Basic Words

1. Awɔ

   Yes

   Usage

   Affirmative answer. Some speakers say "Ɔwɔ"

   Grammar Note

   "Awɔ" and "Ɔwɔ" are variants of one word. The negative answer is "Ayi"

2. Ayi

   No

   Usage

   Negative answer. A short word that stands alone

   Grammar Note

   The positive answer is "Awɔ". Verbs are negated with "tɛ" or "ma", not with "ayi"

3. I barika

   Thank you (to one person)

   Usage

   A thank-you. To several people say "Aw barika"

   Grammar Note

   "barika" is an Arabic loan: blessing, hence thanks. "I ni ce" also works as a thank-you

4. Hakɛto

   Excuse me / Sorry

   Usage

   For a light apology or to get someone's attention. The word itself means pardon

   Grammar Note

   Written with the letter ɛ (U+025B). The dictionary also has "Hakɛto bɛ a la" (I beg your pardon)

5. Ayiwa

   OK / All right

   Usage

   Used to agree to a request or a suggestion

   Grammar Note

   A positive answer to a request for permission; it also works as "well then" when starting to speak

6. Baasi tɛ

   It's OK / No problem

   Usage

   Said when someone apologises, or to say that nothing is wrong

   Grammar Note

   Literally "there is no problem". "tɛ" is the negative copula for existence and state

7. N t'a faamu

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Use when you cannot follow what someone says

   Grammar Note

   Word order is subject, marker, object, verb. "tɛ a" contracts to "t'a". The dictionary has similar sentences such as "á tɛ nìn ntàlen fàamu wà?". Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

8. N ye a faamu

   I understand

   Usage

   Use when you have understood an explanation

   Grammar Note

   The transitive perfective is "subject ye object verb", so this means "I have understood". Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

9. I tɛ n kɔnɔ wa?

   Can you wait for me?

   Usage

   A polite way to ask someone to wait

   Grammar Note

   A negative statement plus final "wa" makes a polite request (dictionary example). "kɔnɔ" also means belly and bird

10. I ka n dɛmɛ

    Please help me

    Usage

    Used to ask for help. To several people say "Aw ka n dɛmɛ"

    Grammar Note

    "Subject ka verb" is a non-categorical order; the dictionary example is "I ka n dɛmɛ!"

11. Segin a fɔ

    Say it again, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what you did not catch

    Grammar Note

    "segin" means return and also do again (the dictionary has "sègin ò kàn", redo that). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

12. Kuma dɔɔnindɔɔnin

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    Ask when someone speaks too fast to follow

    Grammar Note

    "dɔɔnindɔɔnin" is the doubled form of "dɔɔnin" (a little), meaning slowly; the dictionary lists it next to "dɔgɔdɔgɔnin". Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

13. N bɛ se ka bamanankan fɔ dɔɔnin

    I can speak a little Bambara

    Usage

    Say it to show you know a little of the language; people appreciate it

    Grammar Note

    "se ka verb" means can; the dictionary has "N bɛ se ka julakan fɔ" (I can speak Jula). The language name comes before the verb "fɔ". Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

14. I bɛ angilɛkan mɛn wa?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Ask whether English is understood; greet in Bambara first

    Grammar Note

    The language is "angilɛ" (English) plus "kan" (language). "mɛn" means hear and is used for understanding a language; Wiktionary has the phrase "i bɛ angilekan men wa"

15. Nin

    This

    Usage

    Used to point at something near you

    Grammar Note

    "nin" can stand before or after the noun: both "nin so" and "so nin" mean this house

16. O

    That

    Usage

    Points to something already mentioned or a little further away

    Grammar Note

    "o" means that and goes before a noun, as in "o cogo" (that way)

17. Yan

    Here

    Usage

    Used for "here" when pointing out a place

    Grammar Note

    Its counterpart is "yen" (there). The dictionary has "Na yan!" (come here)

18. Yen

    There

    Usage

    Used for a place at a distance

    Grammar Note

    Its counterpart is "yan" (here). The dictionary has "Bɔ yen!" (get out of there)

19. Ne

    Me / I

    Usage

    The emphatic "I". In ordinary sentences the short form "n" is used

    Grammar Note

    Pronouns: n (I), i (you), a (he, she, it), an (we), aw (you plural), u (they). There is no gender

20. E

    You

    Usage

    The emphatic "you". In ordinary sentences the short form "i" is used

    Grammar Note

    "e" is singular and "aw" is plural. Some speakers use the plural for one respected person (common description)

21. Ɲɔgɔn fɛ

    Together

    Usage

    A phrase for doing something together

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary example is "Ù táara ɲɔ́gɔn fɛ̀" (they left together). "ɲ" is U+0272

22. Mɔgɔ kelen

    One person

    Usage

    Giving a head count; the number follows the noun

    Grammar Note

    Noun plus number with no counter word. "mɔgɔ" is the general word for person

23. Mɔgɔ fila

    Two people

    Usage

    Giving a head count of two

    Grammar Note

    The number follows the noun, and the plural "-w" is not added after a number

24. Mɔgɔ saba

    Three people

    Usage

    Giving a head count of three

    Grammar Note

    Four and beyond continue with naani, duuru, wɔɔrɔ

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