Useful phrases in Umbundu

A collection of useful phrases in Umbundu, a Bantu language spoken in parts of Angloa.

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

English	Úmbúndú (Umbundu)
Welcome	Ukombe weya ("The guest has come")
Hello (General greeting)	Wakolapo? (sg) Wakolipo? (pl)
Hello (on phone)
How are you?	Wakolapo? (sg) Wakolipo? (pl)
Reply to 'How are you?'	Ndakolapo ("I'm fine) Twakolapo ("We're fine)
Long time no see
What's your name?	Velye olonduko vene? (frm) Helye onduko yove? (inf)
My name is ...	Onduko yange ame ...
Where are you from?	Pi ofeka yove? ("Where is your country?")
I'm from ...	Ofeka yange ... ("My country is ...")
Pleased to meet you
Good morning (Morning greeting)	Utanya uwa
Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting)	Ekumbi liwa
Good evening (Evening greeting)	Uteke uwa
Good night	Uteke uwa Pekelapo ciwa ("Sleep well")
Goodbye (Parting phrases)	Ndanda. ("I went")
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
I understand
I don't understand
Yes
No
Maybe
I don't know
Please speak more slowly
Please say that again
Please write it down
Do you speak English?	Ove ovangula umbundu?
Do you speak Umbundu?	Ove ovangula umbundu?
Yes, a little (reply to 'Do you speak ...?')
Speak to me in Umbundu
How do you say ... in Umbundu?
Excuse me
How much is this?
Sorry	Ngecele (sg) Twecele (pl)
Please	Ndinge ohenda. ("Give me pity")
Thank you	Ndapandula (sg) Twapandula (pl)
Reply to thank you	Lacimwe
Where's the toilet / bathroom?
This gentleman will pay for everything
This lady will pay for everything
Would you like to dance with me?
I miss you
I love you
Get well soon
Go away!
Leave me alone!
Help!
Fire!
Stop!
Call the police!
Christmas greetings
Easter greetings
Birthday greetings
One language is never enough
My hovercraft is full of eels

Information compiled by Murilo Ricci

If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, or if you can provide recordings, please contact me.

Information about Umbundu | Phrases | Numbers

Phrases in Bantu languages

Bemba, Chichewa, Chokwe, Duala, Herero, Ibinda, Kikuyu, Kinyarwanda, Kwangali, Lengola, Lingala, Lozi, Luganda, Ndebele (Northern - South Africa), Ndebele (Northern - Zimbabwe), Ndebele (Southern) Ngoni, 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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