Poster text: ESSENTIAL WOLOF PHRASES; Salam alaykum! Peace be upon you; Maalikum salaam, And upon you peace; Noo tudd? What is your name? Maa ngi tudd... My name is...; Na nga def? How are you? Maa ngi fi rekk, I am here only/fine; Naka sa yaram? How is your health?; Jërëjëf. Amul solo, You're welcome; Ñaata la? How much is it? Teemeer la, It's 100; Waaw, Yes; Déedéet, No; Ba beneen yoon. Until next time / Goodbye.

“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!

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174 responses to “Some Essential Wolof Phrases”

  1. Ania Avatar
    Ania

    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!

    Like

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      I use “Grawul”

      Like

  2. Rianne Avatar
    Rianne

    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

    Like

  3. Marie Ndiaye Avatar
    Marie Ndiaye

    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.

    Like

    1. Amadou Avatar

      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.

      Like

  4. Marie Ndiaye Avatar
    Marie Ndiaye

    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.

    Like

    1. Marie Ndiaye Avatar
      Marie Ndiaye

      mala raw is the correct sp, sorry.

      Like

  5. kath mayall Avatar
    kath mayall

    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!

    Like

  6. Em Avatar
    Em

    Can anyone tell me what ma nga fee means?

    Like

    1. Devyn Paros Avatar

      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?

      Like

  7. nik Avatar
    nik

    wot does this mean – jaam la fannne yaw

    Like

  8. Gnat Avatar
    Gnat

    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

    Like

  9. lisa Avatar
    lisa

    great list!

    do you perhaps know any links to help proper pronunciation of wolof words?

    Like

  10. Cryssie Avatar
    Cryssie

    What is the English translation?— Si lor neh

    Like

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      what are you up to?

      Like

      1. Cryssie Avatar
        Cryssie

        Thank you very much for the prompt response!! I have two more—-damala nama la wahh….&
        tor lu si skul bi…..

        Like

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