A collection of useful phrases in Mossi (Mòoré), a Gur language spoken in Burkina-Faso, Mali and Togo.
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.
Key to abbreviations: frm = formal, inf = informal
| Phrase | Mòoré (Mossi) |
|---|---|
| Welcome | Ne y kena |
| Hello (General greeting) | Ne y windiga |
| Hello (on phone) | |
| How are you? | Laafi? Laafi bala? Laafi beme? Yibeog kibaré? (How is your morning?) Windiga kibaré? (How is your day?) Zabré kibaré? (How is your evening?) |
| Reply to 'How are you?' | Laafi bala |
| Long time no see | Yaa rasem yiibu ("It's been two days") |
| What's your name? | Yamb yʋʋr la a boẽ? (frm) Fo yʋʋr la a boẽ? (inf) |
| My name is ... | Mam yʋʋr la a ... |
| Where are you from? | Yamb yita yɛ? (frm) Fo yita yɛ? (inf) |
| I'm from ... | Mam yita ... |
| Pleased to meet you | |
| Good morning (Morning greeting) |
Ne y beoogo Ne y yibeogo |
| Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting) |
Ne y wĩndga |
| Good evening (Evening greeting) |
Ne y zaabre |
| Good night | Ne y yungo Ni youngo |
| Goodbye (Parting phrases) |
Wend na kon-d nindaare Nindaare Bilfou (See you) Beogo (See you tomorrow) |
| Good luck! | Wend na loke (God provide) Wend na song y (God help you) |
| Cheers! Good Health! (Toasts used when drinking) |
|
| Have a nice day | Wend na sõnsg laafi |
| Bon appetit / Have a nice meal |
Wend na yiki laafi |
| Bon voyage / Have a good journey |
Wend na siki laafi (God bless your voyage) |
| Yes | Nye |
| No | Ay ay Ayo |
| Maybe | |
| I don't know | Mam ka mi yé |
| I understand | Mam wumdame |
| I don't understand | Mam pa wumd ye |
| Please speak more slowly | Gom y masg masga |
| Please say that again | |
| Please write it down | |
| Do you speak English? | |
| Do you speak Mossi? | |
| Yes, a little (reply to 'Do you speak ...?') |
|
| Speak to me in Mossi | |
| How do you say ... in Mossi? | |
| Excuse me | Y gafara |
| How much is this? | Kada ligid yaa wana? |
| Sorry | Mam sugri Y gafara |
| Please | |
| Thank you | Barka Barka woussogo |
| Reply to thank you | Pa sek ye Ka sek ye |
| Where's the toilet / bathroom? | A WC be yɛ? Twalet be yɛ? |
| This gentleman will pay for everything | |
| This lady will pay for everything | |
| Would you like to dance with me? | |
| Do you come here often? | |
| I miss you | |
| I love you | Mam nonga fo (inf) |
| Get well soon | Wend na kõd laafi (God give you health) |
| Go away! | |
| Leave me alone! | Bas mam n loogame |
| Help! | Song y mam! |
| Fire! | |
| Stop! | Yalsgo! |
| Call the police! | |
| New Year greetings | Wẽnd na kõ-d vẽere |
| Easter greetings | |
| Birthday greetings | |
| One language is never enough | |
| My hovercraft is full of eels |
Some phrases provided by Jamie Nance
Hear some Mossi phrases
If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, or if you can provide recordings, please contact me.
Information about Mossi | Phrases | Numbers | Tower of Babel
Other collections of Mossi phrases
http://wikitravel.org/en/Moor%C3%A9_phrasebook
http://www.wdl.org/en/item/635/
http://files.peacecorps.gov/multimedia/audio/languagelessons/burkinafaso/BF_Moore_Language_Lessons.pdf
http://fasotour.fr/lexique-moore/
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