Phrases › Mandinka
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 Mandinka, hello is I be kayira to? and thank you is Abaraka. Here are 12 everyday Mandinka phrases with pronunciation, for travel and a first conversation.
How to say hello in Mandinka · How to say thank you in Mandinka · How to say please in Mandinka
| English | Mandinka |
|---|---|
| Hello | I be kayira to? lit. 'are you at peace?' -- the standard greeting; response is 'Kayira doroŋ' (peace only) |
| Please | Dukare confirmed throughout the market/housing dialogues |
| Thank you | Abaraka |
| Yes | Haa |
| No | Hani |
| How much is it? | A mu jelu le ti? built directly from the confirmed pattern 'X mu jelu le ti' = 'X is how much' |
| Where is the bathroom? | Kamoo be mintoo le? built from confirmed kamoo (toilet) + be mintoo le (is where) |
| I'd like this, please | Dukare, n lafita ñiŋ na built from confirmed dukare, n lafita (I want), ñiŋ (this) |
| Where is …? | … be mintoo le? the gap is filled with the noun; pattern confirmed from 'Suumoolu lee?' / 'X be mintoo le' constructions |
| Help! | Maakoy n na! built from confirmed maakoy (help) + n na (me), cf. 'N maakoy ... to' = help me with... |
| I need a doctor | N suulata dokitaroo la built from confirmed suulata (need) + dokitaroo (doctor) |
| Can you help me? | I si n maakoy noo baŋ? built from confirmed si...noo (can) + n maakoy (help me) + baŋ (question marker) |
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