50 common Lingala phrases for beginners — greetings, polite words, and everyday sentences with pronunciation, so you can start speaking Lingala today.
If you're starting to learn Lingala, phrases get you speaking faster than grammar ever will. Here are the most useful everyday Lingala words and sentences, grouped by situation, with simple pronunciation. Bookmark this page and practice a few each day. (Pronunciation is approximate; give it a native-speaker check.)
Greetings
Mbote (MBO-teh) — Hello
Mbote na yo — Hello (to one person)
Mbote na bino — Hello (to a group)
Sango nini? — What's up? (lit. what news?)
Sango té — All good / nothing new
Ozali malamu? — Are you okay?
Nazali malamu — I'm fine
Introducing yourself
Kombo na yo nani? — What's your name?
Kombo na ngai ezali ___ — My name is ___
Nakowuta na ___ — I come from ___
Nazali koyekola Lingala — I'm learning Lingala
Olobaka Lingala? — Do you speak Lingala?
Politeness
Matondi — Thank you
Matondi mingi — Thank you very much
Melesi — Thanks (from French)
Nasengi yo — Please
Bolimbisi — Sorry / forgive me
Everyday essentials
Malamu — Good / okay
Iyo — Yes
Té — No
Nazali na nzala — I'm hungry
Nazali na mposa ya mai — I'm thirsty (I want water)
Nakei — I'm leaving
Nakei koya — I'll be back
Yaka awa — Come here
Zela ngai — Wait for me
Loba lisusu — Say it again
Nasosoli té — I don't understand
Feelings & warmth
Nalingi yo — I love you
Bolingo na ngai — My love
Nazali na esengo — I'm happy
Longonya — Congratulations
Nzambe apambola yo — God bless you
Saying goodbye
Kende malamu — Go well (to the one leaving)
Tikala malamu — Stay well (to the one staying)
Tokomonana — See you / we'll meet again
How to practice these
Don't try to memorize all 50 at once. Pick five a day, say them out loud, and use them in a real message or conversation. In two weeks you'll know the whole list — and you'll be able to hold a basic Lingala conversation.
Want one phrase a day with pronunciation? Follow lingala.cd and the daily series.