Sierra Leone: Phrases
Krio Lesson
|
English
How are you?
I am fine.
How is the day?
How did you sleep?
How is your family?
How is your work?
How is school?
How is/are your children?
A common answer is:
Hello
Good Morning
Good morning to many
Good afternoon
Good Evening
Where?
Where are you from?
Where are you going?
Who?
Who told you that?
Why?
Why do you ask?
What?
What is this?
How much?
It is expensive!
What time is it?
Please Do
I have nothing for you (spoken to beggars)
I am going
I am going (but coming back) or: I am coming
I need water
How do I get to...
He/she is not here
When will he be back?
Do you understand?
What did I say? |
Phoenetic Krio
Ow di bodi?
Do bodi well.
Ow di day?
Ow you sleep?
Ow di fambul dem?
Ow di work?
Ow di school?
Ow di pikin dem?
Tell God Tankee
Kushe
Morney
Una morney
Aftanoon
Good evening
Usai?
Usai you komot?
Usai you de go?
Udat?
Udat tell you (dat)?
Wetin do?
Wetin do you ask?
Wetin?
Wetin dis?
Omos?
E dear too mos!
Omos o’clock?
ya / a de beg
Betta no de
A de go
A de kam
A want wata
Ow I go manage for go na..
E no de
Ustem I go kam (back)?
You de yeri?
Wetin a say? |
A Few Tips
Sierra Leonians speak a form of English called Krio. It is not a different language, but a combination of accents and colloquialisms understood locally, but difficult until you are used to hearing it spoken. Try not to ask questions with ‘yes/no’ answers. Rather, phrase your questions in order to get full answers. E.g. “Does this road lead to Lumley?” (Yes/No answer.) Rather, ask, “Where does this road lead to?”
