Useful phrases in Wolof

A collection of useful phrases in Wolof, a Niger-Congo language spoken mainly in Senegal.

See these phrases in any combination of two languages in the Phrase Finder. If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me.

Key to abbreviations: sg = singular (said to one person), pl = plural (said to more than one person).

English	Wolof
Welcome	Merhbe
Hello (General greeting)	Na nga def (sg) Na ngeen def (pl) Salaam aleekum
How are you?	Jaam nga am? (Have you peace?) Na nga def?
Reply to 'How are you?'	Jaam rek, Yow nag? (Peace only, and you?) Mangi fi rekk, na nga def?
Long time no see	Gej na la giis
What's your name?	Naka-nga sant? Na nga tudd? Noo tudd?
My name is ...	Maa ngi tudd ... ... laa tudd
Where are you from?	Fan nga joge? (sg) Fan ngeen joge? (pl)
I'm from ...	Maa ngi joge ... ... laa joge
Pleased to meet you	Am nàa mbekte ci guiss la
Good morning (Morning greeting)	Jaam nga fanane
Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting)	Jamm nga yendoo
Good evening (Evening greeting)	Naka ngon si
Goodbye (Parting phrases)	Ba beneen Mangi dem
Good luck!	Màa ngui lay nianal weurseuk
Cheers! Good Health! (Toasts used when drinking)	Wer gu yaram!
Have a nice day	Yendu ak jàam
Bon appetit / Have a nice meal	Naci jàam bari
Bon voyage / Have a good journey	Yônu jàam
Do you understand?	Dégg nga?
I understand	Dégg naa
I don't understand	Dégguma
I don't know	Xamu mako
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?	Deg nga Wolof?
Yes, a little (reply to 'Do you speak ...?')	Wau, degg naa tuuti Wolof
How do you say ... in Wolof?	Naka lanuy waxee lii ci wolof?
Excuse me	Baal ma!
How much is this?	Ñaata lay jar?
Sorry	Baal ma
Please	La neexee
Thank you	Jai-rruh-jef
Reply to thank you	Agsil (sg) Agsileen ak jaam (pl)
Where's the toilet / bathroom?	Ana wanaag wi?
This gentleman will pay for everything	Góor gu bàax bi dina fay lepp
This lady will pay for everything	Jigéen gui dina fay lépp
Would you like to dance with me?	Buga nga fecc? Ndax beugue nga fecc ak man?
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	Tanéel ak jáam
Go away!	Deemal! Deemal waay!
Leave me alone!	Bayyi ma! May ma jaam!
Help!	Wóoy!
Fire!	Táal!
Stop!	Taxawal!
Call the police!	Wooyal ma alkaati!
Christmas greetings	Mangui lay ndioukeul ci Noël bi
New Year greetings	Mangui lay ndokkel ci att bu bess bi
Easter greetings	Mangui lay ndokkel ci pâques bi
Birthday greetings	Mangui lay ndokkel ci sa bess bu délu si bi
One language is never enough
My hovercraft is full of eels	Sama aéroglisseur fèèss neu ak anguilles'

Recordings and some translations by LaPolyglotte

Download the audio files

If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, or if you can provide recordings, please contact me.

Information about Wolof | Phrases | Numbers | Tower of Babel

Links

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

Phrases in Senegambian languages

Fula, Wolof

Phrases in other languages

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