Bambara is a major language spoken in Mali and parts of Senegal, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast. Rich in culture, stories, and everyday expressions, learning a few common Bambara phrases is a great way to connect with its speakers and experience the traditions of West Africa.
Greetings in Bambara
| English | Bambara |
|---|---|
| Greetings | Folikanws |
| Good evening | I ni sun |
| Good morning | I ni sɔgɔma |
| Good afternoon | I ni wula |
| How are you? | I ka kεnε wa? |
| How are you today? | I ka kεnε bi wa? |
| I am fine | N ka kɛnɛ |
| Have a good day | Ala ka tile hɛɛrɛ |
| I am doing great | N ka kɛnɛ kosɛbɛ |
| Hi/Hello | I ni ɲaatuma |
| Nice to meet you | N nisɔndiya la i fana ye li la |
| See you soon | K’an bεn sɔɔni |
| See you later | K’an bɛn kɔfɛ |
Love Language in Bambara
| English | Bambara |
|---|---|
| Love language | Diyanyeko kuma |
| I love you | N b’i fε |
| I miss you | I ɲεnafin bɛ n na |
| Love you so much I want to see you | N b’i fε kosɛbɛ, n b’a fɛ k’i ye |
| I love you with all my heart | N b’i fε dusukun kanu na |
| I love you too | N b’i fana fε |
| I want to see you | N b’a fɛ k’i ye |
| I like you | I ko ka di n ye |
| You are beautiful | I cɛ kaɲi |
| My love | Ne jarabi |
| You look beautiful | I cɛ kaɲi |
| My beautiful wife | N ka muso cɛɲi |
| I miss you so much, darling | I ɲɛnafin ba de bɛ n na, n jarabi |
| I need you | N mago b’i la |
| You will miss me | N ɲɛnafin bɛna i minɛ |
| Goodbye, my love | K’an bɛn, n jarabi |
| See you tomorrow | Ala ka sini jira an na |
| I will marry you | N bɛna i furu |
| I want some space | N b’a fɛ ka to n kelen na |
| I need your love | A ka di n ye i ka n kanu |
| You are mine | I ye n ta ye |
Direction in Bambara
| English | Bambara |
|---|---|
| Directions | Yɔrɔw Tamaserecogo |
| Where are you? | I bɛ min? |
| Where did you go? | I tun taara min? |
| Where do you live? | I sigi bɛ min? |
| Where are you going? | I bɛ ka taa min? |
| Where were you? | I tun bɛ min? |
Common Questions in Conversations in Bambara
| English | Bambara |
|---|---|
| Common Questions in Conversations | Ɲininkali minnu bɛ kɛ tuma caman na barow kɔnɔ |
| How much? | Joli do? |
| How are you feeling? | I bɛ cogo di? |
| How have you been? | I tun bɛ cogodi? |
| What is your name? | I tɔgɔ bɛ di? |
| What are you doing? | I bɛ ka mun kɛ? |
| What are you cooking/eating? | I bɛ ka mun tobi/dun? |
| Are you okay, dear? | I ka kɛnɛ, n ba/fa? |
| When are you coming? | I bɛna waati jumɛn? |
| How was your night/day? | I sira cogo di / tile la cogo di? |
| How are you doing? | I ka kɛnɛ wa? |
| How is your family? | I ka denbaya bɛ di? |
| How was your day? | Hɛrɛ tile la wa? |
| What is wrong? | Baasi jumɛn bɛ ye? |
| What do you mean? | I bɛ fɛ ka mun fɔ? |
| How's the weather over there? | Waati bɛ cogo di ye fɛ? |
| Have you gone to church? | I taara Egilisi la wa? |
| What is this? What's going on? | Ni ye mun ye? Mun bɛ ye? |
| Are you listening? | I bɛ ka n lamɛn wa? |
| Have you heard? | I y’a mɛn wa? |
| Can I go home? | N bɛ se ka taa so wa? |
| Can I ask something? | N bɛ se ka fɛn dɔ ɲini i fɛ wa? |
| How is everything? | Kow bɛ cogo di? |
| What’s your phone number? | I ka nɛgɛjurusira ye jumɛn ye? |
Everyday Conversations in Bambara
| English | Bambara |
|---|---|
| Everyday Conversations | Don o don barow |
| Happy birthday | Ala ka si d’i ma |
| Thank you | I ni ce |
| I am sorry | N jo t’ala |
| You are welcome | O tɛ fosi ye. |
| Me too! | Ne fana! |
| God bless you | Ala ka barika do i la |
| May God protect you | Ala k’i kisi. |
| She is happy | A (Muso in) nisɔndiya la. |
| Please help me | Hakɛto i ka n dɛmɛ. |
| I don't know | N t’a dɔn. |
| I will come tomorrow | N bɛna sini. |
| Come here! | Na yan! |
| Feel at home | A k’i na fɔ i b’i ka so. |
| Be blessed | Ala ka barika do i la |
| I am coming soon | N bɛna sɔɔni. |
| Excuse me | Hakɛto. |
| Leave me alone | I fara ka bɔ n na. |
| It is okay | A ɲɛna. |
| I am going home | N bɛ ka taa so. |
| I don't want | A man di n ye. |
| Love is a beautiful thing | Kanu ye fɛn duman ye. |
| Let me try | Na n ka lajɛ. |
| Welcome home | I danse. |
| I reached home safely | N ŋuman sera so. |
| God is good | Ala kaɲi. |
| I don't understand | N ma faamu. |
| We are happy to see you | An nisɔndiya la i ye li la. |
| I have it | A bɛ n bolo. |
| Rest in peace | Ala ka hinɛ a la. |
| I don't have money | Wari tɛ n fɛ. |
| I am done | N tila la. |
| I am going to the shop | N bɛ taa butuki la |
| Happy new year | I ni san kura |
| Bad manners | Jogojuguw |
| Stop using your phone | I ka telefɔni bila. |
| I need a favour, please | Ɲa n ma, n mago b’i ka dɛmɛ na. |
| Haven’t seen you for ages | A kɛra fama ye dɛ. |
| Great to see you again | N nisɔndiyara i yeli la tugu. |
| I really appreciate it | I ka ko ka bon n yɔrɔ. |
| You made my day | I ye n ka tile diya kosɛbɛ. |
| No problem | Baasi t’a la. |
| We are hiring | An bɛ ka mɔgɔ ɲini baarala. |
Learning a language requires constant practice, but it doesn't have to be complicated. The best trick is to master at least five Bambara words daily from the Bambara dictionary.
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