Dagbani phrasebook

Dagbani is the main language of the people of the Dagbon kingdom called Dagombas or Dagbamba in Ghana. The language is usually called Dagbanli by the indigenous people and it is part of the 16 Mabia or Gur languages that is spoken in Northern Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso. It is mutually intelligible with Mamprusi, and Nanunli in Ghana. The speakers of the language are more than 3.5 million of the Ghanaian population. There are four variations of some words depending upon the speakers origin: Eastern, Northern, Western and Southern Dagbon but they do not serve as barriers to communication.

It is studied from primary school to the university level in Ghana.

a, e, i, o, u, ɔ, ɛ

b, h, t, n, ch, d, f, g, ny, gb, ŋm, ŋ, h, ɣ, ʒ, j, k, l, m, s, r, sh, v, y, z, p, kp.

Hello.

N doo. (): N kpɛma. ()

Hello. (informal)

N doo. ( )

How are you?

Ka di be wula? ( ka wula)

Fine, thank you.

M mali alaafei, m paɣiya. ( alaafei, m paɣiya)

What is your name?

A yuli? (?)

My name is ______ .

N yuli booni _____ . ( N yuli _____ .)

Nice to meet you.

Di niŋ ma suhupiɛli pam ni n ni nyaa ŋɔ. (Di niŋ ma suhupiɛli pam ni n ni nyaa maa ), (di viɛli pam n ni nya a maa)

Please.

Dimi suɣulo. (Pahimi suɣulo)

Thank you.

M puhiya ka paɣi. ( N paɣiya)

You're welcome.

Naawuni deemi suhugu. ( m paɣiya)

Yes.

iin. (mm )

No.

aayi. ( ai)

Excuse me. (getting attention)

Gaafara. (Dimi suɣilo)

Excuse me. (begging pardon)

Gaafara, n tum taali. ( )

I'm sorry.

N tumi taali. (Gaafara)

Goodbye

Naawuni ni sɔŋ. (bai bai )

Goodbye (informal)

Bai bai. ( )

I can't speak name of language [well].

N ku tooi yɛli Dagbanli [viɛnyɛla]. ( [ ])

Do you speak English?

A ni tooi yɛli silimiinsilii? ( A toɣasiri silimiinsilii?), (a yeri silimiinsili?)

Is there someone here who speaks English?

So be kpe ka yari silimiinsilii? ( ?)

Help!

Sɔŋmi ya ma ! ( !)

Look out!

Lihi ma! (Niŋ mi zaɣa!)

Good morning.

Dasiba. ( )

Good evening.

Antire. ( )

Good evening.

Aninwula. ( )

Good night (to sleep) Naawuni ni ti biɛɣu

. (Naawuni ni yiɣisi ti )

I don't understand.

N bi gbaai. ( )

Where is the toilet?

Ya polo ka baanjira be? ( ?)

Leave me alone.

Zaŋ ma bahi. ( Zɔm ka chama.), ( Chɛli ma.)

Don't touch me!

Di shihi ma! ( !)

I'll call the police.

N yɛn bol'la prinsi. ( N ni boli pirinsi maa.)

Police!

Polinga! ( !)

Stop! Thief!

Zani ma! Tayiɣa! ( ! !)

I need your help.

M bori la a sɔŋsim. (M bɔri a sɔŋsim.)

It's an emergency.

Nimmohi m bala. (Di nyɛla nimmohi.)

I'm lost.

N tumla n soli. ( M barigi mi.)

I lost my bag.

N labi la m baagi. ( .)

I lost my wallet.

N labi la m poochibila. ( .)

I'm sick.

M bɛri mi. (N ka alaafee)

I've been injured.

N nyɛla daŋa. ( )

I need a doctor.

N bori la dɔɣite. ( .)

Can I use your phone?

n ni tooi zaŋ a taŋgali fone ŋɔ n niŋ m bini ŋɔ? (N ni tooi zaŋ a nuchebaŋ ŋɔ n niŋ m bini ŋɔ?)

1

Ndam ( )

2

Ayi ( )

3

Ata ( )

4

Anahi ( )

5

Anu ( )

6

Ayobu ( )

7

Apɔin ( )

8

Anii ( )

9

Awɔi ( )

10

Pia ( )

11

piniyini ( )

12

pinaayi ( )

13

pinaata ( )

14

pinaanahi ( )

15

pinaanu ( )

16

pinaayobu ( )

17

pinaapɔin ( )

18

pishiayika ( )

19

pishiyinika ( )

20

pishi ( )

21

pishi ni yini ( )

22

pishi ni ayi ( )

23

pishi ni ata ( )

24

Pishi ni anahi ( )

25

Pishi ni anu ( )

26

Pishi ni ayobu ( )

27

Pishi ni apɔin ( )

28

Pihita ayika ( )

29

Pihitayinika ( )

30

pihita ( )

40

pihinahi ( )

50

pihinu ( )

60

pihiyobu ( )

70

pisopɔin ( )

80

pihinii ( )

90

pihiwɔi ( )

100

kɔbiga ( )

200

kɔbishiyi ( )

300

kɔbisita ( )

1,000

tuhili ( )

2,000

tusaayi ( )

1,000,000

tuhi tuhaayi (miliyɔŋ)

1,000,000,000

tuhi tuhaata ( )

1,000,000,000,000

tuhi tuhi anahi ( )

number _____ (train, bus, etc.)

( )

half

pirigili( )

less

bɛla( )

more

pam( )

(Saha)

now

punpɔŋɔ ( )

later

di yi too bɛla ( )

before

pɔi( )

morning

asiba (bekaali )

afternoon

wuntaŋni ( )

evening

zaawuni ( )

night

yuŋ ( )

one o'clock AM

yuŋ tisuɣu kurigi yini ( )

two o'clock AM

yuŋ tisuɣu kurigi ayi ( )

noon

wuntaŋ zuɣusaa ( )

one o'clock PM

wuntaŋni kurigi yini ( )

two o'clock PM

wuntaŋni kurigi ayi ( )

midnight

yuŋ tisuɣu ( )

_____ minute(s)

minti _____ (the number should be pronounced with its number word...for example, intead 2, you will say or write 'ayi' etc )

_____ hour(s)

hawa _____ ( )

_____ day(s)

dabisili _____( )

_____ week(s)

bakɔi _____ (dakulo )

1 month

goli, (chirili)

2 month

chiraayi

_____ month(s)

( chira)

_____ year(s)

yuuni _______(yuma )

(Dabisa)

today

zuŋɔ (zunzuŋɔ )

yesterday

Sɔhila (Sɔhala)

tomorrow

biɛɣuni( )

this week

bakɔi ŋɔ(dakulo ŋɔ )

last week

bakɔi din gari la(dakulo din gari la )

next week

bakɔi din kani na(dakulo din kani na )

Sunday

Alahari( )

Monday

Atani( )

Tuesday

Atalaata( )

Wednesday

Alaaba( )

Thursday

Alaamishi( )

Friday

Alizummah( )

Saturday

Asibiri( )

(Chira)

January

Buɣim ____ ( )

February

Damba bilaa ______( )

March

Damba _______( )

April

Gaambanda ________( )

May

Bandacheena _____( )

June

Kpini bilaa _______ ( )

July

Kpini ___________( )

August

Nolɔri bilaa ___________ ( )

September

Nolɔri __________ ( )

October

Kɔnyuri chuɣu _________ ( )

November

Chimsi bilaa ___________ ( )

December

Chimsi ___________ ( )

(Kama)

black

sabinli ()

white

piɛlli ()

grey/gray

tampilim ()

red

ʒɛɛ ()

blue

nuɣiso ()

yellow

dozim ()

green

vagahili (baŋkɔm)

orange

saliŋkom (leemu kama)

purple

(Nyalisirili)

brown

taŋkpaɣu ()

Sambannyintaa ni ziliji

How much is a ticket to _____?

Ala n nyɛ tiɣiti zaŋ chaŋ _____? ( )

One ticket to _____, please.

Tiɣiti zaɣa yini zaŋ chaŋ _____, dimisuɣulo. ( )

Where does this train/bus go?

Ya polo ka ziliji/sambannyintaa ŋɔ chana? ( )

Where is the train/bus to _____?

Ya polo ka ziliji/sambannyintaa ŋɔ chana? ( )

Does this train/bus stop in _____?

ziliji/sambannyintaa ŋɔ ni zan' _____ ( )

When does the train/bus for _____ leave?

Bo saha ka ziliji/sambannyintaa chana? ()

When will this train/bus arrive in _____?

Bo saha ka ziliji/sambannyintaa yan kana? ( )

(Buɣisibu)

How do I get to _____ ?

Wula ka n-yɛn niŋ paai ______()

...the train station?

Ziliji teesa? ()

...the bus station?

Sambannyintaa teesa? ()

...the airport?

Alapele paaki ni? ()

...downtown?

( tiŋ gbunni sa)

...the youth hostel?

(Bipola du'gbera)

...the _____ hotel?

(Du'gbera)

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

()

Where are there a lot of...

(Yapolo ka ____galisi Pam)

...hotels?

(Saamba kpehilli shee),

...restaurants?

(Bindira dibu shee)

...bars?

(Binnyura nyubu shee)

...sites to see?

(Nin yula sheep)

Can you show me on the map?

()

street

(Palli), (soli)

Turn left.

ŋmaligim nuzaa()

Turn right.

ŋmaligim nudirigu()

left

Nuzaa()

right

Nudirigu()

straight ahead

(Tooni sa),

towards the _____

Zaŋ kpa()

past the _____

(N gari)

before the _____

(Poi ni)

Watch for the _____.

(N yuuni)

intersection

(Sochira/pali chira)

north

(Nuzaa polo)

south

(Nudirigu polo)

east

(Wulinluhili)

west

(Wulinpuhili)

uphill

(Zoli zuɣu)

downhill

(Sirigili)

Taxi!

( )

Take me to _____, please.

(Zaŋma chaŋ_____, dimsuɣulo)

How much does it cost to get to _____?

(Ala ka n-nitooi nyɛli______? )

Take me there, please.

(Zaŋma chaŋ ni, dimsuɣulo. )

Do you have any rooms available?

(Duri bɛni?)

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

(Ala n-nyɛ duu nti ninvuɣi yino/niriba ayi)

Does the room come with...

(Duu maa chani mi ni)

...bedsheets?

(Gariparigu)

...a bathroom?

(Shinshaɣu)

...a telephone?

(Taŋgalimiya' )

...a TV?

(Nin'yula kpanjɔɣu)

May I see the room first?

(N-nitooi nye duu maa pɔi?)

Do you have anything quieter?

(A mali binshɛɣu din bi yori vuri?)

...bigger?

(Din galisi)

...cleaner?

(Din be nyam)

...cheaper?

(Alaha)

OK, I'll take it.

(Din ŋuna, n ni deei li)

I will stay for _____ night(s).

(N ni kpalim )

Can you suggest another hotel?

(A ni tooi lahi bo saamba sheli yaha?)

Do you have a safe?

(A mali soɣibu sheei)

...lockers?

(Bin'kparitisi)

Is breakfast/supper included?

(Asiba nankpansuuli/yuŋ Bindirigu pahi Ya?)

What time is breakfast/supper?

(Saha dini n-nyɛ nangbansuuli/yuŋ bindirigu)

Please clean my room.

(Dimsuɣulo malimi n duu maa)

Can you wake me at _____?

(Neemi ma)

I want to check out.

(N borimi ni n yuli nya)

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?

(A deeri amarika liɣiri)

Do you accept British pounds?

(A deeri britishi liɣiri)

Do you accept euros?

( a deeri yurosi liɣiri)

Do you accept credit cards?

( )

Can you change money for me?

(A ni tooi taɣi liɣiri time?)

Where can I get money changed?

(Yapolo ka n ni tooi taɣi liɣiri)

Can you change a traveler's check for me?

()

Where can I get a traveler's check changed?

( )

What is the exchange rate?

(Laɣiri maa taɣibu nyɛla ala?)

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?

(Yapolo ka liɣiri kalibu maʒini maa be?)

A table for one person/two people, please.

(Teebuli kam ninvuɣ'yino/niriba ayi

Can I look at the menu, please?

(N ni tooi nya bindira gbaŋ maa )

Can I look in the kitchen?

(N ni tooi yuli jaara maa ni?)

Is there a house specialty?

(Bindiri bo ka bɛ tooi duɣiri kpe?)

Is there a local specialty?

(Bindiri bo n tooi zooi yaɣili ŋo na?)

I'm a vegetarian.

( )

I don't eat pork.

(M bi diri kurichu nimdi)

I don't eat beef.

( M bi diri naɣ'nimdi)

I only eat kosher food.

(Kooshe ko ka n dira )

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

(A ni tooi niŋli zaɣ'yilo)

fixed-price meal

(Da yoni)

à la carte

(Bindiri yini yini)

breakfast

(Asiba Nangban'suuli)

lunch

(Wuntaŋ bindirigu)

tea (meal)

( )

supper

(Yuŋ bindirigu )

I want _____.

(M borila )

I want a dish containing _____.

( m borila bindirigu din Mali)

chicken

(Noo nimdi )

beef

(Naɣ'nimdi)

fish

(Zahim)

ham

(Kurichu nimdi )

sausage

(Chinchaŋga)

cheese

(Waagashi)

eggs

(Gala(

salad

( )

(fresh) vegetables

(Ʒevari)

(fresh) fruit

(Bin'woli viɛla)

bread

(Paanu )

toast

(Shebu)

noodles

(Taaliya)

rice

(Mo'child/shinkaafa)

beans

(Tuya )

May I have a glass of _____?

(a ku tima ___ kopu?

May I have a cup of _____?

( )

May I have a bottle of _____?

( 'a ku tima ___ luɣuluɣu? )

coffee

( )

tea (drink)

( )

juice

(Binkom)

(bubbly) water

( )

(still) water

(Kom din bi zora)

beer

(Dam)

red/white wine

( da'ʒiɛɣu/da'piɛlli)

May I have some _____?

(A Ku tima )

salt

(Yɛlim)

black pepper

(Naanzu'sabinli)

butter

( )

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

( )

I'm finished.

(N jehiya )

It was delicious.

(Di di nyaɣisa )

Please clear the plates.

(Pahimi suɣulo )

The check, please.

( )

Do you serve alcohol?

(Yi kohiri dam?)

Is there table service?

( )

A beer/two beers, please.

( )

A glass of red/white wine, please.

( )

A pint, please.

( )

A bottle, please.

(Koliba pali, Pahimi suɣulo )

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

(Da'kpeŋ)

whiskey

( )

vodka

( )

rum

( )

water

(Kom )

club soda

( )

tonic water

( )

orange juice

(Leem kom )

Coke (soda)

( )

Do you have any bar snacks?

( )

One more, please.

(Pahimi zaɣ'yini yaha,Pahimi suɣulo)

Another round, please.

(Sheli yaha,Pahimi suɣulo )

When is closing time?

(Bosaha ka ti yɛni wurim)

Cheers!

(Dari)

Do you have this in my size?

(A mali ŋɔ din ni saɣi ma?)

How much is this?

(A la n nyɛ ŋɔ)

That's too expensive.

(Di be kirikiri yaɣi ), (daa maa kpem yaɣi)

Would you take _____?

(A ni kpuɣi )

expensive

(Kirikiri)

cheap

(Alaha)

I can't afford it.

(N ku tooi li)

I don't want it.

(M bi borili)

You're cheating me.

(A ŋaritimami)

I'm not interested.

(M bi bora)

OK, I'll take it.

(Din ŋuna, n ni kpuɣi li)

Can I have a bag?

(N ni tooi nya baaji)

Do you ship (overseas)?

(A talinda)

I need...

(M borila )

...toothpaste.

(Nyin'paɣiri kpam)

...a toothbrush.

( Nyin'paɣirigu)

...tampons.

. ( )

...soap.

(Chibo)

...shampoo.

( )

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

(Kobani tim)

...cold medicine.

(Fiɛɣufiɛɣu tim)

...stomach medicine.

... (puuni tim )

...a razor.

( )

...an umbrella.

(Takayuwa)

...sunblock lotion.

( )

...a postcard.

( )

...postage stamps.

( )

...batteries.

( )

...writing paper.

( )

...a pen.

(Alikalimi )

...English-language books.

(Silimiinsili kudunima)

...English-language magazines.

(Silimiinsili lahibaya kundunima)

...an English-language newspaper.

(Silimiinsili lahibali churi takaranima)

...an English-English dictionary.

( )

I want to rent a car.

( )

Can I get insurance?

( )

stop (on a street sign)

(Zanima )

one way

(A birigi yaɣiyini)

yield

(Soli tibu)

no parking

(Di zani )

speed limit

(Guubu tariga)

gas (petrol) station

petiro shɛl( )

petrol

petiro( )

diesel

diesel( )

I haven't done anything wrong.

N bi tum taali shɛli.( )

It was a misunderstanding.

Nangbankpeen n di nyɛli.( )

Where are you taking me?

Ya ka a mali ma n chana?( )

Am I under arrest?

A gbaai ma mi maa?( )

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

N nyɛla Amarika/Australia/Britin/Canada bilichina. ( )

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

M bori mi ni n di Amarika/Australia/Britin/Canada embassy kpamba alizama. ( )

I want to talk to a lawyer.

M borimi ni n di looya fiila.( )

Can I just pay a fine now?

Ni tooi yo n samli puŋpɔŋɔ?( )