Learn Lingala
Learn Lingala with an app that makes speaking simple. Start today. You’ll soon be using practical phrases for real conversations with family, friends and communities across the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond.
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Learn to speak Lingala with confidence
Many people don’t know where to learn Lingala online and struggle to find resources that teach how native speakers actually talk. Finding a quality Lingala language learning course can feel overwhelming.
uTalk solves this problem. We help you avoid:
- Spending hours watching YouTube videos that have no structure or pronunciation feedback
- Missing out on conversations with family and friends in Kinshasa or across the Congo
- Feeling stuck with French-only materials when you want to learn authentic Lingala from day one
Start learning Lingala today and open doors to meaningful connections.
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Three steps to learn Lingala fast
No classes to schedule. No textbooks to buy. Just a clear path to learning Lingala online.
Start in minutes
Subscribe now, and get the app or access it on the web. Choose Lingala, then select your first category.
Get StartedPractise real phrases
Complete quick lessons featuring native speaker audio and play games to boost your memory. Reviews focus on words you get wrong so you learn faster.
Speak like a local
Use your Lingala in real-life situations. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, you can build basic and practical spoken language skills and start enjoying meaningful experiences.
Why uTalk is the best Lingala learning app
uTalk shows you how to learn Lingala with short lessons designed for beginners. It’s an online language learning app ready whenever you are.
Speak first
Start with greetings and essential phrases. Build vocabulary for family, travel and everyday conversations that matter.
Authentic native speakers
Listen to real voices from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, not computer-generated audio.
Beginner friendly, fun and effective
Practise with short, focused lessons and play memory-boosting games. Reviews adapt to test you more on words you find challenging.
Learn Lingala online today – Common phrases and audio
uTalk helps you learn how to speak and recognise key words and phrases. It's app-based, online and ready when you are.
Pesa ngayi kafe.
I’d like a coffee, please.
Mbote.
Hello.
Iyo.
Yes.
Iyo, kosenga.
Yes please.
Te.
No.
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Te matondo.
No thanks.
Kosenga.
Please.
Matondo.
Thank you.
Matondo mingi makasi.
Thank you very much.
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Malamu.
You’re welcome.
Masanga mibale.
Two beers, please.
bisi
bus
motuka
car
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taksi
taxi
engunduka
train
esika ya ko zua engunduka
railway station
aeroport
airport
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hotel
hotel
pasport
passport
telephone
telephone
Limbisa ngayi.
Excuse me.
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Ngonga nini tozali?
What time is it?
Bolimbisi bokoki ko bandela?
Can you repeat that please?
Bolimbisi loba malembe.
Please speak more slowly.
Na yoki te.
I don’t understand.
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Desolé.
Sorry.
Ba toilettes eza wapi?
Where are the toilets?
Toilette ya basi
Ladies’ Toilet
Toilette ya mibali
Gents’ Toilet
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Plage eza wapi?
Where is the beach?
Banque eza wapi?
Where is the bank?
Talo boni?
How much does this cost?
carte ya credit
credit card
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machine ya mbongo
cash machine
Kende malamu.
Goodbye.
paracetamole
paracetamol
ba fongola
keys
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carte
map
loboko ya mwasi
left
loboko ya mobali
right
moko
one
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mibale
two
misato
three
Fun facts | Lingala
- Lingala borrows heavily from French, as well as Portuguese, English and Spanish.
- Lingala is strongly connected to popular culture and is the main language used in jazz lyrics across Central Africa.
- Lingala had no writing system until the early 1900s, when missionaries started using the Latin script to write it.
How our Lingala lessons work
To learn Lingala, you’ll begin with first words and the most commonly used phrases. Move through practical categories such as greetings, numbers and family. Each lesson is short and built around real-life situations. You’ll hear native speaker audio, then practise until the words stick. Games test what you’ve learned, and review sessions focus more on vocabulary you find tricky.
Pick your starting category and the app guides you through content that builds your confidence fast. Learn Lingala from English or pick from more than 140 other languages in the Settings menu. Study online or offline, use uTalk on mobile, tablet or desktop, and switch categories whenever you want to follow the path that matches your goals. If you have questions, the in-app help is there, or you can contact our friendly UK-based support team.
Lingala in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo
Here’s an overview of the languages to explore around the Congo.
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Key points
- Lingala is an official language of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It’s widely spoken in Kinshasa and across the northwestern regions. You’ll also hear it in the Republic of the Congo, especially in Brazzaville and along the Congo River.
- Learning Lingala connects you to culture, music and communities across Central Africa. It’s a Bantu language with its own rhythm and character. If you’re exploring the region, reconnecting with family or enjoying Congolese music, speaking Lingala opens new experiences.
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to incredible linguistic diversity. Alongside Lingala, you’ll find Swahili spoken widely in the east, Rundi near the borders and many other Bantu languages across the Congo.
Lingala, French and other languages of the Congo
- Lingala is a Bantu language with its own grammar, vocabulary and structure. French is an official language in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo, used in government and education. Lingala is distinct from French.
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo recognises four national languages: Lingala, Swahili, Kikongo, and Tshiluba. Each of these dominates different regions. Lingala is most present in Kinshasa and the northwest. Swahili is widely spoken in the east.
- If you’re connecting with people in Kinshasa, exploring the Congo River region or love Congolese music, Lingala is your best choice. uTalk offers both Lingala and Swahili, so you can learn the language that fits your goals.
"We make learning Lingala accessible for everyone"
"Finding good resources for learning Lingala can be frustrating. Many courses focus on French or skip the basic speaking and listening skills beginners need. At uTalk, we recorded native Lingala speakers because every language matters. We want you to hear how the language is really spoken in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and build confidence from your very first lesson."
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Richard Howeson
uTalk Founder
Why learners trust uTalk
We’re passionate about supporting minority and regional languages. That’s why our Lingala language learning course features recordings of real native speakers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The app lets you learn Lingala from English or from more than 140 other languages. Check reviews to see how learners turn daily practice into real progress.
A path to Lingala language learning
So you want to connect with family, explore Congolese culture or prepare for travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Lingala is spoken by millions, but you don’t know how to learn Lingala from the limited resources available.
Get StarteduTalk is here to help. Start with first words or choose a category such as greetings, family or travel. You’ll listen to native speakers, record yourself and compare your pronunciation. Games keep it fun and engaging, and content is practical for real conversations. Learn online or offline on any device, and follow a guided learning pathway or choose for yourself what to learn when.
You’ll learn to speak Lingala with confidence and understand more of what people say around you. You’ll be able to use your skills with family, friends and new connections across Central Africa. uTalk fits your life and your schedule.
Learn real-life topics in Lingala
Explore the Bantu language family
Lingala belongs to the Bantu language family, a large group of languages spoken across sub-Saharan Africa. Bantu languages share grammatical structures and often have similar vocabulary, so exploring the language family can deepen your understanding of Lingala. If you’re curious about sounds, words and everyday phrases in other languages within the family, check out Bemba, Chichewa, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Luganda, Shona, Swahili, Tswana, Tumbuka, Xhosa and Zulu.
These languages have deep historical roots, so cross-learning might feel familiar as you start noticing patterns.
Get StartedYour Lingala questions, answered
Do you offer live online classes or is it just an app?
uTalk is an app and online language learning software. Lessons are digital, short and practical. If you want a tutor, the app still helps you prepare for class and review between sessions.
Can I start as a beginner?
Yes. The course begins with basic greetings and everyday words and phrases and takes you to an A1-A2 level on the CEFR scale. Some of our topics even cover material you’d learn as you grow your skills to B1 or B2.
What application languages do you support? Can I learn without English?
Yes. uTalk works for speakers of more than 140 languages. Choose the one that suits you in Settings.
How is content selected and ordered?
Topics are based on real life situations. You can select any category and the app suggests a smart learning order for beginners. You can change it at any time.
How does uTalk compare with YouTube lessons?
YouTube can be useful, but it’s hard to check pronunciation or get structured reviews. uTalk gives you native speaker audio, games that test tricky words more often and a clear path from basic to practical use.
Where can I learn a language with uTalk?
We’re available on iOS, Android, web, Mac and PC. Get started now and you’ll be directed to download uTalk for your device.
Is Lingala on Duolingo?
No, Lingala is not available on Duolingo. But you can learn Lingala with uTalk, which offers 150+ languages and celebrates linguistic diversity from every corner of the world.
Is Lingala similar to French?
Lingala is a Bantu language with its own grammar and vocabulary. While French is widely spoken in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lingala has distinct African roots and structure. Some French words appear in modern Lingala, but the two languages are fundamentally different.
How long does it take to learn Lingala?
It’s best to learn in short, regular sessions. After practising consistently for a few weeks, many learners are able to hold simple conversations. How quickly you progress depends on how frequently you use the app.
Can I learn Lingala for free with uTalk?
Getting started with uTalk is easy, and cancellation is simple. We want you to love uTalk, so we offer a 28-Day Money Back Guarantee if you’re not satisfied.
Topics
- Free Starter Words
- Accommodation
- Adjectives
- Animals' Bodies
- Animals
- Bathroom
- Body
- Business
- Calendar
- Camping
- Military Peace Keeping
- Clothes
- Colours
- Military Commands
- Football Commentary
- Cooking
- Countries
- Directions
- Doctor
- Driving
- Emergencies
- Family
- Farming
- First Words
- Food and Drink
- Fruit
- Golf
- Holiday
- Home
- Illness
- Ingredients
- Military Intelligence
- Kitchen
- Leisure
- Likes and Dislikes
- Football Match Abroad
- Numbers up to Ten Million
- Numbers up to Twenty
- Occupations
- Olympics
- Outdoors
- Places
- Prepositions
- Restaurant
- Sailing
- School
- Shopping Phrases
- Shopping Words
- Essential Phrases
- Skiing
- Social Phrases
- Sports
- Summer Olympics
- Technology
- Time
- Timetable
- Tools
- Transport
- Travelling
- Vegetables
- Winter Olympics
- Disaster Relief - Volunteers
- Natural Disasters
Get by with basic greetings, words and phrases including 'hello', 'thank you' and 'I'd like a coffee please'.