Language/Lingala/Vocabulary/Telling-Time
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Welcome to our lesson on Telling Time in Lingala! Understanding how to tell time is essential for daily life, whether you're making plans with friends, scheduling meetings, or simply discussing your day. In this lesson, we will explore key vocabulary and phrases that will help you express time effectively in Lingala.
We'll focus on:
- How to say the hours and minutes
- Understanding a.m. and p.m.
- Examples to illustrate the concepts
- Exercises to practice what you learn
By the end of this lesson, you will gain a solid understanding of telling time in Lingala, which is a crucial skill as you progress in your language learning journey.
The Basics of Telling Time[edit | edit source]
The concept of time is universal, but the way we express it can vary significantly across languages. In Lingala, telling time often involves a straightforward approach, similar to English, but with distinct vocabulary.
Here's a quick overview of the vocabulary related to time in Lingala:
- soki - if
- ntango - time
- libanda - hour
- miniti - minute
- bato - people
- moto - person
- moke moke - a little
- ntango ya mitema - time of the heart (emotional time)
- moke - small or little
- koleka - more than
Saying the Hours[edit | edit source]
In Lingala, telling the hour is quite straightforward. You typically state the hour followed by the word "libanda."
Here’s how to express the hours:
| Lingala | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 libanda | mwâ | 1 o'clock |
| 2 libanda | mibale | 2 o'clock |
| 3 libanda | misato | 3 o'clock |
| 4 libanda | mibale | 4 o'clock |
| 5 libanda | mitano | 5 o'clock |
| 6 libanda | mposo | 6 o'clock |
| 7 libanda | nsambo | 7 o'clock |
| 8 libanda | mobali | 8 o'clock |
| 9 libanda | liboso | 9 o'clock |
| 10 libanda | zomi | 10 o'clock |
| 11 libanda | zomi na moko | 11 o'clock |
| 12 libanda | zomi na mibale | 12 o'clock |
Adding Minutes[edit | edit source]
To express minutes, you simply add the number of minutes after the hour.
For example:
- 1:15 would be 1 libanda na zomi na tano (1 o'clock and 15 minutes).
- 2:30 would be 2 libanda na mposo (2 o'clock and 30 minutes).
Here’s a table with examples:
| Lingala | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 libanda na zomi | mwâ na zomi | 1:10 |
| 1 libanda na mposo | mwâ na mposo | 1:30 |
| 2 libanda na zomi na mbo | mibale na zomi na mbo | 2:20 |
| 3 libanda na zomi na zomi | misato na zomi na zomi | 3:25 |
| 4 libanda na zomi na misato | mibale na zomi na misato | 4:35 |
| 5 libanda na zomi na moko | mitano na zomi na moko | 5:01 |
| 6 libanda na zomi na misato | mposo na zomi na misato | 6:35 |
| 7 libanda na mposo | nsambo na mposo | 7:30 |
| 8 libanda na mposo na nsambo | mobali na mposo na nsambo | 8:37 |
| 9 libanda na zomi na zomi | liboso na zomi na zomi | 9:25 |
| 10 libanda na mposo | zomi na mposo | 10:30 |
| 11 libanda na nsambo | zomi na moko | 11:07 |
| 12 libanda na zomi na misato | zomi na mibale na misato | 12:35 |
Understanding a.m. and p.m.[edit | edit source]
In Lingala, the terms for a.m. and p.m. are used to clarify whether the time is in the morning or the evening.
- soko is used for a.m. (morning).
- midi is used for p.m. (afternoon/evening).
Here’s how you might express a specific time, including a.m. or p.m.:
- 7:00 a.m. would be 7 libanda soko (7 o'clock in the morning).
- 5:00 p.m. would be 5 libanda midi (5 o'clock in the evening).
Here’s a table with examples:
| Lingala | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 6 libanda soko | mposo soko | 6:00 a.m. |
| 7 libanda soko | nsambo soko | 7:00 a.m. |
| 8 libanda soko | mobali soko | 8:00 a.m. |
| 9 libanda midi | liboso midi | 9:00 p.m. |
| 10 libanda midi | zomi midi | 10:00 p.m. |
| 11 libanda midi | zomi na moko midi | 11:00 p.m. |
| 12 libanda midi | zomi na mibale midi | 12:00 p.m. |
Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]
Now that you have a solid foundation in telling time in Lingala, it's time to put your knowledge to the test. Below are some exercises designed to help you practice.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks[edit | edit source]
Translate the following times into Lingala:
1. 3:15
2. 5:45
3. 12:30
Exercise 2: Matching[edit | edit source]
Match the Lingala time with the correct English translation:
1. 2 libanda soko
2. 8 libanda midi
3. 11 libanda na zomi
|
| Lingala | English |
|---|---|
| 1. 2 libanda soko | a. 11:00 |
| 2. 8 libanda midi | b. 8:00 p.m. |
| 3. 11 libanda na zomi | c. 2:00 a.m. |
Exercise 3: True or False[edit | edit source]
Determine if the following statements are true or false:
1. 7 libanda soko means 7:00 p.m.
2. 10 libanda na zomi means 10:10.
3. 6 libanda midi means 6:00 a.m.
Exercise 4: Time Conversion[edit | edit source]
Convert the following times from English to Lingala:
1. 1:00 a.m.
2. 4:45 p.m.
3. 9:30 a.m.
Exercise 5: Create Your Own[edit | edit source]
Write three sentences in Lingala telling what time you do different activities (e.g., wake up, eat lunch, go to bed).
Detailed Solutions and Explanations[edit | edit source]
Here are the solutions to the exercises to help you check your understanding:
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks[edit | edit source]
1. 3 libanda na zomi na misato (3:15)
2. 5 libanda na mposo (5:45)
3. 12 libanda na mposo (12:30)
Exercise 2: Matching[edit | edit source]
1. 2 libanda soko - c. 2:00 a.m.
2. 8 libanda midi - b. 8:00 p.m.
3. 11 libanda na zomi - a. 11:00
Exercise 3: True or False[edit | edit source]
1. False - 7 libanda soko means 7:00 a.m.
2. True - 10 libanda na zomi means 10:10.
3. False - 6 libanda midi means 6:00 p.m.
Exercise 4: Time Conversion[edit | edit source]
1. 1 libanda soko (1:00 a.m.)
2. 4 libanda na mposo (4:45 p.m.)
3. 9 libanda soko na mposo (9:30 a.m.)
Exercise 5: Create Your Own[edit | edit source]
Possible responses could include:
- Nakanisi soki 6 libanda soko (I wake up at 6:00 a.m.)
- Nandimi soki 12 libanda midi (I eat lunch at 12:00 p.m.)
- Nakanisi soki 10 libanda midi (I go to bed at 10:00 p.m.)
Congratulations! You’ve successfully learned how to tell time in Lingala. Keep practicing these phrases and integrating them into your conversations. As you continue in the Complete 0 to A1 Lingala Course, you will build on this foundation and develop your skills even further.
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Lingala Vocabulary - Food
- Learn to Speak Lingala: English-Lingala Beginner's Course Audio ...
- Lingala Dictionary Online Translation LEXILOGOS
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Modes of Transportation
- Days of the Week
- Work and School
- Drinks
- Family Members
- It’s a miracle!
- Daily routines
- Animals
- Time
| ◀️ Numbers 1-10 — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Regular Verbs ▶️ |