Language/Wolof/Grammar/Time-and-Dates
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Welcome to the Wolof Grammar lesson on the past tense and how to talk about time and dates in Wolof. In this lesson, we will explore the various ways to express past actions and discuss how to talk about days, months, and years in Wolof. Mastering the past tense is crucial for effective communication in any language, and understanding how to express time and dates allows for more accurate and precise conversations.
In this lesson, we will cover the following topics:
1. Past tense formation for regular verbs 2. Conjugation of irregular verbs in the past tense 3. Expressing specific days, months, and years
By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of the past tense in Wolof and the vocabulary necessary to discuss time and dates. So let's get started!
Past Tense Formation for Regular Verbs[edit | edit source]
In Wolof, the past tense is formed by adding specific suffixes to the verb stem. For regular verbs, these suffixes are relatively consistent and follow a predictable pattern. Let's take a look at the conjugation of a regular verb in the past tense:
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| bu neex | boo-nekh | I ate |
| bu neexul | boo-nekh-ool | You ate |
| bu neexul | boo-nekh-ool | He/She ate |
| bu neexul | boo-nekh-ool | We ate |
| bu neexul | boo-nekh-ool | You all ate |
| bu neexul | boo-nekh-ool | They ate |
As you can see, the verb stem "neex" remains the same, and the suffixes vary depending on the subject of the sentence. Note the use of the pronouns "bu" (I), "bu neexul" (you), "bu neexul" (he/she), "bu neexul" (we), "bu neexul" (you all), and "bu neexul" (they).
Let's look at another example with a different regular verb:
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| bu jënd | boo-jend | I drank |
| bu jëndul | boo-jend-ool | You drank |
| bu jëndul | boo-jend-ool | He/She drank |
| bu jëndul | boo-jend-ool | We drank |
| bu jëndul | boo-jend-ool | You all drank |
| bu jëndul | boo-jend-ool | They drank |
In this example, the verb stem "jënd" remains the same, and the suffixes indicate the subject of the sentence.
Now, let's practice conjugating regular verbs in the past tense. Try to conjugate the following verbs based on the given subject:
1. Stem: "wër" (to come)
a) bu wër b) bu wërul c) bu wërul d) bu wërul e) bu wërul f) bu wërul
2. Stem: "sëy" (to see)
a) bu sëy b) bu sëyul c) bu sëyul d) bu sëyul e) bu sëyul f) bu sëyul
3. Stem: "kër" (to sleep)
a) bu kër b) bu kërul c) bu kërul d) bu kërul e) bu kërul f) bu kërul
Conjugation of Irregular Verbs in the Past Tense[edit | edit source]
While regular verbs in Wolof follow a predictable pattern for past tense formation, irregular verbs have conjugation patterns that deviate from the norm. It's important to familiarize yourself with these irregular verbs to accurately express past actions. Let's look at some examples:
1. Irregular Verb: "ñaaw" (to see)
a) bu ñaaw b) bu ñaawul c) bu ñaawul d) bu ñaawul e) bu ñaawul f) bu ñaawul
2. Irregular Verb: "tëj" (to do)
a) bu tëj b) bu tëjul c) bu tëjul d) bu tëjul e) bu tëjul f) bu tëjul
3. Irregular Verb: "mën" (to come)
a) bu nën b) bu nënul c) bu nënul d) bu nënul e) bu nënul f) bu nënul
Now, let's practice conjugating irregular verbs in the past tense. Try to conjugate the following irregular verbs based on the given subject:
1. Verb: "génn" (to know)
a) bu génn b) bu génnul c) bu génnul d) bu génnul e) bu génnul f) bu génnul
2. Verb: "ñuul" (to be)
a) bu ñuul b) bu ñuulul c) bu ñuulul d) bu ñuulul e) bu ñuulul f) bu ñuulul
3. Verb: "ñëw" (to want)
a) bu ñëw b) bu ñëwul c) bu ñëwul d) bu ñëwul e) bu ñëwul f) bu ñëwul
Time and Dates[edit | edit source]
In Wolof, talking about time and dates is an essential part of daily communication. Let's explore how to express specific days, months, and years in Wolof.
Days of the Week[edit | edit source]
In Wolof, the days of the week are:
- Lundi (Monday)
- Mardi (Tuesday)
- Mercredi (Wednesday)
- Jeudi (Thursday)
- Vendredi (Friday)
- Samedi (Saturday)
- Dimanche (Sunday)
To say "on Monday," for example, you can use the phrase "leegi lundi." Here, "leegi" means "on" and "lundi" means "Monday." Similarly, you can use "leegi" with the other days of the week.
Months of the Year[edit | edit source]
The months of the year in Wolof are as follows:
- Janwiye (January)
- Feewiriye (February)
- Mars (March)
- Abriil (April)
- Me (May)
- Suwe (June)
- Sulet (July)
- Ut (August)
- Sàttumbar (September)
- Òktobar (October)
- Nowàmbar (November)
- Desàmbar (December)
To express a specific month, you can use the phrase "bulu" followed by the name of the month. For example, "bulu Janwiye" means "in January."
Years[edit | edit source]
To talk about a specific year, you can simply state the year in Wolof. For example, "2010" would be "jëmë 2010" in Wolof.
Now, let's practice expressing time and dates in Wolof. Try to translate the following phrases into Wolof:
1. On Saturday
a) leegi samedi
2. In April
a) bulu Abriil
3. 2022
a) jëmë 2022
4. On Wednesday
a) leegi mercredi
5. In July
a) bulu Sulet
6. 1995
a) jëmë 1995
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to form the past tense for regular and irregular verbs in Wolof. Additionally, you now know how to talk about days, months, and years in Wolof. Keep practicing and reinforcing your knowledge of the past tense and time expressions, as they are essential for effective communication in Wolof.
In the next lesson, we will delve into the role of Islam in Wolof culture and explore the most important festivals and celebrations. Stay tuned for more fascinating insights into Wolof language and culture!
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Wolof Numbers, Time & Dates – Janga Wolof
- Wolof language - Wikipedia
- Class Roster - Fall 2022 - WOLOF 2118
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Simple negation
- Nouns
- Adjectives
- Future Tense
- Pronouns and How to ask questions
- Conditional Mood
- Notable characteristics
- Indirect Object Pronouns
- Possessive pronouns
- Regular Verbs