In Senegal and the Gambia, greeting takes its time: after the first exchange, you ask about the person, their family, their work. Here are the phrases to get started, as taught in the Peace Corps Senegal Wolof manual.
1
The basic greeting
Every encounter starts with this exchange, borrowed from Arabic.
Asalaa maalekumpeace be upon you (greeting)
↳ Maalekum salaamand peace be upon you (reply)
2
Asking how people are
Right after, you ask how the person is, then their family and their work.
Nanga def?how are you?
↳ Maangi fi rekkI'm fine (lit. I'm just here)
Naka waa kër gi?how is the family?
↳ Ñungi fithey are fine (reply)
Naka liggéey bi?how is the work?
Lu bees?what's new?
Good to know. The manual notes that there is a way to say “please”, but it is rarely used: people usually start a request with “Baal ma” (excuse me).
3
Depending on the time of day
In the morning, you ask whether the night was peaceful; in the afternoon, whether the day was.
Jàmm nga fanaane?did you spend the night in peace? (morning)
↳ Jàmm rekkpeace only (reply: fine)
Jàmm nga yendoo?did you spend the day in peace?
↳ Jàmm rekkpeace only (reply: fine)
Nelaw nga bu baax?did you sleep well?
4
Saying goodbye
When leaving, you wish a good day or a good night, or say when you will meet again.
Ba ci kanamsee you later
Ba subasee you tomorrow
Ba benneen yoonsee you next time
Ñu yendu ak jàmmhave a good day
Ñu fanaan ak jàmmgood night
5
Small words you will use all the time
Thank you, yes, no, excuse me: you will use them everywhere.
Jërëjëfthank you
Waawyes
Déedéetno
Baal maexcuse me
Naamyes? (answer when one's name is called)
In practice: Awa runs into Moussa
AwaAsalaa maalekumpeace be upon you (greeting)
MoussaMaalekum salaamand peace be upon you (reply)
AwaNanga def?how are you?
MoussaMaangi fi rekkI'm fine (lit. I'm just here)
AwaNaka waa kër gi?how is the family?
MoussaÑungi fithey are fine (reply)
AwaJërëjëf. Ba subathank you / see you tomorrow
Key points
- Asalaa maalekum → Maalekum salaam: peace be upon you (greeting) / and peace be upon you (reply)
- Nanga def? → Maangi fi rekk: how are you? / I'm fine (lit. I'm just here)
- Jërëjëf: thank you
- Ba suba: see you tomorrow
Test yourself
1. Someone says “Asalaa maalekum”. What do you answer?
2. How do you say “thank you”?
3. What does “Nanga def?” mean?
4. To say “see you tomorrow”, you say…
Where do these words come from?
Every phrase in this lesson comes from the Aay naa ci Wolof! Trainee Wolof Manual (Peace Corps Senegal, 2012), in the official Senegalese spelling. The manual writes “Nanga def” as one word; you will also see “Na nga def”. Do you speak this language and spot a mistake? Write to us.
Every phrase in this lesson comes from the Aay naa ci Wolof! Trainee Wolof Manual (Peace Corps Senegal, 2012), in the official Senegalese spelling. The manual writes “Nanga def” as one word; you will also see “Na nga def”. Do you speak this language and spot a mistake? Write to us.