A collection of useful phrases in Yolngu, a Pama-Nyungan language spoken in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia.
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 | Yolŋu Matha (Yolngu) |
|---|---|
| Welcome | Märr-ŋamathirri |
| Hello (General greeting) | The concept of 'Hello' does not exist in Yolngu, hence most use the English 'hello,' or 'hey' |
| Hello (on phone) | |
| How are you? | Nhämirri nhe? |
| Reply to 'How are you?' | Djulŋi ga'. Ga nhe? |
| Long time no see | Malk lambirri bäyŋu nhäma |
| What's your name? | Nhä nhenbal garrar? |
| My name is ... | Ŋarral garrar ...-puy |
| Where are you from? | Ŋalaŋuwuy nhe? |
| I'm from ... | Ŋarra ...-ŋuru |
| How old are you? | Nhämuny' dhuŋgarra nhe? |
| I'm ... years old | Ŋarra ... dhuŋgarra |
| Pleased to meet you | Makarr'yun gumurr'yun nhe |
| Good morning (Morning greeting) |
Gabar'yun buḻaŋgitj |
| Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting) |
Miṉitjapuyŋu buḻaŋgitj |
| Good evening (Evening greeting) |
Minypirriwuy buḻaŋgitj |
| Good night | Makaḻ buḻaŋgitj |
| Goodbye (Parting phrases) |
Bubu |
| Good luck! | |
| Cheers! Good Health! (Toasts used when drinking) |
|
| Have a nice day | |
| Bon appetit / Have a nice meal |
Nyaŋ'thun buḻaŋgitj |
| Bon voyage / Have a good journey |
Goyurr buḻaŋgitj |
| I understand | Ŋarra dharaŋan |
| I don't understand | Ŋarra moma |
| Yes | |
| No | |
| Maybe | |
| I don't know | Ŋarra bambuma |
| Please speak more slowly | |
| Please say that again | |
| Please write it down | |
| Do you speak English? | Ŋani nhe wäŋa Iŋglitj? |
| Do you speak Yolngu? | Ŋani nhe wäŋa Yolŋu Matha? |
| Yes, a little (reply to 'Do you speak ...?') |
Yok, ḏibiḏibi |
| Speak to me in Yolngu | Waŋa nyäkuḻi Yolŋu Matha'ku |
| How do you say ... in Yolngu? | Nhäway nhe wäŋa Yolŋu Matha'ku? |
| Excuse me | |
| How much is this? | Nhämuny' dhuwal? |
| Sorry | |
| Please | |
| Thank you | Ga' |
| Reply to thank you | |
| Where's the toilet / bathroom? | Ŋala Toilit? |
| This gentleman will pay for everything | Dhay'yi gurrmul yurru bayam'bun warrpam'gu |
| This lady will pay for everything | Dhay'yi dhayka yurru bayam'bun warrpam'gu |
| Would you like to dance with me? | Ŋani nhe ŋäy burr'yun nyäkura? |
| I miss you | Ŋarra bäythirri nhuna |
| I love you | Ŋarra djäl nhuna |
| Get well soon | Ŋuwakurrugal galki |
| Go away! | Djuy' bala! |
| Leave me alone! | Gunha'yun ŋarra guŋnharra! |
| Help! | Guŋga'yun! |
| Fire! | Gurtha! |
| Stop! | Ḏaḏaw! |
| Call the police! | Wäthun ḏapman! |
| Christmas greetings | Kritjmatj yiŋgathirri ga dhuŋgarra dhawurruŋga yiŋgathirri |
| Easter greetings | Iitja yiŋgathirri |
| Birthday greetings | Djaḏaw' biḻkthun yiŋgathirri |
| One language is never enough | Waŋgany matha bäyŋu mitjpili-puy |
| My hovercraft is full of eels | Ŋarral hobakrat maranhirri dhurray' |
Phrases provided by Evan
Note: the phrases 'Good morning', 'Good afternoon', etc. are literal translations only and would generally not be used in conversation.
If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, or if you can provide recordings, please contact me.
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