Useful phrases in Oshiwambo

A collection of useful phrases mainly in the Oshikwanyama dialect of Oshiwambo, a Bantu language spoken in parts of Namibia and Angola.

Key to abbreviations: sg = singular (said to one person), pl = plural (said to more than one person).

Jump to phrases

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 Oshiwambo
Welcome
Hello (General greeting) Halo
Hello
Ongiini?/
Onawa, ngiini?
Hello (on phone)
How are you? Ongeipi?
Ongiini?
Ou li nawa?
Reply to 'How are you?' Ondili nawa, ove?
Long time no see Nde ku etha nale nee
What's your name? Ovelye lye?
My name is ... Edina lange aame ...
Where are you from? Owa za peni?
I'm from ... Onda za ...
Pleased to meet you We ya po?
Good morning
(Morning greeting)
Walelepo
Owanangala po nawa?
Owa lala po nawa?
Mwa lala po?
Good afternoon
(Afternoon greeting)
Wa uhala po? (sg)
MWa uhala po? (pl)
Owa uhala po nawa?
Good evening
(Evening greeting)
Wa tokelwa po? (sg)
Mwa tokelwa po? (pl)
Owa tokelwa po nawa?
Good night Nangalei po nawa
Lalii po nawa
Goodbye
(Parting phrases)
Kala po nawa (sg)
Kalii po nawa (pl)
Likwata nawa (Take care)
Enda po nawa (Go well)
Oshi iwete (See you later)
Ota ndi ku mono ngula (See you tomorrow)
Good luck!
Cheers! Good Health!
(Toasts used when drinking)
Have a nice day
Bon appetit /
Have a nice meal
Bon voyage /
Have a good journey
Yes Ee
No Ahawe
Maybe
I don't know Nghi shi shi
Kandi shi shi
Do you understand?
I understand
I don't understand Kandi uditeko
Please speak more slowly
Please say that again Oto dulu okwee ndululula?
Please write it down
Do you speak English? Ohopopi oshinglisha?
Do you speak Oshiwambo? Ohopopi oshiwambo?
Yes, a little
(reply to 'Do you speak ...?')
Ee, kashona
Ee, kashona ashike
Do you speak a language
other than
Oshiwambo?
Speak to me in Oshiwambo
How do you say ... in Oshiwambo?
Excuse me
How much is this? Iingapi?
Oshina iingapi?
Sorry Ombili
Please Arikana
Thank you Tangi
Tangi unene
Reply to thank you Oshili nawa (It's alright)
Where's the toilet / bathroom?
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 Ondeku yuulukwa
I love you Ondi ku hole
Get well soon
Go away!
Leave me alone!
Help! Kwathelandje!
Kwathandje!
Fire!
Stop!
Call the police!
Christmas greetings
New Year greetings
Easter greetings
Birthday greetings
Congratulations!
One language is never enough
My hovercraft is full of eels

Hear some Oshiwambo 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 Oshiwambo | Phrases | Numbers

Links

Other collections of Oshiwambo phrases
https://quizlet.com/83053042/oshiwambo-everyday-words-and-phrases-flash-cards/
https://quizlet.com/516702338/oshivambo-phrases-flash-cards/

Phrases in Bantu languages

Bemba, Chichewa, Chokwe, Duala, Herero, Ibinda, Kikuyu, Kinyarwanda, Lingala, Lozi, Luganda, Ndebele (Northern - South Africa), Ndebele (Northern - Zimbabwe), Ndebele (Southern) Nkore, Northern Sotho, Oshiwambo, Shona, Southern Sotho (seSotho), Swahili, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Tumbuka, Umbundu, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu

Phrases in other languages

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