Introduce yourself, ask the way or a price, ask someone to repeat: 28 phrases in Bambara checked against reference sources (Bambara of Mali, official spelling (tones not written)).

1

Travelling

I tilen ka taago straight
Fara i numan fɛturn left
Fara i kini fɛturn right
Sira tigɛcross the road
ɲɛ n ma!please, help me!
I bɛ se ka ɲɛ n ma?can you help me?
Yanhere
Yenthere
mobilicar
nɛgɛsobicycle
Oto garibus station
Tɛrɛn garitrain station
Abiyon jigin kɛnɛairport
taamaalso: tagama, tɔgɔmajourney, walk
2

Everyday phrases

I tɔgɔ?what’s your name?
I jamu?what’s your last name?
I bɛ bɔ min?where are you from?
I bɛ Bamanakan fɔ?also: I bɛ Bamanankan fɔ?do you speak Bambara?
N m’a faamuI did not understand it
Segin a kanrepeat it
Wariko donI have no money
Kɔngɔ bɛ n naI am hungry
Minɔgɔ bɛ n naI am thirsty
N sɛgɛnnen donI am tired
I bɛ taa min?where are you going?
N bɛ taa soI am going home
N b’a fɛ ka n lafiɲɛI want to rest
I ye san joli ye?how old are you?

Test yourself

1. What does “Fara i numan fɛ” mean?

2. What does “mobili” mean?

3. What does “I jamu?” mean?

4. What does “Minɔgɔ bɛ n na” mean?

Where do these words come from?
The words in this article come from: Peace Corps Mali Bambara courses, Bamadaba dictionary (Corpus Bambara de Référence). They are copied with their exact spelling; when two sources disagree, the variant is shown. Do you speak this language and spot a mistake? Write to us.