Hi there, curious traveller!
Interested in picking up some Wolof?
Whether you’re exploring the streets of Dakar or just want to connect with Wolof speakers, learning a few key phrases can make all the difference.
This guide is packed with everyday expressions, from simple greetings to handy questions and warm words of affection.
No need to worry about complex grammar—these phrases are easy to learn and fun to use. So, let’s dive into the world of Wolof and start chatting like a local!
Greetings in Wolof
| English | Wolof |
|---|---|
| Good evening. | Ñu fanan ak jàam |
| Good morning. | Assalamalekum |
| Good afternoon. | Ñu yéndu ak jàam |
| How are you? | Na nga def? |
| How are you today? | Na nga déf tey? |
| I am fine. | Ma ngi fi - Ma ngi ci jàam |
| Have a good day. | Yéndul ak jàam |
| I am doing great. | Ma ngi ci jàam bu baax |
| Hi/Hello. | Assalamalekum |
| Nice to meet you. | Bégg naa ci gis la |
| See you soon. | Ba fann yi |
| See you later. | Ba ci kanam |
Love Language in Wolof
| English | Wolof |
|---|---|
| I love you. | Bëgg na la |
| I miss you. | Namm naa la |
| Love you so much. | Bëgg naa la torop |
| I want to see you. | Dama la bëgga gis |
| I love you with all my heart. | Bëgg naa la sama bir xol |
| I love you too. | Bëgg naa la tamit |
| I want to see you. | Dama la bëgg a gis |
| I like you. | Dama la bëgg |
| You are beautiful. | Rafeet nga - da nga rafeet |
| My love. | Sama xol |
| You look beautiful. | Ya ngi rafeet |
| My beautiful wife. | Sama jabar bu rafeet bi |
| I miss you so much, darling. | Naam na la torop, sama xol |
| I need you. | Dama la soxla |
| You will miss me. | Dina la naam |
| Goodbye, my love. | Ba benen yoon, sama xol |
| See you tomorrow. | Ba suba |
| I will marry you. | Dina la tàkk |
| I want some space. | Dama soxla sama bopp |
| I need your love. | Dama soxla sa bëggeel |
| You are mine. | Sama yëf nga |
Directions in Wolof
| English | Wolof |
|---|---|
| Where are you? | Foo nékk? |
| Where did you go? | Foo demoon? |
| Where do you live? | Fan nga dëkk? |
| Where are you going? | Fann ngay dem? |
| Where were you? | Fan nga nekk? |
Common Questions in Wolof
| English | Wolof |
|---|---|
| How much? | Ñatta? |
| How are you feeling? | Na nga def? |
| How have you been? | Naka nga def? |
| What is your name? | Noo tuddu? |
| What are you doing? | Lan ngay def? |
| What are you cooking/eating? | Lan ngay togg/lekk? |
| Are you okay, dear? | Ya ngi ci jàam, sama xarit? |
| When are you coming? | Kañ ngay ñëw? |
| How was your night/day? | Naka sa guddi/suba? |
| How are you doing? | Na nga def? |
| How is your family? | Naka sa wa kër? |
| How was your day? | Naka nga yéndoo? |
| What is wrong? | Lu xéw? |
| What do you mean? | Loo bëgga wax? |
| How's the weather over there? | Naka jawwu ji? - Naka kilima bi? |
| Have you gone to church? | Ndax demon nga sa jangu ba? |
| What is this? | Li lan la? |
| What's going on? | Lan mo xéw? |
| Are you listening? | Ya ngi mey dégglu? |
| Have you heard? | Dégg nga? |
| Can I go home? | Mën naa ñibbi? |
| Can I ask something? | Mën naa la laaj dara? |
| How is everything? | Naka mbir yi? |
| What’s your phone number? | Lan moy sa nimero telefon? |
Everyday Conversations in Wolof
| English | Wolof |
|---|---|
| Happy birthday | Bés bu dellu ci moo néex |
| Thank you | Jërëjëf |
| I am sorry | Balma |
| You are welcome. | Ñokko bokk |
| What’s up? | Lu bees? |
| What’s new? | Lu bees? |
| Congratulations | War na nga |
| I am hungry | Dama xiif |
| I am thirsty | Dama mar |
| I am tired | Dama sonn |
| Come in | Dëgg sa kaw |
| I don’t know | Xamaatuma |
| Take care | Di na la jàpp |
| God bless you | Yalla na la barke |
| I will call you | Dina la woote |
| What time is it? | Ñaata waxtu? |
| What are you doing today? | Loo di def tey? |
| Good job | Liggey bi baax na |
| I am coming | Ma ngi ñëw |
| I am leaving | Ma ngi dem |
| Wait for me | Dalal ma |
| What did you say? | Loo waxoon? |
| Do you want to eat? | Dama bëgg lekk |
| How is your mother? | Naka sa yaay? |
| How is your father? | Naka sa baay? |
| Come and eat | Naa lekk |
| Let's go | Ñu dem |
| I have to go | Fàww na ma dem |
| I am going to work | Ma ngi dem liggéey |
| Do you want to sleep? | Ndax bëgg nga nelaw? |
| I am going to sleep | Ma ngi dem nelaw |
| It is hot | Taangaay la |
| It is cold | Sedd na |
| It is raining | Tud na |
| I am happy | Dama bég |
| I am sad | Dama déem |
| Don't worry | Bul goor goorlu |
| Good night | Fanaan ak jàmm |
| Let's eat | Ñu lekk |
| See you later | Ba ci kanam |
| I don’t understand | Degglu ma xamuma |
| Can you help me? | Mën nga ma dimbali? |
| I am lost | Dama réew |
| I am here | Ma ngi fii |
| I am busy | Dama ñaw |
| I am coming back | Dina ma dellu |
| Go ahead | Dàq |
| It’s okay | Là nga yàgg |
| Are you ready? | Ndax am nga napp? |
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