Lingala phrases | Most common phrases for everyday life

Lingala phrases – Here you will find the most common phrases in Lingala with translation. | Free & useful

Lingala phrases are short expressions or idioms often used in speech to be polite, express gratitude, greet or say goodbye or simply to have a pleasant conversation.

They are an important part of Lingala culture and can be useful in different situations, both in private and business life.

Lingala phrases you should know

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Greet someone in Lingala

If you want to greet someone in Lingala, it’s actually quite easy:

English	Lingala	IPA
Welcome! in Lingala	Boyei malamu!	/bɔ.jɛ́i ma.la.mu/
Good day to you! in Lingala	Lakisa malamu!	/la.ki.sa ma.la.mu/
Good morning to you! in Lingala	Mbote na ntɔ́ngɔ!	/ᵐbó.tɛ na n.tɔ́.ŋɔ/
Good evening! in Lingala	Mbote na mpɔ́!	/ᵐbó.tɛ na m.pɔ́/
Good to see you. in Lingala	Kitoko komona yo.	/ki.tó.kɔ kɔ.mó.na jó/
I’m glad to see you. in Lingala	Nazali na esengo ya komona yo.	/na.za.li na ɛ.sɛ.ŋɡɔ ya kɔ.mó.na jó/

If you are greeted in Lingala, the best way to respond is as follows:

English	Lingala	IPA
Have a nice day too! in Lingala	Yokana malamu na mokolo mpe!	/jo.ka.na ma.la.mu na mɔ.kɔ.lɔ mpɛ/
Thanks, it’s nice to see you too. in Lingala	Matondo, kitoko komona yo mpe.	/ma.tɔ́n.dɔ ki.tó.kɔ kɔ.mó.na jó mpɛ/

How is my dialogue partner?

As in any other country, it is polite to start by asking where the person you are talking to is located. Here’s how you do it:

English	Lingala	IPA
How are you doing? in Lingala	Ozali malamu?	/ɔ.za.li ma.la.mu/
Are you doing well? in Lingala	Ozali na bomoyi malamu?	/ɔ.za.li na bɔ.mɔ.ji ma.la.mu/

If you are asked how you feel, you can answer with the following phrases:

English	Lingala	IPA
Thank you for asking, I am fine. in Lingala	Matondo mpo na kotuna, nazali malamu.	/ma.tɔ́n.dɔ mpɔ na kɔ.tú.na na.za.li ma.la.mu/
Thank you, I am fine. in Lingala	Matondo, nazali malamu.	/ma.tɔ́n.dɔ na.za.li ma.la.mu/
Thank you, I am not doing so well. in Lingala	Matondo, nazali te malamu mingi.	/ma.tɔ́n.dɔ na.za.li tɛ ma.la.mu mí.ŋɡi/
Thanks, I’m fine. How are you doing?	Matondo, nazali malamu. Bongo yo?	/ma.tɔ́n.dɔ na.za.li ma.la.mu bɔ.ŋgɔ jɔ/

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How do I say goodbye to someone in Lingala?

Saying goodbye to a friend or stranger in Lingala is not that difficult. Just use the following phrases:

English	Lingala	IPA
Goodbye! in Lingala	Kolala malamu!	/kɔ.la.la ma.la.mu/
Take care of yourself! in Lingala	Lingá yo moko!	/liŋɡá jɔ mɔ.kɔ/
See you tomorrow in Lingala	Tokomi kokutana lobi.	/tɔ.ko.mi kɔ.ku.ta.na lɔ.bi/
See you soon in Lingala	Tokomi kokutana noki.	/tɔ.ko.mi kɔ.ku.ta.na nɔ.ki/
See you later in Lingala	Tokomi kolobela nsima.	/tɔ.ko.mi kɔ.lɔ.bɛ.la n.si.ma/
Good night in Lingala	Butu malamu.	/bu.tu ma.la.mu/
Sleep well in Lingala	Lala malamu.	/la.la ma.la.mu/
Talk to you later. in Lingala	Nasalaka na yo nsima.	/na.sa.la.ka na jɔ n.si.ma/
Nice to have met you! in Lingala	Esengo mingi na kokutana na yo!	/ɛ.sɛ.ŋɡɔ mí.ŋɡi na kɔ.ku.ta.na na jɔ/

How do I introduce myself in Lingala?

When travelling in Kongo, sooner or later you will come into contact with local people. Naturally, you’ll want to introduce yourself in Lingala and know who you’re talking to.

English	Lingala	IPA
My name is Jonas.	Kombo na ngai ezali Jonas.	/kɔm.bɔ na ŋɡai ɛ.za.li ʒo.nas/
What is your name? in Lingala	Kombo na yo nani?	/kɔm.bɔ na jɔ na.ni/
What is your surname? in Lingala	Kombo ya libota na yo nani?	/kɔm.bɔ ja li.bɔ.ta na jɔ na.ni/
What is your first name? in Lingala	Kombo ya liboso na yo nani?	/kɔm.bɔ ja li.bɔ.sɔ na jɔ na.ni/

If you want to tell people where you come from, the following sentences are useful:

English	Lingala	IPA
Where do you come from? in Lingala	Otuwaki wapi?	/o.tu.wa.ki wa.pi/
I am from London.	Nazali uta London.	/na.za.li u.ta lɔn.dɔn/
Are you from Birmingham?	Otuwa Birmingham?	/o.tu.wa bɪr.mɪŋ.ham/
No, I’m from Madrid.	Te, nazali uta Madrid.	/tɛ na.za.li u.ta ma.dɾid/
Great, I’m from Madrid too.	Malamu, nazali uta Madrid mpe.	/ma.la.mu na.za.li u.ta ma.dɾid mpɛ/
Where do you live? in Lingala	Ozali na esika nini?	/o.za.li na e.si.ka ni.ni/
I live in Berlin.	Nazali na Berlin.	/na.za.li na bɛɾ.lin/

If you have problems with your Lingala, it is good to know which languages are still spoken:

English	Lingala	IPA
Do you speak English?	Ozali koloba Lingelesi?	/o.za.li ko.lɔ.ba li.ŋɡe.le.si/
Yes, I speak English.	Ee, nazali koloba Lingelesi.	/eː na.za.li ko.lɔ.ba li.ŋɡe.le.si/
Yes, I speak some English.	Ee, nazali koloba Lingelesi mingi te.	/eː na.za.li ko.lɔ.ba li.ŋɡe.le.si mí.ŋɡi tɛ/
No, I do not speak any English.	Te, nazali te koloba Lingelesi.	/tɛ na.za.li tɛ ko.lɔ.ba li.ŋɡe.le.si/
I only speak English.	Nasɛngi koloba Lingelesi kaka.	/na.sɛŋ.ɡi ko.lɔ.ba li.ŋɡe.le.si ka.ka/
I understand some Lingala.	Na moni moke Lingala.	/na mɔ.ni mɔ.kɛ li.ŋɡa.la/

Useful sentences with ‘I am…’

The following sentences will help you orientate yourself in Lingala and express your wishes and concerns:

English	Lingala	IPA
I am English.	Nazali Mlingelesi.	/na.za.li mli.ŋɡe.le.si/
I am injured. in Lingala	Nazwaki mabe.	/na.zwa.ki ma.bɛ/
I am here. in Lingala	Nazali awa.	/na.za.li a.wa/
I am hungry. in Lingala	Nazali na nzala.	/na.za.li na n.za.la/
I am thirsty. in Lingala	Nazali na nkama.	/na.za.li na n.ka.ma/
I am a single person. in Lingala	Nazali moto moko te.	/na.za.li mɔ.tɔ mɔ.kɔ tɛ/
I need help! in Lingala	Nalingi lisungi!	/na.liŋ.ɡi li.suŋ.ɡi/
I am tired. in Lingala	Nazali na nzoto mosi.	/na.za.li na n.zɔ.tɔ mɔ.si/
I am happy. in Lingala	Nazali na esengo.	/na.za.li na ɛ.sɛ.ŋɡɔ/
I am sad. in Lingala	Nazali na mawa.	/na.za.li na ma.wa/
I am in love. in Lingala	Nasengi bolingo.	/na.sɛŋ.ɡi bɔ.liŋ.ɡɔ/
I am ill. in Lingala	Nazali na bolili.	/na.za.li na bɔ.li.li/
I am ready. in Lingala	Nazali malamu.	/na.za.li ma.la.mu/
I am busy. in Lingala	Nazali na mosala.	/na.za.li na mɔ.sa.la/
I am lost. in Lingala	Nami na nzela.	/na.mi na n.zɛ.la/
I am a tourist. in Lingala	Nazali moto ya bokili.	/na.za.li mɔ.tɔ ja bɔ.ki.li/
I am new here. in Lingala	Nazali mwasi awa.	/na.za.li mwa.si a.wa/
I am confident. in Lingala	Nazali na kondima.	/na.za.li na kɔn.di.ma/
I am proud. in Lingala	Nazali na likita.	/na.za.li na li.ki.ta/
I am a teacher. in Lingala	Nazali mopɛpɛli.	/na.za.li mɔ.pɛ.pɛ.li/
I am late. in Lingala	Nasili kokoma nsima.	/na.si.li kɔ.kɔ.ma n.si.ma/
I am 30 years old. in Lingala	Nazali na mbula sambo.	/na.za.li na m.bu.la sam.bo/
I am in a hurry. in Lingala	Nasala malamu mbala moko.	/na.sa.la ma.la.mu m.ba.la mɔ.kɔ/
I am happy. in Lingala	Nasuki esengo.	/na.su.ki ɛ.sɛ.ŋɡɔ/
I am surprised. in Lingala	Nazwi esengo monene.	/na.zwi ɛ.sɛ.ŋɡɔ mɔ.nɛ.nɛ/
I am angry. in Lingala	Nazali na colère.	/na.za.li na kɔ.lɛʁ/

Apologising in Lingala

Here’s how to apologise to a Lingala speaker:

English	Lingala	IPA
I apologise. in Lingala	Nakomeli bolimbisi.	/na.ko.me.li bo.lim.bi.si/
Sorry, that was not the intention. in Lingala	Libala, yango ezalaki te na mposa.	/li.ba.la ja.ŋɡo e.za.la.ki tɛ na m.po.sa/
Sorry, I did not do it on purpose. in Lingala	Libala, nakosali yango te na mposa.	/li.ba.la na.ko.sa.li ja.ŋɡo tɛ na m.po.sa/
Sorry, that was very clumsy of me. in Lingala	Libala, yango ezalaki mabe mingi epai na ngai.	/li.ba.la ja.ŋɡo e.za.la.ki ma.bɛ mí.ŋɡi e.pai na ŋɡai/

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Useful signs and notices in Lingala

Useful signs and messages in Lingala that you will often see.

English	Lingala	IPA
Entrance in Lingala	Engumba	/ɛŋ.ɡum.ba/
Toilet in Lingala	Liboko ya mitema	/li.bɔ.kɔ ja mi.tɛ.ma/
Exit in Lingala	Kwata	/kwa.ta/
Attention! in Lingala	Lingisa!	/liŋ.ɡi.sa/
Police in Lingala	Polisi	/pɔ.li.si/
Emergency services in Lingala	Balakiseni ya likoló	/ba.la.ki.se.ni ja li.kɔ.lɔ/
Fire brigade in Lingala	Balakiseni ya moto	/ba.la.ki.se.ni ja mɔ.tɔ/
Passage forbidden. in Lingala	Etape ebongwani.	/ɛ.ta.pɛ ɛ.bɔŋ.ɡwa.ni/
Caution! in Lingala	Lingisa!	/liŋ.ɡi.sa/
This building is under video surveillance. in Lingala	Ndako oyo ezali na lifilimi ya video.	/nda.kɔ ɔ.jɔ ɛ.za.li na li.fi.li.mi ja vi.de.o/

Numbers to 25 in Lingala

Counting in Lingala is not that difficult. Here are the numbers in Lingala from 1 to 25.

English	Lingala	IPA
1 in Lingala	moya moko	/mɔ.ja mɔ.kɔ/
2 in Lingala	mibale	/mi.ba.le/
3 in Lingala	misato	/mi.sa.tɔ/
4 in Lingala	minei	/mi.nɛ.i/
5 in Lingala	mitano	/mi.ta.nɔ/
6 in Lingala	motoba	/mɔ.tɔ.ba/
7 in Lingala	sambo	/sam.bɔ/
8 in Lingala	mwambe	/mwa.mbə/
9 in Lingala	libwa	/li.bwa/
10 in Lingala	zomi	/zɔ.mi/
11 in Lingala	zomi na moya moko	/zɔ.mi na mɔ.ja mɔ.kɔ/
12 in Lingala	zomi na mibale	/zɔ.mi na mi.ba.le/
13 in Lingala	zomi na misato	/zɔ.mi na mi.sa.tɔ/
14 in Lingala	zomi na minei	/zɔ.mi na mi.nɛ.i/
15 in Lingala	zomi na mitano	/zɔ.mi na mi.ta.nɔ/
16 in Lingala	zomi na motoba	/zɔ.mi na mɔ.tɔ.ba/
17 in Lingala	zomi na sambo	/zɔ.mi na sam.bɔ/
18 in Lingala	zomi na mwambe	/zɔ.mi na mwa.mbə/
19 in Lingala	zomi na libwa	/zɔ.mi na li.bwa/
20 in Lingala	mibale na zomi	/mi.ba.le na zɔ.mi/
21 in Lingala	mibale na zomi na moya moko	/mi.ba.le na zɔ.mi na mɔ.ja mɔ.kɔ/
22 in Lingala	mibale na zomi na mibale	/mi.ba.le na zɔ.mi na mi.ba.le/
23 in Lingala	mibale na zomi na misato	/mi.ba.le na zɔ.mi na mi.sa.tɔ/
24 in Lingala	mibale na zomi na minei	/mi.ba.le na zɔ.mi na mi.nɛ.i/
25 in Lingala	mibale na zomi na mitano	/mi.ba.le na zɔ.mi na mi.ta.nɔ/

The colours in Lingala

The most common colours in Lingala with phonetic transcription for pronunciation.

English	Lingala	IPA
Red in Lingala	Molayi	/mɔ.la.ji/
Blue in Lingala	Mpamba	/m͡pám.ba/
Green in Lingala	Mikala	/mi.ka.la/
Yellow in Lingala	Mpunga	/m͡pu.ŋɡa/
Black in Lingala	Moyo	/mɔ.jɔ/
White in Lingala	Mpɛpɛ	/m͡pɛ.pɛ/
Brown in Lingala	Mbala	/m.ba.la/
Orange in Lingala	Limonade	/li.mɔ.na.dɛ/
Pink in Lingala	Mponi ya motane	/m.pɔ.ni ja mɔ.ta.nɛ/
Purple in Lingala	Mpɛmbɛ	/m͡pɛm.bɛ/

Days of the week, months and seasons in Lingala

Of course, you will also need the days of the week in Lingala and the pronunciation of the months and seasons in dialogues and daily communication in Lingala.

English	Lingala	IPA
Monday in Lingala	Luni	/lu.ni/
Tuesday in Lingala	Mokɔlɔ mwa mibale	/mɔ.kɔ.lɔ mwa mi.ba.le/
Wednesday in Lingala	Mokɔlɔ mwa misato	/mɔ.kɔ.lɔ mwa mi.sa.tɔ/
Thursday in Lingala	Mokɔlɔ mwa minei	/mɔ.kɔ.lɔ mwa mi.nɛ.i/
Friday in Lingala	Mokɔlɔ mwa mitano	/mɔ.kɔ.lɔ mwa mi.ta.nɔ/
Saturday in Lingala	Samedi	/sa.mɛ.di/
Sunday in Lingala	Dimanche	/di.mɑ̃ʃ/
January in Lingala	Janvier	/ʒɑ̃.vje/
February in Lingala	Février	/fe.vʁje/
March in Lingala	Mars	/maʁs/
April in Lingala	Avril	/a.vʁil/
May in Lingala	Mai	/mɛ/
June in Lingala	Juin	/ʒwɛ̃/
July in Lingala	Juillet	/ʒɥijɛ/
August in Lingala	Août	/ut/
September in Lingala	Septembre	/sɛp.tɑ̃bʁ/
October in Lingala	Octobre	/ɔk.tɔbʁ/
November in Lingala	Novembre	/nɔ.vɑ̃bʁ/
December in Lingala	Décembre	/de.sɑ̃bʁ/
Spring in Lingala	Libanga	/li.bá.ŋɡa/
Summer in Lingala	Eté	/e.te/
Autumn in Lingala	Ntɔngɔ	/n.tɔ́.ŋɡɔ/
Winter in Lingala	Ngungu	/ŋɡu.ŋɡu/

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Additional links

• The different ways of learning languages
• Learning vocabulary successfully
• Motivated language learning
• It is so easy to train your understanding of a language at the same time
• Learning languages quickly? – Is it possible?
• The different types of learners when learning languages

More information about the Lingala Course for Children.