Hotel

1. Bëgg naa check-in

   I want to check in

   Usage

   Used at a hotel reception to request check-in

   Grammar Note

   "bëgg naa" expresses desire in Wolof. Useful for hotel requests and formal settings.

2. Fan mooy caabi ji ci sama néeg?

   Where is the key to my room?

   Usage

   Used to ask for or locate your room key

   Grammar Note

   "Sama" is the first-person possessive "my". "Key" is "caabi" (noun class j, so the article is "ji") and "room" is "néeg". Note: "kiliifi" is not a word (the nearest, "kilifa", means "head of a household / dignitary"), and "mbëj" means "electricity" ("lightning" is "melax").

3. Fan la petit déjeuner bi nekk?

   Where is breakfast served?

   Usage

   Used to ask where breakfast is served at the hotel

   Grammar Note

   "Fan la X nekk?" = "Where is X?". Breakfast is given with the French loan "petit déjeuner". "bi" is the definite article.

4. Bëgg naa check-out

   I want to check out

   Usage

   Used when you are ready to check out of your hotel

   Grammar Note

   "check-out" is a loan from French / English. French hotel terms are widely used in Senegal. Note: "dem ci kaw" means "go up", not "check out".

5. Sama néeg bi am na jafe-jafe. Jox ma beneen néeg.

   My room has a problem. Please give me another room.

   Usage

   Used to report a problem with your room and request a change

   Grammar Note

   "Room" is "néeg", "problem" is "jafe-jafe", "another" is "beneen", and "to hand / to give" is "jox". Note: "mbëj" means "electricity", not "room".

6. Am nga wifi ci hotel bi?

   Does this hotel have Wi-Fi?

   Usage

   Used to ask about internet access at the hotel

   Grammar Note

   Most hotels in Dakar offer Wi-Fi. Upscale hotels like those on the Plateau have especially reliable service

7. Kañ la chambre bi di setal?

   When will the room be cleaned?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the housekeeping schedule at the hotel

   Grammar Note

   "chambre" is borrowed from French (room). Note: the native Wolof word for "room" is "néeg"; "mbëj" means "electricity" and is never a room

8. Mën nga ma jox beneen serviette?

   Can I get another towel?

   Usage

   Used to request an extra towel from hotel housekeeping

   Grammar Note

   "serviette" is borrowed from French meaning "towel/napkin". French is understood in most Senegalese hotels

9. Sama néeg bi dafa tang. Mën ngeen defar climatiseur bi?

   My room is hot. Can you fix the air conditioner?

   Usage

   Used to report a broken air conditioner in hot Dakar weather

   Grammar Note

   "tang" is polysemous: hot/spicy/strong. Dakar is warm year-round, making AC very important in hotels

10. Ñaata la par nuit?

    How much per night?

    Usage

    Used to ask the nightly rate at a hotel or guesthouse

    Grammar Note

    The price is asked with "Ñaata la?" ("ñaata la ?" = "ça fait combien ?"). "Par nuit" is French for "per night" and is understood at any front desk. Note: "fukk" is the number ten, not "how much". Hotel prices in Senegal are often quoted in CFA francs or euros

11. Saabu

    Soap

    Usage

    For asking for a refill

12. Setal

    Please clean

    Usage

    Show it while pointing at the room or bathroom to ask for cleaning

    Grammar Note

    "Set" = to be clean; the "-al" suffix makes the imperative "make it clean"

13. Coow

    Noise

    Usage

    Show it as the reason when asking to change rooms, pointing out the window or at the next room

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