Language/Wolof/Vocabulary/Family-Members
Wolof is a language spoken in Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania. It belongs to the Atlantic branch of the Niger-Congo language family. In this lesson, you will learn the Wolof words for different family members, such as parents, siblings, and extended family.
Family Members
Family is an essential part of Wolof culture. Wolof households typically include several generations living together, and family members are expected to take care of each other.
Here are some Wolof words for family members you might encounter:
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| xalis | khuh-LEES | mother |
| yàllaat | yat-LAAT | father |
| jigeen | JEE-gehn | wife |
| nekk | neck | husband |
| mel | mel | son |
| mer | mer | daughter |
| awo | ah-WOH | grandmother |
| am naa | ahm-nah | grandfather |
| kow | kow | brother |
| dem | dem | sister |
| bët | bet | aunt |
| jëlle | juh-LE | uncle |
| jigeen baay | JEE-gehn ba-YE | mother-in-law |
| buur baay | bur ba-YE | father-in-law |
Some notes on pronunciation:
- Wolof vowel sounds can be difficult to master, especially for English speakers. Pay special attention to the length of the vowels. - The "x" in "xalis" is pronounced like the "ch" in "loch" or "Bach". - The "j" in "jigeen" and "jëlle" is pronounced like the "zh" in "measure" or "pleasure". - The word "nekk", which means "husband", can also mean "me" or "I" when used as a pronoun.
Here are some example sentences using these family member terms:
- Xalis bu xaalis waa yër? (who is your mother's sister?)
- Xaley yi mel ci biir am naa. (the boys are the sons of my grandfather)
- Jigeen naa ci bu ñuul ko wër bu joxe wone. (my wife saw your brother at the market yesterday)
- Dem naa mooy jëf jigeen na la. (my sister is the favorite of my mother-in-law)
In Wolof, age and gender are often used to differentiate between different family members. For example, "woor" can mean "older brother" and "younger brother," depending on the age of the speaker and the person being referred to. Similarly, "jar" can mean "older sister" and "younger sister."
Extended family is also an important part of Wolof culture. Relatives who are not immediate family members are often referred to using common terms, such as "jigéenbi" for "aunties" and "kuñal" for "cousins."
Conclusion
In this lesson, you learned the Wolof words for different family members, such as parents, siblings, and extended family. Family is an essential part of Wolof culture, and knowing these words can help you communicate with Wolof speakers in a more meaningful way.
Don't be afraid to practice using these words with your Wolof-speaking friends and family members! And be sure to join us in the next lesson to learn more about relationship terms in Wolof.