Fashion & Clothing

1. Am ngeen lii ci sama taille?

   Do you have this in my size?

   Usage

   Asking if a specific size is available

   Grammar Note

   "Lii" ("this") is the proximal demonstrative (e.g. "Xoolal ma lii rek." = "Regarde moi ça !"). "Sama" ("my"), as in "sama xéewal" = "my blessing", "sama xeet wi" = "my people". "Taille" is the French loan Senegalese shops use for clothing size. Note: the "dëkk" of "ci dëkk bi" means "to live / village, town", not "here"; "here" is "fii".

2. Mën naa essayer li?

   Can I try this on?

   Usage

   Asking to try on a clothing item

   Grammar Note

   French loanword "essayer" = to try. "Mën naa ...?" = Can I ...?

3. Fan la cabine d'essayage bi nekk?

   Where is the fitting room?

   Usage

   Asking for directions to the fitting room

   Grammar Note

   French "cabine d'essayage" = fitting room

4. Woon na serwer / dool / jàmm / laaj lool.

   This is too tight / loose / long / short.

   Usage

   Describing how clothing fits

   Grammar Note

   "Woon na ... lool" = too ... (excess expression)

5. Am ngeen yeneen melo?

   Do you have this in a different color?

   Usage

   Asking if another color is available

   Grammar Note

   "yeneen" = other/another (placed before the noun). "melo" = color

6. Ak lan la def li?

   What material / fabric is this made of?

   Usage

   Asking about the material or fabric composition

   Grammar Note

   "Ak lan la def li?" = With what is this made? (material question)

7. Mën na ko foot ci machine?

   Is this machine washable?

   Usage

   Checking if clothing is machine washable

   Grammar Note

   "foot" = to wash (clothes), the same verb as "Foot naa yére yi". "machine" = machine (French loanword)

8. Yére bii ñaata la?

   How much is this?

   Usage

   Asking the price of a clothing item

   Grammar Note

   Prices are asked with "noun + ñaata la?" (the same frame as "Ceebu jën bi ñaata la?"). "Nawa ne farashi" is Hausa, not Wolof

9. Am na solde walla promotion?

   Is there a sale or discount?

   Usage

   Asking if there is a sale or discount

   Grammar Note

   French loanwords "solde" = sale, "promotion" = promotion

10. Dinaa ko jël.

    I'll take it.

    Usage

    Deciding to purchase an item

    Grammar Note

    "Dinaa ko jël" = I will take it (purchase declaration)

11. Xool rekk laa, jërëjëf.

    I'm just looking, thank you.

    Usage

    Politely declining help from a store assistant

    Grammar Note

    "rekk" = only/just. "jërëjëf" = thank you (Wolof)

12. Loolu la règles retour / échange yi?

    What is your return / exchange policy?

    Usage

    Asking about the store's return and exchange policy

    Grammar Note

    French loanwords "retour" = return, "échange" = exchange

13. Li nak ngay!

    That looks great on you! (compliment to companion)

    Usage

    Complimenting a companion's outfit

    Grammar Note

    "Li nak ngay!" = That really fits you (exclamatory)

14. Am ngeen taille yi ci Occident?

    Do you carry Western / international sizes?

    Usage

    Checking if Western or international sizes are stocked

    Grammar Note

    "Occident" = the West (French, used in Wolof)

15. Mën nga retouche li?

    Can you alter / hem this for me?

    Usage

    Requesting clothing alterations or hemming

    Grammar Note

    French "retouche" = alteration/touch-up

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