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A collection of useful phrases in Wolof. You can see them in many other languages by clicking on the English versions.
Key to abbreviations: sg = singular (said to one person), pl = plural (said to more than one person).
| English | Wolof |
|---|---|
| Welcome | Merhbe |
| Hello | Na nga def (sg) Na ngeen def (pl) Salaam aleekum |
| How are you? Fine thanks, and you? |
Jaam nga am? (Have you peace?) Na nga def? |
| Jaam rek (Peace only) Yow nag? (and you?) Mangi fi rekk, na nga def? |
|
| Long time no see | |
| What's your name? My name is ... |
Naka-nga sant? Na nga tudd? Noo tuud? |
| Maa ngi tudd ... ... laa tudd |
|
| Where are you from? I'm from ... |
Fan nga joge? (sg) Fan ngeen joge? (pl) |
| Maa ngi joge ... ... laa joge |
|
| Pleased to meet you | |
| Good morning | Jaam nga fanane |
| Good afternoon | Jamm nga yendoo |
| Good evening | Naka ngon si |
| Goodbye | Ba beneen / Mangi dem |
| Good luck | |
| Cheers/Good health! | |
| Have a nice day | |
| Bon appetit | |
| Bon voyage | |
| Do you understand? | Dégg nga? |
| I understand | Dégg naa |
| I don't understand | Dégguma |
| I don't know | |
| Please speak more slowly | Ndax mën nga wax ndànk su la neexee? |
| Please say that again | Ndax mën nga ko waxaat su la neexee? |
| Please write it down | Ndax mën nga ko bind su la neexee? |
| Do you speak English? | Ndax dégg nga angale? |
| Do you speak Wolof? Yes, I speak a little Wolof |
Deg nga Wolof? |
| Wau, degg naa tuuti Wolof | |
| How do you say ... in Wolof? | |
| Excuse me | Baal ma! |
| How much is this? | Ñaata lay jar? |
| Sorry | Baal ma |
| Please | La neexee |
| Thank you Response |
Jai-rruh-jef |
| Agsil (sg) Agsileen ak jaam (pl) | |
| Where's the toilet? | Ana wanaag wi? |
| This gentleman/lady will pay for everything |
|
| Would you like to dance with me? |
Buga nga fecc? |
| I miss you | Namm naa la |
| I love you | Begg naa la (general) Sopp naa la (I admire you - when courting) Nopp naa la (between partners) |
| Get well soon | |
| Go away! | |
| Leave me alone! | Bayyi ma! May ma jaam! |
| Help! Fire! Stop! |
Wóoy! |
| Call the police! | Wooyal ma alkaati! |
| Merry Christmas and Happy New Year |
|
| Happy Easter | |
| Happy Birthday | |
| One language is never enough |
|
| My hovercraft is full of eels |
If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, please contact me.
Language learning materials for Wolof
Other collections of Wolof phrases
http://jangawolof.wordpress.com/2007/12/30/some-essential-wolof-phrases/
http://quizlet.com/1645140/wolof-greetings-phrases-flash-cards/
http://www.accessgambia.com/information/traditional-phrases.html
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