In Burkina Faso, you greet according to the time of day, then ask about health, family and work. A feature of Mooré: men and women do not answer a greeting with the same word.

1

Greeting by time of day

The phrase changes between morning and evening; another one welcomes someone who arrives.

ne y beoogogood morning
ne y zaabregood evening
ne y waoongowelcome
yɛɛlawelcome, greeting
2

Answering: man or woman

To a greeting, a man answers “naa” and a woman “ẽyyn”.

naayes, thank you (a man’s reply to a greeting)
ẽyyna woman’s reply to a greeting
Good to know. The dictionary writes “ne y beoogo” for “good morning”, while the Peace Corps Burkina Faso manual writes “Ne y yibeoogo”. Both forms are found.
3

Asking how people are

After the first exchange, you ask about health, family and work.

laafɩ beemehow is your health?
↳ laafɩ balaall is fine, I am fine
y yĩis gãase?how did you sleep? / how is your health?
La y zak rãmba?how is your family?
La y tuum kibare?how is your work?
4

Saying goodbye

Goodbyes are blessings: “may God give us…”. The answer is “Amina”.

wẽnd na kõ-d bilfusee you soon, goodbye
↳ Aminaamen (reply to any blessing starting with “Wẽnd na…”)
wẽnd na kõ-d beoogosee you tomorrow
↳ Aminaamen (reply to any blessing starting with “Wẽnd na…”)
wẽnd na kõ-d nindaarefarewell, see you another day
↳ Aminaamen (reply to any blessing starting with “Wẽnd na…”)
5

Small words you will use all the time

Thank you, yes, no, excuse me: you will use them everywhere.

barkathank you
õhõyes
ayono
gaafarapardon, excuse me
maan-m sugrisorry, excuse me

In practice: Ousmane greets Salamata in the morning

Ousmanene y beoogogood morning
Salamataẽyyna woman’s reply to a greeting
Ousmanelaafɩ beemehow is your health?
Salamatalaafɩ balaall is fine, I am fine
Ousmanewẽnd na kõ-d beoogosee you tomorrow
SalamataAminaamen (reply to any blessing starting with “Wẽnd na…”)

Key points

  • ne y beoogo: good morning
  • laafɩ beeme → laafɩ bala: how is your health? / all is fine, I am fine
  • barka: thank you
  • wẽnd na kõ-d beoogo → Amina: see you tomorrow / amen (reply to any blessing starting with “Wẽnd na…”)

Test yourself

1. How do you say “good morning”?

2. A woman answers a greeting with…

3. What does “barka” mean?

4. Someone says “wẽnd na kõ-d beoogo”. You answer…

Where do these words come from?
The phrases in this lesson come from the Mooré – French – English Dictionary (SIL, Webonary), cross-checked with the Peace Corps Burkina Faso Mooré manual (2006). National Burkinabe spelling (ɛ, ɩ, ʋ, nasal vowels with a tilde). Do you speak this language and spot a mistake? Write to us.