Songhay is a language spoken across Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and parts of Benin. Rich in culture, history, and everyday expressions, learning a few common Songhay phrases is a simple way to connect with its speakers and experience the traditions of the region.
Greetings in Songhay
| English |
Songhay |
| Greetings |
Fooyaney |
| Good evening |
Wicirebaani |
| Good morning |
Kanibaani |
| Good afternoon |
Alaasar boryaa |
| How are you? |
Taka foo nda ni hoy? |
| How are you today? |
Taka foo nda ni hoy hõ zaaroo? |
| I am fine |
Ay ga saabu |
| Have a good day |
Zaaroo ma boori |
| I am doing great |
Ay ga hanse ka saabu |
| Hi / Hello |
Foo-foo / kanibaani |
| Nice to meet you |
Ay ga ɲaali nda ka ni kubay |
| See you soon |
Kala kayna |
| See you later |
Kala waati foo |
Love Words in Songhay
| English |
Songhay |
| Love Language |
Ka baa willandiyan |
| I love you |
Ay ga baa ni |
| I miss you |
Ya jaŋ ka dii ni g’ay kuma |
| Love you so much |
Ay ga baa ni hala nti kayna |
| I want to see you |
Ay ga baa ya dii ni |
| I love you with all my heart |
Ay hundoo ma baa ni |
| I love you too |
Agay mo ga baa ni |
| I like you |
Ay ga baa ni gumo |
| You are beautiful |
Ni ga sorho |
| My love |
Ay baakaa |
| You look beautiful |
Ni ga sorho |
| My beautiful wife |
Ay wande hennaa |
| I miss you so much, darling |
Ya jaŋ ka dii ni g’ay kuma, hala nti kayna, ay binebaakaa |
| I need you |
Ay ga muraadu ni |
| You will miss me |
Ma jaŋ ka dii agay ra ti ni kuma |
| Goodbye, my love |
Waatoo ma boori, ay baakaa |
| See you tomorrow |
Kala suba |
| I will marry you |
Ay ga ni hiiji |
| I want some space |
Ay ga baa nongu kayna |
| I need your love |
Ay ga too nda ni bajoo |
| You are mine |
Ni ti ay wane |
Directions in Songhay
| English |
Songhay |
| Directions |
Honnandey |
| Where are you? |
Man ni goo ? |
| Where did you go? |
Man no ni ga koy ? |
| Where do you live? |
Man no ni ga goro ? |
| Where are you going? |
Man ra n’ga koy ? |
| Where were you? |
Man ra ni cindi ? |
Common Questions in Songhay
| English |
Songhay |
| Common Questions in Conversations |
Hãayaney kaŋ ga doona ka teendi faajikaarawey ra |
| How much? |
Marje no? |
| How are you feeling? |
Taka foo nda ni ga ni boŋ maate ? |
| What are you doing? |
Macin no n’ga tee? |
| What are you doing? |
Macin no ni ga tee? |
| Are you okay, dear? |
Binebaakoy, ni ga saabu wala? |
| When are you coming? |
Waati foo no n’ga kaa? |
| How was your night/day? |
Macin ti ni cijinoo/zaaroo hoyyanoo? |
| How are you doing? |
Taka foo ti ni hoyyanoo? |
| How is your family? |
Taka foo ti ni hugoo borey misoo? |
| How was your day? |
Taka foo ti ni zaaroo hoyyanoo? |
| What is wrong? |
Maci no ma ni šugulla? |
| What do you mean? |
Macin no n’ga baa ka nee? |
| How's the weather over there? |
Taka foo ti waatoo kaŋ ga bara noodin? |
| Have you gone to church? |
Ni koy egiliizi wala? |
| What is this? |
Macin ti woo? |
| What's going on? |
Macin ka tee? |
| Are you listening? |
Ni ga haŋajer ya ne wala? |
| Have you heard? |
Ni maa wala? |
| Can I go home? |
Ya hin ka koy ay do wala? |
| Can I ask something? |
Ya hin ka hãa ni nda haya foo wala? |
| How is everything? |
Taka foo, a ga baa da? |
| What’s your phone number? |
Macin ti ni talafon lanbaa? |
Everyday Conversations in Songhay
| English |
Songhay |
| Everyday Conversations |
Zaakul faajikaarawey |
| Happy birthday |
Binekaanay jiiri beraw jingar |
| Thank you |
Foo nda goy |
| I am sorry |
Madaray |
| You are welcome |
Wa bismilla |
| Me too! |
Agay mo ! |
| God bless you |
Irkoy ma ni sanbu |
| May god protect you |
Irkoy ma ni jejebu |
| She is happy |
A ga ɲaali |
| Please help me |
Faaba ay ga, taare |
| I don't know |
Ay si bay |
| I will come tomorrow |
Ay goo kaa suba |
| Come here! |
Kaa ne! |
| Feel at home |
Ni ga baani maate wala |
| Be blessed |
Saabu goo ma ne |
| I am coming soon |
Ay ga kaa a si gay |
| Excuse me |
Yaafa / hinze ya ne |
| Leave me alone |
Ay too baani |
| It is okay |
A boori |
| I am going home |
Ay ga koy hugey do |
| I don't want |
Ay si hin |
| Love is a beautiful thing |
Baji ti haya henno foo |
| Let me try |
Naŋ ay ma sii ka dii |
| Welcome home |
Bismilla hugey do |
| I reached home safely |
Ay too kate hugey do nda hallasiyan timmante |
| God is good |
Irkoy ga boori |
| I don't understand / We are happy to see you |
Ay si faham haya foo |
| I have it |
Iri ɲaali nda kaŋ iri dii ni |
| Rest in peace |
Hunanzam nda baani |
| I don't have money |
Ay sii nda nooru |
| I am done |
Ay benandi |
| I am going to the shop |
Ay ga koy mangasaa / bitijoo ra |
| Happy New Year |
Jiiri boryaa |
| Bad manners |
Attabiya laaley |
| Stop using your phone |
Fay nda ka goy nda ni telefonoo |
| I need a favour, please |
Ay ga baa m’ay faaba, nd’a kan ma ne |
| Haven’t seen you for ages |
Ya dii ni ka kaa sohõ sii nd’adadu |
| Great to see you again |
Binekaanay nda kaŋ ay dii ni |
| I really appreciate it |
Nga takaa ga kan yane nda cumi |
| You made my day |
Ni n’ay zaaroo nuurandi ay ga |
| No problem |
A sii nda šenday kul |
| We are hiring |
Iri ga sanbu goy |
Learning a language requires constant practice, but it doesn't have to be complicated. The best trick is to master at least five Songhay words daily from the Songhay dictionary.
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