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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Use the comments section to ask and share more Wolof words and phrases…

174 responses to “Some Essential Wolof Phrases”

  1.  Avatar

    Hello, I can¡¯t understand how one can add your site in my rss reader. Are you in a position Assist me, please 🙂

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  2. Rhonda Avatar
    Rhonda

    how do you write “we are all the same” in Wolof. Thank you for your reply ❤

    Like

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      You can say nio far which means we are all together or we are one.

      Like

  3. james Avatar
    james

    please can anyone translate: ‘gisuma ko deh’ to English?

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    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      It means ‘I don’t see it’ literally but can also be ‘I can’t see/find it’

      Like

  4.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    hello matteo. who is this song by? I’m having trouble making sense of the lyrics. i have no idea what nana ye zimbe is supposed to mean but i do know that ” suma doom jangal so bouge am diplome” literally means “my child learn if you want to have a diploma” basically the singer is imploring the child to get an education. wish i could be of more help.

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    1. Matteo Avatar
      Matteo

      http://www.google.it/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&ved=0CEMQtwIwBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DjSpv8WG9Ko4&ei=h111UPmsGc-UswaZ0oGoBg&usg=AFQjCNE-uXqrzS32arnDp75xIIC6uQZuSA
      This is the song, thank you very much. I think you’re on the right way: maybe my version was a “phonetic” version, and sorry for my english. 🙂

      Like

  5. Matteo Avatar
    Matteo

    Hi, I’m italian. i listened a beautiful song named nana ye. I’m a teacher and I would to teach this song to my little students.
    Can anyone tell me the correct text and translation please?
    More or less is
    Nana ye zimbe
    Nana ye zimbe
    Nana ye somalé nana zimbe.
    Suma doom jangal so bougué an diplo.

    Like

  6. katie Avatar
    katie

    can someone please translate nga magal ko c atyu

    Like

  7.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    omg how cool is this site. just came across it by chance thank you google! i’m gambian. who knew there were so many other ppl wanting to learn wolof. li ci internet bi!

    Like

  8. […] Some Essential Wolof Phrases | Janga Wolof […]

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  9. Fatoumata Avatar
    Fatoumata

    Hi everyone!

    I would really like to learn wolof.
    My dad is a gambian but unfortunately he never thaught me wolof.
    I only see my family in the gambia once in 2 years. So its difficult to learn it everyday. Could you guys please help me!

    Thanks

    Like

  10. maryam taahirah mujaahidah Avatar
    maryam taahirah mujaahidah

    hi every one, i am a gambian and i was sooo happy to learn about this site, i love it, japa lenko fofu okay, and i have some treats for the wives

    Like

    1. Amadou Avatar

      Welcome to the site!

      Like

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