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Bambara phrasebook Voyage Tips and guide

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    Bambara or Bamanankan (ߓߡߊߣߊ߲ߞߊ߲) is a language in West Africa, mostly in Mali, where it is mother tongue of the Bambara people (30% of the population), and where 80% of the population can communicate in the language. Bambara will also be useful in Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, and Gambia. Together with Dioulé and Malinké it belongs to the Mandekan dialect family, which itself part of the Mande group, which is a Niger-Congo language subgroup.

    The language is heavily influenced by French, and even the slightest knowledge of French will make it easier to remember words. If you don't remember a word you can try to use the French word.

    Pronunciation guide

    [edit]

    Vowels

    [edit]
    a
    like 'a' in "father"
    e
    like 'e' in "prey"
    ε
    like 'e' in "met"
    i
    like 'i' in "police"
    o
    like 'o' in "so"
    ɔ
    like 'ough' in "bought"
    u
    like 'u' in "clue"

    There are also long vowels:

    • aa
    • ee
    • εε
    • ii
    • oo
    • ɔɔ
    • uu

    and nasal vowels:

    • an
    • en
    • εn
    • in
    • on
    • ɔn
    • un

    Consonants

    [edit]
    j
    like 'j' in "jay"
    ɲ
    like 'ny' in "canyon"
    ŋ
    like 'nw'
    c
    like 'ch' in "chair"
    g
    like 'g' in "get"
    h
    like 'h' in "hard"
    s
    like 'ss' in "pass" or 'sh' in "shake" (varies by region)

    Blends

    [edit]
    sh
    like 'sh' in "shore"

    Phrase list

    [edit]

    Basics

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    Hello (any time of day)
    i ni ce
    How are you? (Are you well?) (to one person)
    i ka kεnε wa?
    How are you? (Are you well?) (to more than one person)
    Aw ka kεnε (wa)?
    Fine, thank you.
    kεnε, tɔɔrɔ te, ko tε, tana tε
    What is your first name?
    i tɔgɔ?
    What is your last name?
    i jamu?
    My name is ______ .
    ne tɔgɔ ___
    Thank you.
    i ni ce
    You're welcome.
    basi tε (literally 'no problem')
    Yes.
    awɔ
    No.
    ayi
    Excuse me. (getting attention / begging pardon)
    (aw ye) hakε to!
    I'm sorry.
    a yafa n ma
    Goodbye
    k'an bεn
    Goodbye (informal)
    n taara
    I can't speak Bambara very well.
    Ne tε se bamanankan na kosεbε
    I don't speak Bambara very well, but I understand a little
    Ne tε se bamanankan na kosεbε, nka ne b'a men dɔɔnin dɔɔnin.
    Do you speak English?
    i bε angilekan men wa?
    Is there someone here who speaks English?
    Mogo do min bε angilekan men be yan, wa?
    Help!
    N deme!
    Look out!
    I farati!
    Good morning.
    aw ni sɔgɔma (several persons around), i ni sɔgɔma (1 person)
    Good afternoon
    aw ni tile, i ni tile
    Good evening.
    aw ni wula, i ni wula
    Good night.
    aw ni su, i ni su
    Good night (to sleep)
    ka su hεεrε
    I don't understand.
    n m'a faamu
    Where is the toilet?
    ɲεgεn bε min?

    Problems

    [edit]
    Leave me alone.
    N bila sa!
    Don't touch me!
    I kana magan n na!
    I'll call the police.
    N bε polisiw wele.
    Police!
    Police!
    Stop! Thief!
    A yi zon (or son) minE)
    I need your help.
    N mago bε i ka deme na.
    It's an emergency.
    koo teliman do.
    I'm lost.
    N tununen don.
    I lost my bag.
    N ka saki tununa.
    I lost my wallet.
    N ka wari tununa.
    I'm sick.
    Bana bε na.
    I've been injured.
    N joki na
    I need a doctor.
    N mago bε dogotoro la.
    Can I use your phone?
    N bε se ka weleli kε ni i ka telephone ye wa?

    Numbers

    [edit]
    1
    kelen
    2
    fila
    3
    saba
    4
    naani
    5
    duurun
    6
    wooro
    7
    wolonfla
    8
    segi
    9
    kononto
    10
    tan
    11
    tan ni kelen
    12
    tan ni fla
    13
    tan ni saba
    14
    tan ni naani
    15
    tan ni duurun
    16
    tan ni wooro
    17
    tan ni wolonfla
    18
    tan ni segi
    19
    tan ni kononto
    20
    mugan
    21
    mugan ni kelen
    22
    mugan ni fla
    23
    mugan ni saaba
    30
    bi saba
    40
    bi naani
    50
    bi duurun
    60
    bi wooro
    70
    bi wolonfla
    80
    bi segi
    90
    bi kononto
    100
    keme
    200
    keme fla
    300
    keme saba
    1000
    wa (baa) kelen
    2000
    wa fla
    3451
    wa saba ani keme naani ani biduru ani kelen
    1,000,000
    million kelen
    1,000,000,000
    milliard kelen
    number _____ (train, bus, etc.)
    half
    tilance
    a lot
    caman
    a few
    do / doonin

    Time

    [edit]
    now
    sisan
    right this instant
    sisan sisan
    later
    kofe
    soon
    sɔɔni
    before
    ɲyε
    morning
    sɔgɔma
    afternoon
    tilé
    evening
    wula
    night
    su

    Clock time

    [edit]
    one o'clock AM
    une heure waati or nεgε kan &0626ε kelen
    two o'clock AM
    deux heure waati or
    noon
    midi waati
    one o'clock PM
    treize heure waati
    two o'clock PM
    quatorze heure waati
    midnight
    minuit waati

    Prayer times

    [edit]
    sunrise
    fajiri waati
    approx 2 pm
    selifana waati
    approx 4 pm
    lansara waati
    sunset
    fitiri waati
    nightfall
    safo waati

    Duration

    [edit]
    _____ minute(s)
    minuti _____
    _____ hour(s)
    heuri _____
    _____ day(s)
    don _____
    _____ week(s)
    dɔgɔkun _____
    _____ month(s)
    kalo _____
    _____ year(s)
    san _____

    Days

    [edit]
    today
    bi
    yesterday
    kunu
    the day before yesterday
    kuna sini
    tomorrow
    sini
    the day after tomorrow
    sinin kene
    this week
    dogukun nin na
    last week
    dogukun temena
    next week
    dogukun nata / wεrε
    Sunday
    kari-don
    Monday
    nténé-don
    Tuesday
    tarata-don
    Wednesday
    araba-don
    Thursday
    alamisa-don
    Friday
    (gé)juma-don
    Saturday
    sibiri-don

    Months

    [edit]
    January
    Zanwuyé (kalo)
    February
    Feburuyé (kalo)
    March
    Marsi (kalo)
    April
    Awirili (kalo)
    May
    Mε(kalo)
    June
    Zuwen (kalo)
    July
    Zuluyé (kalo)
    August
    Uti (kalo)
    September
    Sεtamburu (kalo)
    October
    Oktɔburu (kalo)
    November
    Nɔwanburu (kalo)
    December
    Desanburu (kalo)

    Writing time and date

    [edit]

    The month is always stated first in a date, then the day of the month. For example, January 25, 2008 would be "janvier kalo tile mugan ni duru san baa fila ni segi". A literal translation would be "January month day twenty-five year two thousand and eight." When written with digits, the French tradition of day, month, year is generally followed.

    Colors

    [edit]
    black
    finman
    white
    jεman
    gray
    red
    bilenman
    blue
    buluman
    yellow
    nεrεmuguman
    green
    binkeneman
    orange
    siramuguman
    purple
    brown
    sikoloman

    Transportation

    [edit]

    Bus and train

    [edit]
    How much is a ticket to _____?
    Ka taa ____ ye joli ye?
    One ticket to _____, please.
    Billetti kelen ka taa ____.
    Where does this train/bus go?
    Mobili / train nin bε taa min?
    Where is the train/bus to _____?
    Mobili / train min bε taa _____ bε sɔrɔ min?
    Does this train/bus stop in _____?
    Mobili /train nin bε jo _____ wa?
    When does the train/bus for _____ leave?
    Mobili / train min bε taa _____ waati jumen?
    When will this train/bus arrive in _____?
    Mobili / train nin bε se _____ waati jumen?

    Directions

    [edit]
    How do I get to _____ ?
    ____ bε sɔrɔ fan jumεn fε?
    ...the train station?
    gare de train
    ...the bus station?
    autogare
    ...the airport?
    aeroport
    ...downtown?
    dugukono
    ...the youth hostel?
    siyɔrɔ / hotel
    ...the _____ hotel?
    siyɔrɔ / hotel
    ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?
    Ameriki / Kanada / Ostrali / Anglezi ambassade / jamanasigiyoro
    Where are there a lot of...
    _____ caman bε sɔrɔ min?
    ...hotels?
    hotel
    ...restaurants?
    dumuniyorow
    ...bars?
    dɔlɔminyɔrɔw
    ...sites to see?
    Can you show me on the map?
    I bε se ka jira n na carti la wa?
    street
    sira
    Turn left.
    kaa fara numanbolo fε
    Turn right.
    kaa fara kinibolo fε
    left
    numanbolo (nose hand)
    right
    kinibolo (rice hand)
    straight ahead
    ɲε fε
    towards the _____
    _____ fan fε
    past the _____
    _____ kɔ fε
    before the _____
    _____ ɲε
    Watch for the _____.
    _____ ɲini
    intersection
    north
    saheli / kokodugu fε (sahel / salt land way)
    south
    worodugu fε (kola land way)
    east
    seli fε (prayer way)
    west
    tilebin fε (sunset way)
    uphill
    san fε
    downhill
    duguma fε

    Taxi

    [edit]
    Taxi!
    Taxi!
    Take me to _____, please.
    N b'a fe ka taa _____ (la).
    How much does it cost to get to _____?
    Ka taa _____ (la) ye joli ye?
    Take me there, please.
    An ka taa yen.

    Lodging

    [edit]
    Do you have any rooms available?
    Siyɔrɔ bε wa?
    How much is a room for one person/two people?
    Siyɔrɔ kelenta / filata ye joli ye?
    Does the room come with...
    _____ bε sɔrɔ siyɔrɔ la wa?
    ...bedsheets?
    ...couverture?
    ...a bathroom?
    ...tualet / nyegen?
    ...a telephone?
    ...telephone?
    ...a TV?
    ...television?
    May I see the room first?
    N bε se ka Siyɔrɔ laje folo wa?
    Do you have anything quieter?
    Siyɔrɔ do bε sɔrɔ min ...hεrε ka ca nin ye wa?
    ...bigger?
    ...ka bon nin ye wa?
    ...cleaner?
    ...ka sani nin ye wa?
    ...cheaper?
    ...da ka nogon nin ye wa?
    OK, I'll take it.
    A ka nyi, n b'a ta.
    I will stay for _____ night(s).
    N bε na su ____ kε yan.
    Can you suggest another hotel?
    Hotel were bε sɔrɔ? I bε se ka n bila o sira la?
    Do you have a safe?
    Coffru bε wa?
    ...lockers?
    ...lockers?
    Is breakfast/supper included?
    Daraka / surofana b'a la wa?
    What time is breakfast/supper?
    Daraka / surofana bε dun waati jumen?
    Please clean my room.
    N ka siyoro furan.
    Can you wake me at _____?
    I bε se kan n lawuli _____ heuri la wa?
    I want to check out.
    N b'a fe ka wari sara ka taa.

    Money

    [edit]
    Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian/British currency?
    N bε se k'a sara ni Ameriki / Australien / Canadien / Anglezi wari ye wa?
    Do you accept credit cards?
    N bε se ka sara ni carti ye wa?
    Can you change money for me?
    I bε se ka wari falen n ye wa?
    Where can I get money changed?
    Wari bε falen min?
    Can you change a traveler's check for me?
    I bε se ka sheki falen wa?
    Where can I get a traveler's check changed?
    Sheki nin bε falen min?
    What is the exchange rate?
    A falen ye joli ye?
    How much for one _____?
    _____ kelen kelen ye joli ye?
    Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?
    Machine d'argent / warimachine bε sɔrɔ? min?

    Eating

    [edit]
    A table for one person/two people, please.
    Can I look at the menu, please?
    N bε se ka menu laje wa, sa?
    Can I look in the kitchen?
    N bε se ka gwa laje wa?
    Is there a house specialty?
    Is there a local specialty?
    I'm a vegetarian.
    n te sogo dun
    I don't eat pork.
    n te lesogo dun
    I don't eat beef.
    n te misisogo dun
    Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)
    aw kana tulu caman k'a la [don't put a lot of oil on it]
    fixed-price meal
    à la carte
    breakfast
    daraka
    lunch
    tilela fana, tilerɔ
    tea (meal)
    supper
    sula fana, surɔfana
    I want _____.
    ne bε _____ fε
    I want a dish containing _____.
    N bε dumuni min fe, ____ b'o la.
    chicken
    shεsogo
    beef
    mishisogo
    fish
    jεgε
    ham
    lesogo
    soda
    buasan
    sausage
    cheese
    fromagi
    eggs
    shεfan
    salad, lettuce
    saladi
    (fresh) vegetable
    nako fen (garden things)
    (fresh) fruit
    yiri den (tree children)
    bread
    buru, nbuuru
    toast
    noodles
    macaroni (yes, just like English, but applies to nearly all pasta)
    rice
    malo (uncooked), kini (cooked)
    mais
    kaba
    orange
    lemru-ba, lenburuba
    lemon, lime
    lenburu
    pineapple
    jabibi
    banana
    namasa
    plantain
    baranda, loko
    guava
    buyaki
    papaya
    manje
    mango
    mangoro
    peanut
    tiga
    beans
    sho
    May I have a glass of _____?
    May I have a cup of _____?
    May I have a bottle of _____?
    ... galama ...
    coffee
    kafe, kafe-ji
    tea (drink)
    te
    _____ juice
    ____ ji
    (bubbly) water
    water
    ji
    milk
    nɔnɔ
    beer
    bieri
    alcohol
    dolo
    red/white wine
    May I have some _____?
    ne bε se ka ____ soro wa?
    salt
    kɔkɔ
    black pepper
    butter
    Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)
    terike!
    I'm finished.
    n fara (I'm full)
    It was delicious.
    a djarra, aw ni gwa
    Please clear the plates.
    aw ka assiettiw ta.
    The check, please.
    aw ka na ni addition ye.

    Bars

    [edit]
    Do you serve alcohol?
    eska dolo bε wa?
    Is there table service?
    Is there table service?
    A beer/two beers, please.
    castel bilibili ba, castel bilibiliba fila, sil vous plais.
    A glass of red/white wine, please.
    A glass of red/white wine, please.
    A pint, please.
    A pint, please.
    A bottle, please.
    A bottle, please.
    _____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.
    _____ and _____, please.
    whiskey
    whiskey
    vodka
    vodka
    rum
    rum
    water
    water
    club soda
    club soda
    tonic water
    tonic water
    orange juice
    orange juice
    Coke (soda)
    Coke
    Do you have any bar snacks?
    Do you have any bar snacks?
    One more, please.
    One more, please.
    Another round, please.
    Another round, please.
    When is closing time?
    When is closing time?

    Shopping

    [edit]
    Do you have this in my size?
    Do you have this in my size?
    How much is this?
    Nin ye joli ye?
    That's too expensive.
    abadika, O ka cha. Do bo a la [cheaper please]
    Would you take _____?
    Would you take _____?
    expensive
    ka gelen (literally - too hard)
    cheap
    ma gelen (literally - not hard)
    I can't afford it.
    wardi tε n'bolo. (literally - the money is not in my hand)
    I don't want it.
    N t'a fε. [note: once you have made an offer you are obligated to purchase]
    You're cheating me.
    Namara ka cha.
    I'm not interested.
    N ma se a ma.
    OK, I'll take it.
    Awo, n ba taa. or Awo, n bε fε k'a san. (literally - I want to buy it)
    Can I have a bag?
    mahnah bε wa? (literally - do you have plastic)
    Do you ship (overseas)?
    Do you ship (overseas)?
    I need...
    N'mago be ______ la
    ...toothpaste.
    ...pahtay de dent. (French)
    ...a toothbrush.
    ...brassay de dent (French)
    ...tampons.
    ...tampons.
    ...soap.
    ...safine.
    ...shampoo.
    ...shampoo.
    ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)
    ...Kungaloo fura Keesay. (literally head-seed)or Kungaloo fura
    ...cold medicine.
    ...moora fooroo.
    ...stomach medicine.
    ...kono baara fooroo.
    ...a razor.
    ...lamu. (French)
    ...an umbrella.
    ...para pluie. (French)
    ...sunblock lotion.
    ...sunblock lotion.
    ...a postcard.
    ...a postcard.
    ...postage stamps.
    ...tambaru. (French)
    ...batteries.
    ...pilew.
    ...writing paper.
    ...papieri ka seben.
    ...a pen.
    ...biki.
    ...English-language books.
    ...anglakan livuru.
    ...English-language magazines.
    ...English-language magazines.
    ...an English-language newspaper.
    ...an English-language newspaper.
    ...an English-English dictionary.
    ...anglikan dickshow.

    Driving

    [edit]
    I want to rent a car.
    N be feka mobili cinga
    Can I get insurance?
    Can I get insurance?
    stop (on a street sign)
    a to
    one way
    sira kelen
    yield
    yield
    no parking
    jo yoro te yan
    speed limit
    teliya hake
    gas (petrol) station
    gas station
    petrol
    petrol
    diesel
    diesel

    Authority

    [edit]
    I haven't done anything wrong.
    N ma foi ke
    It was a misunderstanding.
    An ma nyogon famu
    Where are you taking me?
    Aw be n taa fo min?
    Am I under arrest?
    Aw bena n mina wa?
    I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.
    Ne be bo Ameriki/Australi/Angaleter/Canada
    I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.
    I need to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.
    I want to talk to a lawyer.
    I want to talk to a lawyer.
    Can I just pay a fine now?
    Can I just pay a fine now?

    Learning more

    [edit]
    This Bambara phrasebook is a usable article. It explains pronunciation and the bare essentials of travel communication. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.


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