Language/Lingala/Vocabulary/Common-Foods
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Lingala is a Bantu language spoken in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo. As a beginner in Lingala, it’s essential to learn the vocabulary for common foods. In this lesson, you will learn how to name different types of food, including fruits, vegetables, meats, and grains.
Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: Sorcery and witchcraft & God and Religion.
Fruits
Fruits are an essential part of a balanced diet. Below is a list of some common fruits in Lingala:
| Lingala | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| manzâ | man-zah | Apple |
| banâne | bah-nah-nay | Banana |
| avoka | ah-vo-ka | Avocado |
| mangû | mang-goo | Mango |
| anânâsi | ah-nah-nah-see | Pineapple |
| papay | pah-pie | Papaya |
| kîwi | kee-wee | Kiwi |
| limwâ | limb-wah | Lemon |
- manzâ - Apple
- banâne - Banana
- avoka - Avocado
- mangû - Mango
- anânâsi - Pineapple
- papay - Papaya
- kîwi - Kiwi
- limwâ - Lemon
Note that fruits in Lingala often have the same name as in French. For example, ananas (pineapple) is a French loanword.
Vegetables
Vegetables are also an important part of a balanced diet. Here are some common vegetables in Lingala:
| Lingala | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| madesû | mah-dess-oo | Carrot |
| mâyo | mah-yo | Corn |
| ndumba | ndoom-bah | Eggplant |
| mpûngu | mpoo-ngoo | Pumpkin |
| mbîka | mm-bee-kah | Spinach |
| makemba | mah-kehm-bah | Sweet Potato |
| mizû | mee-zoo | Tomato |
| mokôndo | moh-kon-doh | Onion |
- madesû - Carrot
- mâyo - Corn
- ndumba - Eggplant
- mpûngu - Pumpkin
- mbîka - Spinach
- makemba - Sweet Potato
- mizû - Tomato
- mokôndo - Onion
Like with fruits, many vegetable names in Lingala come from French. For example, carrots are called carottes, and tomatoes are tomates.
Meats
Meat is a significant source of protein in many people's diets. Here are some common meats in Lingala:
| Lingala | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| nkámà | n-kah-mah | Beef |
| nkwàzà | n-kwah-zah | Chicken |
| nyam | nyam | Fish |
| nzála | nzah-lah | Goat |
| nkonki | n-kon-kee | Pork |
| mpúgwa | mpoo-gwah | Turkey |
| ndákáti | ndah-kah-tee | Mutton |
- nkámà - Beef
- nkwàzà - Chicken
- nyam - Fish
- nzála - Goat
- nkonki - Pork
- mpúgwa - Turkey
- ndákáti - Mutton
Be aware that the pronunciation of Lingala words can vary depending on the dialect. For example, some people might say "nyama" instead of "nyam" for "fish."
Grains
Grains are an essential source of carbohydrates and fiber. Below are some common grains in Lingala:
| Lingala | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| mosó | moe-soe | Rice |
| nsembe | nsêm-bay | Cornmeal |
| nkokolo | n-koh-koh-loh | Cassava |
| mapámbá | mah-pahm-bah | Bread |
- mosó - Rice
- nsembe - Cornmeal
- nkokolo - Cassava
- mapámbá - Bread
Note that the word for bread, mapámbá, is derived from the Portuguese word "pão." This is because the first European settlers in the region were Portuguese.
Conclusion
In this lesson, you learned the names of some common foods in Lingala. Remember that the Lingala language has many dialects, so some words might be pronounced differently depending on the region. Use this vocabulary to order groceries or visit a restaurant in a Lingala-speaking country. In the next lesson, you will learn the vocabulary and phrases needed for eating out in Lingala.
Upon wrapping up this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Weather & Important words.
Videos
Lingala in 10 minutes - Common opposite words in Lingala - YouTube
Other Lessons
- Relationships
- Life, love and death
- English Lingala verbs
- Evening Routine
- Drinks
- Sickness and Health
- God and Religion
- Introducing Yourself
- Domestic animals
- Left and right
Sources
- Lingala Vocabulary - Common phrases and examples
- ksludotiqueLingala : Words in their context - ksludotique
- Lingala Vocabulary - Food
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