Looking for practical NKo to Bambara phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the NKo phrase first, then the Bambara translation (Bambara) — 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 Bambara.
Tip: pick five Bambara phrases from the greetings section and use them in a real message today. Small daily practice beats cramming before a trip.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the NKo to Bambara 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.
ᎣᏍᏆ
I ni ce(Oscha)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ
I ni sogoma(Ascadodi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎡᏚᏙᏗ
I ni bɔ(Oscha Edodhi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎠᏧᏍᏆᏗ
I ni kɛ(Oscha Atsachadi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏚᏗ
I ni sɔgɔ(Oscha Dagadudi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
I ni tulu(Oscha Datsicha)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏙᏗ
N bɛ se ka(Oscha Dagadodi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏁᏙᏗ
A bɛ se ka(Oscha Danodi)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎢᏳᏍᏆ?
Nɛnɛ kɛ i tɛ?(Hisch Ascadodi Iyuscha?)
ᎠᏓ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎠᏍᏆ ᏥᏍᏆ
N bɛ tɔgɔ John(Ada Ascadodi Ascha Tischa)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎯᏍᏆ?
I ni fɛ?(Hisch Hisch?)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
N bɛ se ka i fɛ(Ascadodi Tischa)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
I ni ce English?(ee nee che English)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
N mɔgɔ bɛ Hindi kɛ(N mo-go beh Hindi keh)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߓߊ߬
N mɔgɔ bɛ(N mo-go beh)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Sɛbɛn, kɛlɛ kɛ(Sebene, keh-leh keh)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
I ka fɔ a la?(Ee kah fo ah lah)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Bamanakan kɛn na?(Bah-mah-nah-kahn keh nah)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
N bɛ fɔ kɔrɔbɔ?(N beh fo koh-roh-boh)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Kɛlɛn bɔ(Keh-lehn boh)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Kɛlɛn bɔ kɔrɔ(Keh-lehn boh koh-roh)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Fɔ kɛlɛn(Fo keh-lehn)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Fɛ kɛ?(Feh keh)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Kɛnɛ ticket, please(Ken-eh ticket, please)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
I kɛ fɔ kɛnɛ?(Ee keh fo keh-neh)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
N tɛ bɔ(N teh boh)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
N bɛ fɔ SIM card kɛn?(N beh fo SIM card ken)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Aye
𞤈𞤢𞤣
Ala
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Bara
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢
N bɛ bɔ
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
N bɛ fɔ
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
I bɛ sɛbɛn
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
I ka fɛ kɛ?
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢
I bɛ ma n bɔ?
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
N bɛ fɔ n bɔ
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Sira kɛ
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
N tɛgɛ
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ala ka fɔ
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
I ni kɛ
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
I ni tɔgɔ kɛ
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
I bɛ tɔgɔ kɛ
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬
Fôlô kôkô tîgê?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Fôlô bôgô tîgê?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
I ni tîgê kô?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Kô tîgê bô?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
I ni tîgê bô?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
I tîgê kâ.(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
I tîgê kâ fô.(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
I bô kô tîgê fô?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Tîgê kâ, s'il vous plaît.(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Kô tîgê kô?(bɛrɛ ɲaŋa)
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.
ߊߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌߟߌ?
I ni ce?(aɡa fɔtɔ?)
߉ߠߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ
O ye fɛɛrɛ.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
I ni ka fɛɛrɛ?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
N bɛ tɔgɔ ka kɛ?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
N bɛ fɔlɔ kɛlɛ kɔrɔ.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Kɔrɔbaw, s'il vous plaît.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Sɛbɛ ka fo?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
N bɛ sɔgɔma.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Kɔrɔ fɛɛrɛ, s'il vous plaît.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
I ye sɔgɔ.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ?
N bɛ fɔlɔ kɔrɔbaw?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
N bɛ fɔlɔ jɔrɔ.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
Emergencies and health
Help, police, doctor, pharmacy, and urgent situations when you need assistance fast.
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߍ߬ߟߌ߬
Nɔgɔ fɔlɔ(nogo folo)
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߟߌ߬ߞߌ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Nɔgɔ kɔrɔ(nogo koro)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬
N bɛ sɔrɔ(n be soro)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
N bɛ tɛgɛn(n be tegen)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߍ߬ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬
N bɛ fɔlɔ kɛlɛ(n be folokele)
ߞߍ߬ ߝߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߞߌ߬?
N bɛ kɔrɔ fɔlɔ?(n be koro folo)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
I tɛgɛ fɛ(i tege fe)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߓߊ߬
N bɛ kɛlɛ fɔlɔ(n be kele folo)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߚߊ߬?
I bɛ nɔgɔ kɔrɔ fɔlɔ?(i be nogo koro folo)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ߡߊ߬!
Tɛgɛ!(tege)
Work and business
Meetings, email tone, schedules, and professional phrases for the workplace.
መይ ወይ ደሊ እንደ ወይ
N bɛ se ka kɛnɛ(N bɛ se ka kɛnɛ)
ንደ ወርክ ወን ወይ
Ala ka yɛlɛ kɛnɛ(Ala ka yɛlɛ kɛnɛ)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
I ni bɔ a la?(I ni bɔ a la?)
እኔ ወይ ወርክ ወይ ወይ
N bɛ fɔ report la tɛgɛ(N bɛ fɔ report la tɛgɛ)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
N bɛ fɔ tɛgɛ?(N bɛ fɔ tɛgɛ?)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Sɔgɔma, fɔ file la a bɛ(Sɔgɔma, fɔ file la a bɛ)
መይ ወይ ወይ ወይ
I ni ce, a bɛ sɔrɔ(I ni ce, a bɛ sɔrɔ)
እኔ ወይ ወይ ወይ
N bɛ fɔ a la ka yɛlɛ(N bɛ fɔ a la ka yɛlɛ)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
I bɛ fɔ a la fɛ?(I bɛ fɔ a la fɛ?)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
N bɛ fɔ a la kɛ(N bɛ fɔ a la kɛ)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Dɔgɔni tɛgɛ Friday(Dɔgɔni tɛgɛ Friday)
Time, days and numbers
Clock times, days of the week, months, quantities, and counting for appointments and plans.