Numbers

1. Benn, ñaar, ñett

   One, two, three

   Usage

   Basic Wolof numbers 1–3. Foundation for shopping and daily conversation.

   Grammar Note

   Wolof numbers belong to the Niger-Congo family with their own unique system.

2. Ñeent, juróom, juróom-benn

   Four, five, six

   Usage

   Wolof numbers 4–6. "juróom" (5) means "hand", reflecting a quinary counting trace.

   Grammar Note

   "juróom" (5) means "hand". Numbers 6–9 are formed as "juróom + digit". A trace of hand-counting.

3. Juróom-ñaar, juróom-ñett, juróom-ñeent

   Seven, eight, nine

   Usage

   Wolof numbers 7–9. All have the regular structure "juróom (5) + digit".

   Grammar Note

   Wolof 6–9 all use "juróom + 1–4". This quinary pattern is seen in other West African languages.

4. Fukk

   Ten

   Usage

   Wolof word for ten. Very useful for prices and quantities.

   Grammar Note

   From "fukk" (10), add "ak" (and) + digit: "fukk ak benn" = 11. "ak" connects numbers in Wolof.

5. Téeméer, junni

   One hundred, one thousand

   Usage

   Large numbers useful for shopping and money exchange with CFA francs.

   Grammar Note

   CFA franc (XOF) is Senegal's currency. Combine: "ñaar téeméer" (200), "ñett junni" (3000).

6. Fukk ak benn, fukk ak ñaar

   Eleven, twelve

   Usage

   Wolof numbers 11 and 12. Learn how to combine numbers using "ak" (and)

   Grammar Note

   "ak" means "and/with" in Wolof and is used to combine numbers, like English "ten and one"

7. Ñaar fukk

   Twenty

   Usage

   Wolof word for twenty. Useful for shopping and stating ages

   Grammar Note

   Wolof expresses multiples of ten as "digit + fukk". "ñaar fukk" = "2 tens" = 20

8. Ñett fukk

   Thirty

   Usage

   Wolof word for thirty. Essential for price and quantity conversations

   Grammar Note

   30 is "ñett fukk" (3×10). This rule extends to 50 (juróom fukk)

9. Ñaar téeméer ak juróom fukk

   Two hundred and fifty

   Usage

   A number commonly used in shopping — e.g. 250 CFA francs

   Grammar Note

   Larger numbers combine hundreds with "ak" + remainder. "ak" functions as "plus" here

10. Loolu ñaata la?

    How much does that cost? (asking for a number)

    Usage

    Practical phrase to ask for a price in numbers at a Senegalese market

    Grammar Note

    Prices are asked with "noun + ñaata la?" (example "ñaata la ?" = "ça fait combien ?"). Context: 500 CFA francs ≈ USD 0.80 for reference

11. Am naa ñaar fukk ak juróom-ñaari at

    I'm 27 years old

    Usage

    Giving your age. Wolof says literally "I have twenty-seven years"

    Grammar Note

    A numeral directly modifying a noun takes the linking -i: juróom-ñaar + at gives juróom-ñaari at. The numeral "benn" (one) takes no -i, as in "benn at". Tens are multiplicative ("ñaar fukk" = two tens) and the units are joined with "ak".

12. Ren, am naa ñaar fukk ak juróom-ñetti at

    I turn 28 this year

    Usage

    Saying what age you will reach this year — useful for visa or insurance questions

    Grammar Note

    "Ren" is the adverb for "this year", paired with "daaw" (last year) and "dewen" (next year); it is fronted before the clause, as in "Ren, bëgg naa dem Màkka" (This year I want to go to Mecca). A numeral directly modifying a noun takes the linking -i, so juróom-ñett + at gives juróom-ñetti at.

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