Hiking & Trekking

1. Foo dem yoon wii?

   Where does this trail lead?

   Usage

   Asking where the trail leads

   Grammar Note

   "Foo dem" = "where does it go?"

2. Ñaata la yoon wi gudd?

   How long is the trail?

   Usage

   Asking about trail length

   Grammar Note

   "To be long" is the verb "gudd" ("to be long, to be tall"). The pattern is "Ñaata" + "la" + subject + verb. Note: "jot" means "to be the time / to receive", not "to reach a length"

3. Ndax yoon wii dafa baax ngir aji-door yi?

   Is this trail suitable for beginners?

   Usage

   Checking if trail is beginner-friendly

   Grammar Note

   "Ndax" introduces a yes/no question and "yoon wii" means "this path". "Aji-door" is the term for débutant (beginner)

4. Fan laa mën luye jumtukaay yi ngir hiking?

   Where can I rent hiking gear?

   Usage

   Finding a hiking gear rental

   Grammar Note

   "Fan laa mën" = "where can I …?". "To rent" is "luye" and "equipment" is "jumtukaay" ("implement"). Note: "xam" means "to know", not "equipment"

5. Am na carte bu yoon yi?

   Is there a trail map available?

   Usage

   Asking if a trail map is available

   Grammar Note

   "Am na" = "is there?"

6. Ñaata la tund wi kawe?

   How high is the summit?

   Usage

   Asking about summit elevation

   Grammar Note

   "To be high / elevated" is the verb "kawe" and "mountain" is "tund". The question word "Ñaata" plus "la" follows the same pattern as "Ñaata waxtu la cours bi?". Note: "kanam" never means "summit" (it is "face / front"); "ndeye" is not a word for "height" ("mother" is "ndey", height is "njoolaay"); and "jot" means "to be the time / to receive", not "to reach a height"

7. Yoon wi, dafay ubbi tay?

   Is the trail open today?

   Usage

   Checking if the trail is open today

   Grammar Note

   "dafay" = present tense marker (3sg)

8. Maa ngi sonn — Nanu noppalu be ci kanam tuuti.

   I'm tired — let's rest for a moment.

   Usage

   Suggesting a rest break

   Grammar Note

   "Maa ngi" is the present progressive marker. "To be tired" is "sonn" and "to rest" is "noppalu" (a variant of "noppéliku"). The hortative "let's …" is "Nanu" (as in "Nanu tëj ak yow?"). "For a little while (from now)" is "be ci kanam tuuti"; dropping "be" leaves it ungrammatical

9. Mën naa bind guide bu dëkk fii?

   Can I hire a local guide?

   Usage

   Asking about hiring a local guide

   Grammar Note

   "bu dëkk fii" = "who lives here (local)". "To hire a person" is "bind"

10. Gaañu naa ci sama tànk — Mën ngeen ma dimbali?

    I've injured my ankle — I need help.

    Usage

    Reporting an ankle injury and asking for help

    Grammar Note

    "To get hurt" is "gaañu" ("Gaañu naa." = "I got hurt"). "To help" is "dimbali" (also written "dimbéli"). Note: "jën" means "fish", and "pain" is "metit". Note: "tànk" means "foot / leg"; a Wolof word for "ankle" specifically is uncertain

11. Yoon wii, dañu ko jóge ci … ?

    Is this the right path to [destination]?

    Usage

    Confirming you are on the right trail

    Grammar Note

    "dañu ko jóge ci" = "it leads to"

12. Am na mala yu soxor ci yoon wii?

    Are there dangerous animals in this area?

    Usage

    Asking about dangerous wildlife on the trail

    Grammar Note

    "Am na" = "are there?"

13. Dama réer — Fan la yoon wi tàmbali?

    I'm lost — which way is the trailhead?

    Usage

    Expressing being lost and asking for the trailhead

    Grammar Note

    "Dama réer" = "I am lost". "Fan la yoon wi tàmbali?" = "Where does the trail start?". "tàmbali" = "to begin / start"

14. Ñaata siggi lanu ci ëndu bi?

    How much further to the summit?

    Usage

    Asking how far the summit is

    Grammar Note

    "Ñaata … lanu" = "how much … must we?"

15. Am na refuge ci yoon wi?

    Is there a mountain hut / shelter?

    Usage

    Checking if there is a mountain shelter

    Grammar Note

    "Am na" = "is there?". "Refuge" (mountain hut / shelter) is borrowed directly from French

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