Contacts & SNS

1. Nanga tudd?

   What is your name?

   Usage

   Basic phrase for asking someone's name upon first meeting

   Grammar Note

   Reply: "Maa ngi tudd [name]" (I am called...). In Wolof culture, exchanging names is an important courtesy.

2. Fan nga jóge?

   Where do you come from?

   Usage

   Used to ask someone about their origin or home country

   Grammar Note

   Reply: "[place] laa jóge" (I come from...). "jóge" means "to come from" in Wolof.

3. Bég naa gis la

   I am glad to meet you

   Usage

   A warm first-meeting greeting that embodies Senegalese teranga spirit

   Grammar Note

   "Bég" is the verb "to be happy" (Bég naa ci Yamar = "I'm happy about Yamar"). Do not use "soxor", a different word meaning "to be mean, cruel". The "V naa gis la" word order matches "Bëgg naa gis la yeneen".

4. Sama adresse e-mail mooy...

   My email address is...

   Usage

   Used to share your email address when exchanging contact details

   Grammar Note

   "mooy" is the Wolof copula meaning "is/it is". "sama" is the first person possessive "my".

5. Dinanu gisaat.

   We will meet again

   Usage

   Used at parting to express intention to meet again

   Grammar Note

   "dinanu" is the future form "we will ...". "gis" means to see/meet and the suffix "-aat" means "again" (as in "Waxaatal ko"). "yeneen" means "other (plural)", not "again".

6. Sama numéro de téléphone mooy...

   My phone number is...

   Usage

   Used to share your phone number when exchanging contacts

   Grammar Note

   Orange and Free are the main mobile networks in Senegal. WhatsApp is the dominant messaging tool

7. Am nga compte WhatsApp?

   Do you have a WhatsApp account?

   Usage

   Used to ask for someone's WhatsApp contact, the most popular messaging app in Senegal

   Grammar Note

   WhatsApp is the dominant communication tool in Senegal. "compte" is French for "account"

8. Fan nga dëkk?

   What city / neighborhood do you live in?

   Usage

   A natural way to ask someone where they live or come from in Senegal

   Grammar Note

   "dëkk" is the Wolof verb "to live" (as a noun it means town/place). "Fan nga dëkk?" = "Where do you live?"

9. Mën nga ma jox sa compte réseaux sociaux?

   Can I have your social media account?

   Usage

   Used to exchange social media accounts like Facebook or Instagram

   Grammar Note

   "réseaux sociaux" is French for "social media". Facebook is the most popular platform in Senegal

10. Bég naa waxaat ak yow

    I was happy to talk with you again

    Usage

    A warm closing phrase after a pleasant conversation or reunion

    Grammar Note

    "Bég" is the verb "to be happy". Do not use "soxor", a different word meaning "to be mean, cruel". The suffix "-aat" means "again" (as in "Waxaatal ko"), so "waxaat" is "to talk again". "Yeneen" means "other (plural)", not "again"

Browse all TravelPhrases languages