Mandinka is a language spoken across The Gambia, Senegal, Guinea, Mali, and parts of Côte d'Ivoire. In this article, we explore common Mandinka phrases you can use in everyday conversations to connect with the language and its speakers.
Greetings in Mandinka
| English |
Mandinka |
| Good evening. |
I wulaara |
| Good morning. |
I saama |
| Good afternoon. |
I tiiñaŋ |
| How are you? |
I be ñaadii? |
| How are you today? |
Bii duŋ i be ñaadi? |
| I am fine. |
Mbe jang. |
| Have a good day. |
Alamaa ntiiñanna kaira la. |
| I am doing great. |
Mbe kaira baa kono. |
| Hi/Hello. |
Inimbaara! |
| Nice to meet you. |
I jewo ye nseewondi le. |
| See you soon. |
Fo ñaato domandiŋ. |
| See you later. |
Fo ñaato. |
Love Words in Mandinka
| English |
Mandinka |
| I love you. |
Ŋee kanu le |
| I miss you. |
Nfaamatee la le / Ye mmeeyaa le |
| Love you so much |
Ŋee kanu baake le |
| I want to see you. |
Nlafita kee je le |
| I love you with all my heart. |
Ŋee kanu niŋ nsondomee bee le la |
| I love you too. |
Nte fanaŋ ŋee kanu le |
| I like you. |
Ila kuwo diyaataññe le |
| You are beautiful. |
I ñiiñaata le |
| My love. |
Na kanumoo |
| You look beautiful. |
Ibe ñiiñaariŋ |
| My beautiful wife. |
Na musu ñimmaa |
| I miss you so much, darling. |
Nfaamatee la kendeke, na ñaalama |
| I need you. |
Nsuulata ila le |
| You will miss me. |
Mbee meeyaala le |
| Goodbye, my love. |
Fo sila koteng, na kanumoo |
| See you tomorrow. |
Fo saama |
| I will marry you. |
Mbee futuula le |
| I want some space. |
Nlafita foñondiŋ la le |
| I need your love. |
Mbe suulariŋ ila kanoo la le |
| You are mine. |
I mu ntaa le ti |
Directions in Mandinka
| English |
Mandinka |
| Where are you? |
I be mintoo le? / I lee? |
| Where did you go? |
I taata mintoo le? |
| Where do you live? |
I be sabatiriŋ mintoo le? |
| Where are you going? |
I kataa mintoo le? |
| Where were you? |
I be nuŋ mintoo le? |
Common Questions in Mandinka
| English |
Mandinka |
| How much? |
Jelu? |
| How are you feeling? |
I be ñaadii? |
| How have you been? |
I keta ñaadi? |
| What is your name? |
I too duŋ? |
| What are you doing? |
I be mune keekaŋ? |
| What are you cooking/eating? |
I be mune tabikaŋ / domokaŋ? |
| Are you okay, dear? |
Kori tana teela, nteeri? |
| When are you coming? |
Muŋ tuma le i binaa? |
| How was your night/day? |
Ila suutoo / tiloo keta di? |
| How are you doing? |
I be ñaadii? |
| How is your family? |
Ila dimbayaa lu be ñaadii? |
| How was your day? |
Ila tiloo keta di? |
| What is wrong? |
Muŋ kuu jaw le keta? |
| What do you mean? |
I lafita ka mune fo? |
| How's the weather over there? |
Jee alhawaa be ñaadii le? |
| Have you gone to church? |
I taata churchoo to le baŋ? |
| What is this? |
Muŋ feŋ ne mu ñiŋ ti? |
| What's going on? |
Muŋ feŋ ne be keekaŋ? |
| Are you listening? |
I bee lamoikaŋ ne baŋ? |
| Have you heard? |
Yaa moile baŋ? |
| Can I go home? |
Nse sei noo baŋ? |
| Can I ask something? |
Nse feŋ ñiniŋkaa noo baŋ? |
| How is everything? |
Kuwol muumee be ñaadii le duŋ? |
| What’s your phone number? |
Mune mu ila kiliraŋ juloo ti? |
Everyday Conversations in Mandinka
| English |
Mandinka |
| Happy birthday |
Wuluuluŋ diimaa |
| Thank you |
A Baraka |
| I am sorry |
Ŋee haka daani |
| You are welcome |
I bisimilai (welcoming someone) / Yoo abaraka (response to thanks) |
| Me too! |
Nte fanaŋ |
| God bless you |
Alamaa Allah yee joo |
| May god protect you |
Alamaa Allah yee tanka |
| She is happy |
A be seewooriŋ ne |
| Please help me |
Dukareh mmaakoi |
| I don't know |
Maa loŋ |
| I will come tomorrow |
Saama mbinaa le |
| Come here! |
Naa jaŋ! |
| Feel at home |
Ke komiŋ i be iyaa le |
| Be blessed |
Alama I tinee la |
| I am coming soon |
Sambiŋ mbinaa |
| Excuse me |
Hakoo boyindi ññe |
| Leave me alone |
Mbula nse tara ndammaa |
| It is okay |
A beteyaata |
| I am going home |
Nka sey le |
| I don't want |
Maŋ lafi |
| Love is a beautiful thing |
Kanoo mu feŋ ñimmaa le ti |
| Let me try |
Mbatu ŋaa kata |
| Welcome home |
I bisimilai suu |
| I reached home safely |
Nfutata suu kairoo kono |
| God is good |
Allah beteyaata le |
| I don't understand |
Maa fahaam |
| We are happy to see you |
I jewo ye ntolu sewondi le |
| I have it |
Ŋa soto le |
| Rest in peace |
Alamaa neema niŋ kafari keleeye |
| I don't have money |
Maŋ kodoo soto |
| I am done |
Ŋambandi le |
| I am going to the shop |
Ŋkataa boutikoo le to |
| Happy New Year |
Saŋ kutu diimaa |
| Bad manners |
Jika jawoolu |
| Stop using your phone |
I foño kee munafaŋ ila telefuunoo la |
| I need a favour, please |
Dukareh, nsuulata demaaroo le la |
| Haven’t seen you for ages |
Nfaamata kee je kabiriŋ sanji jamaa |
| Great to see you again |
A beteyaata kee je koteŋke |
| I really appreciate it |
Mbee tentu la baaki ñiŋ kamma |
| You made my day |
Ye na bii tiloo diyandi le |
| No problem |
Tana taa la |
| We are hiring |
Mbe dookuulaa ñinoo la |
This is just the beginning. You have to practice constantly to learn a new language, but it doesn't have to be complicated. The best trick is to master at least five Mandinka words daily from the Mandinka dictionary.
Join the Lughayangu Community!
Learnt a thing or two? Subscribe and get similar stories directly in
your inbox every week. We share curated and original content on African culture, languages and history. It's time to tell our stories.
Join fellow 5,110 African history enthusiasts! Discover fascinating stories and insights about our rich heritage. You'll also receive an exlusive e-book featuring 30
captivating African riddles that will entertain and challenge you.
