Language/Wolof/Vocabulary/Introducing-Yourself

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Wolof → Vocabulary → Introducing Yourself

As a Wolof language teacher, I believe that learning how to introduce yourself is a critical first step when studying any language. We need to know how to greet others and introduce ourselves. It is part of showing respect to people and their culture. Therefore, in this lesson, we will cover the basics of Wolof greetings and introductions.

Don't hesitate to look into these other pages after completing this lesson: Weather & Asking and saying the age.

Basic Greetings

The first step of any conversation is greeting someone. Here are some basic greetings in Wolof:

Wolof	Pronunciation	English Translation
jam nga fanane	jam nga fa-na-ne	How are you?
nngeen bii	n-ngin bii	I'm fine
jam nga fine?	jam nga fi-ne	And you?
àddunamm	a-ddunam	Goodbye
àllô	a-lo	Hello (borrowed from French)
jàmm ak xéewel	jamm ak khé-weul	Peace be with you
jërëjëf	jë-re-jëf	Thank you

Introducing Yourself

Now, let's learn how to introduce ourselves in Wolof. Here's some useful phrases you can use:

• Maa ngi boole yi? (What's your name?)
You can answer this question as follows:

• Maa ngi tudd? (What’s your name?)
• Nminin... (My name is...)

For example:

N: Maa ngi boole yi? (What's your name?)
R: Maa ngi tudd. Amadou. (My name is Amadou.)

You can also ask someone where they come from:

• Manga dem? (Where are you from?)
• Maa ngi jeex? (Where do you live?)

For example:

N: Manga dem? (Where are you from?)
R: Manga France yi. (I'm from France.)

N: Maa ngi jeex?
R: Jeex gu France. (I live in France.)

Practice

Now is the time to practice what you’ve learned. Find a Wolof speaker and greet them by saying: "Jam nga fanane". Ask them their name (""Maa ngi boole yi?"") and tell them yours. You can also ask where they come from and where they live.

Conclusion

In conclusion, being able to introduce yourself in Wolof is a crucial starting point for any conversation. Remember to pay attention to pronunciation and practice often. You can now move on to the next lesson in the course and continue learning Wolof!

Now that you've completed this lesson, don't stop learning! Check out these related topics: Count to 10 & Sports.

Other Lessons

• Weather
• Useful phrases for beginners
• Clothes
• Shopping Vocabulary
• Money and Currency
• Means of Transportation
• House
• Vegetables
• Days of the Week

Sources

• Peace Corps P.DOT – Wolof Lessons
• NEW WOLOF BOOK
• Learn the 30 most important words in Wolof!

Table of Contents - Wolof Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Wolof

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

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Wolof Cultural Norms

• Politeness and Respect
• Greetings and Social Etiquette

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Classes
• Pronouns

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Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationship Terms

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Family and Social Structure

• Family Roles
• Social Hierarchy

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Verbs and Tenses

• Regular Verbs
• Irregular Verbs
• Tenses

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Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Eating and Drinking

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Wolof Cuisine and Dining Etiquette

• Traditional Dishes
• Dining Etiquette

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Adjectives and Adverbs

• Describing People and Things
• Describing Actions

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Vocabulary

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Travel and Tourism in Wolof-Speaking Countries

• Popular Destinations
• Travel Tips

◀️ Common Greetings — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Politeness and Respect ▶️