Money & Exchange

1. Ñaata la?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The most common way to ask the price of something

   Grammar Note

   "Ñaata" is the Wolof question word for quantity or amount. Senegal's currency is the CFA franc (FCFA). The form "laata la?" is also used in some regions

2. Dafa seer

   It is too expensive

   Usage

   Used to begin price negotiation at markets or shops when the price seems too high

   Grammar Note

   Price negotiation ("coppeel") is culturally accepted at Senegalese markets. "Dafa seer lool" (very expensive) or "tax na" (too much) are stronger versions

3. Baal ma, mën nga ko wàññi?

   Excuse me, can you give me a discount?

   Usage

   A friendly way to ask for a discount during price negotiation

   Grammar Note

   "Baal ma" literally means "forgive me" and softens requests. "Mën nga ko wàññi?" = "can you lower it?" (same form as the Shopping category)

4. Am nga weccit?

   Do you have change?

   Usage

   Used to check whether a vendor has change when paying

   Grammar Note

   Large bills (10,000 FCFA+) often lack change in Senegal. Keeping small bills is essential. "Weccit" means small change (same word as the Convenience Store category). Note: the earlier "kawam" means "on top of it", not "change"

5. Mën naa fay ak carte?

   Can I pay by card?

   Usage

   Used to ask whether card payment is accepted

   Grammar Note

   Cash is dominant in Senegal; cards are accepted mainly in upscale venues and hotels in Dakar. Always carry enough cash. "Carte" is borrowed from French

6. Fan la banque bi nekk?

   Where is the bank?

   Usage

   Used to ask for the location of a bank or ATM

   Grammar Note

   "Banque" is from French. ATMs are called "guichet automatique" or simply ATM. Major banks in Dakar include CBAO, Ecobank, and BNP Paribas

7. Bëgg naa soppi kaalis

   I want to exchange money

   Usage

   Used when you want to exchange foreign currency into CFA francs

   Grammar Note

   "Kaalis" means money in Wolof. Senegal uses the West African CFA franc. Euros often get favorable exchange rates. City exchange offices (bureaux de change) may beat airport rates

8. Bëgg naa fay ak weccit

   I want to pay with small change

   Usage

   Used to express that you want to pay with smaller denominations or coins

   Grammar Note

   "Weccit" means small change (Pathé Diagne, Grammaire de Wolof Moderne: "weccit : petite monnaie"). "Ñuul" means black, not small

9. Kaalis bi dafa faux

   This money seems counterfeit

   Usage

   Used to raise concern about potentially counterfeit money received

   Grammar Note

   "Faux" is a French loan meaning "fake"; "dafa" + adjective describes a state. If given a suspect bill, say "maa ngi bëgg autre kaalis" (I want different money) to request an exchange. Note: the earlier "am bon" means "has a problem", not "fake"

10. Jox ma reçu bi

    Give me the receipt

    Usage

    Used to request a receipt after making a payment

    Grammar Note

    "Reçu" is borrowed from French (past participle of "recevoir"). Formal shops in Senegal issue receipts, but market stalls may not always provide them

11. Fay ak xaalis

    Pay in cash

    Usage

    Show it to say you will pay in cash; markets and shared vans take nothing else

    Grammar Note

    "Fay" = to pay, "ak" = with, "xaalis" = money

12. Weccit

    Change (money back)

    Usage

    Point at it when change has not come back; small notes are often in short supply

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