Language/Wolof/Vocabulary/Basic-Greetings
As a Wolof language teacher with over 20 years of experience, I am thrilled to welcome you to the "Complete 0 to A1 Wolof Course." In this lesson, we will cover the basics of greetings and introductions in the Wolof language. By the end of this lesson, you will have learned how to say hello, goodbye, thank you, and other common greetings.
With the completion of this lesson, consider investigating these related pages: How to Say Hello and Greetings & Occupations.
Basic Greetings
Let's begin with some essential phrases you can use to greet people in Wolof:
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Nanga def | NaN-ga def | How are you? |
| Mang fi rekk, alxamdulilah. | Ma-ng fi rekkh, al-ham-du-li-lah | I'm fine, thank you. |
| Suma ak jamm? | Su-ma ak ja-mm | What's up? |
| Waaw, mangi ci kanam. | Waw, man-gi ji ka-nam | Nothing much. |
| Jërëjëf! | Je-re-jeff | Thank you! |
| Jamm rekk | Jamm rek | Goodbye |
Some things to note about these phrases: - Wolof is traditionally an oral language, so pronunciation is incredibly important. Be sure to listen closely to your Wolof teacher and practice speaking the phrases aloud. - In Wolof, there is no exact translation for “hello” or “goodbye.” Instead, we use phrases like “How are you?” or “I am going,” respectively. - The response to “How are you?” is “Mang fi rekk, alxamdulilah,” which translates to “I’m fine, thank you.” The phrase “Suma ak jamm?” means “What’s up?”. - “Waaw, mangi ci kanam” is a typical response to “Suma ak jamm?”. It means “Nothing much.” - “Jërëjëf!” is a common way to say “thank you” in Wolof. You can also use “Ba beneen yoon,” which means “thank you very much.” - “Jamm rekk” is a standard response to “Nanga def?” It means “I am good.”
These basic phrases will help you start conversations and make connections with people who speak Wolof. As you become more comfortable with the language, you can add more phrases to your vocabulary.
Cultural Information
Wolof culture places great importance on greetings and introductions. When meeting someone for the first time, particularly elders or authority figures, it is essential to show respect by using formal language and greetings. This means using “Nanga def?” instead of “Suma ak jamm?” as a greeting.
Wolof culture is also known for its elaborate greetings, which can involve a series of questions and answers about family, work, and health. These greetings tend to be lengthy, but they help establish rapport and show respect. When greeting someone in Wolof, take the time to engage in conversation and show genuine interest.
Tips for Learners
- Practice speaking Wolof every day. Even if you only have a few minutes, take the time to practice your vocabulary and pronunciation. - Listen to Wolof music or podcasts to get used to the rhythm and intonation of the language. - Ask your teacher or Wolof-speaking friends for feedback on your pronunciation and grammar. - Be patient with yourself. Learning a new language takes time and effort, but the rewards are worth it.
Other Lessons
- Ingredients
- Colors
- Useful Interjections
- Prepositions
- Job Search
- Time
- Animals
- Idiomatic Expressions
- Weather
- At the Post Office
Sources
- 21 Essential Wolof Phrases You'll Need in Senegal
- Useful phrases in Wolof
- Basic Wolof Phrases – Janga Wolof