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Common Bambara to NKo phrases

100 practical Bambara to NKo phrases for travel, study, work, and daily conversation.

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Looking for practical Bambara to NKo phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the Bambara phrase first, then the NKo translation (NKo) — so you can scan quickly before a trip, class, or video call.

The phrases are grouped into eight topics: greetings and pleasantries, useful phrases for travellers, everyday conversation, directions and getting around, shopping and dining, emergencies and health, work and business, and time, days and numbers. Use the table of contents to jump straight to greetings, directions, dining, emergencies, or numbers. You do not need perfect grammar to start — short, clear sentences often work better than silence when you are learning NKo.

Tip: read the NKo line out loud three times, then cover the Bambara side and try to recall the meaning — repetition builds memory faster than silent reading.

Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the Bambara to NKo translator to paste your own messages and get an instant translation.

Greetings and pleasantries

Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and polite introductions for meeting new people.

  1. I ni ce

    ᎣᏍᏆ (Oscha)

  2. I ni sogoma

    ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ (Ascadodi)

  3. I ni bɔ

    ᎣᏍᏆ ᎡᏚᏙᏗ (Oscha Edodhi)

  4. I ni kɛ

    ᎣᏍᏆ ᎠᏧᏍᏆᏗ (Oscha Atsachadi)

  5. I ni sɔgɔ

    ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏚᏗ (Oscha Dagadudi)

  6. I ni tulu

    ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ (Oscha Datsicha)

  7. N bɛ se ka

    ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏙᏗ (Oscha Dagadodi)

  8. A bɛ se ka

    ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏁᏙᏗ (Oscha Danodi)

  9. Nɛnɛ kɛ i tɛ?

    ᎯᏍᏆ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎢᏳᏍᏆ? (Hisch Ascadodi Iyuscha?)

  10. N bɛ tɔgɔ John

    ᎠᏓ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎠᏍᏆ ᏥᏍᏆ (Ada Ascadodi Ascha Tischa)

  11. I ni fɛ?

    ᎯᏍᏆ ᎯᏍᏆ? (Hisch Hisch?)

  12. N bɛ se ka i fɛ

    ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ (Ascadodi Tischa)

Useful phrases for travellers

Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.

  1. I ni ce English?

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  2. N mɔgɔ bɛ Hindi kɛ

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  3. N mɔgɔ bɛ

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߓߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  4. Sɛbɛn, kɛlɛ kɛ

    ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  5. I ka fɔ a la?

    ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  6. Bamanakan kɛn na?

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  7. N bɛ fɔ kɔrɔbɔ?

    ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  8. Kɛlɛn bɔ

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  9. Kɛlɛn bɔ kɔrɔ

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  10. Fɔ kɛlɛn

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  11. Fɛ kɛ?

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  12. Kɛnɛ ticket, please

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  13. I kɛ fɔ kɛnɛ?

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  14. N tɛ bɔ

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

  15. N bɛ fɔ SIM card kɛn?

    ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬? (aɡa ɡa ɡa ɡa)

Everyday conversation

Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.

  1. Aye

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢

  2. Ala

    𞤈𞤢𞤣

  3. Bara

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢

  4. N bɛ bɔ

    𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢

  5. N bɛ fɔ

    𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

  6. I bɛ sɛbɛn

    𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

  7. I ka fɛ kɛ?

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

  8. I bɛ ma n bɔ?

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢

  9. N bɛ fɔ n bɔ

    𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

  10. Sira kɛ

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣

  11. N tɛgɛ

    𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

  12. Ala ka fɔ

    𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

  13. I ni kɛ

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

  14. I ni tɔgɔ kɛ

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

  15. I bɛ tɔgɔ kɛ

    𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢

Directions and getting around

Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.

  1. Fôlô kôkô tîgê?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  2. Fôlô bôgô tîgê?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  3. I ni tîgê kô?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  4. Kô tîgê bô?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  5. I ni tîgê bô?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  6. I tîgê kâ.

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  7. I tîgê kâ fô.

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  8. I bô kô tîgê fô?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  9. Tîgê kâ, s'il vous plaît.

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

  10. Kô tîgê kô?

    ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬ (bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)

Shopping and dining

Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.

  1. I ni ce?

    ߊߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌߟߌ? (aɡa fɔtɔ?)

  2. O ye fɛɛrɛ.

    ߉ߠߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ)

  3. I ni ka fɛɛrɛ?

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  4. N bɛ tɔgɔ ka kɛ?

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  5. N bɛ fɔlɔ kɛlɛ kɔrɔ.

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  6. Kɔrɔbaw, s'il vous plaît.

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  7. Sɛbɛ ka fo?

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  8. N bɛ sɔgɔma.

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  9. Kɔrɔ fɛɛrɛ, s'il vous plaît.

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  10. I ye sɔgɔ.

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  11. N bɛ fɔlɔ kɔrɔbaw?

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ? (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

  12. N bɛ fɔlɔ jɔrɔ.

    ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ (aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)

Emergencies and health

Help, police, doctor, pharmacy, and urgent situations when you need assistance fast.

  1. Nɔgɔ fɔlɔ

    ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߍ߬ߟߌ߬ (Kâkâ lîsî)

  2. Nɔgɔ kɔrɔ

    ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߟߌ߬ߞߌ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ (Kâkâ ambûlâns)

  3. N bɛ sɔrɔ

    ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ (Dî nîdâ dâktôr)

  4. N bɛ tɛgɛn

    ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ (Dî fîl sîk)

  5. N bɛ fɔlɔ kɛlɛ

    ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߍ߬ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬ (Dî âmâ lêrjîk tû pînâts)

  6. N bɛ kɔrɔ fɔlɔ?

    ߞߍ߬ ߝߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߞߌ߬? (Kô wâhâ nîrâst hôspîtâl)

  7. I tɛgɛ fɛ

    ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ (Dî hûrts hîr)

  8. N bɛ kɛlɛ fɔlɔ

    ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߓߊ߬ (Dî lôst mî pâspôrt)

  9. I bɛ nɔgɔ kɔrɔ fɔlɔ?

    ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߚߊ߬? (Kâ nû kâl mî hôtêl)

  10. Tɛgɛ!

    ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ߡߊ߬! (Kâ hâlp!)

Work and business

Meetings, email tone, schedules, and professional phrases for the workplace.

  1. N bɛ se ka kɛnɛ

    መይ ወይ ደሊ እንደ ወይ (mey wey deli ende wey)

  2. Ala ka yɛlɛ kɛnɛ

    ንደ ወርክ ወን ወይ (nda werk wen wey)

  3. I ni bɔ a la?

    ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ (nda wey wey wey)

  4. N bɛ fɔ report la tɛgɛ

    እኔ ወይ ወርክ ወይ ወይ (eñe wey werk wey wey)

  5. N bɛ fɔ tɛgɛ?

    ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ (nda wey wey wey)

  6. Sɔgɔma, fɔ file la a bɛ

    ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ (nda wey wey wey)

  7. I ni ce, a bɛ sɔrɔ

    መይ ወይ ወይ ወይ (mey wey wey wey)

  8. N bɛ fɔ a la ka yɛlɛ

    እኔ ወይ ወይ ወይ (eñe wey wey wey)

  9. I bɛ fɔ a la fɛ?

    ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ (nda wey wey wey)

  10. N bɛ fɔ a la kɛ

    ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ (nda wey wey wey)

  11. Dɔgɔni tɛgɛ Friday

    ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ (nda wey wey wey)

Time, days and numbers

Clock times, days of the week, months, quantities, and counting for appointments and plans.

  1. Ala ka kɛnɛ?

    ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬? (Kâkâ tî?)

  2. I ye kelen kelen.

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî sâbâ?)

  3. N bɔ

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî)

  4. N bɔ kɛ

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî fâ)

  5. N bɔ fɛ

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî dâ)

  6. Tɔgɔ

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî lô)

  7. Tɛgɛ

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî tî)

  8. Alakɔ

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî wâ)

  9. Kelen

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ)

  10. Duo

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ nâ)

  11. Tati

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ sâ)

  12. Folo

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ fâ)

  13. Dugukelen

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ sâbâ)

  14. Kelen fɛ

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ fâ)

  15. Kɛ

    ߞߊ߬ߡߊ߬ (Kâkâ tî)

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