Phrasebook

Phrases as speakers actually say them, next to the English. These are hand-written, not machine output — useful as a check on the translator, and as a way to see where the two creoles converge and where they part company.

Family & diaspora

12 phrases

English

Nigerian Pidgin

How is your family?

Pidgin How your family dey?

Greet your mother for me

Pidgin Greet your mama for me

I am travelling abroad

Pidgin I dey japa

'japa' became the everyday Nigerian word for emigrating

When are you coming home?

Pidgin When you go come back?

I miss you

Pidgin I dey miss you

My child is in school

Pidgin My pikin dey school

We are managing

Pidgin We dey manage

God will provide

Pidgin God go provide

She is pregnant

Pidgin E get belle

My brother is married

Pidgin My broda don marry

The baby is sleeping

Pidgin Di small pikin dey sleep

Greet everybody at home

Pidgin Greet everybody for house

Want to check one of these against the engine? Translate “How is your family?” →