Adjectives

1. Réy

   Big

   Usage

   For asking for another size; use it with a gesture

   Grammar Note

   Wolof adjectives are stative verbs; in a sentence they take a conjugation particle such as "na" (réy na = it is big).

2. Tuuti

   Small

   Usage

   For describing clothing or room size

3. Diis

   Heavy

   Usage

   For excess baggage, or asking someone to lift something

4. Woyof

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   About weight only — in many languages this is a different word from “bright”

5. Seer

   Expensive

   Usage

   The opening move in a haggle; pair it with a face

6. Yomb

   Cheap

   Usage

   For asking whether a cheaper option exists

7. Tàng

   Hot (thing)

   Usage

   About food, drink, or water — not the same word as hot weather

   Grammar Note

   "Tàng" describes a hot object; for the weather Wolof uses the full clause "tàng na."

8. Sedd

   Cold (thing)

   Usage

   About drinks and food — not the same word as cold weather

9. Bees

   New

   Usage

   For checking whether something is unused

10. Yagg

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    For objects only; used of people it is rude in many languages

    Grammar Note

    "Yagg" (long-standing) is for objects; for people use "màggat."

11. Ndaw

    Young

    Usage

    About a person’s age; a small-talk word

12. Màggat

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The dedicated word for people; pick the respectful one

    Grammar Note

    "Màggat" refers to an aged person and is respectful; when addressing elders add "góor gi" or "soxna si."

13. Set

    Clean

    Usage

    For a clean room or clean water

14. Tilim

    Dirty

    Usage

    Useful when asking to change rooms

15. Baax

    Good

    Usage

    The all-purpose word for agreement and approval

16. Bon

    Bad

    Usage

    For saying that your health or an item’s quality is poor

17. Jege

    Near

    Usage

    For checking whether somewhere is within walking distance

18. Sore

    Far

    Usage

    Tells you whether you need transport. The word is "sore" (adverb "Loin", verb "Être éloigné"). What one is far from follows directly with no preposition — "Abila sore woon na Damas ... lu tollu 29 kilomet" ("Abila was 29 km from Damascus").

19. Teel

    Early

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “fast”

    Grammar Note

    "Teel" is early in time; fast in speed is "gaaw."

20. Yeex

    Late

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “slow”

    Grammar Note

    "Yeex" covers being late; it also means slow, so add context when precision matters.

21. Bare

    Many

    Usage

    About quantity or how crowded somewhere is

22. Néew

    Few

    Usage

    Also useful for asking for a smaller portion

23. Tàng na

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a hot object

24. Sedd na

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a cold object

25. Neex

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment at a meal

26. Dolli

    More / Add more

    Usage

    For asking for more food, water, or tea

27. Tuuti rekk

    Just a little

    Usage

    For asking for a smaller portion; "rekk" means "only"

28. Lépp

    All / Everything

    Usage

    For buying or paying for the lot

29. Doy na

    That is enough

    Usage

    Show it to stop someone serving more — you will need it in this famously hospitable country

    Grammar Note

    "Doy" = to suffice; "na" is the perfect marker

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