What Is the Simlish Language? A Guide to Simlish Phrases and Translations

The joy of speaking in a secret language that no one around you recognizes is unparalleled. Remember how Sheldon and Leonard enjoyed speaking in Klingon in front of Penny and Amy? Most of you may have also searched for the language, only to discover that it is a make-believe language and does not exist in reality.

Yet, most of you are eager to learn such languages to have a secret conversation with your friends. If you are eager to know one such language, we have something for you. Let us take you to the fascinating world of Simlish and introduce you to some popular Simlish phrases and translations. 

Wondering what Sims is and why Simlish is a topic of discussion? Don’t worry, we will answer all the questions. By the end of this blog, you will be capable of having that secret conversation with your friend. 

Yibs! Ooh, be gah! (Let’s get started)

What Is Simlish Language: An Introduction

Simlish is the fictional language of the Sims that was created by Will Wright, the creator of The Sims series. The language was primarily created when Mr. Wright felt that his video game needed dialogue. He felt that using real languages like English could make the dialogues repetitive and would also be too expensive. This is a major hurdle in media and business, and availing translation services becomes essential to bridge the gap. He did consider using Navajo, but ended up creating a new made-up language, Simlish. 

The language is less about real words and more about emotions. In fact, the game’s creators hired two incredible voice actors, Gerri Lawlor and Stephen Kearin, and told them to improvise. The actors were given scenarios, not dialogues, and they made up sounds that were most appropriate to the emotion. 

To put it in one word, Simlish is a language of feeling, and is not gibberish. You will not find a traditional dictionary for the language, since it’s all about feeling. 

Hope that clears the air about what the nonsense language is. With that understanding, let’s move on and take a deep dive into it.

What Are The Most Common Simlish Phrases and Translations: The Simlish Dictionary

A. The Morning Routine: Ah, Za Ving! (I’m hungry!)

The Sims world is no different from us. They also have the basic needs and the rush to go to work and school. Here are a few sounds that start a Sims day:

• Chumcha – The translation for this word is ‘pizza’, but it applies to almost any food. Sims would yell this word when they wanted to eat any food. This is the universal sound for ‘I need to eat.’
• Ah, Za ving! – Sims use this sound to say ‘I’m hungry’ or ‘Oh, I’m starving!’ This cry for food has a bit more desperation, and you will hear this when they are very hungry.
• Whippna Choba Dog – ‘This is a nice car!,’ that’s what this translates to. The Sims often use this to admire a car when they are going to work. 

B. Making Friends and Annoying Neighbors (Sul Sul!)

A major part of the Sims game is about building relationships, or destroying them. So, whichever character you are playing in the Sims game, these are the Simlish everyday iconic phrases: 

• Sul Sul! – The sound is translated to ‘Hello’ and is used in the Sims to start a conversation in the game. At times, it is also used to say ‘goodbye.’
• Dag Dag! – This is how the Sims end a conversation. Dag dag is directly translated to ‘goodbye’ and is often accompanied by a friendly wave. 
• Hooba Noobie? – Sims use this as a conversation starter. The sound is translated to ‘what’s up?’ and has a very relaxed, friendly vibe. 
• Geelfrob! – ‘Nice to see you’ is what this sound means. While that is a friendly greeting, in the Sims world, it is generally used during flirty or romantic interactions. 

C. Life’s Biggest Events (Nooboo!)

The world of Sims is eventful. From welcoming a new member to the family to a new romance, these are words the Sims use for their lives’ greatest milestones. 

• Wohoo! – This is one of the common Simlish expressions used by almost everyone. But it is something the Sims first used when two Sims got intimate. The language has become very popular in the gaming world. 
• Nooboo! – ‘Baby!’ is what it translates to. In the Sims world, this is used as a joyful or panicked exclamation upon the arrival of a baby. It is a cute word and is the official Simlish word for infant. 
• O Vwa Vwaf Sna! – This is a farewell term in Simlish and translates to ‘Oh, I have to go soon!’ Also, this is what the Grim Reaper says before taking a Sim’s soul. 

D. When Things Go Wrong (Shoo Flee?!)

Believe it or not, but the ones who have played the first Sims game of if you still play the Sims game will agree to the fact that the best part of it is when everything falls apart. These are the sounds they make when they are in a state of total panic.

• My Gerbits! – The Sims exclaim, ‘My Gerbits!’ to say ‘Oh my God!’ or ‘Oh no!’ This is their go-to phrase when something has gone wrong and is used as a cry of shock and dismay. 
• Shoo Flee?! – A Sim would often say this when they don’t understand something or find anything too confusing. This is their way of saying, ‘what’s wrong?’ or ‘what is this?!’
• Uh-Oh – You will not need a translation for this. This is a universal sound for anyone who knows that they are about to fail, and is exactly how the Sims use it. 

That would help you start the day perfectly as a Sims character. But that’s not enough to be a fluent speaker. Let’s dig deeper and move beyond the basics.

The Simlish Deep Dive: Music, History, and Unspoken Rules

A. The Evolution of Simlish with the Sims Franchise

The language of the Sims, as it stands now, has undergone significant changes from its state in the year 2000. Here’s how it has evolved: 

• The Sims 1 – In the initial days, the language in The Sims was raw and foundational. Simlish was primarily used as a means of survival.
• Chumcha or Ah, za ving! For hunger
• Boobasnot! or Sperk! to complain about discomfort
• Sul Sul! for social need
• Atohteh for ‘I need to use the bathroom’
• The Sims 2 – The Sims 2 took a significant step forward, introducing genetics, aging, memories, and aspirations. Here. Simlish used different tones for different life stages, reflecting a Sim’s personality.
• Garnar frash! among toddlers, dismissive phrases like Flart! or Sperk! among teenagers
• Badeesh! used by a romantic Sim or Atoteh for an eureka moment
• Ravasheen for fulfilling wants 
• The Sims 3 – The Sims 3 introduced a seamless and open world, which meant Simlish had a massive world to fill. World Adventures introduced new accents or cultural flavors to the language.
• Champs Les Sims (France) – Bon Paksu! (Bonjour), AI Simhara (Egypt) – Salaman! (Salam), Shang Simla (China) – Ni Hao! (greeting)
• Fretishe, fretishe, and Yarma for ambient chatter
• Flern, a subcultural language used when a celebrity dismisses a fan
• The Sims 4 – The Sims 4 introduced the concept of emotional language. The exact phrase can be used differently depending on emotions like anger, inspiration, or flirty. 
• Bum Bum for an emotional joke
• Benzi Chibna for mood-driven complaints
• Ooh Shante or Noo veta for specific socials

B. Simlish on the Sims Radio: Real Music, Fake Words

The most exciting part about Simlish is that it has crossed over into the virtual world of gaming. The Sims 2: University introduced a beloved tradition and got real artists to re-record their hit Simlish songs. This was not a marketing gimmick, but a perfect example of the language’s popularity and how it resonates with the real world.

• Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F) – Katy Perry
• Na Na Na – My Chemical Romance
• Run Away with Me – Carly Rae Jepsen
• We Got the Love – Florence + The Machine
• Smile – Lily Allen

C. The Golden Rule of Simlish: It’s All about Feeling

Let’s be clear about one thing: there’s no direct, word-for-word translation for most Simlish words. Once you master the basic phrases, the rest of the language is all about how you present the phrases and words. The voice actors were never asked to translate a dialogue; they were asked to improvise the sound of something. All they needed to do was understand the language.

The reason Simlish is brilliant is that it is based on interpretation, which relies on tone, body language, and context — something we do in real life. Before we end the discussion, let’s have a quick recap of the words, phrases, and their translations.

Translators associated with certified translation services also take an interest in lesser-known and fictionally constructed languages.

A Quick Sims Language Reference Guide

Greetings & Farewells

• Sul Sul!
• Pronunciation: sool-sool
• Translation: Hello!
• Context: The classic, all-purpose greeting. Perfect for starting any conversation.
• Dag Dag!
• Pronunciation: dag-dag
• Direct Translations: Goodbye!
• Context: The equally classic way to end a conversation, often accompanied by a friendly wave.
• Hooba Noobie?
• Pronunciation: hoo-buh noo-bee
• Translation: What’s up?
• Context: A casual and relaxed way to start a chat with a friend.
• Geelfrob!
• Pronunciation: geel-frawb
• Language Translation: Nice to see you!
• Context: Often used in a friendly greeting, but can also have a flirty tone depending on the situation.

Everyday Conversation & Socializing

• Yibs! / Yibsy!
• Pronunciation: yibbs / yibb-see
• Translation: Yes!
• Context: An enthusiastic expression of agreement or happiness.
• Neeb!
• Pronunciation: neeb
• Translation: No.
• Context: A simple, straightforward refusal.
• Cuh Teekaloo?
• Pronunciation: kuh tee-ka-loo
• Translation: How are you?
• Context: A polite question to ask another Sim during a conversation.
• Ravasheen!
• Pronunciation: rah-vuh-sheen
• Translation: Looking good! / Ooh, fancy!
• Context: Said when a Sim is admiring their own or another Sim’s appearance or a nice new object.

Expressing Needs & Feelings

• Chumcha!
• Pronunciation: chum-chah
• Translation: Pizza! (but used for any food)
• Context: The universal cry for food. Your Sim is hungry and wants to eat anything.
• Ah, Za Ving!
• Pronunciation: ah zah-ving
• Translation: I’m hungry!
• Context: A more desperate plea for food, often said when the hunger bar is very low.
• Boobasnot!
• Pronunciation: boo-buh-snot
• Translation: I don’t like that!
• Context: A strong expression of dislike for a person, object, or situation.
• Abbi Anar!
• Pronunciation: ah-bee ah-nar
• Translation: I have to pee!
• Context: The tell-tale sign that a Sim’s bladder needs is critical.

Romance & Relationships

• WooHoo!
• Pronunciation: woo-hoo
• Translation: (The act of making love)
• Context: An iconic exclamation and the official term for when Sims get intimate.
• Za Woka Gene!
• Pronunciation: zah woh-kuh jeen
• Translation: You’re hot!
• Context: A flirty compliment to tell another Sim you find them very attractive.
• Badeesh!
• Pronunciation: bah-deesh
• Translation: (A flirty exclamation)
• Context: A smooth, charming sound made during a flirty conversation, similar to saying “Ooh la la.”

Family & Life Events

• Nooboo!
• Pronunciation: noo-boo
• Translation: Baby!
• Context: The joyful (or panicked) exclamation for a new baby. It’s the official Simlish word for an infant.
• O Vwa Vwaf Sna!
• Pronunciation: oh vwah vwahf snah
• Translation: Oh, I have to go soon!
• Context: The slow, ominous phrase the Grim Reaper says before taking a Sim’s soul.

Exclamations & Reactions

• My Gerbits!
• Pronunciation: my ger-bits
• Translation: Oh my god!
• Context: A go-to phrase of shock, dismay, or surprise when something has gone very wrong.
• Shoo Flee?!
• Pronunciation: shoo-flee
• Translation: What’s wrong?! / What is this?!
• Context: The sound of confused panic when encountering a problem like a fire, a puddle, or a ghost.
• Fleny Fleny!
• Pronunciation: flen-ee flen-ee
• Translation: I’m so frustrated!
• Context: Said when a Sim is stomping their feet in anger because something is blocking their path or isn’t working.
• Atohteh!
• Pronunciation: ah-toh-tay
• Translation: Eureka!
• Context: An exclamation of discovery or a brilliant new idea.

Are You Prepared to Enter the Sims World? Test Your Knowledge

You think you are prepared to have a full-on conversation in Simlish with your friend? Let’s put that to the test to see if you know how to speak Simlish.

1. A new Sim walks up to your Sim at the park. What is the most common and friendly way they would say Hello in Simlish?”
   a) Dag Dag!
   b) Sul Sul!
   c) Nooboo!
   d) Chumcha!
2. Your Sim just burned their grilled cheese for the tenth time, and a small fire has started. What panicked exclamation are they most likely to scream?
   a) Ravasheen!
   b) Yibs!
   c) My Gerbits!
   d) Za Woka Gene!
3. Your Sim couple has just had a new baby! What is the official Simlish word for their little bundle of joy?
   a) Geelfrob!
   b) WooHoo!
   c) O Vwa Vwaf Sna!
   d) Nooboo!
4. Your Sim is feeling particularly romantic and wants to compliment their partner’s appearance. What would they most likely say to mean “You’re hot!”?
   a) Za Woka Gene!
   b) Boobasnot!
   c) Abbi Anar!
   d) Shoo Flee?!
5. Your Sim is traveling the world and has just landed in the Simlish version of France. How would a local greet them?
   a) Ni Hao!
   b) Salaman!
   c) Bon Pasku!
   d) Hooba Noobie?

Take a pen and paper and test your knowledge. Share your answers in comments. Here’s how you will be ‘graded’:

1-2 Correct: Just getting started

3-4 Correct: A good speaker

5 Correct: You are ready to have the secret conversation

Dag Dag for Now!

That brings us to the end of the discussion. The Simlish language is fun. It’s all about making a sound that describes how you feel. While the language was introduced in a game, it has made its presence felt in various places. You might not want to miss out on it.

Learn Simlish words and common phrases, and answer the questions to test your understanding.