Useful phrases in Northern Sámi

A collection of useful phrases in Northern Sámi, a Western Sámi language spoken in parts of Norway, Sweden and Finland.

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See these phrases in any combination of two languages in the Phrase Finder. If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me.

Key to abbreviations: frm = formal, inf = informal, >1p = said to one person, >2p = said to two people. >2+p said to more than two people.

English davvisámegiella (Northern Sámi)
Welcome Bures boahtin
Hello (General greeting) Bures
Bures bures (reply)
How are you? Mo dat manná?
Reply to 'How are you?' Dat manná bures, giitu
Giitu, manná bures
Long time no see Dat lea guhkes áigi
What's your name? Mii du namma lea?
My name is ... Mu namma lea ...
Where are you from? Gos don leat eret?
I'm from ... Mun lean ... eret
Good morning
(Morning greeting)
Buorre iđit
Ipmel atti (reply)
Good afternoon
(Afternoon greeting)
Buorre beaivvi
Ipmel atti (reply)
Good evening
(Evening greeting)
Buorre eahket
Ipmel atti (reply)
Good night Buorre idjá
Goodbye
(Parting phrases)
Báze dearvan (>1p - "stay with good health")
Báhcci dearvan (>2p who are staying)
Báhcet dearvan (>2+p who are staying)
Mana dearvan (>1p - "leave with good health")
Manni dearvan (>2p who are leaving)
Mannet dearvan (>2+p who are leaving)
Oaidnaleabmai! (>2+p - "see you")
Good luck! Ollu lihkku
Cheers! Good Health!
(Toasts used when drinking)
Máistte!
Jugis!
Have a nice day Sávan buori beaivvi
Bon voyage /
Have a good journey
Buorre mátki!
I understand Mun ipmirdan
Mun ádden
I don't understand Mun in ádde
Mun in ipmir
I don't know In dieđe
Please speak more slowly Hála njozebut, leage siivui
Please say that again Oktii vel, leage siivui
Please write it down Čális dan, leage siivui
Do you speak English? Hálatgo eaŋgalasgiela?
Do you speak Northern Sámi? Hálatgo (davvi)sámegiella?
Yes, a little
(reply to 'Do you speak ...?')
Juo, veaháš
I'm learning Northern Sámi Oahpan davvisámegiela
Mun oahpan davvisámegiela
Speak to me in Northern Sámi Sámás muinna!
How do you say ... in Northern Sámi Mii dat lea sámegilli?
Excuse me Ándagassii
How much is this? Man ollu dat máksá?
Sorry Ándagassii
Please Leage buorre
Thank you Giitu
Reply to thank you Leage buorre
Where's the toilet / bathroom? Gos hivsset lea?
This gentleman will pay for everything Dat bárdni máksá buot ovddas
This lady will pay for everything Dat nieida máksá buot ovddas
Would you like to dance with me? Háliidatgo dánsut?
I miss you Ohcalan du
Váillahan du
I love you Mun ráhkistan du
Go away! Mana eret!
Leave me alone! Ale vuortnut mu!
Help! Veahket!
Fire! Dolla!
Stop! Bisán!
Call the police! Ringe politiijai!
Christmas greetings Buorit juovllat
New Year greetings Buore ođđa jahki!
Easter greetings Buorit beassážat
Birthday greetings Lihkku beivviin!
One language is never enough Okta giella ii leat goassege doarvái
My hovercraft is full of eels Mu áibmofatnasis leat dievva ággarasat

Phrases and corrections provided by Irena Dahl, Brti Eriksen and Maret Sofie

Hear some Northern Sami phrases:

If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, or if you can provide recordings, please contact me.

Information about Northern Sámi | Phrases | Numbers | Tower of Babel

Links

Other collections of Northern Sámi phrases
http://wikitravel.org/en/Saami_phrasebook
http://arran2.blogspot.co.uk/2007/01/sami-phrases_7367.html
http://www.samer.se/1471
http://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Pagini_şterse/Fraze_uzuale_în_diferite_limbi#Lapon.C4.83_.28uralic.C4.83.29

Phrases in Sámi languages

Lule Sámi, Northern Sámi, Southern Sámi

Phrases in other languages

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