Language/Wolof/Grammar/Describing-Actions
Introduction
In this lesson, we will learn about Wolof adverbs and how to use them to describe actions. Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. They can provide information about manner, time, frequency, and degree. Understanding how to use adverbs is important to express yourself fluently in Wolof.
Manner Adverbs
Manner adverbs describe how an action is done. Examples of manner adverbs in Wolof are "jur" (well), "ndar" (badly), "dee" (quickly), and "noy" (slowly).
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Am na liggéey nañu ñoom | am na liɣeːj naɲu ɲom | I read the book quickly |
| Jëfandikoo xéét ak yapp | dʒəfandikoo xeːt ak jap | You sing well and beautifully |
Time Adverbs
Time adverbs indicate when an action takes place. Examples of time adverbs in Wolof are "tey" (now), "benn" (yesterday), "u ganéent" (last week), and "kër" (in the morning).
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Mi jëfandiku jamono tey | mi dʒəfandiku dʒamono teːj | I am singing now |
| Faan a dañuy yeewe noo benn | faːn a daɲuj jejew noo benn | We ate fish yesterday |
Frequency Adverbs
Frequency adverbs indicate how often an action occurs. Examples of frequency adverbs in Wolof are "def" (always), "mënëm" (sometimes), "waxtu sa kanam" (once a month), and "nataaliku" (twice a year).
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Yendu waa def | jendu waa def | You always come |
| Mënëm, ma nekk ci caréer bu jëfandikatikku gaaw | mənem, ma nɛk ci kareːr bu dʒəfandikatikku ɡaaw | Sometimes, I come to sing at your party |
Other Adverbs
Other adverbs in Wolof express different degrees of intensity or certainty. For example, "waay" means "indeed" or "really," and "déedéet" means "maybe" or "possibly."
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Waay, mi jëfandiku ci sa seex | waːj, mi dʒəfandiku ci sa ʃeːx | Indeed, I sing in her voice |
| Déedéet, am na jël ci tabax | deːdeːt, am na dʒəl ci tabax | Maybe, I will go to the market |
Adverb Placement
In Wolof, adverbs usually come after the verb they modify. For example:
- Am andul ak wuute kaar laaj tey (I work with diligence now)
- Ngir jëfandikukatiko nataaliku (I will teach you twice a year)
There are exceptions to this rule when using time adverbs. If the sentence begins with a time adverb, the subject and the verb are inverted.
- Benn, ma gis gni olof (Yesterday, I cooked olof)
- Kër, yéen nga fa màndarga xale yi? (In the morning, did you give the keys to your sister?)
Practice
Translate the following sentences into Wolof:
- They will eat together, slowly
- He sometimes helps his neighbors
- We always drink tea in the morning
- She sings well and happily
| English | Wolof |
|---|---|
| They will eat together, slowly | |
| He sometimes helps his neighbors | |
| We always drink tea in the morning | |
| She sings well and happily |
Conclusion
In this lesson, we have learned how to use adverbs in Wolof to describe actions, including manner, time, frequency, and degree. Adverbs are essential to conveying information accurately and fluently in Wolof. Remember to place adverbs after the verb in most cases and to invert the subject and verb order when a time adverb is used at the beginning of a sentence. Don't forget to practice using adverbs in your own sentences to become more proficient in Wolof.