All languages- Where it's spoken
- DR Congo, Republic of the Congo
- Speakers
- around 40 million including second-language speakers
- Writing system
- Latin alphabet
Lingala is the language of Congolese music that shaped popular sound across the continent, and a major trade language along the Congo River.
What makes Lingala different
- 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.
Your first Lingala phrases
Each phrase is written the way it's spelled, then respelled for English speakers with the stressed syllable in capitals.
- 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/
Want the full list? Read the free Lingala phrasebook with pronunciation, grab the free printable Lingala starter kit, or compare SemaSoma with other African language apps.