Anyone who has had the pleasure of playing any of The Sims games knows that it takes a special kind of person to deal with the language we all know as Simlish. The history behind the creation of this mysterious language is rather brilliant, as it was created to prevent the need for it to be translated, making it a universal video game language. What many people might not realize, though, is that these Sims are actually expressing real thoughts and sentiments, even if we can’t understand a single word they’re saying.
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What was once believed to be nothing but gibberish is actually a legitimate made-up language, similar to pig Latin. While the large-scale official dictionaries are restricted to Sims voice actors, you can translate a lot of Simlish based on context. Here are some easy phrases you need to know in order to use them in day-to-day conversations.
Updated December 24, 2024, By Helen Ashcroft: Simlish continues to be translated by fans, and clarified by the developers piece by piece. Due to this, we’ve added a few more phrases to our dictionary.
22
Sul Sul – Hello
Start With Your Basic Greeting
Let’s start with the most universally known and used Simlish phrase, sul sul! Translated as “hello”, this is often used by Simmers as a greeting online. Even the Sims Team have got in on this, with many of the game’s developers using it to greet their audience during livestreams or events.
If you say sul sul to anyone, you’ll likely instantly identify if the person you say it to is a fellow Sims fan, by simply judging their reaction.
21
O Vwa Vwaf Sna – Nice To Meet You
A More Advanced ‘Hello’
Another polite greeting that can be helpful is “nice to meet you”, which translates to o vwa vwaf sna in Simlish. This is far less well known than sul sul, but it’s still a useful phrase.
If you want to make a good impression on a fellow speaker of Simlish, then o vwa vwaf sna is the way to go. After all, it’s always nice to meet someone who loves the same things you do.
20
Yibs – Yes, Neib – No
Master The Basics
When looking for Simlish staples then “yes” and “no” are key. Easy to remember, yibs for yes and neib for no, are staple words to add to your Simlish vocabulary.
For all those times when you don’t have the knowledge to string together a full sentence in Simlish then simply use yibs or neib. Easy!
19
Shpansa – Cheers
Necessary For Any Celebration
Another helpful and universal word is Shpansa, or “cheers!” You can use this for any celebratory toast and on many different occasions. It doesn’t matter if you can’t remember the word for wedding – noobtia, in case you were wondering – as long as you can finish the toast strong.
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This word is all in the delivery. Say it with confidence and the lack of extra words won’t matter. Raise that glass on a happy occasion and simply shout Shpansa!
18
Humple Borpnah – Happy Birthday
For Those Important Occasions
Sometimes you want to be specific, so Happy Birthday is a good phrase to know. Humple Borpnah will help you celebrate any Sim’s birthday with style.
For those bringing gifts, presents fa vu means a present for you and polite Sims will respond with vadish, which means thank you.
17
Jadosi – I Love This
Good Old Fashioned Positive Reinforcement
If in doubt, gush about things. Jadosi simply means “I love this”, and is a great staple phrase to use when in doubt. If you want to express your joy but don’t have the right words, keep it simple.
Jadosi is a great exclamation that lets others know you are feeling happy, enjoying life, and generally a fan of whatever you’re doing right this minute. Assuming they speak Simlish of course.
16
Garsha – That’s Funny
Acknowledge Your Funny Friends
If you have a funny friend, now you can acknowledge those puns and dad jokes with garsha, which means that’s funny. Use this when interacting with friends who love to crack a joke.
Every comedian needs a good audience and using this simple phrase will help you big up your friends and let both of you enjoy the jokes.
15
Za Woka Genava – I Think You’re Hot
Speak From Your…”Heart”
Another common situation Sims get themselves into is a flirty one. If you also have a hopeless romantic trait then za woka genava is the phrase you need.
Translated as “I think you’re hot”, za woka genava is best delivered in a flirty tone of voice, and preferably not in a bathroom, by a dumpster, or any of the other random weird places Sims tend to utter these words.
14
Ongie – Selfie
For Photo Moments
Sims can take selfies with a camera or their mobile phone. If you want to announce your intentions in advance, then shouting Ongie will let people know you’re about to take a selfie.
Get excited and get those memories captured with an excited shriek and a quick snap to make sure you capture the moment.
13
Boobasnot – I Don’t Like You
Honesty Is Key
Life comes at you fast and if the flirting isn’t going well, then Boobasnot is the word you need to remember. It means “I don’t like you” and can be deployed in response to a “za woka genava” from an unwanted admirer.
We’d love to add “I’m sorry” before this phrase to be a little more polite, but our Simlish dictionary doesn’t have a translation for the word, so err sorry about that.
12
Blursh! Meshaloob Blursh – Excuse Me, Get Out Of My Way
How To Unblock Your Path
Now this handy Simlish phrase comes with the politeness built in, mostly. You can shout “Blursh!” meaning “excuse me” as loudly as you like, adding a nice polite start before you ask someone to meshaloob blursh, or “get out of the way.”
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Just as Sims often find people in the way, so do we and this phrase will have them moving for sure, even if it’s just because they are slightly scared by the seemingly random words you are shouting at them.
11
Firby Nurbs – You Have Some Nerve
Tell Them How You Really Feel
We can guarantee that any time firby nurbs is thrown around, you’ll immediately have the upper hand in any argument. Fighting about what to make for dinner? “Firby nurbs to suggest chicken!” Arguing over someone showing up late to your party? “Firby nurbs to show up here like this!”
See, it’s so versatile and works in nearly any situation, combining it with English makes for far better usage in this situation, since if the other person laughs first during a disagreement, it’s game over for them. Firby nurbs to laugh without arguing back!
10
Ugh…Groble! – Eww, Gross or Are You Serious Right Now?!
For When Life Gives You Lemons
Sims will use the phrase “Groble” when playing video games, watching TV, and the like. It usually happens when they want to express disgust, dismay, or general dissatisfaction. So why not incorporate that into your own expressions of frustration?
Picture it: the grocery store is out of your favorite chips: Groble! Someone shows you a picture of a bug you don’t like: Groble!! You’re playing Dark Souls 2 for the 80th time and you die again to the Dark Lurker. GROBLE. It just has so many applications.
9
Shoo Flee – There’s A Problem or Help Me
Everyone Needs Help Sometimes
The last thing anyone wants to hear is “there’s a problem”, so that’s all the more reason for us to speak it in Simlish instead. “Shoo flee” sounds far less menacing than having to explain a problem and while neighboring ears might assume you’re covered in fleas, at least you will have alerted them to the fact things are not going as planned.
While there might be a problem, it’s not your problem if they don’t understand a single thing you’re saying. You could always just respond with “flart” out of frustration, which means argh in Simlish.
8
Awasa Poa – I’m Bored
The Perfect Conversation Starter
For starters, complaining that you’re bored isn’t exactly the most polite thing to do…which is exactly why we should all be exclaiming it in another language. The Sims don’t hesitate to tell the controller of their universe that they’re bored, so why should we?
Some people might mistake this sentiment for a weird way of stating that you need to use the bathroom, but hey, it’s worth a shot. At least following directions to a bathroom would give you something to do.
7
Atohteh – I Really Have To Pee
When You Leave The Room, Leave Them Wondering
This is the kind of term that can be wildly effective when shouted at a person repeatedly. “Atohteh” might not sound like much but it conveys a very important statement, which is that you require a bathroom, and can be said with as much urgency as needed.
It’s a powerful statement to know that all of us should add to our dictionary. It’s especially effective when used in a public bathroom, shouting at complete strangers… it’ll shorten any bathroom line for sure. To add a bit of flair to this commonly uttered phrase, throw on a fake accent.
6
Oh Feebee Lay – I’m Hungry
Best Way To Avoid Getting Hangry
Oh feebee lay may sound like an exclamation that your lay was feeble (sorry, not sorry) but it is in fact your stomach that is suffering. Meaning “I’m hungry”, oh feebee lay is an important phrase to know.
We’re covering the basics here, and what’s more basic than telling someone you need to eat, like right now? Best delivered in a sad tone, with emphasis on your discomfort, this is a great phrase to add to your vocabulary.
5
Wabadebadoo – I’m On Fire!
Literally And/Or Figuratively
This phrase is fun to say and has a fantastic dual use. Wabadebadoo simply means “I’m on fire.” While usually uttered when literally on fire by Sims this can also be used metaphorically.
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Are you absolutely slaying today? Are you unstoppable? Try saying Wabadebadoo and seeing how it feels. Warning: this may trigger the overwhelming compulsion to sing Blue (da ba dee) by Eiffel 65 in readers of a certain age.
4
Turkey Nurbler? – Does That Feel Better?
Covert Kindness
No, not turkey nibbler, turkey nurbler. This is a fan favorite among Sims gamers not because of its translation, but because it sounds so absurd on its own. Everyone may think that you’re talking about Thanksgiving (which can be awkward when using this term outside of the month of November) but it’s clear your intentions are good.
It’s a purely innocent and genuine phrase, but one that seems to fall by the wayside in the Sims games, as most of them are too busy yelling at people to “move out of the way” or “clean up the mess”.
3
Ribby Wibbs – Remember This
When You’re Feeling Nostalgic
Ribby Wibbs, meaning “remember this”, has that inherent whimsy that makes you crack a smile no matter your mood. Try using this phrase next time you want to show someone a photo, or keepsake.
It’s not only fun to say, but it feels inherently wise, as well, somehow. It also kind of sounds like “riddle me this” which is probably not by accident.
