Language/Wolof/Vocabulary/Feelings-and-Emotions
Hi Wolof learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about feelings and emotions in Wolof. Understanding and being able to express ourselves emotionally is an important part of communication. It allows us to share and understand each other on a deeper level. Let's get started!
Don't hesitate to look into these other pages after completing this lesson: Common Dishes & Occupations.
Basic Emotions
Emotions are complex and sometimes difficult to describe. Here are some of the most common emotions in Wolof:
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| bu baax | bü baax | happy |
| yàlla | yālla | sad |
| ci nit | ji nīt | angry |
| doom | dōm | afraid |
| joy | jōy | excited |
Examples
Here is a dialogue to help you see these words in context:
- Person 1: Baax naa baaxam (He/she/it is as good as he/she/it want to be)
- Person 2: Naka jamm ci nit? (How does one feel when at peace?)
Asking About Emotions
If you want to ask someone how they are feeling, here are some useful phrases in Wolof:
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Baax naa? | Baax naa? | How are you feeling? |
| Baaxumaa? | Baaxumaa? | Are you okay? |
| Naka suba? | Naka süba? | Are you sad? |
| Naka bu baax? | Naka bü baax? | Are you happy? |
Examples
Here is a conversation between two friends:
- Person 1: Baax naa? (How are you feeling?)
- Person 2: Maangi ci yàlla. (I'm feeling sad.)
- Person 1: Baaxumaa? (Are you okay?)
- Person 2: Waaw, maangi ci bu baax. (Yes, I'm feeling happy.)
Expressing Emotions
To express your emotions in Wolof, you can use the following phrases:
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Maangi ci... | Maangi ci... | I'm feeling... |
| Daf ma neexul | Daf ma neexul | I'm very excited. |
| Ma nekk ci nit | Ma nekk ci nit | I'm angry |
| So ko yondul | So ko yondul | I'm disappointed |
Examples
Here are some examples of expressing emotions in Wolof:
- Maangi ci doom (I'm afraid.)
- Daf ma neexul ci joy (I'm very excited.)
- Ma nekk ci nit (I'm angry.)
- So ko yondul (I'm disappointed.)
Idioms Related to Emotions
Wolof has several beautiful idioms and proverbs related to emotions. Here are some of them:
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Xol yallah na ci tànk | khol yāllah na ci tānk | patience in a difficult situation is important |
| Mënu yàlla joxe ma ci kaw | mënu yālla joxe ma ci kaw | God knows what's best for me |
| Ndigël ci ñoo tëeme | ndigel ci ñoo tēēme | keeping your anger to yourself |
Recap
In this lesson, we learned vocabulary related to feelings and emotions in Wolof. We looked at how to express ourselves emotionally and how to ask others about their emotions. We also explored some idioms related to emotions. To improve your Wolof vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ 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
Other Lessons