Basic Phrases
| Hello. | Salaam aleekum. |
| Goodbye. | Mangi dem. |
| Please. | Bu la neexee. |
| Thank you. | Jërejëf. |
| You’re welcome. | Amul sólo. |
| Yes. | Waaw. |
| No. | Déedéet. |
| Sorry. | Baal ma. |
| Do you speak English? | Ndax dégg nga angale? |
| Do you understand? | Dégg nga? |
| I understand. | Dégg naa. |
| I don’t understand. | Dégguma. |
| Help! | Wóoy! |
Sample Phrases with Breakdown
| A table for three. | Ñett lanu. |
| aj | taabal ji | ndax | ñett | three | we are |
| Bring us some bissap. | Indil nu bisaap. |
| indil | nun | dara | bisaab bi | bring | us | bissap |
| Do you have a watch? | Am nga montar? |
| def | yow | am | ab | montar bi | have | you | watch |
| Everyone was coming to the funeral. | Ñep angi ñow ci dëj bi. |
| ñépp | ci | ñëw | ci | bi | dëj bi | all people | (now) | come | to | funeral | the |
| For me, the yassa. | Man yaasa. |
| ngir | man | bi | yaasa bi | me | yassa |
| Give me the money. | Indil xaalis bi. |
| indil | man | bi | xaalis bi | give | money | the |
| He is fine. | Mi ngi ci jàmm. |
| moom | lele | bu baax | he | is | at | peace |
| I am from America. | Maa ngi jóge Amerik. |
| man | ngi | jóge | amerik | I | am | from | america |
| Lower your price! | Waññil! |
| wàññi | nga | njëg gi | count lower |
| More sauce, please. | Dollil tuuti ñeex. |
| gën | ñeex mi | neex | add | little | sauce |
| No one can deny it. | Kenn mëna ko weddi. |
| déedéet | benn | mën | weddi | ko | no one | can | it | deny |
| OK, get in. | Yéegal. |
| baaxna | yéeg | ci biir | climb in |
| Please bring us some cold water. | Indil nu ndox mu sedd. |
| neex | indi | nun | benna | sedd | ndox mi | bring | us | water | the | cold |
| She is fine. | Jàmm rekk. |
| moom | lele | baax | peace | only |
| That watch, how much does it cost? | Sa montar bi ñaata lay jar? |
| lale | montar bi | nan | bari | def | ko | njëg | your | watch | the | how much | is | price |
| We would like to pay. | Danu bëgg fey. |
| dañuy | bëgg | komka | ci | fey | we | want | pay |
| Yes, I have a watch. | Waaw am naa montar. |
| waaw | man | am | ab | montar bi | yes | have | I already | watch |
The following phrases are alphabetized by bold keywords in English.
| He has a knife on him. | Ab paaka la yore. |
| There are a lot of people in the house. | Nit ñu baree ngi ci kër gi. |
| He is able to eat without his child. | Àttan na lekk, wacc doomam. |
| Are you able to carry this basin? | Àttan nga paan bi? |
| It is not an access road. | Foofu du bunt. |
| All my acquaintances were present. | Samay am–di–jàmm yépp teewe ñanu ko. |
| Make sure there is no shortage of alcohol at home. | Fexeel ba kër gi bañ ñàkk alkol. |
| He has all of his teeth. | Gémmiñam buur na. |
| God make you heal quickly! Amen! | Yal nanga gaaw a wér! Amiin. |
| Choose from among you someone you trust! | Tànnleen ci seen biir ku leen doy! |
| In some countries there is a majority of animists. | Ci yenn réew yi boroomi xérém yaa fa ëpp. |
| He added another bedroom. | Yokkaat na ci beneen néeg. |
| You will stand up when you hear the national anthem of Senegal. | Nangeen jóg bu ngeen degee bàkku Senegaal. |
| The train has arrived in Dakar. | Saxaar àgg na Ndakaaru. |
| If you have a headache, take two aspirin tablets! | Ndegam sa bopp dafay metti, jëlal ñaari doomi aspirin! |
| It is a weak asset. | Am–am bu néew la. |
| You associate me with all your undertakings, I thank you. | Loo def boole ma ci, maa ngi la ciy gërëm. |
| I can assure you that your father is coming today. | Biral naa la ni tey la sa baay di ñów. |
| He didn’t go to work; he’s having an asthma attack. | Liggéeyiwul, asma jee ko daaneel. |
| Did your aunt arrive from Saint-Louis? | Sa bàjjan jóge na Ndar? |
| Here is a bad woman. | Ndaw su aay a ngi nii. |
| May God protect us against bad tongues! | Yal na ñu Yàlla musal ci cat! |
| The fisherman bailed out his canoe. | Mool mi as na gaalam. |
| There are very old relationships between Bakel and Saint-Louis. | Kóllëre gu yàgg a nekk diggante Bàkkel ak Ndar. |
| The roots of “bakis” are used for the treatment of jaundice. | Dinañu jëfandikoo reeni bàkkis ci pajum payis. |
| The balafon is of Mandingo origin. | Ca Soose ya la baliñe fekk baax. |
| The ball is torn. | Bal bi xottiku na. |
| In Mali, the majority of people speak Bambara. | Mali, ña ëpp ca nit ña bàmbara lañuy wax. |
| There are many Bambara who live in Thiès. | Bare ne Bàmbara yu dëkk Kees. |
| In Bambey, there is a big center that does research on everything related to agriculture. | Baambey am na kurél gu mag, guy gëstu lépp lu aju ci mbey. |
| The banana tree requires a lot of water. | Banaana, ndox mu bare la soxla. |
| They unloaded the bananas from the boat coming from Ziguinchor. | Ci gaal gi jóge Sigicoor lañu yebbee banaana yi. |
| He keeps his money in the bank. | Ca bànk ba lay dénkaane xaalisam. |
| We presented all kinds of food at the banquet. | Xeetu ñam wu nekk taaj nañu ko ca bernde ba. |
| The Baol was commanded by a “tègne”. | Bawol teeñ a ko daan yilif. |
| The “baptism” is postponed until the month of Ramadan has passed. | Dañuy bëtal ngénte li ba koor gi jeex. |
| The Walo was led by a “barak”. | Waalo barag a ko yilifoon. |
| It is the bark of the cailcedrat tree. | Àkku xay la. |
| Did you hear the dogs barking last night? | Dégg nga xaj yi doon bow biig? |
| Bring me two loads of beach sand! | Indil ma ñaari sëfu beeñ! |
| He insulted him, he was beaten. | Dafa saaga, ñu caw ko. |
| With everything we give him, he just buys beer. | Loo ko may mu jënde ko beer. |
| Finish your work before you go to play! | Sottalal sa liggéey bala ngay foyi. |
| Bend your legs so people can pass! | Bankal sa tànk, nit ñi mën jaar! |
| Put the millet flour in the big bowl! | Defal sunguf si ci bóoli bi! |
| The women of Bignona are worthy for the cultivation of rice. | Jigééni Binjonaa jàmbar lañu ci mbeyum ceeb. |
| A blue makeup that holds well is pretty. | Aniin ju jàpp rafet na. |
| She has a beautiful body. | Bind bu rafet la am. |
| She boiled the “cowpeas”. | Baxal na ñebbe ji. |
| The water is boiling, put it in the thermos bottle! | Ndox mi bax na, sotti ko ci termoos bi! |
| I borrowed a knife. | Àbb naa paaka. |
| The bottle is broken. | Butéel bi toj na. |
| He wore a beautiful boubou dyed blue, during the ceremony of religious songs. | Baxa bu rafet la sol ca jàng ya. |
| In the year of bovine diarrhea, many cows died. | Atum caar ma nag yu bare dee nañu. |
| Give me the big bowl! | Jox ma bool bu mag bi! |
| What’s in the box? | Lu nekk ci boyet bi? |
| If you see someone looking for a boy, tell me. | Boo gisee ku bëgg bóoy nga wax ma ko. |
| The twigs that run along the big branch are strong. | Car yi jàpp ci bànqaas yu mag yi dëgër nañu. |
| Cut the branch! | Dogal car bi! |
| This association has branches in all regions. | Mbootaay googu am na ay bànqaas ci diwaan yépp. |
| He is breathing hard, let him rest! | Mu ngiy àppaat, bàyyi ko mu noppalu! |
| He makes bricks to sell them. | Dafay defar birig di jaay. |
| The child is brilliant at school. | Xale bi aay na ci lekkool. |
| I’m broke, the month is drawing to a close. | Dama bànk: weer wi sore na. |
| He only left the brooding hens here. | Ganaar yiy bóof rekk la fi bàyyi. |
| May all gather in the public square, each with his broom! | Na ñépp daje ca pénc ma, ku nekk ak sa buubu! |
| Do not damage the broom! | Bul yàq bale gi! |
| My brother took a wife. | Sama càmmiñ takk na jabar. |
| I’m looking for my clothes brush. | Sama boroos yerë laay wut. |
| He brushed the trough until it was very clean. | Boroos na mbalka mi ba mu set wecc. |
| It was a bullet that hit him; he is dead. | Benn bal a ko dal, mu dee. |
| I gave him two bunches of grapes. | Jox naa ko ñaari cabbu reseñ. |
| That’s your business. | Loolu sa afeer la. |
| The butchers agree on the new prices. | Buuse yi ànd nañu ci njëg yu bees yi. |
| Your button is not well sewn; if you are not careful it will fall off. | Sa butoŋ bi dëgërul, soo sàgganee mu wadd. |
| They think that the long drought is a calamity that God has inflicted on us. | Dañu jàpp ni bekkoor bu yàgg bi, balaa bu Yàlla wàcce la. |
| Now he’s angry; wait until he calms down, we’ll talk to him. | Léegi dafa mer, xaaral ba mu bëpp nu waxtaan ak moom. |
| The news came yesterday. | Xabaar bi agsi na démb. |
| This person cares for me, he often comes to see me. | Kooku ku am aajo la, dafa may seetsi waxtu wu nekk. |
| Catch the ball, let it not hit the ground! | Awal kuppe bi, bumu laal suuf! |
| Let all the inhabitants of the village know that tomorrow is the weeding of the cemetery! | Na waa dëkk bi yépp xam ni ëllëg lañuy bey armeel yi! |
| Chase away the flies, they form a cloud around your child! | Dàqal weñ yi, ñu ngiy biiw sa doom ji! |
| Formerly, those to be circumcised made the oath that they would not flee. | Bu jëkk aat yi dañu daan waat ni duñu dow. |
| Under what circumstances was this traditional song sung? | Yan anam lañu daan woye woyu cosaan woowu? |
| These little canaries are made with clay. | Njaq yooyu binit lañu koy defare. |
| It takes a hardy man to grow coarse millet. | Basi góor a koy bey. |
| Where do you come from? | Foo bawoo? |
| Busses commute between Dakar and Rufisque, today is the meeting. | Oto yaa ngi baagante diggante Ndakaaru ak Tëngéeg, tey la ndaje ma. |
| I am not afraid on the way, I have a companion. | Ragaluma ci yoon wi, am naa àndandoo. |
| The conflict is over. | Ay wa fey na. |
| Among those who continue in chorus, there is one who has a very high-pitched voice. | Ci ñiy awu, am na ci ku baat bi sew ruuj. |
| You know that coward doesn’t have the courage to spend the night alone here. | Xam nga ni bëqët bii ñemewu fi fanaan moom rekk. |
| It is God who created us all. | Yàlla moo nu bind nun ñépp. |
| It is God who creates. | Yàllaay amal. |
| It is a big “croaker“, it reaches two meters. | Bëër bu mag la, nat na ñaari meetar. |
| The crow was learning to imitate the gait of the little red passerine; not having succeeded, he forgot his own: this is what a Wolof proverb says. | Baaxoñ da doon jàng doxinu ramatu, mënatu ko, faf fàtte bosam: wolof njaay a ko wax. |
| If you don’t want the paper to fly off, crumple it up and put it in the trash. | Boo bañee kayit wi naaw, danga koy boxom door koo def ci mbalit mi. |
| He cultivated two fields of millet. | Bey na ñaari tooli dugub. |
| The ironed linen is in the cupboard. | Yëre yi ñu paase yaa ngi ci armoor bi. |
| Mom, give me something to buy cupcakes! | Yaay, may ma lu ma jënde boŋ–boŋ! |
| Young people no longer follow the customs of ancestors. | Xale yi toppatuñu baaxu maam ya. |
| The girl dances well. | Janq bi mën na baal. |
| It is day. (dawn) | Bët set na. |
| I will never forget this day. | Bés bii dootuma ko fàtte mukk. |
| The day before yesterday, we had class. | Bëkk–démb jàng nanu. |
| The deadline has come, give me my money back! | Àpp ba jot na, fey ma sama xaalis! |
| I owe our association a seed debt. | Ameel naa sunu mbootaay gi boru jiwu. |
| They will definitely not take this medicine. | Bir na ni doo naan garab gi. |
| It is this colossus who deflowered a girl who is not even sixteen! | Ponkal milee àgg cixale bu amul sax fukki at ak juróom-benn! |
| Give me some medicine for diarrhea! | May ma garabu biir buy dow! |
| Such-and-such a person has diarrhea. | Biiru diw dafay dow. |
| She went to the dispensary; her child has had diarrhea since yesterday. | Dem na dispàñseer; biiru doomam dafay dow démb ba tey. |
| The healer taught his eldest son how to cut the roots of Diospyros. | Fibar bi jàngal na taawan bu góor ni ñuy dagge reeni aloom. |
| He went into the bush to collect Diospyros fruit with his comrades. | Dafa ànd ak moroom yi àll ba, fori aloom. |
| Dip the quill in the inkwell! | Cappal xalima gi ci daa ji! |
| He discreetly gave me a five hundred franc note. | Buux na ma kayitu téemeer. |
| Last year, you brought sugar to your grandmother for Ramadan, do the same this year! | Daaw yóbbuloon nga sa maam suukaru koor, baaxental ko ren! |
| I talk to him, he doesn’t answer me. | Maa ngi wax ak moom, àdduwu ma. |
| I don’t owe him anything. | Ameeluma ko dara. |
| My work is done. | Sama liggéey àgg na. |
| This young woman sells donuts in front of the school. | Ndaw sii dafay jaay beñe buntu lekkool. |
| The bedroom door does not close properly. | Buntu néeg bi du téju bu baax. |
| The young man has completed the dowry, he owes nothing more to his in-laws. | Waxambaane bi mottali na can gi, ameelatul dara goro yi. |
| Raise the side of your boubou, it drags! | Yëkkëtil sa mbubb, mu ngiy buubu! |
| The draw bucket remained in the well. | Baag bi des na ca biir teen ba. |
| He drew his saber and hit it. | Bocci na jaaseem, dóor ko. |
| The well is drilled. | Teen bi bënn na. |
| This country suffers from a great drought. | Réew moomu, bekkoor bu mettee fa am. |
| Gather the dry straw. | Dajaleel boob mi. |
| To make dumplings, I prefer the royal threadfin. | Buléet, njaane laa ci taamu. |
| It seems that the leaves of Guiera senegalensis are effective against dysentery. | Nee ñu xobu ngeer baax na ci biiru–taññ. |
| Let each child we call raise their hand! | Na bépp xale bu ñu woo yëkkati loxoom! |
| Don’t give me that eggplant, it’s got a hole! | Bu ma jox batañse bii, dafa bënn! |
| The period will expire on the tenth of the eighth month. | Ci fukki fanu baraxlu wi la gàpp bi di mat. |
| The end of the cane is split. | Catu yet wi dafa xar. |
| Your enemies will not have to laugh at you. | Sa bañ yi duñu la reetaan. |
| He had entered the house. | Duggoon na ca kër ga. |
| If you can not find the recipient of the message, you will entrust it to his son. | Boo fa fekkul boroom yóbbante bi nga batale ko doomam. |
| He has pain in his left eye. | Bëtu càmmooñ bi dafay metti. |
| The eye is difficult to reach, (because of its natural protection). | Bët dafa laaj. |
| Father Saliou’s field is fallow this year; This is understandable, he is old and the young people no longer want to stay in the village. | Toolu baay Saaliwu booy na ren, maaxàllaa mag la, te xale yi nongootuñu toog ci dëkk. |
| The farmers have finished clearing the brush. | Beykat yi ruuj nañu ba noppi. |
| It’s fate. | Àtte Yàlla la. |
| His father is dead. | Baayam dee na. |
| Forgive me, it’s my fault, I won’t do it again! | Baal ma àq, duma ko defati! |
| It was yesterday that we inaugurated the ferry that links Fatick to Foundiougne. | Démb lañu doon ubbi bag bi dox diggante Fatig ak Funjuñ. |
| Fertilizers are not sold on credit this year, which is why farmers cannot buy them. | Àngare ji nonguwuñu ko leble ren, moo tax beykat yi mënnuñu ko jënd. |
| Small mangoes usually have a lot of fiber. | Màngo yu sew yi dañuy bare ñaare càmpóor. |
| They refuse to fight among themselves because they are from the same village. | Dañu bañ bëre ndax li ñu bokk dëkk. |
| Whatever you do, you’ll pay the fine. | Noo mën a def dinga fey alamaan bi. |
| He didn’t expect to be fined. | Séentuwul woon ni dinañu ko alamaan. |
| Wait until I finish the job I started. | Xaaral ma àggale liggéey bi ma dooroon. |
| When we have finished the first weeding, I will go to Dakar. | Bu ñu baxawee dugub ba noppi, damay dem Ndakaaru. |
| The first wife is the queen of the house. | Aawo moo di buuru këram. |
| He poured out a flood of words on me. | Tuur na ma andaari wax. |
| Buy me some flour, I’ll make some porridge! | Jëndal ma bol, ma ruy! |
| There are three boreholes in the vicinity; now the water is flowing. | Sunu gox bi am na ñetti foraas; léegi kay, ndox maa ngi baawaan. |
| It is forbidden to enter here. | Aaye nañu ku fi dugg. |
| Eating pork is forbidden for Muslims. | Lekk yàppu mbaam araam na ci jullit. |
| He did me wrong; I forgave him. | Tooñ na ma; baal naa ko. |
| Come see the fresh okra, we picked them today! | Ñówal ci kànja gu bees gi, tey lañu ko witt! |
| Every Friday, the marabout recites the Koran. | Àjjuma ju nekk, sëriñ bi wàcce Kaamil. |
| The horse galloped so hard that he was out of breath. | Fas wi cal na ba xoox. |
| He’s got ganglia in his groin, that’s why he’s limping. | Dafa càqar ci wàq, moo ko tax di soox. |
| I don’t know what he has, he has ganglia on his body. | Xawma lu ko jot, yaram wi dafa def yu mel ni ay càqar. |
| I gave you five days. | Àppal naa la juróomi fan. |
| They had sent him good mangoes, he even gave me some. | Màngo ju neex lañu ko yónnee woon, mayoon na ma ca sax. |
| I gave you my share. | Baal naa la sama wàll. |
| I gave it up for a long time. | Bàyyi naa ko bu yàgg. |
| Come! We will go together to the market before I take the bus. | Kaay nu àndandoo ba màrse ma sog a jël kaar. |
| If you don’t have a sheep, you can kill a goat. | Boo amul xar mën nga rey béy. |
| It was God who decided it so. | Sunu Boroom a ko dogal. |
| I came on Monday — God forgive me!— Tuesday. | Maa ngi ñów altine, astafurlaa, talaata. |
| It’s a good sheep, buy it! | Xar mu baax la, jënd ko! |
| In the past, slaves embarked for America from Gorée. | Bu jëkk, Gore la jaam yi daan dugge gaal, jëm Amerig. |
| He got up suddenly and fell. | Dafa ne bëret, daanu. |
| He dug the grave next to the tree. | Gas na bàmmeel bi ci wetu garab gi. |
| I prefer the “dentate” to the gray sea bream. | Jànqarfet a ma dàqal bànd. |
| If he was greedy, he wouldn’t have canceled your debt. | Bu bëgge woon, du la baal bor bi. |
| Senegal exports green beans. | Senegaal dafay jaay ariko bitim réew. |
| Fish grilled on a fire tastes much better than fish cooked in a pot. | Jën wu ñu bërëm a gën a saf fuuf jën wu ñu togg ci cin. |
| I forgot my gris–gris in the bathroom. | Fàtte naa sama cawdi ca sangukaay ba. |
| I jumped up when the water gushed out. | Dama tëb bi ndox miy ball. |
| He’s already plucked the chicken, he’s gutting it. | Suqi na ganaar gi ba pare, mu ngi koy butti. |
| He had a tooth pulled out. | Dafa wekki bëñam. |
| Everything that happens here, we talk about; we are working together on the subject. | Lépp lu fi ay danu cee waxtaan, sotteente ci xel. |
| He has three children. | Am na ñetti doom. |
| Beware of the madman, he has a knife! | Moytuleen dof bi, paaka la ame! |
| A young girl your age who hasn’t had her ears pierced yet! | Janq bu day ni yow bënnoogul! |
| He hates me, I don’t know what I did to him. | Dafa ma bañ, xawma lu ma ko def. |
| He’s rich, but that didn’t make him haughty. | Bare na alal wànte taxu ko bew. |
| We have the same father. | Noo bokk baay. |
| Who is the head of state? | Kuy boppu réew mi? |
| He shaved his head completely. | Wat na boppam ba mu set. |
| Here! Take your key! | Am sa caabi! |
| Whoever receives a blow from this club goes to the hereafter. | Yat woowu ku ñu ko dóor nga dem barsàq. |
| He hesitates on the question, which is why he has not yet given his answer. | Dafa am xel–ñaar ci mbir mi, moo tax joxeegul tontam. |
| He hired him on the second of this month. | Bi weer wii amee ñaari fam la ko bind. |
| The hole is narrow, this thread cannot pass through it. | Bën–bën bi dafa xat, wëñ gii xaju ci. |
| The horn of the sheep is broken. | Béjjénu xar mi damm na. |
| The farmer hums. | Beykay baa ngiy baaral. |
| The loincloth hung on the branch. | Sér bi aju na ci caru garab gi. |
| The hut has fallen. | Baraag ba daanu na. |
| We do not give the hyena smoked meat. | Bukki kenn du ko dénk u seel. |
| He’s in the bedroom. | Mu ngi ci biir néeg bi. |
| The incense burner is broken. | Andu cuuraay ba toj na. |
| Looks like you don’t know you put your boubou on inside out. | Xanaa xamoo ni danga been sa mbubb. |
| You shouldn’t have installed the fireplace here, the smoke bothers us. | Waruloo woon bos file, saxaar saa ngi nuy sonal. |
| It is his nephew; he was isolated as if he was not part of the family. | Jarbaatam la; dañu ko beddi mel ni bokkul ci njaboot gi. |
| He’s jealous, that’s why he’s not happy with your promotion. | Dafa añaan, moo tax bégul ci sa teraanga ji. |
| It is fair judgment. | Àtte bu jub la. |
| The juice is not very sweet. | Cafaay li saful suukar. |
| I just took my host home. | Bijjanti naa sama gan ba ñów. |
| The kapok is one of the largest trees in Senegal. | Béntéñee ngi bokk ci garab, yi gën a réy ci Senegal. |
| He bought a keg of oil. | Jënd na barigo dëwlin. |
| If they hadn’t kept watch, the work wouldn’t have ended. | Bu ñu biralewul woon liggéey bi du pare. |
| The key is rusty. | Cabbi ji dafa xomaag. |
| Formerly, there was a king at the head of Saloum. | Bu jëkk, Saalum buur a ko yilifoon. |
| You must take into consideration the kinship that unites us. | Bokk gi ci sunu diggante nga war seet. |
| I went to see her on Muslim New Year’s Day and found her kneading couscous. | Ca tamxarit wa laa ko seeti fekk ko muy bomb cereem. |
| I heard him recite verses from the Koran. | Degg naa ko muy tari Alxuraan. |
| She prepared two large calabashes of cereal porridge for the “baptism”. | Togg na ñaari bagaani laax ci ngénte li. |
| Water is drawn from the Darou Mousti well with a large skin. | Teenu Daaru Musti bar lañu koy wëgge. |
| Last night I didn’t sleep because of the mosquitoes. | Biig nelawuma, ndax yoo yi. |
| Looks like you didn’t put any laundry blue in the rinse water. | Yaa ngi mel na defuloo bulo ci bàcc bi. |
| He writes with his left hand. | Loxo càmmooñ lay binde. |
| Lend me your book! | Abal ma sa téere! |
| A comb, no one lends it. | Peñe, kenn du ko able. |
| I had forgotten my bucket, but Koumba lent me his. | Dama fàtte woon sama baag, Kumba baawal na ma. |
| I tried in vain to get him back on the right track; I let him do it now. | Jéem naa ko jubbanti ba tàyyi, bërgël naa ko. |
| Let’s go to work! | Ayca ci liggéey bi! |
| She gave birth, but the baby was stillborn (without life). | Wasin na waaye doom ji indaalewul bakkan. |
| This man loves life too much. | Nit kii dafa bëgg àddina. |
| I am lighting the fire. | Maa ngi boyal taal bi. |
| Me, I am of the line of Thiam. | Man, askanu Caameen laa bokk. |
| The two co-wives live in good harmony. | Ñaari wujj yaa ngi ànd ànd bu rafet. |
| He loves mangoes. | Bëgg na màngo. |
| Give me two lumps of sugar to put in my coffee! | May ma ñaari bekku suukar ma def ci sama kafe! |
| Have a good lunch! | Añal ba suur! |
| I saw your child there, he was making hay. | Gis naa sa doom fale muy boob. |
| This marabout died last year, it is his son who replaces him now. | Sëriñ boobu aj na daaw, doomam a ko wuutu léegi. |
| This child was born from this marriage. | Xale boobu ci buum gi la juddoo. |
| The master of the house has arrived. | Boroom kër gi ñów na. |
| Spread the mat, we’re going to pray! | Lalal basaŋ gi nu julli! |
| The matches are wet. | Almet ji dafa tooy. |
| Your father may come today. | Amaana sa baay ñów tey. |
| This man is mean! He can’t even help his neighbor. | Nit kilee bon! mënul sax wallu dëkkaleem bi. |
| the marabout sent him a message. | Sëriñ bi yónnee na ko bataaxal. |
| She did not prepare a midday meal. | Toggul añ. |
| There is a man lying under the tree who is only moaning. | Am na góor gu tëdd ci taatu garab gi di binni rekk. |
| The moment he entered the station is when the train started. | Ba muy dugg ci gaar bi la saxaar teddi. |
| Farmers do not go to the field on Monday. | Beykat yi duñu dem tool altine. |
| It seems that monkey bread is effective against stomach aches. | Nee ñu buy baax na ci metitu biir. |
| The motherless orphan is worthy of pity. | Baayo mat na yërëm. |
| He directs his canoe towards the mouth. | Mu ngay joow gaalam jublu bël ba. |
| There are solid mud constructions. | Am na tabaxu ban yu dëgër. |
| He’s a city kid, he’s never seen a mule. | Xaleelu teeru la, mosul gis barkelle. |
| The king you speak of, we murdered him. | Buur bi ngay wax dañu ko bóom. |
| He never gets angry, that’s his nature. | Du mer mukk bindam la. |
| He suddenly felt nauseous, and it wasn’t until he vomited that he felt good. | Dafa jékki-jékki rekk mel na ku bilimbaane, bi mu waccoo la am jàmm. |
| He lives nearby. | Ci boor yii la dëkk. |
| Tie a rope around the sheep’s neck! | Takkal buum ci baatu xar mi! |
| She wears a long pearl necklace. | Caqu per bu gudd la takk. |
| The neckline of your boubou is narrow. | Sa baatu mbubb mi dafa xat. |
| He says there is no such thing as witchcraft. | Nee na ndëmm amul. |
| Look north, what do you see? | Xoolal bëj–gànnaar, loo gis? |
| Saint-Louis is north of Dakar. | Ndar a ngi féete boppu Ndakaaru. |
| He has a crushed nose. | Bakkanam dafa tàppandaar. |
| I often have nosebleeds during hot weather. | Danaa faral di bori bu tàngaay bi ñówee. |
| Walking at dusk is not recommended. | Dox timis aay na. |
| Their father advised them not to leave any nook that they had not weeded. | Seen baay nee na leen bu nu bàyyi benn ruq bu ñu bàllarñiwul. |
| Who is this nuisance that leans against the tree? | Ku moon bàccu biy wéere ci garab gi? |
| Take the bag off your back, you’re running out of breath! | Bottil saaku bi, yaa ngiy àppaat! |
| Oh, how dirty you are! | Cam, yaa tilim! |
| How old are you? | Ñaata at nga am? |
| Awa took her child on the back. | Awa boot na doomam. |
| The children have been on vacation since yesterday. | Xale yi bër nañu démb. |
| His arrogance will destroy him one day. | Réyam gi dina ko sànk bés. |
| I thought he had two wives. No, there is only one. | Dama defe woon ni ñaari jabar la am. Déedéet, benn la am. |
| Are you leaving or staying? | Dangay dem, am dangay toog? |
| The rainy season is quite advanced and it hasn’t rained yet, we have to organize the rain dance. | Nawet baa ngi sore te tawagul, dañu war baaw–naan. |
| Don’t you know what it is? It is an ostrich egg mounted in leather. | Xamuloo lan la? Nenu bànjóoli bu ñu ëw la. |
| Ouch! you hurt me. | Ax! gaañ nga ma. |
| The case is muddled, I do not see the outcome yet. | Mbir mi léj na, gisaguma bunt. |
| It’s cold outside. | Biti bi sedd na. |
| Go wash your hands outside! | Demal raxas sa loxo ca biti! |
| May God welcome him to paradise! | Yàlla na ko Yàlla xaare àjjana! |
| The peacekeeper caught a thief. | Alkaati ba jàpp na sàcc. |
| He left here a little before the peanut harvest. | Ba ñuy bëgg a déqi aréen la fi jóge woon. |
| I really like the peanut paste stew. | Sopp naa baase lool. |
| I have been penniless for a long time. | Sama bànk gi yàgg na. |
| There are a lot of people from Baol who bought businesses in Dakar. | Bare na Bawol–bawol yu jënd ay bitig ca Ndakaaro. |
| Rice is too expensive; people of modest means can no longer buy it. | Ceeb bi jafe na lool; baadoolo mënatu ko jënd. |
| The wrestlers of yesteryear performed a sung parade tour, those of today are content to go around the arena. | Mbër yu jëkk ya dañu daan bàkku, yu léegi yi nag, dañuy wër rekk làmb ji. |
| Never mistreat a pet! | Bul dóor mukk bàyyima! |
| Come and pick up the garbage! | Kaay buub mbalit mi! |
| Plant the piece of wood here! | Sampal bant bi fii! |
| The newborn’s ears were pierced. | Bënn nañu noppi liir bi. |
| This year’s pilgrimage has been very painful. | Aju ren gi tàng na lool. |
| My uncle made the pilgrimage to Mecca twice. | Sama nijaay aj na ñaari yoon. |
| Find a clean place to spread the mat! | Seetal béréb bu set nga lal fa basaŋ gi! |
| Fatou has placed her calabash at the top. | Faatu aj na laytanam. |
| The placenta has come out. | Ànd bi génn na. |
| Put the plates away in the kitchen. | Fatal aset yi ci biir waañ wi. |
| It was his father who taught him to play the balafon. | Baayam a ko jàngal baliñe. |
| The children are in the street playing marbles. | Xale yaa ngi ci mbedd mi di béey. |
| We have honored him, he is pleased. | Teral nañu ko bu baax, bég na. |
| The women pound the ears of millet. | Jigéen ñaa ngiy bojj dugub. |
| Pound the rice before washing it! | Bojjal ceeb bi bala nga koy sebet! |
| You don’t pout at your mother. | Kenn du biiñ sa ndey. |
| You have lost much weight, it looks like you are pregnant. | Yaa ngi jeex tàkk, xanaa danga biir? |
| He prepared a chain for six loincloths. | Bàggu juróom-benni sér la tàllal. |
| Press the first button! | Bësal butoŋ bi ngay jëkk a jot! |
| Ill-gotten never profit. | Alal ju lewul du am barke. |
| He inherited his father’s property. | Alalu baayam la donn. |
| In a big city, there are often a lot of prostitutes. | Dëkk bu mag dafay faral di bariy caga. |
| It was he who protected him until the end of his business. | Moo ko aar ba mu noppi li mu doon def. |
| He provoked me and I beat him. | Dafa ma àkk, ma duma ko. |
| They met in the public square. | Daje nañu ci bayaal bi. |
| I pulled out the weeds. | Buddi naa ñax yu bon yi. |
| Don’t push me around, there are people in front of me and I have no place to go! | Bu ma buux, ay nit a nekk sama kanam, awma fu ma jaar! |
| He pushed me, I fell. | Dafa ma bëmëx, ma daanu. |
| I put aside the sheets of red paper. | Ber naa kayit yu xonq yi. |
| In the old days, women put blue makeup on their lips. | Bu jëkk, jeeg ji dañu daan aniinu. |
| He got ten quintals of peanuts this year. | Fukki barigo gerte la am ren. |
| The verses of the twilight prayer are recited aloud. | Julli timis dañu koy biral. |
| I have redness on my feet from tight shoes. | Sama tànk dafa booy ndax dàll yu xat. |
| The mat was woven from the leaves of the reed. | Ndés mi, xobi barax lañu ko ràbbe. |
| I asked him for money, he refused. | Ñaan naa ko xaalis, mu bañ. |
| Let those who want to speak register! | Ñi bëgg wax, nañu bindu! |
| Your religious knowledge is not extensive. | Sa àlluwa guddul. |
| Remove the sand! | Anal suuf si! |
| It is not easy to remove the skin from the peanuts in the cold. | Bu gerte gi seddee du neex a boxoom. |
| You removed the mangoes prematurely. | Danga teel a àjji màngo yi. |
| It is worth repeating this recommendation, so that everyone understands it. | Sa dénkaane boobu jar na baamtu ba ñépp dégg ko bu baax. |
| I pulled him hard, but he resisted. | Dama ko bif, mu bippu. |
| The tom-tom reverberates in the room. | Sabar gaa ngiy awu ci biir néeg bi. |
| All work calls for its reward. | Liggéey bu nekk am nab añ. |
| He is smart, he finds the solution to all the riddles that we ask him. | Dafa muus, cax woo ko jox mu jàpp ko. |
| Put blue in the rinse water! | Defal bulo ci bàcc bi! |
| The laundry smells bad, it’s like you haven’t rinsed it. | Póot maa ngi xasaw xunn, mel ni bàcculoo ko. |
| Roasted peanuts are best when they are hot. | Caaf balaa neex tàng. |
| Fatou is rocking her child. | Faatoo ngi aayoo doomam. |
| A young girl of your age should know how to roll millet balls. | Jang bu day na yow war na mën araw. |
| You rolled it in the sand to the point of making it dirty. | Bërëŋ nga ko ci suuf si ba tilimal ko. |
| The rain last night was accompanied by a strong wind, the roof of the entrance even fell. | Tawu biig bi dafa and ngelaw lu metti, bulo bi sax daanu na. |
| This rope is not strong, you have to look for another one. | Buum gii dëgërul, dangay wut. |
| Whether you stay or go, it’s the same for me. | Nga toog walla nga dem yépp benn la ci man. |
| My sandals are cut. | Samay carax dañoo dog. |
| I sang your praises and you gave me a lot of money. | Bàkk naa la nga may ma xaalis bu bare. |
| The car sank into the sand. | Oto bi caŋ na ci gannuus gi. |
| I am satisfied with what you told me. | Am naa bànneex ci li nga ma wax. |
| He came home last Saturday. | Ñibbi na aseer jii ñu weesu. |
| The child’s head is covered with scabs. | Boppu xale bi dafa fees dell ak i àkk. |
| For this matter, go ask the scholar! | Mbir moomu demal laaj ko aalim ji! |
| Scientists are working together. | Boroom xam–xam yaa ngiy sotteente xel. |
| Scrub the calabash with a scouring stone! | Boowal leget gi ak mbombu! |
| Scrub the pots well! | Bombal kastuloor yi ba ñu set! |
| After eating the watermelon you will keep the seeds for me, I need them. | Bu ngeen lekkee xaal bi ba noppi, ngeen dencal ma beref yi, dama leen soxla. |
| It separates children who have been fighting for a long time. | Dafay àtte xale yi, ñu ngiy xeex sànq ba tey. |
| She divorced; now she is without a husband. | Dafa fase, léegi caga la. |
| It is easy to shell a single ear. | Bool wenn gub yomb na. |
| He was told how many yards are enough for a shroud. | Wax nañu ko ñaata meetar a doy ci càngaay li. |
| Put it on the side! | Teg ko ci boor bi! |
| Reduce the embers so the sauce can simmer! | Wàññil xal yi ndax cin li baar! |
| Listen! Friend sings decrescendo. | Déglul! Amee ngi baaru. |
| For a net of four hundred meters, everyone knows that they need a lot of sinkers. | Mbaalum ñeenti téeméeri meetar ku ne xam na ni li muy jël ci beteex bare na. |
| The sky is dark. | Asamaan si lëndëm na. |
| She dyed her boubou sky blue. | Baxa na mbubbam. |
| She boiled the pot over a low heat. / She slowly boiled the pot. | Baaral na cin li. |
| She gave me a small calabash of millet. | Bàttu dugub la ma jox. |
| You say you’re leaving today, so give me my money! | Nee nga tey ngay dem, bon jox ma sama xaalis! |
| Peanuts are sown when the soil is thoroughly wet. | Gerte ci bàq bu tooy lañu koy ji. |
| Removing soot from the kitchen is a big job! | Dindi bànqanoos bi ci waañ wi, liggéey bu réy la. |
| Sorrel enhances the taste of the sauce. | Bisaab dina safal ñeex. |
| Tivaouane is south of Saint-Louis. | Tiwaawan a ngi ci bëj–saalum Ndar. |
| You are sowing discord between the children. | Yaa ngiy boole xale yi. |
| Look how the wall is, it looks like we spat cola on it. | Seetal ni taax mi mel, xanaa guro lañu fi buusu. |
| Nobody understood what he said, he speaks too fast. | Kenn xamul li mu wax, dafa bar. |
| Spondias birrea is more abundant in Diolof. | Béer, Jolof la gën a bare. |
| The thief stabbed him between the ribs. | Sàcc bi dafa ko bojj paaka ci faar. |
| No, the weather is not cloudy; can’t you see the stars? | Xiinul de; xanaa gisuloo biddéew yi? |
| It was my stepfather who raised me. | Sama baay–tëx a ma yar. |
| I can’t turn around, I have a stiff neck. | Mënuma geestu, sama loos dafa biddanti. |
| I have a stomach ache. | Sama biir dafay metti. |
| Wash the sheep’s stomach well before scalding it! | Raxasal bàqu xar mi ba mu set nga soode ko! |
| The pot is not in balance, straighten this stone! | Cin li jubul, jubbanti bos wii! |
| He stopped drinking. | Bàyyi na naan. |
| The horse was running; a moment later he stopped abruptly. | Fas wi dafa dow ba yàgg mu àkk. |
| The store is not yet open. | Bitig bi ubbeegul. |
| Wait for me at the street corner! | Xaar ma ca boppu koñ ba! |
| You can legitimately strut, you who rid us of the lion that slaughtered our oxen. | Mën nga bàkku walla, yow mi ñu teqale ak gaynde gi daan fàdd suñu nag yi. |
| He’s stuck, he doesn’t have enough to finish the construction. | Dafa caŋ, amul lu mu eggalee tabax bi. |
| May your son succeed in life! | Yàlla na sa doom barkeel! |
| The case I was dealing with was successful. | Mbir mi ma doon toppatoo àntu na. |
| He is very successful, but there are people who sing better than him. | Moom kay dafa am bayre rekk, waaye am na fi ñu ko dàq woy. |
| He held me there for a long time, then suddenly I got up to leave. | Téye na ma ba tàyyi, ma buur jóg. |
| To throw a piece of wood at a funeral procession is to show superstition. | Sànni bant néew biddaa la. |
| We sell fresh “surf clams” on the beach. | Buuj yu bees peq lañuy jaay ca tefes ga. |
| I’m going to a surprise party. | Damay dem baal. |
| You surprised me a lot; I thought you were going to respect your commitments. | Bett nga ma lool, foogoon naa ni dinga sàmm sa kàddu. |
| I swear it was you who told me. | Billaay yaa ma ko wax. |
| Don’t dirty the yard, we just swept it! | Bul tilimal ëtt bi, léegi lañu ko bale! |
| My tablet is full. | Sama àlluwa fees na. |
| It’s you that I take morally for a father in this town. | Yow laa baayoo ci dëkk bi. |
| I’m tired, take over! | Sonn naa, aw ma! |
| During the holidays, the young women of the house take turns cooking. | Bu lekkool téjee janq ji ci kër gi dañuy ay–ayloo togg. |
| Stoke the fire so that it takes well! | Uppal taal bi ndax mu boy! |
| It tastes like lemon. | Cafko limoŋ la ame. |
| Prepare the tea! | Xiimal àttaaya ji! |
| My eyes are tearing up, I have to go see the doctor. | Samay bët yaa ngiy bas, war naa seeti doktoor. |
| The piece of meat has no flesh, it is only tendons. | Yàpp wi amul suux, caas rekk la. |
| He can set up his tent here, the yard is large. | Mën na fi samp berkelleem, diggu kër gi yaatu na. |
| Tetrodons cut the lines of fishermen. | Regej yi dañuy dog liiñu nappkat yi. |
| A good deed deserves thanks. | Jëf ju rafet laaj na cant. |
| She dances well that girl! | Janq boobaa mën fecc |
| I had found him in that village. | Dëkk boobale laa ko fekkoon. |
| Pass me that broom! | Jottali ma bale boobu! |
| I’m talking about that book. | Téere boobule laa wax. |
| I haven’t seen him since that time. | Booba laa ko géj a gis. |
| He had forgotten the commission. | Dafa fàtte woon yónnent ba. |
| Sweep the yard! | Baleel ëtt bi! |
| The room is small. | Néeg bu tuuti la. |
| The bush does not belong to anyone. | Àll bi kenn moomu ko. |
| No one knows what is happening in the hereafter. | Kenn xamul lu xew àllaaxira. |
| Do you know what time the theft took place? | Xam nga wan waxtu la càcc gi am? |
| He told her so; then he will leave. | Wax na ko ko, aloor dina dem. |
| I prefer this fabric over there. | Piis balee ma dàqal. |
| Knock on this door! | Fëggal ci bunt bile! |
| They contributed to buy a rice threshing machine. | Dañu boole jënd masin buy bàcc ceeb. |
| You want my mango, but it won’t go down your throat. | Danga bëgg ci sama màngo bi, waaye du jaar ci sa bóli. |
| his thumb hurts. | Baaraamu–déy beey metti. |
| Back to school next Thursday. | Alxemes jiy ñów la lekkool di ubbi. |
| This child is timid, his companions keep hitting him. | Xale bii dafa bëqët, moroom yi dañu koy dóor rekk. |
| Muslims should be made aware of the value of paying tithing. | War nañu yee jullit yi ci nnjariñal génne asaka. |
| I’ll see him when he comes today. | Dinaa ko gis bu ñówee ci bëccëg. |
| He’s got a ring on his toe. | Mu ngi takk jaaro ci baaraamu tànkam. |
| We made the trip to Mecca together. | Ñoo àndoon Màkka. |
| I wanted to buy this batik set, but the scarf is too small. | Bëggoon naa jënd cuub gi waaye musóor gi dafa cappe. |
| My uncle took care of the family. | Sama nijaay a boot njaboot gi. |
| Can’t you see how his cheek is swollen, he’s got a toothache. | Gisuloo ni ŋaam wi newee, dafa ànd ak boroom bopp. |
| He was tortured so much in prison that he preferred to end it once and for all. | Dañu ko bugël ca kaso ba, ba dee gënal ko dund. |
| Have you forgotten the traditions of Saloum? | Xanaa dangeen fàtte aaday Saalum? |
| The traveling merchant cannot remain in one place. | Baana–baana mënul toog. |
| Today, we prepare couscous; you will buy a kilo of meat and mutton tripe. | Tey cere lañuy togg; nanga jënd kilo yàpp ak butitu xar. |
| A trusted man must know how to hold his tongue. | Bëkk–néeg dafay jàpp làmmiñam. |
| Tomorrow I will not be cooking, I am finishing my turn today. | Ëllëg duma togg, tey la sama ay di jeex. |
| Come help me, it’s my turn today! | Kaay dimmali ma, maa aye tey! |
| You twisted the whole thread. | Baram nga wëñ gépp. |
| Fatou crushed two measures of millet. | Faatu wol na ñaari andaari dugub. |
| My grandfather has his boubou under his arm. | Sama maam a ngi boq mbubbam. |
| The head of the family is not there, under these conditions, let’s go home! | Boroom kër gi nekku fi, nanu ñibbi boog! |
| I don’t know what’s wrong with him, but he’s unstrung. | Xawma lu ko jot wànte bélliwul. |
| Wait until next year! | Xaaral ba déwen! |
| Wait until I get there! | Xaaral ba ma ñów! |
| The owner urges me: it’s not that I’m refusing to leave, but I haven’t found a place to rent yet. | Boroom kër gaa ngi ma bundxataal waaye bañuma génn, dama gisagul fu ma luye. |
| Put away the utensils, it’s getting late! | Fatal bagaas yi, guddi na! |
| He recites a short verse. | Aaya ju gàtt la tari. |
| In Diourbel, there is a factory that makes vinegar. | Njaaréem, am na isin buy defar bineegar. |
| He violently pulled my kaftan which tore. | Bif na sama xaftaan mu xotteeku. |
| She has a beautiful voice. | Baat bu neex la am. |
| I walked past his house when I was going to the market. | Ci buntu këram laa aw bi may dem màrse. |
| He wanted to travel, but he lacks the fare to buy the ticket. | Dafa bëggoon tukki, waaye paasam matul. |
| He really wants too much. | Dafa bare bëgg–bëgg lool. |
| Warn him before he gets hurt! | Artu ko bala muy gaañu! |
| Today I wanted to wash my boubou, but there is no sun. | Tey laa bëggoon aar sama mbubb mi, wànte naaj amul. |
| My wallet is made of water monitor skin. | Sama kalpe bi deru bar la. |
| His “baptism” is for Wednesday. | Àllarba la ngénteem. |
| All these days, we’re in the fields weeding. | Fan yii yépp ñu nga ca tool ya di beyaat. |
| This year, weeds have invaded my field. | Sama baxaw bi bari na ren. |
| I will be leaving next week. | Ayu–bés giy ñów laay dem. |
| We slaughtered two oxen to welcome him. | Ñaari nag lañu rey berndeel ko. |
| Eat well! | Lekkal bu baax! |
| He went through the hedge. | Bëtt na kokko bi. |
| What door did you go through? | Ban bunt nga jaare? |
| What about the children? They are at home. | Ana xale ya? Ñu nga ca kër ga. |
| When he had finished dinner, he went out. | Bi mu reeree, la gènn. |
| When the job is done, I will reward you. | Bu liggéey bi eggee dinaa leen neexal. |
| Let’s hurry back, the whirlwind is coming! | Nañu fatu gaaw, callweer wi agsi na. |
| Do not rebuff him, respect him, if only because of his white hair! | Bu ko toroxal, rus ko boog ndax bijjaawam bi! |
| He gave me a beautiful whitehorse. | Bare bu rafet la ma may. |
| White–haired adults are saying this, but it is not. | Ay muskàllaf yu bijjaaw ba weex tall ñoo koy wax te dara du ci dëgg. |
| I have a whitlow on my finger. | Dama ànd ak bëy ci loxo. |
| I went around the whole market, but I did not see any “cowpeas”. | Màrse bépp wër naa ko waaye gisuma fa ñebbe. |
| He wiggled the stake so that he could lift it out of the ground easily. | biij na bant bi ndax mu yomb buddi. |
| He drinks wine. | Dafay naan biiñ. |
| The women are winnowing the rice. | Jigéen ñaa ngiy bees ceeb bi. |
| Winter feeding has come. | Bët sébbi na. |
| He has a book with him which he opens from time to time. | Mu nga yor téere bob lée-lée mu ubbi ko. |
| I’m walking with my friend. | Maa ngiy waxtaan ak sama xarit. |
| Assane woke up late, which is why he missed the train. | Asan dafa biddanti moo tax mu fekk saxaar dem. |
| It is under this baobab that women from Kayor sell millet semolina. | Ci taatu guy googu la jigéeni Ajoor yi di jaaye sanqal. |
| Come on, I’ll say two words to you. | Kaay, ma wax la ñaari baat. |
| I ran out of breath so I wouldn’t be late. | Dama dow ba xëx ndax bañ a tàrde. |
| Wrestling is a traditional sport. | Bëre powum cosaan la. |
| He wrote me a long letter. | Bind na ma bataaxal bu gudd. |
| I have arrived, I haven’t said a word yet, and he’s yelling at me. | Dama yegsi, waxaguma, mu an ma. |
| Did you finally go to the movies yesterday? — Yes of course! | Mujj nga dem biig sinemaa? — Baña! |
| Do not wait for me! you are grown up now, you can wash yourself. | Bu ma xaar! léegi mag nga, mën nga sang sa bopp. |
For more Wolof phrases click here.
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Janga Wolof 