
| Thank you | Ŋlaba lɛ Add kpem for 'thanks a lot': Ŋlaba lɛ kpém. |
| Yes | Ɛɛ Also Ɛὲ. Yáá means 'OK, I accept your greeting'. |
| No | Aɩɩ 'No, thank you': Aɩɩ, ŋlaba lɛ. |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Kaka Kaka (or Kaka, ŋka) = sorry; Kafaɖa = excuse me. |
| I don't understand | Maanɩwʊ Literally 'I did not hear'. Also Mandanɩ (I did not understand). |
| Please speak slowly | Yɔdɩ hɛɛ Literally 'say it slowly'. To a group or to be polite add mendendaŋ. 'Say it again': Tasɩ yɔdʊ. |
| How much is it? | Ŋna? Said when buying. A seller asks Ŋna ŋbɛdʊ? 'How much do you sell it for?' Bargaining is expected: Pásɩ pazɩ = 'reduce a little'. |
| Where is …? | Lé … wɛ? Put the place in the gap: Lé biro wɛ? 'Where is the office?', Lé kɩyakʊ wɛ? 'Where is the market?'. Structure confirmed. |
| Help! | Ɩsɩnam! Said to several people (Sɩnam to one). Hayɩ … nééé is the shout pattern (Hayɩ miŋ nééé = Fire!). |
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