Language/Wolof/Grammar/How-to-Use-Have

Wolof Grammar - How to Use "Have"

Hi Wolof learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to use "have" in Wolof. "Have" is used to express possession or to indicate the completion of an action. We will also explore the cultural and practical use of "have" in Wolof. Let's get started!

Possession

"Have" is typically used to express possession in English. In Wolof, the verb that is used to indicate possession is "def". Examples:

Wolof	Pronunciation	English
def ko	def kɔ	I have a house
def yow	def joɓ	You have a car
def jëf	def ʤɛf	He/She has a book
def am na nekk	def am na nek	We have some money
def ñuy liggéey ci	def ɲuy liɡeːj ci	They have a problem

Note that "def" has to be conjugated according to the subject, just like many other verbs in Wolof.

Let's practice using "def" in a dialogue:

• Person 1: Def ko jàmm? (Do you have food?)
• Person 2: Waay, def naa jàmm. (Yes, I have some food.)

Completion of an Action

"Have" is also used in English to indicate the completion of an action. For example, "I have eaten breakfast" implies that breakfast is already finished, rather than saying "I ate breakfast". The Wolof word for "have" in this sense is "wone". Examples:

Wolof	Pronunciation	English
xam wone ji	xam wonɛ ʤi	I have finished work
dina wone doy	dina wonɛ doj	It has rained
yëng wone xel	jɛŋ wonɛ xɛl	We have cooked rice
suuxal wone joòlu	suːxal wonɛ ʤoːlu	They have eaten lunch

Now let's see "wone" in use:

• Person 1: Ngir Ndar wone baat yi? (Have you finished the work in Ndar?)
• Person 2: Waaw, xam wone baat yi. (Yes, I have finished the work.)

Cultural and Practical Use

In Wolof culture, the concept of "to have" is used to express hospitality and generosity. If you visit someone's home, they will likely ask you "Naka def?" (Do you have?), which means "Are you carrying anything?". This is an indirect way for the host to offer food or drink to their guest. The correct response to this question is "Am def" (Yes I have), even if the guest doesn't have anything. Also, when expressing condolences, Wolof people often say "My dear, may God have mercy on us" which translates to "Naka def jël, Yalle def tëre". This is a way to express feeling for the loss, but also to show generosity and support.

Let's add a dialogue with the cultural use of "def":

• Person 1: Salam aleikum. (Hello.)
• Person 2: Maleikum Salam. Naka def? (Hello. Did you bring anything?)
• Person 1: Alhamdulilah. Am def. (Thank you. Yes, I brought something.)
• Person 2: Jërëjëf. (Thank you.)

To improve your Wolof Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

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