The Lingala language: where it is spoken, where it comes from, how it is written
Lingala is a Bantu language spoken in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo. It is the everyday language of Kinshasa and Brazzaville, the two capitals facing each other across the Congo River, and a national language in both countries. It is written in the Latin alphabet, with two extra vowels: ɛ and ɔ.
- Family: Bantu languages.
- Countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa, the west and northwest) and Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville and the north).
- Status: one of the four national languages of the DR Congo, alongside Kikongo, Swahili and Tshiluba; a national language of the Republic of the Congo, alongside Kituba. French remains the official language in both countries.
- Script: Latin alphabet, with ɛ and ɔ; tones are rarely written.
- Hello: mbote
Where is Lingala spoken?
In the DR Congo, Lingala is the language of Kinshasa and of much of the west and northwest of the country, along the river. Elsewhere other languages serve as the common tongue: Swahili in the east, Tshiluba in the south-centre, Kikongo towards the Atlantic. In the Republic of the Congo, Lingala dominates in Brazzaville and the north, while Kituba is more widespread in the south.
Lingala also travels with the diaspora. You hear it in Congolese families in France, Belgium, the UK, Canada and the US; in Brussels, the Matonge neighbourhood is named after a district of Kinshasa. Many people understand it from hearing it at home without daring to speak it — a good place to start.
How many people speak it? Estimates vary widely depending on whether you count people who grew up with it or those who use it as a second language, so we prefer not to give a figure.
“Mboka na ngai ezali Congo.” — My country is Congo.
“Ebale ya Congo ezali monene.” — The Congo River is wide.
Where does Lingala come from?
Lingala took shape in the 19th century as a trade language along the Congo River, between merchants, boatmen and riverside villages, drawing on the languages of the region, including Bobangi. Missionaries and the colonial administration then put it into writing and spread it, notably in the army.
In the 20th century, Kinshasa (then Léopoldville) and Brazzaville made it the language of the city. Music carried it much further: Congolese rumba, sung largely in Lingala, has been on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage since 2021.
“Nalingaka miziki.” — I love music.
“Basi bazali kobina.” — The women are dancing.
How is Lingala written?
Lingala uses the Latin alphabet with two extra letters: ɛ, an open “e” as in “bed”, and ɔ, an open “o” as in “thought”. In the app: mopɛpɛ (wind) , lobɔkɔ (hand) , and “it's raining”:
“Lelo mbula ezali kobɛta.” — The rain is coming
In practice many people write without them, using e and o, especially in text messages. The app shows the same flexibility: “hot” is spelled mɔtɔ in “Maï ezali mɔtɔ.” (The water is hot) but moto in “Nazali koyoka moto.” (I'm hot.); water is mayi or maï (“Nabondeli yo, pesa ngaï maï.”). Both spellings read easily.
Lingala is also a tonal language: the pitch of a syllable can change the meaning of a word. Everyday writing almost never marks tones, which is why hearing each word matters.
Finally, the Lingala of Kinshasa borrows freely from French, with the prefix ba for the plural:
“Fungola ba rideaux.” — Open the curtains.
“Nazali na téléphone ya sika.” — I have a new phone.
First steps: the verb “to be” in the present
In Lingala, the start of the verb tells you who is speaking: na- for “I”, o- for “you”, a- for “he” or “she”, to-, bo- and ba- for the plural. With kozala (“to be”), that gives six forms you will hear everywhere:
| Pronoun | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | nazali | “Nazali na ndako.” I am home. |
| you | ozali | “Ozali wapi?” Where are you? |
| he, she | azali | “Ye azali na ndako.” He is at home. |
| we | tozali | “Biso tozali ba Congolais.” We are Congolese. |
| you (plural) | bozali | “Bino bozali malamu?” Are you well? |
| they | bazali | “Bango bazali malamu.” Them, they are well. |
The infinitive starts with ko-: koloba (to speak) , koyekola (to learn) , kososola (to understand) . And to get going:
“Yekola lingala.” — Learn Lingala.
Is Lingala a language or a dialect?
A language in its own right, with its grammar, its music, its radio stations and songs, and the status of a national language in both Congos. Like any widely spoken language it varies: the street Lingala of Kinshasa, full of French words, is not quite the Lingala of older songs or religious texts, which is more classical.
The word for “language” (as in a spoken language) is ndingua ; lolemo is the tongue in your mouth.
“Alobaka ndingua misato.” — He speaks three languages.
To greet, thank and say goodbye, see the greetings on our Lingala page. For a method comparison, read how to learn Lingala.
Frequently asked questions
What country speaks Lingala?
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa, the west and northwest) and the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville and the north). It is also heard across the Congolese diaspora in Europe and North America.
Is Lingala an official language?
It is a national language: one of four in the DR Congo (with Kikongo, Swahili and Tshiluba) and one of two in the Republic of the Congo (with Kituba). French is the official language of both countries.
How is Lingala written?
In the Latin alphabet, with two extra vowels: ɛ (open e) and ɔ (open o). Many people write e and o instead in everyday writing, and tones are almost never marked.
How do you say hello in Lingala?
You say mbote. More greetings on our Lingala page.
What is the Lingala word for “language”?
For a spoken language, ndingua: “Alobaka ndingua misato.” (He speaks three languages).
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