Language/Wolof/Grammar/Verb-Conjugation

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Wolof → Grammar → Verb Conjugation

As a Wolof language teacher with 20 years of experience, I am pleased to introduce you to the world of Wolof verbs. In this lesson, we will focus on how to conjugate verbs in the present tense.

As a beginner, it is important to master the basics before moving on to more advanced topics. Understanding how to conjugate verbs is essential to speaking Wolof fluently. But don't be intimidated, with practice and dedication, you will master verb conjugation in no time. So, let's get started!


Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: Singular and Plural & Pronouns.

Conjugating Verbs in the Present Tense

In Wolof, verbs change depending on the subject of the sentence. To conjugate verbs in the present tense, you need to take the root of the verb and add the appropriate personal pronoun ending.

Let's take the verb "nopp" (to stand) as an example:

Wolof Pronunciation English
Mo nopp Mo nop I stand
Ma nopp Ma nop You stand (singular)
Yi nopp Yi nop He/She/It stands
Nu nopp Nu nop We stand
Nu jëf Nu jef You stand (plural)
Yéen nopp Yeen nop They stand

As you can see, the personal pronoun ending changes depending on the subject of the sentence. Make sure you have memorized the personal pronouns in Wolof before you start conjugating verbs.

Here is a list of some common verbs and their conjugations in the present tense:

  • "def" (to eat)
Wolof Pronunciation English
Mo def Mo def I eat
Ma def Ma def You eat (singular)
Yi def Yi def He/She/It eats
Nu def Nu def We eat
Nu jëf Nu jef You eat (plural)
Yéen def Yeen def They eat
  • "ñëbb" (to drink)
Wolof Pronunciation English
Mo ñëbb Mo nyeb I drink
Ma ñëbb Ma nyeb You drink (singular)
Yi ñëbb Yi nyeb He/She/It drinks
Nu ñëbb Nu nyeb We drink
Nu jëf ñëbb Nu jef nyeb You drink (plural)
Yéen ñëbb Yeen nyeb They drink
  • "xam" (to know)
Wolof Pronunciation English
Mo xam Mo khahm I know
Ma xam Ma khahm You know (singular)
Yi xam Yi khahm He/She/It knows
Nu xam Nu khahm We know
Nu jëf xam Nu jef khahm You know (plural)
Yéen xam Yeen khahm They know

Now it's your turn! Practice conjugating verbs using different personal pronouns until it becomes second nature. You can find a list of common verbs online or in a Wolof verb book.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind while conjugating verbs:

  • Remember to use the appropriate personal pronoun ending for the subject of the sentence.
  • Pay attention to the root of the verb.
  • Practice, practice, practice! The more you conjugate verbs, the easier it becomes.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have taken the first step towards mastering Wolof verbs. In this lesson, we covered how to conjugate verbs in the present tense. Remember to practice often and don't be afraid to make mistakes. The more you practice, the more confident you will become in using Wolof verbs. In the next lesson, we will cover negation in Wolof. So, stay tuned!


Finished this lesson? Check out these related lessons: Alphabet and Pronunciation & Am (to have) in the present tense.

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