Wolof greetings and basic phrases
Greetings matter a lot in Senegal. Taking time to greet properly is a sign of respect, and it is the fastest way to be welcomed. Here are the essential ones.
Common greetings
| Wolof | English |
|---|---|
| Salaam aleekum | Hello (peace be upon you) |
| Maleekum salaam | Reply to the greeting |
| Nanga def ? | How are you? |
| Maa ngi fi rekk | I'm fine, I'm just here |
| Jàmm nga fanaan ? | Did you sleep in peace? |
| Jàmm rekk | Peace only (I'm well) |
| Jërëjëf | Thank you |
| Baal ma | Sorry / Excuse me |
| Waaw | Yes |
| Déedéet | No |
| Ba beneen yoon | See you next time |
| Ba suba | See you tomorrow |
Tips
- Greet first, then ask for what you need.
- Shake hands and ask about the person and their family.
- Reply to a greeting with the matching answer, for example Salaam aleekum with Maleekum salaam.
Practise with audio
Hearing the phrases is the best way to remember them. The Diisoo app plays every phrase and tests you with short reviews.
Open the free Diisoo app