Dagaare phrasebook

Dagaare (also known as Dagara or Dagari) is a Gur language spoken by the Dagaaba people in the Upper West Region of Ghana, southern Burkina Faso, and northern Ivory Coast. It is closely related to Waale and Dagbani.

Dagaare uses Advanced Tongue Root (ATR) vowel harmony. This means vowels within a word are pronounced with either an advanced or retracted tongue position to stay harmonized.

Dagaare has 9 phonemic vowels. Long vowels are written by doubling the letter.

a

like 'a' in "father"

e

like 'ay' in "say" (but shorter)

ɛ

like 'e' in "met"

i

like 'ee' in "see"

ɩ

like 'i' in "sit"

o

like 'o' in "go"

ɔ

like 'o' in "fork"

u

like 'oo' in "too"

ʋ

like 'oo' in "book"

Most consonants sound like English, but watch out for these double-articulated African sounds:

kp

Pronounced by making a "k" and a "p" sound at the exact same time.

gb

Pronounced by making a "g" and a "b" sound at the exact same time.

ŋm

A simultaneous "ng" and "m" sound.

ŋ

The "ng" sound in "sing".

ɲ

Like the 'ny' in "canyon".

ky

Sounds like the 'ch' in "church".

gy

Sounds like the 'j' in "jeep".

ui / ʋɩ

Gliding from an "oo" to an "ee" sound.

ie / ɩɛ

Gliding from an "ee" to an "eh" sound.

Hello. (To one person)

N dɔɔ (male): N kyɛnɛ (female). (Mba (male): kyɛnɛ (female))

Hello. (To many people)

N dɔɔmine. (Mbamine)

How are you?

Fo be la soŋ? (Fo be soŋ?)

Fine, thank you.

A be la soŋ, bareka. (a be soŋ, bareka)

What is your name?

Fo yuori la boŋ? (Ka fo yuori?)

My name is ______ .

N yuori la ______ . (N di la _____ . )

Please.

Sɔrebo /N sɔrɔ fo la. (Sɔroo)

Thank you.

Bareka. (bahr-kah)

You're welcome.

Ne fo waabo yaane. (Fo waa yaane)

Yes.

Õõ. (ohn)

No.

Aai. (ah-yay)

Excuse me. (getting attention)

Gaafera (ɛm, gaafera n ba)

I'm sorry.

N sããɛ la. (N ŋmɛɛ gbɛre)

Goodbye

Ka fo gaa soŋ. (gaa soŋ)

I can't speak Dagaare well.

N koŋ baŋ yeli Dagaare velaa/soŋ. (n bah noh-moh dah-gahr-ay veh-lah)

Do you speak English?

Fo yelee Nansaale? (foh mahn toh-geh lah nah-sah-lehn?)

Is there someone here who speaks English?

Neɛ kaŋa be la kyɛ yele Bɔrefɔ? (neh-eh beh beh nahn toh-geh nah-sah-lehn?)

Help!

Somma (fah-mah!)

Good morning.

Ansoma. (ahn-sah-oh)

Good evening.

Fo zimaane. (ahn-sah-noh)

Good night.

Ka fo gaŋ soŋ. (gah n doh-gheh)

I don't understand.

A ba kyaane n niŋ/N ba baŋe a pare/muni'. (n bah bahn)

Where is the toilet?

A baŋgyeraa bɛ? (kah lah ah bahn-yeh-rah beh?)

Taxi.

Taksii! (tahk-see!)

Take me to _____, please.

De ma gaane _____, sɔroo. (de ma gaa ____, sɔroo)

How much does it cost to get to _____?

Awola la kyɛ gɛrɛ _____? (Awola la gɛrɛ ____?)

Take me there, please.

Sɔroo, de ma gaane be. (zahn-mah chahn nee, deem-soog-loh)

Food

Diibu (dee-boo)

Water

Kõɔ (kɔ-n)

Local pito beer

Dãã (dahn)

I want to eat _____.

N boɔrɔ la ka n di _____. (n boh-roh lah n dee _____)

1

Boŋyeni (boh-yeh-nee)

2

Ayi (ah-yee)

3

Ata (ah-tah)

4

Anaare (ah-nah-hee)

5

Anuu (ah-noo)

6

Ayoɔbo (ah-yoh-boh)

7

Ayoɔpõĩ (ah-yoh-poy)

8

Anii (ah-nee)

9

Awae (ah-way)

10

Pie (pee-ay)

11

Pie ne yeni ( )

12

Pie ne ayi ( )

13

Pie ne ata ( )

14

Pie ne anaare ( )

15

Pie ne anuu ( )

16

Pie ne ayoɔbo ( )

17

Pie ne ayoɔpõĩ ( )

18

Pie ne anii ( )

19

Pie ne awae ( )

20

Lezare ( )

21

Lezare ne yeni ( )

22

Lezare ne ayi ( )

23

Lezare ne ata ( )

30

Piita ( )

40

Lezare ayi ( )

50

Lezare ne pie( )

60

Lezare ata( )

70

Lezare ata ne pie( )

80

Lezare anaare( )

90

Lezare anaare ne pie ( )

100

Kɔɔ ( )

200

Kɔɔre ayi ( )

300

Kɔɔre ata( )

1,000

Tori ( )

2,000

Turi ayi ( )

1,000,000

Turi anuu

( )

1,000,000,000

Turi pie

( )

1,000,000,000,000

Turi lezare

( )

number _____ (train, bus, etc.)

Boma noɔre( )

half

Kyɛlɛɛ( )

less

Fee gaŋ( )

more

Yaga ( )

Wagere

now

Pampana ( )

later

A puoriŋ ( )

before

Sɛre ( )

morning

Beguo ( )

afternoon

Ŋmenaa ( )

evening

Zimaane ( )

night

Tensɔge ( )

Wagere/gogori

one o'clock AM

Gbɛlenyeni baguo( )

two o'clock AM

Gbɛlemɛ ayi baguo( )

noon

Ŋmenaa( )

one o'clock PM

Gbɛlenyeni ŋmenaa( )

two o'clock PM

Gbɛlemɛ ayi ŋmenaa( )

midnight

Tembeene( )

_____ minute(s)

Mitiri( )

_____ hour(s)

Hawa( )

_____ day(s)

Bebie ( )

_____ week(s)

Daare ( )

_____ month(s)

Kyuuri ( )

_____ year(s)

Yuomo ( )

today

Zenɛ ( )

yesterday

Zaameŋ ( )

tomorrow

Bieo (beo )

this week

Daa ŋa poɔ ( )

last week

Daa naŋ pare ( )

next week

Daa naŋ waana ( )

Sunday

Podaare

( )

Monday

Yendaare

( )

Tuesday

Yidaare

( )

Wednesday

Tadaare

( )

Thursday

Nadaare

( )

Friday

Nudaare

( )

Saturday

Yɔdaare

( )

Kyue

January

Yuompaala kyuu

( )

February

Gonseɛ kyuu

( )

March

Toloŋ kyuu

( )

April

Kɛkɛŋmɛ kyuu

( )

May

Borebo kyuu

( )

June

Doɔbo kyuu

( )

July

Bɛntuuri kyuu

( )

August

Sakyɔrɔ kyuu

( )

September

Kpankyãã kyuu

( )

October

Bompɛ kyuu

( )

November

Kakyɛ kyuu

( )

December

Borenyɛ kyuu

( )

black

Sɔgelaa ( ): a dɔɔ su la kparre sɔgelaa.

white

Pelaa ( ): a boɔ e la pelaa.

gray

Tampɛloŋ ( pelaa): a lɔre e la tampɛloŋ/a dɔɔ zupelaa.

red

Zeɛ ( ):N boɔ e la zeɛ.

blue

Suuni ( ): a saluoni e la suuni.

yellow

Dɔre ( ): a kuriwiri e la dɔre.

green

Vaare ( ): a kogi e la vaare.

orange

Doɔre( ): a fanfane e la doɔre.

purple

Malbilii( )

brown

Kɔhɔlɔ( kabala): N nɔŋ la kɔhɔlɔ waaloŋ.

How much is a ticket to _____?

Awola la tigiti gɛrɛ___? ( A wola la a tigiti?)

One ticket to _____, please.

Gaafera tigiti bonyeni e la ₵____( )

Where does this train/bus go?

Yeŋ ka a lɔɔre ŋa gɛrɛ?( )

Where is the train/bus to _____?

Yenee ka a tureen/lɔɔ toŋgbulɔ gɛrɛ____?( )

Does this train/bus stop in _____?

A lɔɔre ŋa maŋ are la bee?( )

When does the train/bus for _____ leave?

Wagere buo la a tureen/lɔɔ toŋgbulɔ naŋ iri gaa?( )

When will this train/bus arrive in _____?

Wagere buo la a tureen/lɔɔ toŋgbulɔ naŋ ta? ( )

How do I get to _____ ?

Wola ka N na e gaa___?( )

...the train station?

....atureen/lɔɔ toŋgbulɔ titeesin?( )

...the bus station?

A lɔɛ arezie?( )

...the airport?

A alopɛlee arezie?( )

...downtown?

...a teŋɛ puli?( )

...the youth hostel?

...a baapaaba kpɛzie?( )

...the _____ hotel?

....a kpɛzie?( )

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?

....A American/Canadian/Australian/British yelpeɛra?( )

Where are there a lot of...

Yenee ka a yi e gyamaa?( )

...hotels?

...hootɛlɛ?( )

...restaurants?

...bondi di ziiri?( )

...bars?

...daanyu ziiri?( )

...sites to see?

...zi nyɛre?( )

Can you show me on the map?

...fo na baŋ wuli ma la a tendaa enfuoni poɔ?( )

street

Sori( )

Turn left.

Leɛ gɔɔ( )

Turn right.

Leɛ doloŋ( )

left

Gɔɔ ()

right

Doloŋ ()

straight ahead

Tori nimitoɔre ()

towards the _____

Gɛrɛ niŋe ()

past the _____

Parɛɛ la ()

before the _____

Naŋ be puori()

Watch for the _____.

Kaara()

intersection

Kpɛkyagetaa zie()

north

Sazu()

south

Kompare()

east

Saniŋe()

west

Sapare()

uphill

Taŋa sazu( )

downhill

Taŋa puli( )

Taxi!

Taazi( lɔɔrɛ boɔrɔ)

Take me to _____, please.

Sɛroo la, de ma gaa ne____ ( )

How much does it cost to get to _____?

Awola la o daaroŋ a yi kyɛ gɛrɛ_____? ()

Take me there, please.

Sɔroo, de ma gaa ne be. ()

Do you have any rooms available?

Fo taa la dire naŋ bebe? ()

How much is a room for one person/two people?

Neŋyeni/bayi maŋ e la awola die poɔ?()

Does the room come with...

A die maŋ taa la…()

...bedsheets?

Gado pɛnne yɛre pcgeraa?()

...a bathroom?

A kɔnsodie()

...a telephone?

Taŋgaraa()

...a TV?

Sinii kompiita()

May I see the room first?

N na baŋ nyɛ la a die sɛrɛɛ?()

Do you have anything quieter?()

...bigger?

Kpoŋ yaga( )

...cleaner?

Veɛlɛ()

...cheaper?

Mɔlɔ()

OK, I'll take it.

Lɛ, N na de la( )

I will stay for _____ night(s).

N na gaŋ la tensɔge ____ .()

Can you suggest another hotel?

Fo na baŋ la wuli la hotɛl zaala? ( )

Do you have a safe?

Fo taa la emmaaroŋ?()

...lockers?

...kparaa(Safoɔ)

Is breakfast/supper included?

Baguo/Zimaane bondiiri paale la?( )

What time is breakfast/supper?

Wagere buo la biguo/zimaane bondirii?()

Please clean my room.

Zɛllo meɛle a zie()

Can you wake me at _____?

Fo na toɔ seŋ ma la _____?()

I want to check out.

N boɔrɔ la ka N leɛ gaa ( )

Libiri

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?

Fo maŋ sage la American/Australian/Canadian dɔlɛ?()

Do you accept British pounds?

Fo maŋ sage de la British libie?()

Do you accept Euros?

Fo maŋ sage de la Euros libie?()

Do you accept credit cards?

Fo maŋ de la credit card?()

Can you change money for me?

Fo na baŋ la ŋmare la libiri ko ma?()

Where can I get money changed?

Yeŋ ka N na nyɛ libiri ŋmɛroo?()

Can you change a traveler's check for me?

Fo na toɔ leɛre so tuuro ŋa a kaa o ko ma?()

Where can I get a traveler's check changed?

Yeŋ ka N na nyɛ sori tuubo zie a leɛre N meŋa?()

What is the exchange rate?

Fo naŋ baŋ tɛgɛ la a libiri ŋa ko ma?()

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?

Yeŋ ka libi-iri mɔnsine be?()

Diibu

A table for one person/two people, please.

Neŋyeni zaa ne tabɔl/ noba bayi zɛlloo.

()

Can I look at the menu, please?

N na baŋ kaa la a nyɛ bone na yɛ naŋ taa?

()

Can I look in the kitchen?

N na toɔ la kaa a bondirii maaloo die poɔ nyɛ?

()

Is there a house specialty?

Yimeɛrɛ gɔbaa bebe?

()

Is there a local specialty?

Yipɔge gɔbaa bebe?

()

I'm a vegetarian.

N ba ɔɔrɔ nɛne.

()

I don't eat pork.

N ba dire dobaa nɛne.

()

I don't eat beef.

N ba dire nao nɛne.

()

I only eat kosher food.

Kosher bondirii yoŋ ka N dire

()

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)

Fo na baŋ vɛŋ la ka e koɔ fēē

()

fixed-price meal

A bondirii ama daaroŋ la a lɛ

(Kãã fēē)

a la carte

()

breakfast

Beguo bondirii

()

lunch

Ŋmenaa bondirii

()

tea (meal)

Koɔ-toloŋ

()

supper

Zimaane bondirii

()

I want _____.

N boɔrɔ la.

()

I want a dish containing _____.

N boɔrɔ la bondiiri naŋ taa

()

chicken

Nɔnɛne

()

beef

Nanɛne

()

fish

Zommo

()

ham

Nanɛne kyeenaa()

sausage

Sɔsegyi()

cheese

Nasa-koose()

eggs

Gyɛlɛ

()

salad

Salad zɛvaare

()

(fresh) vegetables

Zɛva-maara

()

(fresh) fruit

Tewɔ-beremɛ

()

bread

Boroboro()

toast

Kyeemo

()

noodles

Taaleya (nasa-nɔnyaga)

rice

mui ()

beans

Bɛŋɛ()

May I have a glass of _____?

N na baŋ nyɛ la glaa ne ____()

May I have a cup of _____?

N na baŋ nyɛ la bonso ne ____? ()

May I have a bottle of _____?

N na baŋ nyɛ la kɔlbaa____()

coffee

Kɔfe ()

tea (drink)

Tee (kõɔ toloŋ)

juice

Tewɔmɔ dãã()

(bubbly) water

Kõɔ (kõɔ na taa puuruŋ)

(still) water

Kõɔ (kõɔ na ba taa dɛgere bee puuruŋ)

beer

Beeya (kɔlbaa poɔ damkpeɛne)

red/white wine

Dããzeɛ/dããpelaa kpeɛŋaa

()

May I have some _____?

N na baŋ nyɛ la -----?()

salt

Nyɛnnoo ()

black pepper

Sɛmaane sɔglaa ()

butter()

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

Gaafera bondi-koɔrɔ?

(Ka N nyɔge o hakelɛ)

I'm finished.

N baare la.

()

It was delicious.

A da noma la soŋ.

()

Please clear the plates.

Sɔroo baare bonzaa a laa poɔ

()

The check, please.

Sɔroo, kaa nyɛ ()

Dãã dire

Do you serve alcohol?

Yɛ kɔɔrɔ la pataasi?( dããkpeɛŋaa)

Is there table service?

O e la tabol zu diibu?()

A beer/two beers, please.

Beer / beer ayi, soroo()

A glass of red/white wine, please.

Sɔroo la ko ma gelaa zeɛ/pelaa dããkpeɛŋaa.

()

A pint, please.

A kɔpo, sɔroo ()

A bottle, please.

Kɔlbaa, sɔroo.

()

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.

()

whiskey

Dããkpeɛŋaa

()

vodka

daŋgele dããkpeɛŋaa

()

rum

Sikyiri dããkpeɛŋaa

()

water

Kõɔ ()

club soda

koɔ-pelaa dããkpeɛŋaa

()

tonic water

Koɔ-baaloŋ dambaaloŋ

()

orange juice

Aŋkaa dãã ( aŋkakoɔ)

Coke (soda)

Koka kola dambaaloŋ ()

Do you have any bar snacks?

Fo ba taa dambaaloŋ zaa?

()

One more, please.

Sɔroo, la wane kaŋa ()

Another round, please.

Sɔroo, la wane lɛ ne o zu ()

When is closing time?

Boŋ wagere la pɔmbo? ()

Cheers!

Ka te nyu ne popeɛloŋ! ( ka te nyɔge ŋmama)

Daa diibu/ boma daabo

Do you have this in my size?

Fo taa la onaŋ naŋ manne ma?

()

How much is this?

A wola la ŋa? ()

That's too expensive.

Aŋa daaroŋ ee kpeɛŋaa.

()

Would you take _____?

Fo na de laa?()

expensive

A daa kpeɛŋaa()

cheap

Mɔlɔ()

I can't afford it.

N kon baŋ da o ()

I don't want it.

N ba boɔrɔ o. ()

You're cheating me.

Fo faara ma la ()

I'm not interested.

N ba boɔrɔ a.

(..)

OK, I'll take it.

Lɛɛ, N na de la ()

Can I have a bag?

N na toɔ la nyɛ woɔ?

()

Do you ship (overseas)?

Fo maŋ ŋmaa la a manne poɔ a gaa be?

()

I need...

N boɔrɔ la … ()

...toothpaste.

…nyempɛge tẽẽ. ()

...a toothbrush.

…nyendu dalee. ()

...tampons.

. ()

...soap.

…fanfane. ()

...shampoo.

Fanfane koɔ

()

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)

...emba ɔɔre tēē: ()

...cold medicine.

...tēē maaroŋ()

...stomach medicine.

...poɔ tẽẽ: ()

...a razor.

…bilendi. : ()

...an umbrella.

...kataweɛ()

...sunblock lotion.

()

...a postcard.

...enfuoni bondewullaa()

...postage stamps.

...enfuoni nuneɛnaa()

...batteries.

...batolɛ()

...writing paper.

...sɛgere gampɛl ()

...a pen.

…magedalee. ()

...English-language books.

…Bɔrefɔ-kɔkɔre gama. ()

...English-language magazines.

...Bɔrefɔ-kɔkɔre duoruu zie()

...an English-language newspaper.

…Bɔrefɔ-kɔkɔre duoro gampɛle()

...an English-English dictionary.

Bɔrefɔ kɔkɔre yelbie gane.

()

Mɔmmo

I want to rent a car.

...N boɔrɔ ka N pɛŋe lɔɔrɔ()

Can I get insurance?

...N koŋ baŋ nyɛ sagedeebo?()

stop (on a street sign)

...are be(sori zu bondemannewulaa)

one way

...Tuzie yeni()

yield

...tɔnɔ(bone naŋ yi tɔnɔ)

no parking

...ta are kyɛ( arezie kye)

speed limit

...zo semmo: ()

gas (petrol) station

...patoro buubu zie()

petrol

...patoro ()

diesel

diisɛl(patoro boorɔ kaŋa)

I haven't done anything wrong.

N ba e yelzaa ŋmɛ gbɛre/sãã ( )

It was a misunderstanding.

Yelbawontaa wa la( )

Where are you taking me?

Yeŋ ka fo de ma gɛrɛ? ( )

Am I under arrest?

Yɛ nyɔgerɔ ma la be?( )

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.

N e la American /Australian /British/ Canadian boɔrɔ( )

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.

N boɔrɔ ka n yeli yɛlɛ ko American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.( )

I want to talk to a lawyer.

N boɔrɔ ka N yeli yɛlɛ ko lɔɔya( )

Can I just pay a fine now?

N koŋ baŋ yɔɔ a sanne pampana?( )