|
Wolof
language
During
your tours and visits, you will for sure (especially in the bush) meet
people speaking Sérère, Peulh,
Lébou, ...
No need to learn each dialects because most of these people
speak the "universal" language that is Wolof.
Then, to try understand them but also to please them and demonstrate
your pleasure sharing those privileged moments, here are some wolof
expressions which can help in your discussions :
Don't forget most of Senegalese people speak French too...
USUAL
EXPRESSIONS
| Hello |
Salamalekum
|
| Answer to 'hello' |
Malekum salam |
| How are you doing ? |
Nanga def ? |
| Fine |
Mangi fi rekk |
| How are you doing ?
(Formal) |
Naka nga def ? |
| Yes |
Waaw |
| No |
Deedeet |
| To eat |
Lekk |
| To drink |
Naan |
| I want or I would like |
Dama bëgg |
| Day |
Bëcëk
|
| Night |
Guddi |
| Hot/Warm |
Tang |
| Cold |
Sedd |
| I am hot |
Dama tang |
| I am thirsty |
Dama marr |
| She is happy |
Dafa beg |
| I |
Dama |
| You |
Danga |
| He or she |
Dafa |
| We |
Dañu |
| You |
Dangeen |
| They |
Deñu |
| You are tired |
Danga sonn |
| How is doing your
family ? |
Ana waa kër
gi ? |
| They are doing well |
Ñunga fa
rekk |
| How is business doing
? |
Naka afeeri ? |
| Pretty good |
Mingi dox |
| What is your name ? |
Noo tudd ? |
| My name is... |
Mangi tudd... |
| Where do you live ? |
Foo dëkk ? |
| I live in... |
Mangi dëkk
... |
| May I have some water
to drink please ? |
May ma ndox ma naan |
| May I have a
cigarette please ? |
May ma benn sigaret |
| Do you have a lighter
please ? |
Abal ma ma
tàll |
| How much is it ? |
Ñata lay
jar ? |
| It is expensive ! |
Bare na ! |
| Thank you |
Jërë
jëf (dieureu dieuf) |
| It is ok |
baax na |
| What about drinkin
some senegalese tea ? |
ñu naan
ataya ? |
| Breakfast |
ndekki |
| Lunch |
añ |
| Diner |
réer |
| It is delicious |
neexna torob |
| I had a good meal |
Lekna ba soure |
| I learn
playing djembé |
damay jang
tëgg djembé |
| I
play balafon |
damay tëgg
balafon |
| I am going to swin in
the sea |
mangi dem sangu ji
géej |
| Come with me ! |
Kaay ! |
| I am leaving, bye ! |
Mangi dem |
| See you soon |
Ba bennen |
| May I have some bread
please ? |
Maye ma mbourou |
| Could you give me
sugar please ? |
Diokh ma suker si |
| Feel free to have
some tead ! |
Dieuleul ouarga bi |
| Come and have some tea |
Gniowel niou naan
ataya |
| Could you make some
Touba (european) coffee |
Defaral cafe touba bi |
| Can you go and buy
some salt please |
demal diendi khorom |
| There is a lot of
fishes (in the sea) |
Dieun, am na tey ci
gued yi lool |
| Key |
Caabi |
| To play (music) |
Tëg |
| To believe |
Gëm |
| To open |
Ubbi |
| To know |
Xam |
| A shelter, a tent |
Mbaar |
| Wind |
Ngelaw |
| I sing |
Damay woy |
| He sleeps |
Dafay nelaw |
| We work |
Dañuy
ligeey |
| You watch |
Dangay xool |
| |
|
COUNTING
| 1 |
Benn |
| 2 |
Ñaar |
| 3 |
Ñett |
| 4 |
Ñent |
| 5 |
Juroom |
| 6 |
Juroom benn |
| 7 |
Juroom
ñaar
|
| 8 |
Juroom
ñett |
| 9 |
Juroom
ñent |
| 10 |
Fukk |
| 11 |
Fukk ak Benn |
| 12 |
Fukk ak
Ñaar |
| 13 |
Fukk ak
Ñett |
| 20 |
Ñaar Fukk |
| 21 |
Ñaar Fukk
ak Benn |
| 22 |
Ñaar Fukk
ak Ñaar |
| 23 |
Ñaar Fukk
ak Ñett |
| 30 |
Fanweer |
| 31 |
Fanweer ak Benn |
| 40 |
Ñent Fukk |
| 50 |
Juroom Fukk |
| 60 |
Juroom Benn Fukk |
| 70 |
Juroom
Ñaar Fukk |
| 100 |
Teemeer |
| 150 |
Teemeer ak juroom
fukk |
| 500 |
Juroomi teemeer |
| 1000 |
Junni |
|