Useful phrases in Sierra Leone Creole

A collection of useful phrases in Sierra Leone Creole (Krio), an English-based creole spoken in Sierra Leone.

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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 Krio (Sierra Leone Creole)
Welcome Kabɔ
Wɛlkɔm
Hello (General greeting) Kushɛ
Kushɛ-o
Kabɔ
Adu
Hello (on phone)
How are you? Aw yu du?
Aw di bɔdi?
Aw di go de go?
Aw di fambul? (How's your family?)
Reply to 'How are you?' A wɛl, aw yusɛf?
Misɛf a wɛl. Aw yu du?
A fayn fayn
Di bɔdi fayn
Di bɔdi nɔ bad
Kasi no de pan gɔd
Long time no see
What's your name? Wetin na yu nem?
We yu nem?
My name is ... A nem ...
Mi nem na ...
Where are you from? Usai yu kɔmɔt?
I'm from ... A kɔmɔt ...
Pleased to meet you A gladi fɔ mit yu
Good morning
(Morning greeting)
Gud mɔnin
Good afternoon
(Afternoon greeting)
Gud aftanun
Good evening
(Evening greeting)
Gud ivnin
Good night Gud nɛt
Goodbye
(Parting phrases)
A de go (I'm going)
Wi de go (We're going)
Wi go si bak (We'll see again)
Gudbay
Bye bye
Mekes ya
O mekes o (reply)
Good luck! Gud lɔk
Mek bɛtɛ fala yu
Cheers! Good Health!
(Toasts used when drinking)
Bɔk ɔp!
Gud wɛlbɔdi!
Have a nice day A op yu de go fayn
Bon appetit /
Have a nice meal
Ɛnjɔy yu it!
Bon voyage /
Have a good journey
Una gɛt gud trip!
Yes Yɛs
No
Maybe Sɔntɛm
I don't know A nɔ no
A nɔ sabi
Do you understand? Yu ɔndastand?
I understand A ɔndastand
I don't understand A nɔ ɔndastand
Please speak more slowly Duya tɔk mɔ sloslo
Please say that again Duya una tɔk dat bak
Please write it down Duya rayt am dɔŋ
Do you speak English? Yu sabi tɔk inglish?
Yu de tok inglish?
Do you speak Sierra Leone Creole? Yu de tok Krio?
Yes, a little
(reply to 'Do you speak ...?')
A tɔk smɔl smɔl (I speak a little)
A tɔk am mɔl smɔl
Nɔ, ba a de lan (No, but I'm learning)
Do you speak a language
other than
Sierra Leone Creole?
Yu de tok oda langwej pas Krio?
Speak to me in Sierra Leone Creole Tok to mi fo Krio
How do you say ... in Sierra Leone Creole? Aw yu se ... in Krio
Excuse me Bo duya (getting attention)
Kɔmɔt na rod (move out of the way)
A bayg padin (begging pardon)
How much is this? Ɔmɔs fɔ am ?
Sorry A bayg padin
A bayg o padin
Please Duya (only used when asking for a favour)
Bo duya
Thank you Tɛnki
Reply to thank you O
Where's the toilet / bathroom? Oosye toilet dey?
This gentleman will pay for everything Dis jentlman go pe fɔ ɔltin
This lady will pay for everything Dis uman go pe fɔ ɔltin
Would you like to dance with me? Yu wan dans wit mi?
Yu go lɛk fɔ dans wit mi?
Do you come here often? Yu kin kam ya bɔku tɛm?
I miss you A mis yu
I love you A lɛk yu
A lɛk yu badbad wan
A lɔv yu
Mi at tek yu
Mi at tek yu oh
Mi at jɔs tek yu
Get well soon Gɛt wɛlbɔdi kwik kwik wan
Go away! Kɔmɔt!
Leave me alone! Lɛf mi!
Lɛf mi saful!
Yu nɔ go lef mi?
Help! Ɛp!
Ɛp mi!
Una kam o!
Fire! Faya!
Stop! Lɛf!
Call the police! Kɔl di polis dɛn!
Christmas greetings Api Krismes
New Year greetings Api nyu ia
Easter greetings Gladi Ista
Birthday greetings Api batde
Congratulations! Wi de kɔle yu!
One language is never enough Wan langwej nɔ go du
My hovercraft is full of eels

If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, or if you can provide recordings, please contact me.

Hear some phrases in Sierra Leone Creole:

Information about Sierra Leone Creole | Phrases | Numbers | Tower of Babel

Links

Collections of Sierra Leone Creole phrases
https://wikitravel.org/en/Krio_phrasebook
https://www.visitsierraleone.org/krio-words-and-phrases/

Phrases in Creoles

Bislama, Cape Verdean Creole, Chabacano de Zamboanga, Chabacano de Cavite, Haitian Creole, Jamaican, Mauritian Creole, Norfuk, Papiamento, Réunion Creole, Sango, Sierra Leone Creole, Tok Pisin

Phrases in other languages

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