English Wolof French Dictionary: English to Wolof & French with French & Wolof Indexes
This dictionary provided by JangaWolof.org is a multilingual resource offering translations between English, Wolof, and French, making it ideal for learners, travelers, and anyone interested in African languages. This dictionary includes:
- Pronunciation Guides: Detailed guides for both Wolof and French pronunciation, aiding users in correct articulation.
- Essential Vocabulary: Words and phrases are organized alphabetically, covering basic to advanced terms with translations in English, Wolof, and French.
- Numbers and Grammar: Guides on numbers, definite articles, verb conjugation, and sentence structure provide essential grammar insights.
- Practical Phrases: Includes common phrases and sentence examples to enhance conversational skills in Wolof.
This user-friendly reference is perfect for those wanting a comprehensive introduction to Wolof and is ideal for students, travelers, and language enthusiasts.
This dictionary features over 7,000+ translations.
*** See an updated list here: Basic Wolof Phrases 2012 ***
“Expressions Ouolof Essentielles”
Na nga def. – Hello. (singular)
Na ngeen def. – Hello everybody. (plural)
Jaam nga fanane. – Good morning.
Jamm nga yendoo. – Good afternoon.
Fanaanal jaam. – Goodnight.
Ba beneen. – Goodbye.
Su la nexee. – Please.
Jai-rruh-jef. – Thank you.
Agsil. – You’re welcome. (singular)
Agsileen ak jaam. – You’re all welcome. (plural)
Baal ma. – Sorry./Pardon.
Wau. – Yes.
Deh-det. – No.
Jaam nga am? – Have you peace? (How are you?)
Jaam rek. – Peace only. (I’m fine.)
Yow nag? – And you?
Naka-nga sant? – What’s your first name?
Maa ngi tudd … . – My name is … .
Fan nga dahk? – Where do you live?
Fan nga joghe? – Where are you from? (singular)
Fan ngeen joghe? – Where are you all from? (plural)
Maa ngi joghe les USA. – I’m from the USA.
Deg nga Angale? – Do you speak English?
Deg nga Faranse? – Do you speak French?
Angale rekk laa degg. – I speak only English.
Degg naa tuuti Faranse. – I speak a little French.
Mahn deggumah Wolof. – I don’t speak Wolof.
Mahn deggumah Faranse. – I don’t speak French.
Degguma. – I don’t understand.
Dama bahggoon … . – I’d like … .
Fahn la … ? – Where is … ?
Soreh na? – Is it far?
Cha kanam. – Straight ahead.
Chammoon. – Left.
Ndeyjoor. – right.
Dugghal waay! – Get in!
Lii naata? – How much is this?
Seer na torob. – It’s too much.
May ma jaam! – Leave me alone!
Janga Wolof 
172 responses to “Some Essential Wolof Phrases”
I really want to learn wolof.
Thank you for this help.
Edith Flores
LikeLike
i can teach
LikeLike
What’s your email? I need you to translate please. Thanks.
LikeLike
I want to learn wolof please email me soon
LikeLike
Amul solo (You’re welcome)
LikeLike
Can ANYONE please translate the following? PLEASE
dega dafa am num fa tarjo teh sa waji parei wuta understan
LikeLike
hey there !!
can anyone please translate this for me ? it’s wolof frm senegal.
“beggue sokhena si amal jam ak salame ak weer ak kheweul diarama”
i just found “happiness” for begue ..and i have no idea about the rest..though i heard diarama a lot..
thanks a lot for your help
LikeLike
i wish you happiness girl.May God shower you with peace healthy and wealthy
LikeLike
can you tell me what khewuel means??
LikeLike
this goes to diagne:
jerejeff.
thank you so much. na how would i say dat nah?
cool, am here quite often but never saw your answer.
so then “begue boy(?) si amul jamm” … wish you happiness boy? translated: happiness boy ….?
would be happy if u still hang around and answer me 😉
this language is so very beautiful and i am meeting many people talking it and would like to understand them better to help them better….
thanks again…looking forward to read something
LikeLike
you people are so dumb, you got half of it wrong! nefu len fele waay!!
LikeLike
Belie deh touch nga fi! wahati ko lool.. SMH
LikeLike
you don’t have to be rude to people who are here to learn:
LikeLike
well then perhaps you could supply help rather than be so offensive is better to help than criticize yalna la yalla faye ak ramadan mubarak
LikeLike
well why don’t you correct us then?
LikeLike
I have a Senegalese friend who has just died…I am an artist and would like to include an appropriate farewell phrase in a picture I am painting is there someone who can tell me what I should say to my friend and his family to say goodbye?
LikeLike
Danny, you’re probably already done with that painting but I was going to say you might include, rather than words, items in the picture that were significant to your deceased friend.
African cultures, like many others, have had a great portion of their culture and traditions preserved in song and glyphs.
Its just a thought.
LikeLike
Hi people,
I really want to know what is the meaning of this :
Boul ma sene, boul ma guiss madi re nga fokni mane
Khamouma li neka thi sama souf ak thi guinaw
Beugouma kouma khol oaldine yaw li neka si yaw
mo ne si man, li ne si mane moye dilene diapale
Please if anyone can help he can contact me : ristovc@yahoo.com
Thanx
LikeLike
These are Youssos Ndour lyrics from 7 Seconds w/Neneh Cherry.
This is what he is saying:
Don’t see me from a distance
Don’t look at my smile
And think that I don’t know
What’s under and behind me
I don’t want you to look at me and think
What’s in you is in me
What’s in me is to help them
Can anyone break down some of the individual Wolof words for us?
LikeLike
my husband is from Gambia and i’m very anxious to learn the language, can someone offer any other common phrases that will be helpful or tutorials?
LikeLike
Start >HERE< scroll all the way to the bottom and work your way up!
LikeLike
I visited senegal for about 4 months a few years ago.
Im still very interested and facinated with the language and country it self . Now I’ve been trying to brouse the web to find a phrase that i used pretty often yet i cant find a proper transulation for it , the phrase was légé légé ” dont start flaming me plse im a native speaker im from belgium i know the spelling may be off by miles 🙂
From the phrases that i can remember ( like said above plse dont flame me for typos 🙂 ) – i was 19 when i made this trip so its been a while.
nellow nah boebah? : did u sleepwell?
defal danke : chill out
Ghamna gelbi rafet : do you know any pretty ladys
ki ke le wi : whos there , hello
dama sono : im tired
dama rew : im hungry
dama dof : im stupid
dama mara naam : im thursty
samagol : lady of my hearth
danga rafet : ure beautiful
de mal a dofsi yow : im crazy about you
ana wa kurge? : how are things at home?
nakka a fairbie? : what you up too?
foj dem? : where you going?
nejdem : we are going
boebah : good
boebaha very good
boemak : big
boemak a mak : bigger
boendow : small
boendow a dow : smaller
jogma : give it too me
amoel challies : i got no money
tutu rek : just a little
bahné : its ok
ko kan la? : who is there?
thats is about the most i can remember at the moment , hope this helps a little
LikeLike
I’m Senegalese , so just trying to help (:
Dama rew means I’m rude , not hungry .
Dama khif means I’m hungry .
LikeLike
Can you teach me Wolof ?
LikeLike
how do u say no sex in wolof my boyfriend is from senegal and i told him i would find out how to say that because he wont teach me that lol
LikeLike
Man déedéet tëdd ak. [maan dey-deyt tuhd ak]
I’m not going to have sex with you.
déedéet tëdd = no sex
man = I; déedéet = no; tëdd ak = (to have) sex
LikeLike
legui legui means ‘see you later’
LikeLike
What is the English translation?— Si lor neh
LikeLike
what are you up to?
LikeLike
Thank you very much for the prompt response!! I have two more—-damala nama la wahh….&
tor lu si skul bi…..
LikeLike
great list!
do you perhaps know any links to help proper pronunciation of wolof words?
LikeLike
Na nga def,
Hey Lisa, there is a pronunciation tab at the top of this page. Is that useful?
Jai-rruh-jef for this site. I am trying to learn Wolof to speak to friends in Australia.
Ba beneen,
Gnat
LikeLike
wot does this mean – jaam la fannne yaw
LikeLike
Can anyone tell me what ma nga fee means?
LikeLike
Mangi fi means “I am here”
Mangi = I am
Fi = here
It is most commonly used in response to the question: Naka nga def? or Nanga def?, meaning How/What are you doing?
LikeLike
legge legge means now now. Mangi dem supermarket, mangenyo legge legge. I am going to the supermarket and will be back very soon. Mangenyo si kanam (tutti) I will be coming back later. Si kanam tutti- see you later- ususally just si kanam.
Nak sa doogoo da? Mungee dalla! It’s a gambian double entendre! They say the person asking the question knows the exactly what the implication is!
LikeLike
nama nala – i miss you
maalalo – i miss you more (i miss you the most)
I learned these from my mother & sister in laws while in Senegal, they would always say this when I would leave for the day with my husband. Then they went somewhere and when they came back my husband’s mother said nama nala Marie, and when I replied Malalo, she was so happy.
LikeLike
mala raw is the correct sp, sorry.
LikeLike
I think it should also be said that Gambian Wolof and Senegalese Wolof are quite different (different dialects and pronounciations). I learned this when I first met my husband and had found a free online dictionary that I printed out from a missionary group website. Well when I brough it home to show my husband, he shook his head and said “if you come to Senegal and speak this wolof to my family, they will think you’re crazy” He obviously was joking with me, but it is rather different.
LikeLike
Gambian Wolof and Senegalese Wolof only differ slightly. Different materials use different spelling systems which can sometimes cause confusion for those who are used to a particular spelling system. Your best bet for a free online dictionary is the one put out by the Peace Corps which is a printable/downloadable PDF…also Firicat.com is a searchable dictionary. Both contain errors but are the 2 best free ones that I’m aware of.
LikeLike
Hi,
Iam doing a project in Senegal, and I would like to know the correct translation of the word Welcome in Wolof. Is there anybody who can help me out?
Thanks
Rianne
LikeLike
Hello!
Can someone tell me how you write the phrase that means “no problem” or “no worries” something like “cho du jip” in wolof???
Thank u!
LikeLike
I use “Grawul”
LikeLike
no worries is amul ragal
LikeLike
que quiere decir tom roco??
gracias
LikeLike
What does “tom roco” mean?
Thanks
LikeLike
Hi i was just wondering i’ve been looking up how to say i love you in wolof and while i was in senegal i was under the impression that it was boga nala but when i was searching how to spell it i found it as Nob naa la. which one is right? also How do you say “my sister”
LikeLike
nob nala is something you would like say to a boyfriend . it’s the equivalent of ‘i like you’ . begue nala means more of I love you .
LikeLike
and what the meaning of dama la nopp then..i herd it is smt like i love u…
LikeLike
Beugg is to like.. beugg na sama yay ( I love my mother); beugg na thiepp ( I love/like rice).
Nopp nalla is I love you ( you say it to someone you are intimate with, or you wanna be intimate with).
Clearly there’s a big difference between Beugg & nopp.
LikeLike
@kath mayall – thanks so much, I’m writing letters back to my Gambian “family” and couldn’t remember “Naka sa doogooda?”. This is proof that really, anything is available on the internet.
Arame: buga naa la translates to “i want you” or “i like you”
nop naa la is “i love you”
i could be wrong but I’d say these terms are both reserved for the opposite sex.
my sister – there is no specific term for sister, you have to refer to siblings as younger “suma raka” or older “suma mag” and then add male or female, so if you’re speaking to your younger sister you’d say “suma raka bu jigen”, whereas your elder sister would be “suma mag bu jigen” (translates directly as “my older sibling that is female”)
LikeLike
It was fun finding this site. I was in Senegal from 93-94 and miss Wolof. I lived in Koussanar ci weto Tambacunda. (near Tamba) Wolof ak Senegal Bak na! (I still cannot spell in Engish, French or Wolof)
LikeLike
Hi, im dating a guy from senegal, im so inluv wit him so i want to learn his language- wolof
LikeLike
ITS REALLY REDICULUS; IT DIDN’T HELPED ME TO COMPLETE MY PROJECT
LikeLike
Glad to see all the helpful responses to this post!
LikeLike
Thank you for this blog! How do I say “watermelon” in Wolof? I am working on a food project which showed me that it is a fruit that originated in Western Africa.
LikeLike
jom ji. The ji part is optional – it’s like saying “the”.
LikeLike
In the part of Senegal where I lived they used the word ‘haal’
LikeLike
Hi, what do you say on Korite? I know it starts with:
A: Baal ma ak
B: Baal na la
then there’s something like, “yalla nu yana bo lay val?”
LikeLike
Thank you it was helpfull to read this because I try n teach myself wolof because my husband doesnt want to teach me I know a bit what I learnd by just listning but it would be good if I could get a phrase book to help me or a web page
LikeLike
I have some more, my husband is a Gambian.and Im spanish!! .the words are not well written, I write like I sound like my… i hope can help a little!!!
Suma Hol = my heart
Nanga def = How are you
Mangui fi = Im Be here
Nanga no tu da = hOw is your name?
Danga Sona = you are tired?
Danga Dof = You are crazy!!!
Nakasubasi = Good Morning
Suma raka = Brother
Bagna = is Ok
Ñiatala? How cost???
Torop= so much
tuti rek = little
Danga refet = you are pretty
Man = I
Yow = You
Ko kan La = Who are you?
suba = tomorrow
am = Take
pichidoma = owl
fan la = where is???
kañudem = let’s go
jerejef = thank you
Damalob = I love you
lo wah = what you say?
suma jekkar = My husband
Suma jabbar = My wife
waaw = yes
dedet = no
Pourlan = why?
Dafa tuki = travel is
Nekufi =Do not be
Jahuma = i dont know
lu geo? Wha happen?
Meima = Gimme
Danga ñao = You Are ugly!
Balal ma = Im Sorry
togal fi = sit here
yogal = Up
Namana la = i miss you
tanga = Hot
Naka sa Family ? How is the family??
Nopil = Shut up
Merby = mother
LikeLike
hi all
i cam at dis side n i waan learn wolof too, just knw tuuti rek n it would be so nice rek if i knw more..
@Denise Mendy
can u write me a email ? pls lol
jerejef
LikeLike
please could you tell me what means in Senegalese SA MA KHOL?
LikeLike
It means “my heart” I believe.
LikeLike
hi maria
i know it as (suma xhol ) = my heart
suma xharit = my friend
suma xhalibi =my baby (darlin)
grettings
LikeLike
Hi, would someone be so kind to translate to English for me please
Chon nice na cherie abdoulie?
Many thanks
LikeLike
hello everyone! i just needed some help to say” I hope you are having a wonderful day” in wolof or fulani. please help it would be of great assistance… i hope lol
LikeLike
in wolof: yendu ak jamm
LikeLike
This is a very good collection!
LikeLike
I posted a sentence earlier but no one had replied. I am looking for help to translate a sentence from wolof to English. Please cam you help if you can. The sentence was comment left on a picture..
Chon nice na cherie abdoulie?
Look forward to a reply..
LikeLike
chon nice na cherie abdoulie
nice na means dats nice cherie france means darling abdoulie
may it means: is dis nice darling abdoulie ?
LikeLike
Thank you very much binta, I really appreciate your response.
LikeLike
What does cheapah nakama mean
LikeLike
I am heading to Dakar and I would like to know if there is someone that would be willing to help me learn more Wolof. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
LikeLike
I am a nurse, arriving in Dakar on March 23rd with a team of doctors and nurses. We are looking for people to help us with translation: English to Wolof. If you know of anyone interested and available, March 26-30 let me know. sheriprn@comcast.net
LikeLike
I want to learn wolof
LikeLike
You’re in the right place 🙂
LikeLike
How do you say in Wolof “with Love”? Like when tou are going to give someone a present and you say this is from me with love! In Frech avec amour.
LikeLike
With love = ak mbeggeel; ak cofeel (friendship). ‘Ak’ means and/with. ‘Nob’ is a verb that also means ‘to be in love’.
LikeLike
hey do you know the meaning of this phrase “akh ki dou moromou domou khadj bobou” can u help me please..i really need it..thank you
LikeLike
woloffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff hahahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LikeLike
woloffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff ya nekhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hey hey heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
LikeLike
I would like to be able to say..Thank you very much..or, Thank you my friend..in Wolof. Someone told me the other day..Danga Rafet..
LikeLike
jiri jif is thankyou
LikeLike
I appreciate the reply. Can that be expanded just a bit to make it a little more personal, say add the words, My friend?
LikeLike
Jere-jef is ‘thank you’. Torop is ‘very much’ (from French ‘trop’). So, Jere-jef torop would be like ‘merci beaucoup’ (French) which is how they would probably say it in Senegal, at least in the urban centers.
Xarit/xariit is ‘friend’. Sama/suma is ‘my’. Suma xarit — “my friend”.
So, to finally answer your question 🙂 “Torop jere-jef, suma xarit!” or in French; “Merci beaucoup, mon ami!”
Bare/bari is another way to say ‘much’. Jaaraama is another way to say ‘thank you’.
By the way, danga rafet means “You are beautiful”.
LikeLike
P.S. — Xarit is pronounced like hair-reet. The ‘x’ is like a guttural ‘h’.
LikeLike
i knw it as jerejef ore jere jef (thank you)
LikeLike
I appreciate your quick reply Binta..I’m goint to try it today. Jere jef.
LikeLike
I believe I have it..thank you my friend, would be..jeri jef suma xarrit..
I still can’t make the right sound for “X” tho..that’s going to take much more practice.
LikeLike
After I went through all that I see you already have it 🙂
LikeLike
It’s great to have it all in one post tho, Amadou..this is a wonderful site..everyone can learn lots if we just take the time to make a few notes..and practice, practice, practice.
LikeLike
Thank you. I have been away from the site for awhile but I have some things in the works and will begin updating the site in a few weeks. I’m glad to see that even in my absence this site remains useful for those who wish to learn Wolof.
LikeLike
Can someone tell me how to say “Hope you are ok, I miss you and love you”
LikeLike
Yaakaar sa yaram jamm, dama la nob ak nala namm. <– Not 100% sure about this, can someone confirm?
yaakaar – hope; sa (your) yaram (body/health) jamm (peace/well) – your body at peace/you're in good health; dama (I) la (you) nob (love) – I love you; ak – and; nala (I will[?]) namm (miss) – I will miss you.
LikeLike
In Wolof! Thanks
LikeLike
Amul solo 🙂
LikeLike