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Greetings in Aboriginal Languages of Australia

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This page contains greetings in Australian aboriginal languages.

Ethnologue lists 266 Australian aboriginal  languages. 

There are 62 languages on this page.

 

 

 

 

Adnyamathanha [adt] (Australia: Southern region.)

Nhangka

general greeting
Nhangka warntu? how are you?
Nhangka nhina? how are you?
Ngai warntu reply to Nhangka nhina
Ngai althaaltha reply to Nhangka nhina

 

Alyawarr [aly] (Australia: Northern Territory and Queensland.)

Mwerrang awelheyel? how are you?

 

Anmatyerr [amx] (Australia: Northern Territory.)

Wenh arteh ntwang awelhem? how are you?

 

Arabana [ard] (Australia: South Australia.)

Arru general greeting

Arru anpa? how are you?
Antha ngurku reply to Arru anpa

 

Arrarnta, Western [are] (Australia: Northern Territory.)
Kele mwarre general greeting

 

Arrernte, Eastern [aer] (Australia: Northern Territory.)
Werte marda general greeting
Werte? how are you?
Ware reply to Werte
Unte mwerre? are you alright?
Ye, ayenge mwerre reply to Unte mwerre
Werte mwarre general greeting in the Mwarntwe dialect
Unte mwarre are you alright? in the Mwarntwe dialect
Ye, ayenge mwarre reply to Unte mwerre in the Mwarntwe dialect

 

Awabakal [awk] (Australia: New South Wales.)
Ella general greeting
Alla general greeting
  Wontakalowa general greeting
  Ngaba, wontakalowa reply to Wontakalowa
Wau greeting used to get someone's attention
  Kaayi greeting used to get someone's attention
 

Bandjalang [bdy] (Australia: New South Wales.)
Bugal mulligan morning greeting
Jingeewahla wutha behanye? how are you?
Bugalbeh general greeting in the Gidhabal dialect
Jinggala wahlu general greeting in the Baryulgil dialect
 

Bardi [bcj] (Australia: western Kimberley.)

Nyirroogoordoo mingal? how are you?
  Anggi jawal? what's new?

 

Bunaba [bck] (Australia: Fitzroy Crossing.)

Jalangurru ma?

general greeting, "are you well?"

 
 

Bunganditj [xbg] (Australia: western Victoria and southeastern South Australia.)

Martu karatkat morning greeting 
 

Burarra [bvr] (Australia: Northern Territory.)

Ny-molamola nyi-ni barra general greeting
  Ay-yinda ny-boya? where are you going? 
 

Dalabon [ngk] (Australia: Arnhem Land.)

 

Nyale

general greeting

 
 

Dayi [dax] (Australia: Arnhem Land.)
Nha mirri general greeting

 

Dhangu [dhg] (Australia: Arnhem Land.)
Nhämirri general greeting
Yo nhämirri general greeting
Yo manymak general greeting
Räli marrtji welcome greeting ("come here")
Go räli marrtji welcome greeting ("come here")
Nhamir nhe? how are you? in the Warramiri dialect
Yo, nguwakurru reply to Nhamir nhe in the Warramiri dialect
Go räli ngarriya welcome greeting ("come here") in the Warramiri dialect

 

Dharug [0hl] (Australia: Sydney.)
Budyari yaguna general greeting
Budyari mullinawul morning greeting
Budyari gumara afternoon greeting
Budyari ngutti evening greeting
Warami welcome greeting
Warami budyari yura welcome greeting 
 

Dhuwal [duj] (Australia: Arnhem Land.)
Nha mirri general greeting
Marrkap mirri reply to Nha mirri 
 

Djambarrpunyngu [djr] (Australia: Arnhem Land.)
Nhamirri general greeting
Nhamirr nhei? how are you?
Manymak reply to Nhamirr nhei
Yo, manymak reply to Nhamirr nhei
Go räli marrtji welcome greeting ("come here") 
 

Djamindjung [djd] (Australia: Northern Territory.)
Wanaja nangga? general greeting, "where are you going?" 
 

Djinang [dji] (Australia: Arnhem Land.)
Yo general greeting
Gurraydjigi general greeting
Nhamirri nhe? how are you?
Manymak reply to Nhamirri nhe 
 

Djinba [djb] (Australia: Arnhem Land.)
Nhamirri general greeting 
 

Djiwarli [dzc] (Australia: Western Australia.)
Ya jalikurtijuyi greeting spoken to a friend
Yanamarni nhurra literally: come here
Ya greeting used to call attention 
 

Dyaabugay [dyy] (Australia: Queensland.)
Djirri-nyurra general greeting 
 

Dyangadi [dyn] (Australia: New South Wales.)
Barrung marrung morning greeting
  Bimayi marrung evening greeting
  Minyanggan dhanang? how are you?
  Dhanang marrungga dhitiyndha barriya welcome greeting spoken to a group 
 

Dyirbal [dbl] (Australia: Northeast Queensland.)
Nginda wunydjangum general greeting
Nginda bayi wunydjangum? general greeting
Nginda general greeting

 

Gamilaraay [kld] (Australia.)

Yaama general greeting
Yaama nginda general greeting
Yaama ngindaay general greeting spoken to a group of people
Yaama kuru kuru greeting spoken to a group of people ("hello everyone")
Yaama maliyaa greeting spoken to a friend ("hello friend")
Yaama mari maliyaa greeting spoken to a group of friends ("hello friends")
Yaama dhagaan greeting spoken to a man of the same generation as the speaker ("hello brother")
Yaama baawaa greeting spoken to a woman of the same generation as the speaker ("hello sister")
Yaama birralii greeting spoken to a group of children ("hello children")
Yaama gaba nginda? how are you?
Gaba reply to any greeting that begins with "Yaama" 
 

Guguyimidjir [kky] (Australia: Hopevale, Queensland.)

Wanhdharra general greeting
Wanhdharraga informal greeting
Wanhdharra dhawuunh greeting spoken to a friend
Nyundu wanhdharra? how are you?
Nyundu ganaa? how are you?
Ganaa reply to Ngayu ganaa and Nyundu wanhdharra
Ngayu ganaa reply to Ngayu ganaa and Nyundu wanhdharra
Nganthaanthirr gadiiwawuwi welcome greeting by a group of people, literally "we are happy to see you" 
 

Gumatj [gnn] (Australia: Yirrkala, Northern Territory.)

Nhämirri nhe? general greeting spoken to one person
Nhämirri manda? general greeting spoken to two people
Nhämirri walala? general greeting spoken to three or more people
Manymak reply to Nhämirri nhe, Nhämirri manda and Nhämirri walala
Manymak bay' reply to Nhämirri nhe, Nhämirri manda and Nhämirri walala
Latju reply to Nhämirri nhe, Nhämirri manda and Nhämirri walala

 

Gupapuyngu [guf] (Australia: Milingimi.)

Nhämirri nhe? general greeting spoken to one person
Nhämirri nhuma? general greeting spoken to two or more people
Manymak reply to Nhamirri nhe and Nhamirri nhuma
Märr ngamathirri welcome greeting

 

Kala Lagaw Ya [mwp] (Australia: Torres Strait Islands.)

Yawa general greeting spoken to one person
Yawal general greeting spoken to a group of people
Sew ngapa greeting spoken by a visitor
Wa reply to Sangapa
Sauki greeting spoken to a person passing by
Siaupa greeting spoken to a person passing by
Sawa reply to Siaupa
Wa general greeting in the Kalaw Kawaw Ya dialect
Woo general greeting in the Kalaw Kawaw Ya dialect
Alo general greeting in the Kalaw Kawaw Ya dialect
Midh midh general greeting in the Kalaw Kawaw Ya dialect
Kapu bœthaynga morning greeting in the Kalaw Kawaw Ya dialect
Kapu gœyga daytime greeting in the Kalaw Kawaw Ya dialect
Kapu kut afternoon greeting in the Kalaw Kawaw Ya dialect
Kapu kubil eveninging and nighttime greeting in the Kalaw Kawaw Ya dialect
Ngi midh? how are you? to one person in the Kalaw Kawaw Ya dialect
Ngipel midh? how are you? to two people in the Kalaw Kawaw Ya dialect
Ngitha midh? how are you? to three or more people in the Kalaw Kawaw Ya dialect
Balabayginga reply to Ngi midh, Ngipel midh, and Ngitha midh
Ngai balabaiginga reply to Ngi midh, Ngipel midh, and Ngitha midh
Matha ngœdhagidh reply to Ngi midh, Ngipel midh, and Ngitha midh
Ngi midhadh? how are you? to one person in the Kawalgau Ya dialect
Ngipel midhadh? how are you? to two people in the Kawalgau Ya dialect
Ngitha midhadh? how are you? to three or more people in the Kawalgau Ya dialect
Ni midhadh? how are you? to one person in the Kulkalgau Ya dialect
Nipel midhadh? how are you? to two people in the Kulkalgau Ya dialect
Nitha midhadh? how are you? to three or more people in the Kulkalgau Ya dialect
Kapu moegi bathaynga morning greeting in the Mabuiag dialect
Kapu goeyga daytime greeting in the Mabuiag dialect
Kapu kuuta afternoon greeting in the Mabuiag dialect
Kapu kubil evening and nighttime greeting in the Mabuiag dialect
Ni midhikidh? how are you? to one person in the Mabuiag dialect
Nipel midhikidh? how are you? to two people in the Mabuiag dialect
Nitha midhikidh? how are you? to three or more people in the Mabuiag dialect
Matha mina reply to Ni midhikidh, Nipel midhikidh, and Nitha midhikidh
Ngay matha mamuy reply to Ni midhikidh, Nipel midhikidh, and Nitha midhikidh

 

Kalkutung [ktg] (Australia: Queensland.)

Nawo general greeting

 

Kaurna [zku] (Australia: Torres Strait.)
Marni general greeting
Na marni purrutye? how are you?
Ninna marni? how are you? spoken to one person
Naa marni? how are you? spoken to a group of people
Ne marniai, ninna? reply to Ninna marni and Naa marni
Marniai reply to Ninna marni, Naa marni and Ne marniai, ninna
Marni reply to Ninna marni, Naa marni and Ne marniai, ninna
Marni ninna budni welcome greeting spoken to one person
Marni naa budni welcome greeting spoken to a group of people

 

Kayardild [gyd] (Australia: Bentinck Island in Queensland.)
Jinaa nyingka warraju? general greeting: where are you going?
  Yuuluth greeting spoken to a person passing by

 

Kaytetye [gbb] (Australia: Northern Territory.)
Nthakenhaye general greeting
Nthakenharrerane nge? how are you?

 

Kukatja [kux] (Australia: Western Australia.)
Nyuntun palya general greeting
Yuwayi, ngayurna palya reply to Nyuntun palya
Palyan? general greeting
Yuwayi, palyarna reply to Palyan

 

Kumbainggar [kgs] (Australia: eastern coast.)
Giinagay general greeting
Ngiinda durruy? how are you? spoken to one person
Ngaya yaam durruy reply to Ngiinda durruy
Giinagay ngiinda? how are you? spoken to one person
Giinagay ngujawiny? how are you? spoken to a group of people
Giina ngujawiny? how are you? spoken to a group of people

 

Kunggari [kgl] (Australia: Queensland.)

Gnunha yinda murdi general greeting
Ye wadda darawakana general greeting
Uwalla ooka minndiya welcome greeting

 

Meriam Mir [ulk] (Australia and Papua New Guinea.)

Maiem

 general greeting
  Bakeam greeting used when passing by one person
  Bakeamulam greeting used when passing by two people
  Bakeauwidare greeting used when passing by three people
  Bakeaware greeting used when passing by four or more people
Debe idim morning greeting
Debe gerger daytime greeting
Debe eipe lim daytime greeting
Debe kikem afternoon greeting
Debe ki evening and nighttime greeting

Nako ma nali?

how are you?

Sikak ka nali

reply to Nako ma nali

Ka sikak ka nali

reply to Nako ma nali

Nako wa nali?

how are you? spoken to a group of people

Sikak

reply to Nako ma nali and Nako wa nali

 

Narrinyeri [nay] (Australia: South Australia.)

Nguldi arndu welcome greeting

 

Ngaanyatjarra [ntj] (Australia: Warburton Ranges.)

  Nha added as a suffix to a person's name as a greeting
  Yiparrkaa sun-side moiety skin name (used as a greeting)
  Panaka sun-side moiety skin name (used as a greeting)
  Tjarurru sun-side moiety skin name (used as a greeting)
  Milangka shade-side moiety skin name (used as a greeting)
  Karimarra shade-side moiety skin name (used as a greeting)
Purungu shade-side moiety skin name (used as a greeting)

 

Nyunga [nys] (Australia: Southwestern Australia.)

 

Kaya

general greeting

 

Kaya kaya

general greeting

 

Yaan noonook?

how are you?

 

Yaan?

how are you?

 

Noonook moorditj?

how are you?

 

Kaya, ngaany moorditj

reply to Noonook moordtij
  Winja noonook koorliny? where are you going?

 

Wandjoo

welcome greeting

 

Wandjoo wandjoo

welcome greeting
  Ngaany djoorabiny noonook djinanginy welcome greeting, "I'm happy to see you"

 

Panytyima [pnw] (Australia: Western Australia.)
Tanaru general greeting  

 

Pintupi-Luritja [piu] (Australia: Northern Territory and Western Australia.)

Yawa

general greeting

Wai

general greeting

Palya

general greeting

 

Pitjantjatjara [pjt] (Australia: southern region.)
Wai general greeting
Wai palya? how are you?

Wiya, palya

 reply to Wai and Wai palya

Nyuntu palya?

 how are you?

Uwa, palya

 reply to Wai palya and Nyuntu palya

Ngayulu palya

 reply to Wai palya and Nyuntu palya

Nyura palya?

 how are you? spoken to a group of people

Uwa, palyala

 reply to Nyura palya

Palyan?

 how are you?

Uwana

 reply to Palyan
Nyuntu palya nyinanyi? how are you?
Uwa, palyarna reply to Nyuntu palya nyinanyi
Uwa, palyarna, palu nyuntu reply to Nyuntu palya nyinanyi
Pukulpa pitjama welcome greeting

 

Pitta Pitta [pit] (Australia: Queensland.)
Hoo greeting to a person far away
Koua greeting to a person nearby

 

Ritarungo [rit] (Australia: Eastern Arnhem Land.)

Yo manymak wäwa general greeting
Nhämirri nhe? how are you?
Manymak reply to Nhämirri nhe

 

Thayore [thd] (Australia: Queensland.)

Nhunt kana? how are you?
Nhunt wanthan palyan? greeting spoken to a person who is going somewhere, literally "which way are you going?"

 

Thurawal [tbh] (Australia.)

Budyeri kameru

 general greeting

Ngaduyirra bang marang

 general greeting
Gumul kowarna nula welcome greeting

 

Tiwi [tiw] (Australia: Bathurst and Melville Islands.)

Ungwana?

 how are you?
Popani reply to Ungwana
Awungana? how are you?
  Aya greeting spoken to a man to get his attention from far away
  Aga greeting spoken to a woman to get her attention from far away
  Awi greeting spoken to a group of people to get their attention from far away

 

Wageman [waq] (Australia: Northern Territory.)

Yow general greeting
  Yawey general greeting

 

Wangaaybuwan-Ngiyambaa [wyb] (Australia.)

Yamakarra general greeting spoken in the Ngiyambaa dialect

 

Warlpiri [wbp] (Australia: Northern Territory.)

Yuwa general greeting
Ngurrju mayinpa? how are you?
Ngurrjuna reply to Ngurrju mayinpa

 

Warumungu [wrm] (Australia: Northern Territory.)

Yar general greeting
Angi piliyi karmanta? how are you?
Piliyi angi nyinta? how are you?
Piliyi angi? how are you?

 

Wathawurrung [wth] (Australia: Victoria.)

Nyurra wurren general greeting

 

Wik-Mungkan [wim] (Australia: Queensland.)

Niiyalang general greeting spoken to one person
Niiyaleey general greeting spoken to one person
Niiyalooy general greeting spoken to one person
Nipalang general greeting spoken to two people
Nipaleey general greeting spoken to two people
Nipalooy general greeting spoken to two people
  Ayyang greeting used to get someone's attention from far away
  Ayyey greeting used to get someone's attention from far away
  Appow greeting used when passing by

 

Wiradhuri [wrh] (Australia: New South Wales.)

Yiradhu marang general greeting
Guruulbarng general greeting
Yamandhu marang? how are you?
Ngawa, baladhu marang reply to Yamandhu marang
Marang nganha reply to Ngawa baladhu marang
Widyungdu? how are you?
Widungu? how are you?
Marang nginghugir nginha welcome greeting
Gambianna welcome greeting

 

Worimi [kda] (Australia.)

Goojee ik koo general greeting 
 

Yankunytjatjara [kdd] (Australia: South Australia.)

Wai general greeting

Wiya, palya

 reply to Wai

Nyuntu palya?

 how are you?

Uwa, palya

 reply to Nyuntu palya

Nyura palya?

 how are you? spoken to a group of people

Uwa, palyala

 reply to Nyura palya

Palyan?

 how are you?

Uwana

 reply to Palyan
Pukul ngalya yanama welcome greeting 
 

Yan-nhangu [jay] (Australia: Crocodile Islands.)

Nhä mirr general greeting
Nhäway nhunu general greeting 
 

Yanyuwa [jao] (Australia: Northern Territory and Queensland.)

Wayi general greeting 
 

Yawuru [ywr] (Australia: Western Australia.)

Ngadyi mingan? how are you? spoken to one person
Kalia mabu mingan? how are you? spoken to one person
Kalia ngangan reply to Ngadyi mingan and Kalia mabu mingan
Kalia mabu dyunu reply to Ngadyi mingan and Kalia mabu mingan
Mabu ngangan reply to Ngadyi mingan and Kalia mabu mingan
Ngadyi kurridyin mabudyin? how are you? spoken to a group of people
Mabudyan yangardidyan reply to Ngadyi kurridyin mabudyin
Kalia yangardidyin reply to Ngadyi kurridyin mabudyin
Kalia mabu yangarrdyin. reply to Ngadyi kurridyin mabudyin 
 

Yir Yoront [yiy] (Australia: Queensland.)

Kirrey general greeting
Wuy general greeting 
 

Yugambal [yug] (Australia: Queensland.)

Jingeri wallal wahlu general greeting
Jingi walli wahlu general greeting
Jingi wahlu general greeting
Jingara general greeting
Jingi general greeting
Baugull bujera morning greeting
Wahla wahlu? how are you?

 

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Last updated on January 27, 2013.