teki
The word teki is the Lingala way to say please.
teki is used as an interjection to make a polite request.
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
Did you know?
- In some contexts, the concept of 'please' is handled by using the plural form of a verb or pronoun to show respect, even if the speaker is addressing only one person.
- If you want to sound more natural while making a request in Kinshasa, you might use the phrase s'il vous plaît from French, which is very common in urban Lingala.
- The word teki can sometimes feel more like a desperate plea or a 'begging' tone rather than a standard polite request used in a shop.
Example conversation
Dieudonné asks Clarisse for a pen.
- DieudonnéClarisse, teki, pesa ngai kalamu na yo.Clarisse, please, give me your pen.
- ClarisseÉzali awa, Dieudonné.It is here, Dieudonné.
- DieudonnéMatondo mingi!Thank you very much!
- ClarisseTika bino.You're welcome.
