Cooking & Markets

14 phrases · Wolof with romanization, English and audio

  1. Mën nga jàngal ma ni ñuy togg ñam bii?

    Can you teach me the recipe?

    Usage

    Asking someone to share a recipe

    Grammar Note

    "jàngal" means to teach, "togg" means to cook (example "Kaay bokk ci togg gi") and "ñam" means food/dish. "tëj" means to close and is not used for cooking

  2. Naka lañuy togg ñam bii?

    How do you make this dish?

    Usage

    Asking how to prepare a specific dish

    Grammar Note

    "Naka lañuy ...?" means "How does one ...?". "togg" means to cook. "tëj" means to close and "liggéey" means work, neither means cooking

  3. Fan laa mën jënd ñam yi ngir togg?

    Where can I buy the ingredients?

    Usage

    Asking where to buy cooking ingredients

    Grammar Note

    "ñam yi ngir togg" is "food for cooking", i.e. ingredients. "jumtukaay" means tools/equipment, not ingredients

  4. Ñaata waxtu lañuy togg ko?

    How long do you cook it?

    Usage

    Asking how long to cook something

    Grammar Note

    "Ñaata waxtu ...?" asks "how many hours ...?" (duration). "togg" means to cook and "ko" means "it". "yomm" is not a time word

  5. Ndax bëgg nga ñam yu kaani?

    Do you like spicy food?

    Usage

    Asking if someone likes spicy food

    Grammar Note

    "bëgg" is the Wolof verb meaning "to like/want" (the noun "mbëgg" means desire). "kaani" means chili/spicy. "ndox" means water, not spicy

  6. Nanu togg ànd.

    Let's cook together.

    Usage

    Suggesting to cook together

    Grammar Note

    "Nanu + verb" is the Wolof structure for "let's do something together"

  7. Naka la epis bii tudd?

    What is the name of this spice?

    Usage

    Asking the name of a specific spice

    Grammar Note

    "tudd" means to be named/called ("Nanga tudd?"). "epis" is from French "épice" (spice). "tuur" means a spirit/shrine, not a name. "Ana" means "where"

  8. Am na ñam yu amul yàpp ak jën?

    Are there vegetarian dishes?

    Usage

    Asking if there are vegetarian options

    Grammar Note

    "ñam yu amul yàpp ak jën" means "dishes without meat (yàpp) and fish (jën)". "amul" means "there is none". "du jënd jën" would mean "does not buy fish"

  9. Dama bëgg jàng togg gu cosaan.

    I want to learn traditional cooking.

    Usage

    Expressing the desire to learn traditional cooking methods

    Grammar Note

    "jàng" is the verb "to learn/read". "togg" means cooking and "cosaan" means tradition. "ënd" does not mean "to learn"

  10. Ban cin lañuy jëfandikoo ci togg?

    What pot/pan do you use for cooking?

    Usage

    Asking what cookware is used

    Grammar Note

    "Ban cin" means "which pot" ("cin" = pot). "lañuy" is the third person plural subject plus imperfective. "togg" means to cook

  11. Xorom

    Salt

    Usage

    Ask for it at the table, or point at it to ask for less

  12. Suukar

    Sugar

    Usage

    To add or cut sweetness; àttaya, the sweet green tea, is heavily sugared

  13. Diw

    Oil

    Usage

    For checking what oil is used; peanut oil is widespread, which matters for allergies

  14. Lem

    Honey

    Usage

    For a sore throat or as a sweetener

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