Masalit is a language spoken mainly in Sudan and Chad, with a rich cultural heritage and a variety of everyday expressions. In this article, we explore common Masalit phrases that can help you connect with the language and its speakers.
Greetings in Masalit
| English | Masalit |
|---|---|
| Greetings | lawîyen̰ |
| Good evening. | ŋgo kusa/ kusa. |
| Good morning. | ŋgo kurnaŋa/ ŋgo kuŋûna/ kuŋûna/ kurnaŋa. |
| Good afternoon. | ŋgo kurnaŋa kusa/ ŋgo kurnaŋ kusa. |
| How are you? | Maŋ ŋgoyoŋ? |
| How are you today? | Maŋ ŋgoyoŋ lêle âmin na gu? |
| I am fine. | Ama kalla ye/ Amboro andumân̰e. |
| Have a good day. | Kallo de gusni/Kallo de gusi. |
| I am doing great. | Anduman̰ e/ ama kalla ye. |
| Hi/Hello. | kinde. |
| Nice to meet you. | mboro mbo mîdirena gu anduman̰ ira. |
| See you soon. | Mun̰nje de mbîkelti/mun̰ nje de kimbîkelti. |
| See you later. | Gun̰aŋko mbîkelti. |
Masalit Love Words and Phrases
| English | Masalit |
|---|---|
| Love Language | kana ŋon̰ iriya taŋa. |
| I love you. | Ama mboro mboŋon̰e/ Ama mboŋon̰ e. |
| I miss you. | Ama mboro mbândây/ Ama mbândây. |
| Love you so much. | Jekkoy mboŋon̰ e/ nîyembo mbo mboŋon̰ e. |
| I want to see you. | Ama mbîkelto annde/ Ama mboro mbîkelto annde. |
| I love you with all my heart. | Ama kûri mbe mbo kooy mboŋon̰ e/ Ama mboro kûri mbe mbo kooy mboŋon̰ e. |
| I love you too. | Ama koy mboŋon̰ e/ Ama du koy mboro mboŋon̰ e. |
| I like you. | Ama mboro mbînnde. |
| You are beautiful. | Maŋ nomôn̰e le. |
| My love. | Aŋon̰e mbe. |
| You look beautiful. | Maŋ nomon̰ o lîjiri. |
| My beautiful wife. | Mûco mbe nomôn̰ e. |
| I miss you so much, darling. | Ama mboro jekkoy mbândây, aŋon̰ e mbe. |
| I need you. | Ama mboro minnde. |
| You will miss me. | Maŋ amboro andândâyiti. |
| Goodbye, my love. | kalla mbo ko, aŋon̰ e mbe. |
| See you tomorrow. | Dîmen mbîkelni. |
| I will marry you. | Ama mboro mbulti. |
| I want some space. | Ama boko waru annde. |
| I need your love. | Ama ŋon̰ a no annde. |
| You are mine. | Maŋ mbe le. |
Directions in Masalit
| English | Masalit |
|---|---|
| Directions | Nan̰ njanja/Warin̰ |
| North | Rî. |
| South | Mûta. |
| East | Saba. |
| West | Garbi. |
| Left | Keere. |
| Right | Kodorkon̰ i. |
| Straight | Tekke. |
| Back | Dûmo. |
| Forward / Ahead | Ôjim/ Ûyom. |
| Near | Mun̰nje. |
| Far | N̰ elle. |
| Here | Gim. |
| There | Ây. |
| Up | Dole. |
| Down | Dîcir/ Dîsir. |
| Inside | Kûde. |
| Outside | Sole. |
| Where are you? | Maŋ ŋguryoŋ? |
| Where did you go? | Maŋ ŋgur gakayoŋ? |
| Where do you live? | Maŋ ŋgur jiyayoŋ? |
| Where are you going? | Maŋ ŋgur gayegiyoŋ? |
| Where were you? | Maŋ ŋgur yeroŋ? |
Common Questions in Conversations in Masalit
| English | Masalit |
|---|---|
| Common Questions in Conversations | Nîkariyan̰ Gûreyam Nârcana wî. |
| How much? | ŋgarna mboyoŋ? |
| How are you feeling? | ŋgo ndindîroŋ? |
| How have you been? | Maŋ ŋgo yeroŋ? |
| What is your name? | Mirsi naŋa ŋgatayoŋ/ ŋga mburiyoŋ? |
| What are you doing? | Maŋ ŋgâri gegiyoŋ?/ ŋgâri gegiyoŋ? |
| What are you cooking/eating? | Maŋ ŋgâru lûreyoŋ/ n̰egiyoŋ? |
| Are you okay, dear? | Mboro nbuman̰oŋ, oŋon̰ e? |
| When are you coming? | ŋgarnam gareyoŋ? |
| How was your night/day? | ŋgo ŋûnoyoŋ/ŋgo gusoŋ? |
| How are you doing? | Maŋ ŋgoyoŋ? |
| How is your family? | Jaribe na ŋgoyoŋ?/Tunduba naŋa ŋgoyoŋ? |
| How was your day? | ŋgo gusoŋ? |
| What is wrong? | ŋgâri ŋguleyoŋ? |
| What do you mean? | Maŋ riya gi ŋgâriyoŋ? |
| How's the weather over there? | Ây gani ŋgoyoŋ? |
| Have you gone to church? | Maŋ taŋi Mundi tam gakoŋ? |
| What is this? | Gi/igi ŋgâriyoŋ? |
| What's going on? | ŋgâri tûntigeyoŋ? |
| Are you listening? | Maŋ gireyoŋ? |
| Have you heard? | Maŋ giraŋoŋ? |
| Can I go home? | Saŋan toŋo antiyoŋ? |
| Can I ask something? | Saŋan hâbuto arkârnitiyoŋ? |
| How is everything? | Hâbuto kooy ŋgoyoŋ? |
| What’s your phone number? | Agûri na ta neŋen̰ i ŋgarnayoŋ? |
Everyday Conversations in Masalit
| English | Masalit |
|---|---|
| Everyday Conversations | Muŋûno kooy mûre wî. |
| Happy birthday | Man̰ a lûn̰ a ta. |
| Thank you | Âsso. |
| I am sorry | Âsînô. |
| You are welcome. | Gooka. |
| Me too! | Ama koy!/ Ama du! |
| God bless you. | Mundi barko ndeni/ Mula barko ndeni. |
| May God protect you. | Mundi afat ndeni/ Mula afat ndeni. |
| She is happy. | Tiro nda tomân̰ e/ Tiro kânkânâ tire. |
| Please help me. | Belo tafak anden. |
| I don't know. | Ama awosende. |
| I will come tomorrow. | Ama dîmen arti. |
| Come here! | Gim ka! |
| Feel at home. | Toŋo noŋ de ndîrte. |
| Be blessed. | Barku nirirna kû. |
| I am coming soon. | Ama hâgu de are. |
| Excuse me. | Âsînô/ ŋgo rînaŋoŋ. |
| Leave me alone. | Tîle mbe de andelo. |
| It is okay. | kalla ye. |
| I am going home. | Ama toŋo ayee. |
| I don't want. | Ama anndende. |
| Love is a beautiful thing. | ŋon̰ iriya hâbuto nomon̰ e ye. |
| Let me try. | Andelo ana âkel. |
| Welcome home. | Gooka toŋo. |
| I reached home safely. | Ama kalla mbo toŋo akûn̰ uŋa. |
| God is good. | Mundi kalla ye/ Mula kalla ye. |
| I don't understand. | Ama andeteŋge. |
| We are happy to see you. | Aminta ambomân̰ e mboro mbîkela gu. |
| I have it. | Ama ane. |
| Rest in peace. | Kalla mbo fî/ Mundi aram teni/ Mula aram teni. |
| I don't have money. | Ama njiŋanta anende. |
| I am done. | Ama anoda. |
| I am going to the shop. | Ama kîntin mo ayee. |
| Happy new year. | Mân̰ a weleet ŋundi ta. |
| Bad manners. | Bîye-kandi. |
| Stop using your phone. | Agûri na mbo gâiriya kusul. |
| I need a favour, please. | Ama kalla-kandi mundi to annde, belo. |
| Haven’t seen you for ages. | Mbîkelkede kâddur aŋûna. |
| Great to see you again. | Jekkoy kalla ye hâkkoy mbîkela gu. |
| I really appreciate it. | Nasa ye ama ilu âsso are. |
| You made my day. | Lêle mbo nomân̰ o jûya. |
| No problem. | Sirkile kûye. |
| We are hiring. | Mi gâyiriya mun̰ nji. |
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 Masalit words daily from the Masalit dictionary.
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