Lingala Phrasebook: Greetings & Essential Phrases

The most useful Lingala words and phrases for travelers — greetings, polite basics, numbers, directions and more — each with a simple pronunciation guide. This is a preview of the full phrasebook content.

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Greetings & Introductions Common Words & Questions Numbers Days & Time Directions Locations Food Lodging Medical Body Parts Emergencies Weather Descriptions Family Occupations Customs Fuel & Vehicle

Greetings & Introductions 10 phrases

Welcome.Boyei malamu.boye malamoo

Hello.Losako.losako

Good morning.Mbote.bote

Good night.Butu elamubootoo elaamoo

Good bye.Kende malamukende malamoo

How are you?Sango nini?sango neenee?

I’m fine, thanks, and you?Nazali malamu, melesi, na yo?nazalee malamoo, melesee, na yo?

I’m pleased to meet you.Nasepeli na kokutana na yo.nasepelee na kokootana na yo

Thank you for your help.Melesi mpo na lisalisi na bino.melesee po na leesaleesee na beeno

My name is ___.Nkombo na ngai ezali ___.kombo na ngaa ezalee ___

Common Words & Questions 30 phrases

Please.Palado.palado

Thank you.Melesi.melesee

Can someone assist us?Moto moko akoki kosalisa biso?moto’ moko’ akokee kosaleesa beeso?

OKNandiminandeemee

Excuse me. / I’m sorry.Limbisa ngai. / Nazali na mawa.leembeesaa ngaa / nazalee na mawaa

YesEeeh

NoTete

MaybeMbelebele

RightSolosolo

WrongLokutalokootaa

HereAwaawaa

ThereKunakoonaa

I wantNalinginaleengee

I do not wantNalingi tenaleengee te

DangerLikamaleekaamaa

OK, no problem.Nandimi, likambo te.nandeemee, leekambo te

Who?Nani?nanee?

What?Nini?neenee?

When?Ntango nini?tango neenee?

Where?Wapi?wapee?

Why?Mpo na nini?po na neenee?

How?Boni?bonee?

What happened?Nini elekaki?neenee elekaakee?

Do you have___?Ozali na ___?ozalee na ___?

Do you need help?Bosengeli lisalisi?bosengelee leesaleesee?

I amNazalinazalee

You areOzaliozalee

He / She isAzaliazalee

We areTozalitozalee

They areBazalibazalee

Numbers 41 phrases

0 ZeroZolonganozolongaano

1 OneMokomoko

2 TwoMibalemeebale

3 ThreeMisatomeesato

4 FourMineimeene

5 FiveMitanomeetaano

6 SixMotobamotobaa

7 SevenNsambosambo

8 EightMwambemwambe

9 NineLibwaleebwaa

10 TenZomizomee

11 ElevenZomi na mokozomee na moko

12 TwelveZomi na mibalezomee na meebale

13 ThirteenZomi na misatozomee na meesato

14 FourteenZomi na mineizomee na meene

15 FifteenZomi na mitanozomee na meetaano

16 SixteenZomi na motobazomee na motobaa

17 SeventeenZomi na nsambozomee na sambo

18 EighteenZomi na mwambezomee na mwambe

19 NineteenZomi na libwazomee na leebwaa

20 TwentyNtuku mibaletookoo meebale

30 ThirtyNtuku misatotookoo meesato

40 FortyNtuku mineitookoo meene

50 FiftyNtuku mitanotookoo meetaano

60 SixtyNtuku motobatookoo motobaa

70 SeventyNtuku nsambotookoo sambo

80 EightyNtuku mwambetookoo mwambe

90 NinetyNtuku libwatookoo leebwaa

100 One HundredNkamakaamaa

1,000 One ThousandNkotokoto

10,000 Ten ThousandNkoto zomikoto zomee

100,000 Hundred ThousandNkoto nkamakoto kaamaa

1,000,000 MillionNkesekese

PlusElekielekee

MinusLongolalongolaa

More (than)Mingi kolekameengee kolekaa

Less (than)Kolongolakolongolaa

ApproximatelyToto

FirstYamboyaambo

SecondYa mibaleya meebale

ThirdYa misatoya meesato

Days & Time 25 phrases

SundayMokolo ya eyengamokolo ya eyengaa

MondayMokolo ya yambomokolo ya yaambo

TuesdayMokolo ya mibalemokolo ya meebale

WednesdayMokolo ya misatomokolo ya meesato

ThursdayMokolo ya mineimokolo ya meene

FridayMokolo ya mitanomokolo ya meetaano

SaturdayMokolo ya mposomokolo ya poso

YesterdayLobilobee

TodayLelolelo

TomorrowLobilobee

DayMokolomokolo

NightButubootoo

WeekMposoposo

MonthSanzasanzaa

YearMbulaboolaa

SecondSecondesegonde

MinuteMinutimooneetee

HourNgongagongaa

MorningNtongotongo

EveningMpokwapokwaa

NoonNzangazaangaa

AfternoonSima ya nzangaseemaa ya zaangaa

MidnightBoseketaneboseketane

NowSik’oyoseekoyo

LaterNa simana seemaa

Directions 26 phrases

Above / OverO likoloo leekolo

After / PastKolekakolekaa

Back / BehindO sima/ na simao seemaa / na seemaa

Before / In front of / ForwardLibosoleeboso

BetweenKatikaatee

CoordinatesBisikabeeseekaa

DegreesMotuyamotooyaa

DownNsese

EastMonyelemonyele

FarMosikamoseekaa

LongitudeBotangi ya bolaibotaangee ya bolaaee

LeftLoboko ya mwasilobko ya mwasee

LatitudeBotangi ya bonenebotaangee ya bonene

My position is ___.Esika nazali yango ___.eseekaa nazalee yango ___

NearPenepenepenepene

NorthLikololeekolo

NortheastLikolo mpe monyeleleekolo pe monyele

NorthwestLikolo mpe limbeleekolo pe leembe

RightAlimaaleema

SouthNsese

SoutheastNse mpe monyelese pe monyele

SouthwestNse mpe limbese pe leembe

Straight aheadSembasembaa

UnderNa nsena se

UpNa likolona leekolo

WestLimbeleembe

Locations 25 phrases

BeachLibongo lya nzeloleebongo leeyaa zelo

BorderNdelondelo

BridgeGwagwagwagwa

CampBomabomaa

Dirt roadNzela ya mabelezelaa ya mabele

ForestZambazambaa

HarborLibongoleebongo

HillNgombagombaa

HouseNdakondaako

LakeLizibaleezeebaa

MeadowEsobeesobe

MountainNgombagombaa

OceanMbuboo

PathBalabalabalaabalaa

Paved roadNzela ya mabangazelaa ya maabaangaa

PlaceEsikaeseekaa

PositionEsikaeseekaa

RiverEbaleebale

RoadNzelazelaa

SeaMbuboo

SquareLiyemi lya mbata mineileeyemee leeyaa mbataa meene

TreeMwetemwete

ValleyLobwakolobwaako

VillageMbokabokaa

Where?Wapi?Wapee?

Food 45 phrases

FoodBileibeeleyee

CanNkenikenee

CupKopokopo

ForkNkanyakaanyaa

KnifeMbelibelee

PlateSanisanee

SpoonLutulootoo

BeansMadesomadeso

BeerMasangamaasangaa

BreadLipaleepaa

ButterMantekamantekaa

CheeseFromagefromaazhe

CoffeeKafekaafe

FishMbisibeesee

FlourFufufoofoo

FruitMbumaboomaa

MeatNyamanyaamaa

MilkMilikimeeleekee

OilMafutamaafootaa

PotatoesMbalambalaa

RiceLosoloso

SaltMongwamongwaa

SoupSupusoopoo

SugarSukalisookaalee

TeaTitee

VegetablesNdundadoondaa

WaterMaimaee

WineVinoveeno

DrinkMelamelaa

EatLiyaleeyaa

Don’t push! We have plenty of food.Kopusa te! Tozali na bilei ebele.kopoosaa te! tozalee na beele yebele

Give me your bowl.Pesa ngai kopo na yo.pesaa ngaa kopo na yo

Is the water safe to drink?Mayi ezali peto mpo na komela?maaee ezalee peto po na komelaa?

Boil the water.Tokisa mayi.tokeesaa maaee

Wash your hands.Sokola maboko na yo.sokolaa maboko na yo

Wash yourself here.Sokola awa.sokolaa awaa

We need ___ liters of potable water.Tosengeli ___ litele ya mayi ya peto.tosengelee ___ leetele ya maee ya peto

Where is the latrine?Kabine ezali wapi?kaabeene ezalee wapee?

The latrine is to the ___.Kabine ezali na ___.kaabeene ezalee na ___

to the left.loboko ya mwasi.loboko ya mwasee

to the right.loboko ya mobali.loboko ya mobalee

straight ahead.semba.sembaa

Is the food fresh?Bilei ezali sika?Beelee ezalee seekaa?

Is the food spoiled?Bilei ezali ya kopola?beelee ezalee ya kopolaa?

Burn this ___.Zikisa oyo ___.zeekeesaa oyo ___

Lodging 9 phrases

We must spend the night here.Esengeli tolekisa butu awa.esengelee tolekeesa bootoo awaa

Is there a dining facility here?Esika ya kolia ezali awa?eseekaa ya koleeaa ezalee awaa?

How many kilometers to the nearest town?Kilomete boni tee na mboka ya mpembeni penza?keelometele bonee tee na bokaa ya pembenee penzaa?

Are there any hotels near here?Ba ndako ya bampaya ezali penepene awa?ba ndako ya bampaayaa ezalee penepene awaa?

Are there any restaurants near here?Ba ndako ya bolei ezali penepene awa?ba ndako ya bolyee ezalee penepene awaa?

We want to go to ___.Tolingi kokende na ___.toleengee kokende na ___

Are there rental cars available?Mituka ya kofutela ezali kuna?meetookaa ya kofootelaa ezalee koonaa?

Is there a telephone available?Nsinga ezali kuna?seengaa ezalee koonaa?

We need ___ gallons of potable water.Tosengeli ___ litele ya mai ya peto.tosengelee ___ leetele ya maee ya peto

Medical 33 phrases

AntibioticsAntibiotiqueaanteebeeyoteek

BandageMozipi potamozeepee potaa

BloodMakilamakeelaa

BurnZikisazeekeesaa

CleanPetopeto

DeadKufakoofaa

DoctorMongangamongaangaa

FeverFefelefefele

HospitalLopitalolopeetaalo

InfectionBokonobokono

InjuredYa kozokaya kozokaa

MalnutritionBiliya mabebeeleeyaa mabe

MedicBasali ya lopitalobasalee ya lopeetaalo

MedicineNkisikeesee

NurseLifulume ya mwasiLeefooloome ya mwasee

PoisonMbondobondo

SickMobelimobelee

VitaminsVitaminiveetaameenee

WoundPotapotaa

I am a doctor.Nazali monganga.nazalee mongangaa

I am not a doctor.Nazali monganga tenazalee mongangaa te

I am going to help.Nakei mpo na kosalisa.nake po na kosaleesaa

Can you walk?Okoki kotambola?okokee kotaambolaa?

Can you sit?Okoki kofanda?okokee kofandaa?

Can you stand?Okoki kotelema?okokee kotelemaa?

Are you in pain?Ozali na pasi?ozalee na pasee?

You will get a shot. (injection)Okozwa ntonga.okozwaa ntongaa

I will take you to the hospital.Nazali komema yo na lopitalo.nazalee komema yo na lopeetaalo

What is wrong?Likambo nini?leekaambo neenee?

Are you injured?Ozoki?ozokee?

Can you feed yourself?Okoki kolia?okokee koleeyaa?

Open your mouth.Fungola monoko na yo.foongolaa monoko na yo

Are you pregnant?Ozali na zemi?ozalee na zemee?

Body Parts 36 phrases

AbdomenEboboebobo

AnkleLikeseleekese

ArmLobokoloboko

BoneMokuwamokoowaa

BrainBongobongo

ChestNtolotolo

EarLitoyileetoee

ElbowMolokumolokoo

EyesMisomeeso

FaceElongielongee

FingerMosapi ya lobokomosapee ya loboboko

FootLokololokolo

HairSukisookee

HandLobokoloboko

HeadMotomoto

HeartMotemamotemaa

KidneyLoketoloketo

KneeLibolongoeebolongo

LegLokololokolo

LipsMbebobebo

LiverLibaleleebale

LungsLipulululeepoolooloo

MouthMonokomonoko

NeckNkingokeengo

NoseZolozolo

Pelvis / GroinMasokoMasoko

RibsMpanzipaanzee

ShoulderLipekaleepekaa

SkullMokuwa ya motomokoowaa ya moto

SpineMokuwa ya mokongomokoowaa ya mokongo

Stomach (area)Libumuleeboomoo

Stomach (organ)Likunduleekoondoo

TeethMinomeeno

ToeMosapi ya lokolomosapee ya lokolo

TongueLolemololemo

WristLobokoloboko

Emergencies 5 phrases

Emergency!Popolipo!popoleepo!

We need a doctor!Tosengeli monganga!tosengelee mongaangaa!

Distress signalLoseba la mawalosebaa laa mawaa

Help!Lisalisi!leesaleesee!

Evacuate the area!Bolongwa na esika!bolongwaa na eseekaa!

Weather 20 phrases

ColdMalilimaleelee

DryEkaukaekaaookaa

EarthquakeBoningani ya mabeleboneenganee ya mabele

FogLopembelopembe

High windsMipepe makasimeepepe makaasee

HotMolungemoloonge

HumidityBobandubobandoo

IceGalasigaalaasee

LightningNkakekaake

RainMbulaboolaa

SandstormMbula ya zeloboolaa ya zelo

SevereMakasimakaasee

SnowNeigenezhe

StormEkumbakiekoombakee

TemperatureElakaelaakaa

ThunderMongindimongeendee

WeatherElekoeleko

WetYa kopolaya kopolaa

TyphoonEbangaebanga

TornadoMbongebonge

Descriptions 69 phrases

BlackMoindomoyeendo

BlueLangi ya bulelangee ya boole

BrownLangi ya kafelangee ya kaafe

GrayMbwibooee

GreenLangi ya mai ma mpondulangee ya maee ma pondoo

OrangeLangi ya mai ma malalalangee ya maee ma malaalaa

PurpleLangi ya mai ma vinolangee ya maee ma veeno

RedLangi ya motanelangee ya motane

WhiteMpembepembe

YellowLangi ya mosakalangee ya mosakaa

BigMonenemonene

DeepBozindobozeendo

LongMolaimolaaee

NarrowMokemoke

Short (in height)Mokusemokoose

Short (in length)Mokusemokoose

Small, littleKamwakaamwaa

TallMonenemonene

ThickMonenemonene

ThinAkondaakondaa

WideMonenemonene

RoundNzingazeengaa

StraightNa sukana sooka

SquareLiyemi lya mbata mineileeyemee leeyaa mbata meene

TriangularLiyemi lya mbata misatoleeyemee leeyaa mbataa meesato

BitterBololobololo

FreshMobesumobesoo

SaltyMongwamongwa

SourNgaingaaee

SpicyPilipilipeeleepeelee

SweetSukalisookaalee

BadMabemabe

CleanPetopeto

DarkMolilimoleelee

DifficultMpasipasee

DirtyMbindobeendo

DryKokaukakokaaookaa

EasyPetepetepetepete

EmptyMpambapambaa

ExpensiveNtalotalo

FastMbangubangoo

ForeignMopayamopayaa

FullKotondakotondaa

GoodMalamumalamoo

Hard (firm)Makasimakaasee

HeavyKilokeelo

InexpensiveNtalo tetaalo te

Light (illumination)Mwindamweendaa

Light (weight)Pepelepepele

LocalYa esikaya eseekaa

NewSikaseekaa

NoisyMakelelemakelele

Old (about things)Nkalakaalaa

Old (about people)Mobangemobange

PowerfulYa nguyaya ngooyaa

Quiet (person)Ya kimiaya keemeeyaa

Right / CorrectYa bwanyaya bwanyaa

SlowMalembemalembe

SoftBolembubolemboo

VeryKolekakolekaa

WeakTautaaoo

WetYa kopolaya kopolaa

Wrong / IncorrectLokutalokootaa

YoungElengeelenge

Few / LittleKamwakamwaa

Many / MuchMingimeengee

PartNdambondambo

Some / A fewNdambondambo

WholeMobimbamobeembaa

Family 21 phrases

Aunt (paternal / maternal)Tata mwasi / mama kulututata mwasee / mama koolootoo

BrotherNdeko ya mobalideko ya mobalee

ChildMwanamwaanaa

ChildrenBanabanaa

Cousin (paternal / maternal)Ndeko ya mobali ngambo ya tata / Ndeko ya mobali ngambo ya mamadeko ya mobalee ngaambo ya taataa / deko ya mobalee ngaambo ya mama

DaughterMwana ya mwasimwanaa ya mwasee

FamilyLibotaleebotaa

FatherTatatata

GrandfatherKoko ya mobalikoko ya mobalee

GrandmotherKoko ya mwasikoko ya mwasee

HusbandMobali ya ndakomobalee ya ndaako

ManMobalimobalee

MenMibalimeebaalee

MotherMamamama

RelativesBandekobandeko

SisterNdeko ya mwasideko ya mwasee

SonMwana mobalimwanaa mobalee

Uncle (paternal / maternal)Noko ngambo ya tata/ noko ngambo ya mamanoko gaambo ya taataa / noko ngaambo ya maamaa

WifeMwasi ya libalamwasee ya leebaalaa

WomanMwasimwasee

WomenBasibaasee

Occupations 25 phrases

Air ForceMampinga ya likolomampeengaa ya leekolo

ArmyMampinga ya basodamampeengaa ya basodaa

MarinesBasoda ya maibasodaa ya maee

NavyMampinga ya basoda ya maimampeengaa ya basodaa ya maee

Air DefenseMampinga ma kobatela likolomampeengaa maa kobaatelaa leekolo

CommanderKomandakomandaa

DentistMonganga ya minomongaangaa ya meeno

DoctorMongangamongaangaa

DriverMotambwisi motukamotamboosee motookaa

FarmerMoto ya bilangamoto ya beelangaa

FishermanMobomi mbisimobomee mbeesee

Government employeeMosali ya Letamosalee ya letaa

GuardMokengelimokengelee

HousewifeMwasi ya ndakomwasee ya ndaako

LaborerMosalimosalee

MechanicMecanisiemekaaneeseeye

MessengerNtomatomaa

PilotMotambwisi mpepomotambweesee mpepo

PolicemanPolisipoleesee

SailorMoto ya masuwamoto ya maasoowaa

BusinessmanMoto ya mombongomoto ya mombongo

ShopkeeperKomelesakomelesaa

SoldierSodasodaa

StudentMoyekolimoyokolee

TeacherMoteyiMote-ee

Customs 67 phrases

Where is my customs declaration?Esakola na ngai ya douani ezali wapi?esakolaa na ngaa ya doonee ezalee wapee?

I do not have anything to declare.Nazali na likambo ya kosakola te.nazalee na leekaambo ya kosakolaa te

These goods are personal.Biloko oyo ezali ya moto.beeloko oyo ezalee ya moto

Not for sale.Ya koteka te.ya kotekaa te

Can you help me fill out the forms?Okoki kosalisa ngai nakoma mikanda ya bokokisi?okokee kosaleesaa ngaa nakoma meekaandaa ya bokokeesee?

Is this correct?Oyo ezali malamu?oyo ezalee malamoo?

Here is my passport.Epesa nzela na ngai yango oyo.epesaa nzelaa na ngaa yango oyo

Here is my visa.Viza na ngai yango oyo.veezaa na ngaa yango oyo

I have no Congolese Franc.Nazali na falanga te.nazalee na falanga te

Ad valoremNa motuyana motooyaa

AmmunitionMasasimasasee

BaggageBisakabeesakaa

Bill of ladingNdingisa ya bokitideengeesaa ya bokeetee

CargoEsika ya bisakaeseekaa ya beesakaa

CustomsDouanidooanee

Customs declarationEsakola ya douaniesakolaa ya dooanee

Customs taxMpako ya douanipaako ya dooaee

Customs workerMosali ya douanimosalee ya dooanee

DamagedYa kobebaya kobeba

DeliveryBotiki bilokoboteekee beeloko

DutyNtakotaako

ExpendituresBobimisi mosolobobeemeesee mosolo

ExportBobimisi o mikili misusubobeemeesee o meekeelee meesoosoo

FalseYa lokutaya lokootaa

Foreign currencyNtinateenaa

Form (document)Mokanda mwa bokokisimokaandaa mwaa bokokeesee

HoldingEtongaetongaa

ImportBoyingisi bilokoboyeengeesee beelokoo

InsuranceMokanda mwa likamamokaandaa mwaa leekaamaa

CongoleseKongolekongole

LoadingKokumbwisakokoonbweesaa

Name of goodsKombo ya bilokokombo ya beeloko

NarcoticsBomeli bangibomelee bangee

National treasureNkita ya mbokakeetaa ya mbokaa

NomenclatureBobengamibobengaamee

On-boardO katio kaatee

OriginEuteloe-ootelo

OwnerMokolomkolo

Packing listMolongo ya biloko ya kotindamolongo ya beeloko ya koteendaa

PassportEpesa zelaepesaa nzelaa

PermissionNdingisadeengeesaa

Personal useEsaleli ya motoesalelee ya moto

PersonnelBasalibasalee

ProhibitedEpekisamiepekeesamee

PropertyLopangolopaango

RateEtandaetaandaa

Rate of exchangeEtanda ya bonkitaetaandaa ya bonkeetaa

ReceiptEzwamiezwaamee

RelicsBitikabeeteekaa

RestrictedNa ndelona ndelo

SouvenirEkundolaekoondolaa

SpecificationBokitolibokeetolee

StorageEbombeloebombelo

TariffMotangomotaango

Tax-freeMpako ya pambapaako ya paambaa

To answerKoyanolakoyanolaa

To be responsible forKozala nkolo mpo nakozalaa nkolo po na

To exportKobimisa o mikili misusukobeemeesaa o meekeelee meesoosoo

To fill outKotondisa na lokasaKotondeesaa na lokaasaa

To present for customs inspectionKokende mpo na komitalisa na douanikokende po na komeetaleesaa na dooanee

TransportationBokumbibokoombee

UnloadingBobimisi bilokobobeemeesee beeloko

ValuablesBiloko ya ntalobeeloko ya taalo

ValueMotuyamotooyaa

VisaVizaveezaa

WeaponsBibundelibeeboondelee

X-ray machineMasini ya rayon Xmaaseenee ya reyon x

Fuel & Vehicle 14 phrases

GasolineEsansiesansee

OilPitolopeetolo

DieselDieseldeeazel

Gas (propane)Gazigaazee

LitersLiteleleetele

Do you have___?Ozali na ___?ozalee na ___?

Hydraulic fluidFluide hydrauliqueflweed eedroleek

Hydraulic systemSysteme hydrauliqueseestem eedroleek

We need maintenance support.Tosengeli lisalisi ya bobongisi.tosengelee leesaleesee ya bobongeesee

We need ___.Tosengeli ___.tosengelee ___

400-cycleNgala nkama mineigaalaa kaamaa meene

3-phaseTri-phasetree-faaze

Alternating currentKura ya ngalakooraa ya ngaalaa

115-voltVolt nkama moko na zomi na mitanovolt kaamaa moko na zomee na meetaano

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