Greetings

1. I ni ce

   Hello / Thank you (to one person)

   Usage

   The most common all-day greeting, also a thank-you. It was first said to people at work and thanks them for their effort

   Grammar Note

   An idiom meaning "you and (your) work". For several people or an elder use "Aw ni ce". Men reply "Nba", women reply "Nse"

2. Aw ni ce

   Hello / Thank you (to several people or an elder)

   Usage

   The plural or respectful form of "I ni ce"

   Grammar Note

   Bambara has no formal pronoun, but the plural "aw" may be used for one respected person (common description; the dictionaries only confirm the plural)

3. I ni sɔgɔma

   Good morning

   Usage

   Morning greeting. Men reply "Nba", women reply "Nse"

   Grammar Note

   Built as "I ni + time-of-day word". Plural: "Aw ni sɔgɔma". The dictionary has "í ní sɔ̀gɔmà !" (good morning)

4. I ni tile

   Good day (midday)

   Usage

   Greeting for the daytime, especially around midday. Men reply "Nba", women "Nse"

   Grammar Note

   Follows the "I ni + time-of-day word" pattern. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar. The same pattern with "sɔgɔma" and "wula" is attested in the dictionary

5. I ni wula

   Good afternoon / Good evening

   Usage

   Greeting from afternoon until dusk; at night another form is used

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary has "í ní wúla ! — nbá !" (good evening). "wula" is spelled like another word meaning the bush

6. I ni su

   Good night

   Usage

   Greeting at night when meeting or parting

   Grammar Note

   Follows the "I ni + time-of-day word" pattern. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar. The dictionary glosses "su" as night and evening

7. Nba

   (Man's reply) Hello to you

   Usage

   A man's reply to "I ni …". A woman answers "Nse"

   Grammar Note

   The reply changes with the speaker's sex; this is the only gendered item, since Bambara has no grammatical gender

8. Nse

   (Woman's reply) Hello to you

   Usage

   A woman's reply to "I ni …". A man answers "Nba"

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary lists "nse" as the woman's reply, paired with the man's "Nba"

9. I ka kɛnɛ wa?

   Are you well?

   Usage

   The standard follow-up to a greeting, asking whether the person is well

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary example is "í ka kɛ́nɛ ?" (are you well?); final "wa" makes a yes/no question. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

10. N ka kɛnɛ

    I am well

    Usage

    The reply when asked how you are

    Grammar Note

    "N ka kɛnɛ" means I am well. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

11. Somɔgɔ don?

    And the family?

    Usage

    Asking after the family is an important part of the greeting ritual

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary example is "sómɔgɔ dón ?" (and the family?). Answers are "Kɛnɛ" (well) or "Hɛrɛ" (peace)

12. N tɛ se ka bamanankan fɔ

    I can't speak Bambara

    Usage

    Say it when you cannot speak the language

    Grammar Note

    The negative of "bɛ se ka" is "tɛ se ka", from the dictionary's "N bɛ se ka julakan fɔ". Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

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