Lingala overview

Free Lingala starter kit — 25 phrases you can print

A one-page Lingala cheat sheet for absolute beginners. Every phrase shows the Lingala spelling, what it means, and a respelling with the stressed syllable in capitals so you can say it out loud today. DR Congo, Republic of the Congoaround 40 million including second-language speakers.

First words

Greet someone and be polite

  • MboteHello/m-BO-teh/
  • MelesiThank you/meh-LEH-see/
  • Boyei malamuWelcome/bo-YEH-ee ma-LA-moo/
  • Kende malamuGoodbye/KEN-deh ma-LA-moo/
  • IyoYes/EE-yo/
  • TeNo/TEH/
  • Nabondeli yoPlease/na-bon-DEH-lee yo/
  • Bolimbisi ngaiSorry/bo-leem-BEE-see n-GAI/

Free starter kit

Get all 25 Lingala phrases

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Is Lingala hard to learn?

  • Grammar is comparatively simple for a Bantu language, which is why it spread so fast.
  • Two registers exist: a fuller classical form and the widely spoken street form.
  • Vowels are pure and consistent, so singing along is a genuinely good study method.