Language/Wolof/Grammar/Nouns
Hi Wolof learners! 😊
In this lesson, you will learn about Wolof nouns. Understanding nouns is essential for building correct sentences in any language, and Wolof is no exception.
Introduction to Nouns
In Wolof, a noun represents a person, place, thing, or idea. Most nouns in Wolof are not gendered, unlike many European languages.
Nouns are the basic building blocks of language, and they can be used to create simple or complex sentences. Wolof nouns are classified into five categories based on their prefixes, which act like articles.
Here are the five noun categories:
- bu- : non-physical objects like ideas or concepts
- ci- : physical objects, places, or abstract qualities
- ga- : people or animals
- ji- : liquids, grains, or sand
- lu- : body parts or clothing
Each category has its own rules regarding pluralization and agreement with verbs and adjectives.
Singular and Plural
In general, Wolof forms the plural of a noun by adding -na to the end of the word. Here are some examples:
| Wolof | Plural form | English |
|---|---|---|
| mi | mina | tree(s) |
| ci | cina | thing(s) |
| sama | samana | mine(s) |
However, some nouns have irregular plural forms that need to be memorized.
Agreement with Verbs
In Wolof, verbs agree with the subject of the sentence in terms of number and noun class. For example, the verb "to eat" (ñeb) would have a different form depending on the noun class that the subject belongs to.
Here are some examples:
- Nouns beginning with bu-: the verb takes the suffix -lu to agree with the subject, e.g. bu nekk "honesty", bu ñëw "discipline".
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Bu nekk na yobu-lu | /bu'nek na 'jobulu/ | Honesty is essential. |
- Nouns beginning with ci-: the verb takes the suffix -mu to agree with the subject, e.g. ci mbër "table", ci mbob "rock".
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ci mber mu nga fukk | /si 'mber mu ŋa fukk/ | You eat at the table. |
- Nouns beginning with ga-: the verb takes the suffix -nu to agree with the subject, e.g. ga weesu "cat", ga ndaw "friend".
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ga weesu nu amul | /ga 'we:su nu a'mul/ | The cat catches mice. |
- Nouns beginning with ji-: the verb takes the suffix -lu to agree with the subject, e.g. ji nawle "water", ji woy "salt".
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ji nawle lu yëg | /ʤi 'nawle lu je:g/ | Water is important. |
- Nouns beginning with lu-: the verb takes the suffix -mu or -nu to agree with the subject, depending on whether it refers to body parts (mu) or clothing (nu), e.g. lu jigéen "arm", lu gegënaar "sock".
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Lu jigéen mu nekk | /lu ʤi'ge:en mu nek/ | My arm hurts. |
Possessives
Possession is usually shown with the particle "mu" which follows the possessive. The noun that is being possessed follows the particle. The possessive particle will change depending on the class of the noun. Here are some examples:
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mel mu rëy | /mel mu 'rej/ | My mother is coming | Ndaw mu ñuul | /ndaw mu 'ɲu:l/ | Her friend lost |
Dialogue
Here is a dialogue to practice using Wolof nouns in context.
- Person 1: Am naa ngi fekki wolof? (Do you speak Wolof?)
- Person 2: Waaw, mi ngi wax Wolof ci yoon wi (Yes, I speak Wolof a little bit)
- Person 1: Ci mbër senegal. (This is a table from Senegal.)
- Person 2: Waaw, ci mbër nga tey. (Yes, this is your table.)
- Person 1: Mel mu rëy nga yokk ci ëksal. (My mother is waiting for you at the exit.)
- Person 2: Ba beneen jëf ci nakk. (Thank you very much.)
Conclusion
Now you have a basic understanding of Wolof nouns! To improve your Wolof Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Check out more Wolof grammar topics on the Grammar page. Happy learning! 😄
➡ 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. 😎
Sources
Related Lessons
- Negation
- Enonciative pronouns
- Notable characteristics
- Adjectives
- Simple negation
- The possessive expressed by “U”
- Conditional Mood
- Pronouns
- How to Use Have