Phrases

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.

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.

Janga Wolof

Language & Culture of The Senegambia.

Phrases

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.

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