Language/Wolof/Grammar/Nouns

Wolof Grammar - Nouns

Hi Wolof learners! 😊
In this lesson, you will learn about Wolof nouns. Understanding nouns is essential for building correct sentences in any language, and Wolof is no exception.

With the completion of this lesson, consider investigating these related pages: Static verbs, Conjugation, Plural Nouns — Indefinite article & Comparatives.

Introduction to Nouns

In Wolof, a noun represents a person, place, thing, or idea. Most nouns in Wolof are not gendered, unlike many European languages.

Nouns are the basic building blocks of language, and they can be used to create simple or complex sentences. Wolof nouns are classified into five categories based on their prefixes, which act like articles.

Here are the five noun categories:

• bu- : non-physical objects like ideas or concepts
• ci- : physical objects, places, or abstract qualities
• ga- : people or animals
• ji- : liquids, grains, or sand
• lu- : body parts or clothing

Each category has its own rules regarding pluralization and agreement with verbs and adjectives.

Singular and Plural

In general, Wolof forms the plural of a noun by adding -na to the end of the word. Here are some examples:

Wolof	Plural form	English
mi	mina	tree(s)
ci	cina	thing(s)
sama	samana	mine(s)

However, some nouns have irregular plural forms that need to be memorized.

Agreement with Verbs

In Wolof, verbs agree with the subject of the sentence in terms of number and noun class. For example, the verb "to eat" (ñeb) would have a different form depending on the noun class that the subject belongs to.

Here are some examples:

• Nouns beginning with bu-: the verb takes the suffix -lu to agree with the subject, e.g. bu nekk "honesty", bu ñëw "discipline".

Wolof	Pronunciation	English
Bu nekk na yobu-lu	/bu'nek na 'jobulu/	Honesty is essential.

• Nouns beginning with ci-: the verb takes the suffix -mu to agree with the subject, e.g. ci mbër "table", ci mbob "rock".

Wolof	Pronunciation	English
Ci mber mu nga fukk	/si 'mber mu ŋa fukk/	You eat at the table.

• Nouns beginning with ga-: the verb takes the suffix -nu to agree with the subject, e.g. ga weesu "cat", ga ndaw "friend".

Wolof	Pronunciation	English
Ga weesu nu amul	/ga 'we:su nu a'mul/	The cat catches mice.

• Nouns beginning with ji-: the verb takes the suffix -lu to agree with the subject, e.g. ji nawle "water", ji woy "salt".

Wolof	Pronunciation	English
Ji nawle lu yëg	/ʤi 'nawle lu je:g/	Water is important.

• Nouns beginning with lu-: the verb takes the suffix -mu or -nu to agree with the subject, depending on whether it refers to body parts (mu) or clothing (nu), e.g. lu jigéen "arm", lu gegënaar "sock".

Wolof	Pronunciation	English
Lu jigéen mu nekk	/lu ʤi'ge:en mu nek/	My arm hurts.

Possessives

Possession is usually shown with the particle "mu" which follows the possessive. The noun that is being possessed follows the particle. The possessive particle will change depending on the class of the noun. Here are some examples:

Wolof	Pronunciation	English
Mel mu rëy	/mel mu 'rej/	My mother is coming	Ndaw mu ñuul	/ndaw mu 'ɲu:l/	Her friend lost

Dialogue

Here is a dialogue to practice using Wolof nouns in context.

• Person 1: Am naa ngi fekki wolof? (Do you speak Wolof?)
• Person 2: Waaw, mi ngi wax Wolof ci yoon wi (Yes, I speak Wolof a little bit)
• Person 1: Ci mbër senegal. (This is a table from Senegal.)
• Person 2: Waaw, ci mbër nga tey. (Yes, this is your table.)
• Person 1: Mel mu rëy nga yokk ci ëksal. (My mother is waiting for you at the exit.)
• Person 2: Ba beneen jëf ci nakk. (Thank you very much.)

Conclusion

Now you have a basic understanding of Wolof nouns! To improve your Wolof Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

Check out more Wolof grammar topics on the Grammar page. Happy learning! 😄

---

➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Sources

• Wolof language - Wikipedia
• Elementary Gambian Wolof Grammar
• Grammar – Janga Wolof

Excellent job on conquering this lesson! Consider delving into these related pages: Pronouns, Wolof Grammar → Nouns and Pronouns → Noun Classes, Plural Nouns — Definite articles & Basic Sentence Structure.

Other Lessons

• Negation
• Enonciative pronouns
• Notable characteristics
• Adjectives
• Simple negation
• The possessive expressed by “U”
• Conditional Mood
• Pronouns
• How to Use Have