Food & Drinks

1. N bɛ malo fɛ

   I would like rice

   Usage

   For ordering food at a restaurant or stall

   Grammar Note

   "N bɛ X fɛ" means I want X; the dictionary has "í bɛ́ mùn fɛ̀ ?" (what do you want?). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

2. Bi dumuni ye mun ye?

   What is today's meal?

   Usage

   Asks what is on offer today at an eating place

   Grammar Note

   The "A ye B ye" pattern means A is B; "bi" means today. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

3. A ka di kosɛbɛ

   It is very delicious

   Usage

   Compliment a dish; the cook will be pleased

   Grammar Note

   "kosɛbɛ" is an adverb meaning very and follows the adjective. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

4. N tɛ sogo dun

   I don't eat meat

   Usage

   For explaining a dietary restriction

   Grammar Note

   "sogo" means meat and also fish flesh. Habitual negation uses "tɛ". Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

5. N b'a fɛ ka wari bɔ

   I would like to pay

   Usage

   Ask to pay after a meal

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary has "wári bɔ́" (take out money, i.e. pay). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

6. Na ni ji dɔɔnin ye

   Please bring me a little water

   Usage

   A request when you want water

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary example is "nà ní jí dɔ́ɔnin yé" (bring a little water). "na ni" (come with) means bring

7. Na ni dute ye

   Please bring me tea

   Usage

   For asking for tea; "dute" is green tea in the Malian style

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary glosses "dute" as Malian-style green tea and "kanganin" as tea. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

8. N tɛ dagannan dun

   I don't eat hot pepper

   Usage

   For saying you cannot take spicy food

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary glosses "dagannan" as a very hot condiment, pepper; it names the pepper rather than spicy food in general. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

9. Malo sɔngɔ ye joli ye?

   How much is the rice?

   Usage

   Asks the price of food; replace "malo" with another item

   Grammar Note

   "sɔngɔ" means price. Prices may be quoted in units of 5 francs, so confirm the amount. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

10. Malo

    Rice (raw)

    Usage

    Means rice as a grain

    Grammar Note

    Cooked rice is called "kini" in the dictionary

11. Kini

    Cooked rice

    Usage

    The word for cooked rice when ordering

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as cooked rice; it also covers prepared cereals

12. Buuru

    Bread

    Usage

    For asking for bread at breakfast or as a snack

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as bread. Variants include "nburu" and "buru"

13. Sogo

    Meat

    Usage

    Means meat and also fish flesh

    Grammar Note

    Do not confuse it with "sɔgɔ" (to pierce): this word is written with a plain o

14. Jɛgɛ

    Fish

    Usage

    Means fish as a food

    Grammar Note

    The letter ɛ is U+025B. In landlocked Mali most fish comes from rivers

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