Basic Words

1. Iyo

   Yes

   Usage

   The ordinary word for yes, common in speech and in written Lingala.

   Grammar Note

   Iyo stands alone as the affirmative answer; the negative counterpart is te.

2. Te

   No

   Usage

   The plain answer no. Also useful for declining offers from sellers.

   Grammar Note

   Te alone means no. Inside a sentence it follows the verb phrase to negate it (for example Nayebi te).

3. Nabondeli yo

   Please

   Usage

   A polite add-on to a request; literally "I beg you". Use Nabondeli bino to several people.

   Grammar Note

   Lingala has no single word for please; it uses a verb sentence with bondela (beg): na- I, yo you.

4. Matondi

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic word of thanks. Matondi mingi means thank you very much.

   Grammar Note

   Matondi is a noun meaning thanks. The French loan Merci is also heard in everyday speech.

5. Limbisa ngai

   Excuse me / forgive me

   Usage

   For getting someone attention or a light apology; literally "forgive me".

   Grammar Note

   Limbisa is the imperative of "forgive" and ngai is "me"; the object follows the verb.

6. Bolimbisi

   I am sorry

   Usage

   An apology after a mistake, for instance after dialling a wrong number.

   Grammar Note

   Bolimbisi is used as a plea for pardon; bo- is a noun-class prefix.

7. Nasosoli te

   I do not understand

   Usage

   Say it when you did not follow. Add Loba lisusu to ask for a repeat.

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary- and corpus-verified words by regular grammar. Te follows the verb phrase.

8. Nasosoli

   I understand

   Usage

   Said when an explanation has been understood.

   Grammar Note

   Na- is the first-person subject prefix; the stem sosoli means understand.

9. Nasili

   I am finished

   Usage

   Used when a meal or task is done; a verb may follow, as in Nasili kolia (I have finished eating).

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary- and corpus-verified words by regular grammar. The stem sili (finish) is followed by a ko- infinitive in Bible usage.

10. Zela, nabondeli yo

    Please wait

    Usage

    A polite way to ask someone to wait. To several people say Bozela.

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary- and corpus-verified words by regular grammar. Zela is the imperative of wait; for several people it becomes bozela.

11. Zela miniti moko

    Wait a minute

    Usage

    When you need someone to wait for a short moment.

    Grammar Note

    Miniti is a loan from French minute; moko (one) follows the noun.

12. Sunga ngai, nabondeli yo

    Please help me

    Usage

    A request for help; in the Bible the same words are a cry for help.

    Grammar Note

    Sunga is the imperative of help and ngai (me) is the object.

13. Loba lisusu, nabondeli yo

    Please say it again

    Usage

    Use it when you did not catch something, for instance after Nasosoli te.

    Grammar Note

    Loba is the imperative of speak and lisusu means again.

14. Loba malembe, nabondeli yo

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speaker is too fast to follow.

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary- and corpus-verified words by regular grammar. Malembe (slowly, gently) follows the verb.

15. Naloba Lingala moke

    I speak a little Lingala

    Usage

    To tell locals you can speak a little of their language.

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary- and corpus-verified words by regular grammar. Naloba is I speak; moke means little or small.

16. Olobaka monoko ya Angele?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    To ask whether someone speaks English; Angele is the word for English in use.

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary- and corpus-verified words by regular grammar. There is no question particle; intonation marks the question. Monoko means language or mouth.

17. Oyo

    This one

    Usage

    Use it while pointing, handy when ordering or asking prices.

    Grammar Note

    Oyo means this and also serves as a relative word (which, who).

18. Yango

    That one / it

    Usage

    Refers back to something already mentioned or pointed out.

    Grammar Note

    Yango is the pronoun it or that, often an object after a verb (for example kosala yango).

19. Awa

    Here

    Usage

    Pointing to the place where you are.

    Grammar Note

    Awa is here; a farther place is kuna.

20. Kuna

    There

    Usage

    Pointing to a place away from you.

    Grammar Note

    Kuna means there, away from the speaker; the near place is awa.

21. Ngai

    I / me

    Usage

    The pronoun for myself, used for emphasis or as an object.

    Grammar Note

    Ngai is I or me. Verbs carry the prefix na- (nazali); possession is na ngai.

22. Yo

    You

    Usage

    The pronoun for one person you address.

    Grammar Note

    Yo is singular you, plural is bino. The verb prefix is o-.

23. Elongo

    Together

    Usage

    For doing something together with others.

    Grammar Note

    Elongo means together; add a companion with na, as in elongo na ye.

24. Sikoyo

    Right now

    Usage

    Means right now or at this moment; sikawa is a variant.

    Grammar Note

    Sikoyo is an adverb of time that can open or close a sentence; the Bible writes a contracted form, but the ordinary modern spelling is used here.

25. Moto moko

    One person

    Usage

    To state a number of people, for example when asking for a table.

    Grammar Note

    The numeral follows the noun. Moto is person; the plural is bato.

26. Bato mibale

    Two people

    Usage

    To state a party of two.

    Grammar Note

    The numerals two to five take mi- and follow the noun (bato mibale).

27. Bato misato

    Three people

    Usage

    To state a party of three.

    Grammar Note

    The numeral misato (three) follows the noun.

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