Languages Spoken in Namibia
Languages Spoken in Namibia
English is the official language, but Namibia's relatively small population is extraordinarily diverse in language and culture. More than 11 languages are indigenous to Namibia but with its cosmopolitan society, languages from around the world are spoken in Namibia. People commonly speak two or three languages and more than 49% of the population speaks Oshiwambo. Due to the country's colonial history Afrikaans, the language of the previous South African occupiers is still widely spoken and functions as the lingua franca in Namibia. Namibia has two small groups of nomadic groups; the Khoisan speaking people, known as the Bushmen or San and the Ovahimba people, figuratively known as the red people.
Indigenous languages are included in the school syllabus at primary level. From secondary level English is the medium of instruction. Among European languages spoken in Namibia are German, Portuguese, Spanish and French. According to the 2011 census figures the main indigenous languages are:
- Oshiwambo spoken by 49% of households
- Nama/Damara spoken by 11% of households
- Afrikaans spoken by 10% of households
- Kavango spoken by 9% of households; and
- Otjiherero spoken by 9% of households.
Examples of simple, common words and phrases of the above-mentioned main indigenous languages in Namibia:
English |
Oshiwambo |
Damara/Nama |
Afrikaans |
Otjiherero |
Kavango |
Hallo |
- |
- |
Hallo |
Hallou |
- |
Hi |
- |
- |
Haai |
- |
- |
How are you |
Ongiini |
Mati sa Or Mi du re (Formal) |
Hoe gaan dit |
Peri vi |
Ngapi |
Good morning> |
Walelepo |
!Gâi //oas |
Goeie môre> |
Moro |
Morokeni |
Good afternoon |
Wuu hala po> |
!Gâi tses |
Goeie middag |
Mwa uhara / Metaha |
Munazuhwara po |
Good evening |
Wa tokelwa po |
!Gâi !oês |
Goeie aand |
Mwa tokerwa / Hwenda |
Munatokwera po |
I'm fine and you |
Ondili nawa |
!Gâi a, aitsma mîre |
Goed en jy |
Mbi ri nawa,> naa oove> |
Ame nawa one ngapi |
Good night |
Lalapo nawa |
!Gâ-î !oês |
Lekker slaap |
Rara nawa |
Rareni po nawa |
I love you |
Ondiku hole |
INam tsi ta ge a (from Female to Male) INam si ta ge a (From Male to Female) |
Ek het jou lief |
Mbeku suvera |
Ame naku hara |
What time is it? |
Owili ongapi |
Mati go //ae xa –i go |
Hoe laat is dit |
Oiri ongapi |
Vili ngapi zina kutanta |
Good bye |
Indapo nawa |
!Gai se hâre Or !Gai se !gûre |
Totsiens |
Ka yende nawa |
Tomugendipo nawa |
Sorry |
Ombili |
INubate |
Jammer |
Ndjiisira |
Mbilii |
Where do you stay |
Oho kala peni |
Maba dura hâ |
Waar bly jy |
U kara pi |
Kupi mwakara |
Come |
Ila |
Hâ du re Or Hare |
Kom |
Indjo |
Wizeni |
Go |
Inda |
!gu |
Gaan |
Twende |
Zendeni |
Take |
Taamba |
? |
Neem dit |
Kambura |
guseni |
NOTE: A dash (-) means a word or phrase does not exist in that particular language.