A collection of useful phrases in Bamum (Shü Pamom), an a Southern Bantoid language spoken in Cameroon.
See these phrases in any combination of two languages in the Phrase Finder. If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me.
| Phrase | Shü Pamom (Bamum) |
|---|---|
| Welcome | Poket pe zee kut ("Watch your steps!") |
| Hello (General greeting) | Me sha’ashe ("I greet (you)") |
| Hello (on phone) | |
| How are you? | Pa sa’a ne? |
| Reply to 'How are you?' | Pokeri Mba pokeri |
| Long time no see | A saa fe’e (It has been a while) |
| What's your name? | Li shu po kue? |
| My name is ... | Li sha pa ... |
| Where are you from? | U lo’o ya? |
| I'm from ... | |
| Pleased to meet you | Ayue |
| Good morning (Morning greeting) |
Pe yuem me? ("Did you wake up (well)?") |
| Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting) |
Poket ndutnguon |
| Good evening (Evening greeting) |
Poket shu’u |
| Good night | Poket shu’u |
| Goodbye (Parting phrases) |
Pwo shi’a famju (See you tomorrow) |
| Good luck! | Lupap lupap |
| Cheers! Good Health! (Toasts used when drinking) |
A lum me shuru! |
| Have a nice day | Poket lenju |
| Bon appetit / Have a nice meal |
A lum me shuru! |
| Bon voyage / Have a good journey |
Poket nyi! Lupap lupap! |
| Yes | Hmhm |
| No | Mbey |
| Maybe | Moh mbe |
| I don't know | Maa njia |
| Do you understand? | U yu’uh ne? |
| I understand | Me yu’uh |
| I don't understand | Maa njuh-a |
| Please speak more slowly | Pe shiket mejet mejet |
| Please say that again | Peshe |
| Please write it down | Tuete mfa ne ma (Write and hand it to me) |
| Do you speak English? | U yi shu ngerisi? |
| Do you speak Bamum? | U yi shu shüpamom? |
| Yes, a little (reply to 'Do you speak ...?') |
Hmhm, meyet |
| Do you speak a language other than Bamum? |
U shiket mo’o shiket nja'ah shu shüpamom? |
| Speak to me in Bamum | Shiket ne ma me shu shüpamom? |
| How do you say ... in Bamum? | Pe nzie me kwo me shu shüpamom? |
| Excuse me | U ya? |
| How much is this? | A mbe sue? |
| Sorry | Tuem |
| Please | Me kwat mbuo |
| Thank you | Nyinyi fa kee Ayue |
| Reply to thank you | Ayue |
| Where's the toilet / bathroom? | Yemme po ya? Lih suu nwat po ya? |
| This gentleman will pay for everything | Momba yi na two pe nguyum menten |
| This lady will pay for everything | Mombgie yi na two pe nguyum meten |
| Would you like to dance with me? | A fe u pinpin po ma |
| Do you come here often? | |
| I miss you | Ta liine |
| I love you | Me naa ngu nyu |
| Get well soon | Nyinyi luere ya (May god give you a speedy recovery) |
| Go away! | Lo’o nya you! |
| Leave me alone! | Ta’a manje-a nyeret! |
| Help! | Gha-ma! |
| Fire! | Hey mu! |
| Stop! | Tenne! |
| Call the police! | Fu gha ken! |
| Christmas greetings | Poket kerisimet |
| New Year greetings | Poket lum mfe |
| Birthday greetings | Poket mvut |
| Congratulations! | Lupap lupap! |
| One language is never enough | Ndi shiket ma njetne-i |
| My hovercraft is full of eels | Nsha yaam te kukwom machi sha |
Phrases provided by Charles Riley, courtesy of Dr. Abdoulaye Laziz Nchare
Hear some phrases in Bamum:
If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, or if you can provide recordings, please contact me.
Information about Bamum | Bamum Syllabary | Phrases | Numbers
Other collections of Bamum phrases
http://www.learnbamum.com/phrases
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