Language/Wolof/Vocabulary/Drinks
Hi Wolof learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on drinks in Wolof, an important vocabulary to know if you want to be able to order your favorite drinks in Senegal, Gambia, or Mauritania. We will learn how to order various drinks in Wolof and discover some cultural aspects of drinking in the local context. 🍸🥤🍺🍷
Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: Wolof survival phrases, Weather, Family Members & Verbs.
Beverages[edit | edit source]
Here are the most commonly consumed drinks in Wolof-speaking countries:
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| bèsi | /bɛː.si/ | tea |
| lëkkër | /lɛk.kœr/ | coffee |
| bun | /buŋ/ | water |
| jukk | /dʒukk/ | juice |
| mës bi | /mɛs.bi/ | milk |
| bëru | /bɛ.ru/ | beer |
| ñaari | /ɲaː.ri/ | wine |
Tea and coffee culture[edit | edit source]
Tea and coffee are very popular beverages in Wolof-speaking countries. There is a strong coffee culture in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, as well as in the rest of the country. You can buy coffee from street vendors, in local cafes or in up-scale coffee shops like "Starbucks", "Café Touba", and "Teranga Café".
Tea, on the other hand, plays an important social role in many African cultures, and Wolof people are no exception. In most Wolof households, tea is served throughout the day especially during breakfast and after meals to welcome guests. Tea is often accompanied by a variety of snacks like kersa (groundnut cakes), dibi (grilled meat), and thiakry (sweet millet pudding).
Juices[edit | edit source]
Juice (jukk) is very popular among Wolof people. In Dakar, juice street vendors are ubiquitous, and you can find them almost everywhere. They offer a wide range of juices made from tropical fruits such as mangoes, papaya, pineapple, and watermelon, as well as from local vegetables like baobab fruit and hibiscus.
Here is an example of a dialogue that you can use when ordering juice:
- Person 1: Pikinaan jukk laa gi? (What kind of juice do you have?)
- Person 2: Ci mangi mangamo, aguyi, papay, binum, nebaa, sap sap, sossole, jus bi nekk, etc. (We have mango, ginger, papaya, baobab, watermelon, lemon, tamarind, etc.)
- Person 1: Jukk aguyi na laa def lu war. (Let me have ginger juice, please.)
Alcoholic drinks[edit | edit source]
Alcohol consumption varies by country, culture, and religion. The majority of Wolof people are Muslims, and in Islam, alcohol consumption is considered a sin. Nonetheless, many Wolof people do drink, especially during social events such as weddings, baptisms, and funerals.
Here are the two most popular alcoholic beverages in Wolof-speaking countries:
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| bëru | /bɛ.ru/ | beer |
| ñaari | /ɲaː.ri/ | wine |
Here is an example of a dialogue that you can use when ordering beer:
- Person 1: Jaam def bëru laa? (Do you have beer?)
- Person 2: Waaw, am na laa bëru bi. (Yes, we have beer.)
- Person 1: Nëgg na! (Bring it on!)
Note that it is not common for women to drink alcohol in Wolof-speaking countries, especially in public. So, if you are a woman, be aware of the local norms and customs.
To learn more Wolof vocabulary related to food and beverages, check out the Vocabulary section of the Wolof language page. To practice your Wolof skills, join the Polyglot Club, find native speakers, and ask them any questions.
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. 😎
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