In Congo they speak a local language called Lingala. If you are going to serve in Congo it would be very wise to learn some basic Lingala sentences along with French.
The best way to learn Lingala is by asking the members for help. They will be more than happy to help you learn. Unfortunately there is no Google translate for Lingala.
In other parts of Congo, they speak other local languages like Lari, or Kituba. Wherever you serve just learn whatever language the people speak in the area and the people will LOVE YOU.
The nice thing about Lingala is that 95% of it is spoken exactly as how it’s written so you don’t have to guess about pronunction.
Here are some words and phases in Lingala that will help you out:
Mbote – hello
Byeoo – bye
Ndenge nini – how are you
Malamu- good (response to how are you)
ngai bien – I’m good (response to how are you)
Oza – you are
Naza – I am
Naza nzala – I am hungry
Na lembi – I am tired
Te – no
Uh – yes
Kombo – name
Kombo nayo nani? – what’s your name?
Kombo ngai… – my name is…
Mundele – white person
Muindu – black person
Sambela – pray
Yaka – come
Yaka awa- come over here
Nzambe – God
Matondo – thank you
Matondo mingi- thank you very much
Na yoki – I understand
Nazo yoki te – I don’t understand
Loba lisusu – Could you say that again?
Olobaka Lingala – Do you speak Lingala?
Na lobaka lingala te – I don’t speak Lingala
Kolia malamu – bon appetit
Eza moto – It’s hot
Wapi – where
Okei wapi? – where are you going?
Eglise eza wapi? – where is the church?
Nini- what?
Na lingi yo – I like you
Mbongo – money
Naza na mbongo te – I don’t have money
Biso nazali na Temoigne de Jehovah te – we are not Jehovah’s Witnesses
Ma – here, take this, (you usually say this to the bus driver so that you can give him the money)
Na yebi – I know that
eza ya solo – is true
Testimony in Lingala:
Nayebi ke tozali eklisia ya Yesu Klisto. Nayebi ke boku ya Molomoni eza yasolo. Nayebi ke Yesu asungi na biso. – I know that we are the church of Jesus Christ. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that Jesus saved us.