Language/Wolof/Grammar/Negation

Wolof → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Negation

Welcome to this exciting lesson on Negation in Wolof! Understanding how to express negation is crucial for mastering any language, and Wolof is no exception. In this lesson, we will explore how to form negative sentences, providing you with the tools to express what is not happening, what is not true, or what you do not like.

Negation is an essential part of communication. Whether you are declining an invitation, stating that something is absent, or simply expressing disagreement, knowing how to use negation correctly allows you to convey your thoughts effectively and accurately.

Lesson Structure:

• Introduction to Negation

• Basic Negation Structure

• Examples of Negation

• Practice Exercises

• Summary

Let's dive right in!

Introduction to Negation

In Wolof, negation is typically formed by the use of the particle "du" or "na", depending on the tense and context. Understanding when and how to use these particles will help you create negative sentences that are clear and grammatically correct.

The basic structure of negation in Wolof is straightforward. Here’s a simple breakdown:

• For present tense, use "du".

• For past tense, use "na".

• For future tense, you can use "du" as well but in a different context.

Let's explore these structures in more detail.

Basic Negation Structure

The structure for negation in Wolof can be summarized as follows:

• For present tense:

• Affirmative: Subject + Verb

• Negative: Subject + du + Verb

• For past tense:

• Affirmative: Subject + Verb + (additional context)

• Negative: Subject + na + Verb + (additional context)

• For future tense:

• Affirmative: Subject + Verb + (additional context)

• Negative: Subject + du + Verb + (additional context)

Examples of Negation

Let’s look at some examples to clarify how negation works in Wolof. Below are tables demonstrating various negative sentence constructions.

Present Tense Negation

Wolof	Pronunciation	English
Ma ngi ci kanam	Maŋi si kanam	I am in front
Ma du ci kanam	Ma du si kanam	I am not in front
Dama jàpp	Dama dʒapp	I understand
Dama du jàpp	Dama du dʒapp	I do not understand
Ousmane dafa jàng	Usman dafa ʒaŋ	Ousmane is studying
Ousmane du jàng	Usman du ʒaŋ	Ousmane is not studying

Past Tense Negation

Wolof	Pronunciation	English
Dama jàng	Dama ʒaŋ	I studied
Dama na jàng	Dama na ʒaŋ	I did not study
Aissatou dafa jàpp	Aissatou dafa dʒapp	Aissatou understood
Aissatou na jàpp	Aissatou na dʒapp	Aissatou did not understand
Ndeye dafa jangal	Ndeye dafa ʒangal	Ndeye was teaching
Ndeye na jangal	Ndeye na ʒangal	Ndeye was not teaching

Future Tense Negation

Wolof	Pronunciation	English
Dama jàngal	Dama ʒaŋal	I will study
Dama du jàngal	Dama du ʒaŋal	I will not study
Aissatou dafa jàpp	Aissatou dafa dʒapp	Aissatou will understand
Aissatou du jàpp	Aissatou du dʒapp	Aissatou will not understand
Lamine dafa bëgg	Lamine dafa bɛg	Lamine wants
Lamine du bëgg	Lamine du bɛg	Lamine does not want

Practice Exercises

Now that we've covered the basics of negation in Wolof, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test with some practice exercises!

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following sentences with the correct negation.

1. Dama ____ jàng. (not study)

2. Ousmane ____ ci kanam. (not in front)

3. Ndeye ____ jàpp. (not understand)

Solutions:

1. Dama du jàng.

2. Ousmane du ci kanam.

3. Ndeye na jàpp.

Exercise 2: Translate to Wolof

Translate the following sentences into Wolof.

1. I do not want to eat.

2. Aissatou did not go.

3. Lamine will not come.

Solutions:

1. Dama du man eat.

2. Aissatou na gëna.

3. Lamine du tàmbali.

Exercise 3: Identify the Negation

Identify whether the following sentences are negative or affirmative.

1. Dama jàng.

2. Ousmane du jàng.

3. Aissatou na jàpp.

Solutions:

1. Affirmative

2. Negative

3. Negative

Exercise 4: Create Negative Sentences

Create a negative sentence in Wolof for each of the following prompts.

1. I eat.

2. You understand.

3. They want.

Sample Solutions:

1. Dama du mang eat.

2. Yéen du jàpp.

3. Ñu du bëgg.

Exercise 5: Sentence Transformation

Transform the following affirmative sentences into negative sentences.

1. Ma ngi ci kanam.

2. Ndeye dafa jangal.

3. Lamine dafa bëgg.

Solutions:

1. Ma du ci kanam.

2. Ndeye na jangal.

3. Lamine du bëgg.

Summary

Congratulations! You’ve just completed a comprehensive lesson on negation in Wolof. Remember, negation is a fundamental aspect of communication, allowing you to express what is not true or what you do not wish to convey. Practice using "du" and "na" in your conversations, and soon you’ll feel more confident in your ability to communicate effectively in Wolof.

As you continue your journey through the Complete 0 to A1 Wolof Course, keep practicing what you’ve learned today. The more you practice, the more fluent you will become!

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

  ---

Wolof Cultural Norms

• Politeness and Respect
• Greetings and Social Etiquette

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Classes
• Pronouns

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationship Terms

  ---

Family and Social Structure

• Family Roles
• Social Hierarchy

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Regular Verbs
• Irregular Verbs
• Tenses

  ---

Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Eating and Drinking

  ---

Wolof Cuisine and Dining Etiquette

• Traditional Dishes
• Dining Etiquette

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Describing People and Things
• Describing Actions

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Vocabulary

  ---

Travel and Tourism in Wolof-Speaking Countries

• Popular Destinations
• Travel Tips

Other Lessons

• Simple negation
• Nouns
• Questions
• Static verbs
• Adjectives
• Plural Nouns — Indefinite article
• Pronouns
• Conjugation
• Conditional

• Nouns