Remote Work

1. Am na coworking bu jege?

   Is there a coworking space nearby?

   Usage

   Looking for a nearby coworking space

   Grammar Note

   "Am na ...?" = "Is there ...?". "To be near" is the verb "jege"; as a relative clause "bu jege" it modifies the noun (the same word as "gëna jege"). Note: "ci kanam" means "ahead / in front", never "nearby", and "kow" means "top / above"

2. Lan la mot de passe wifi bi?

   What is the WiFi password?

   Usage

   Asking for the WiFi password

   Grammar Note

   French loanword "mot de passe" = password

3. Ndax wifi bi dafa gaaw ngir appel vidéo?

   Is the WiFi fast enough for video calls?

   Usage

   Checking if WiFi speed is sufficient for video calls

   Grammar Note

   "Ndax …?" forms a yes/no question (example: ndax yoon wi baax na? = "is the road good?"; same shape as "Ndax yoon wii dafa baax ngir aji-door yi?"). "Fast" is "gaaw". "ngir" is "for". Note: "yagg" means "Durer" (to last), the opposite of fast. Note also that "dëkk si" ("sufficient for") does not hold: "dëkk" means "to live / town"

4. Am na bérab bu dal walla kabine?

   Do you have a quiet area or private booth?

   Usage

   Asking about quiet areas or private work booths

   Grammar Note

   "bérab bu dal" = a quiet (calm) place (relative clause). "kabine" is a French loanword. "Set" means "clean", not "quiet"

5. Man naa liggéey fii bés bi bépp?

   Can I work here all day?

   Usage

   Asking if you can work here all day

   Grammar Note

   "Man naa ...?" = Can I ...?

6. Dama soxlo imprimer / scanner document bi.

   I need to print / scan a document.

   Usage

   Requesting printing or scanning services

   Grammar Note

   "Soxlo" (variants soxla / soxle) is the verb "to need", so "Dama soxlo …" = "I need …". Do not confuse it with "soxor", which means "to be mean, cruel"

7. Am na prise ci wetu toogu bi?

   Is there a power outlet near this seat?

   Usage

   Checking for a power outlet near your seat

   Grammar Note

   "prise" is a French loanword for a power outlet. "Next to" is the prepositional phrase "ci wetu" plus a noun, and "seat" is "toogu". Note: "ci kanam" means "ahead / in front", not "near", and "ghetto" is not a Wolof word

8. Am naa réunion en ligne ci [waxt].

   I have an online meeting at [time].

   Usage

   Informing about an online meeting at a specific time

   Grammar Note

   French loanwords "réunion en ligne" = online meeting

9. Ñaata la passe bi ngir bés bu nekk?

   What is the price for a day pass / monthly membership?

   Usage

   Asking about day pass or monthly membership prices

   Grammar Note

   "Ñaata la ...?" is the "how much" question. "Bés" means "day". Using "ngir weer" (per month) instead would ask about monthly membership

10. Am na bureau debout?

    Is there a standing desk available?

    Usage

    Asking if a standing desk is available

    Grammar Note

    French "bureau debout" = standing desk

11. Internet bi gaawul. Ndax am na connexion bu gëna gaaw?

    The internet is too slow — is there a faster connection?

    Usage

    Requesting a faster internet connection

    Grammar Note

    "Fast" is "gaaw". Negation uses the suffix "-ul", and "gaawul" ("is not fast") is used ("mbass mi di Korona lawam gaawul torop" = "the spread of the Corona epidemic was not very fast"), the same formation as "amul" ("there is none"). Comparatives use "gëna" plus a verb, as in "moo gëna gaaw pur ay tontu" ("it is faster for answers") and "marché bi gëna jege" ("the nearer market"). "Ndax am na …?" is the frame of "Ndax am na Wi-Fi fi?". "Connexion" is a French loanword kept as-is because Wolof has no equivalent. Note: "bu yagg" does not mean "faster" — the adverb "bu yàgg" is "Depuis longtemps" ("since long ago") and the verb "yagg" is "Durer" ("to last"), the opposite of fast. Note also that "yëgë" is not a word; the nearest form "yëg" is "Être au courant" ("to be aware"). And "dëkk" is "Habiter" / "le village, la ville", unrelated to speed.

12. Am na casier?

    Is there a locker or storage I can use?

    Usage

    Asking about lockers or storage spaces

    Grammar Note

    French loanword "casier" = locker/pigeon hole

13. Fan la imprimerie bi gëna jege?

    Where is the nearest print shop?

    Usage

    Finding the nearest print shop

    Grammar Note

    Superlatives are formed with "gëna" plus the adjective or verb (same pattern as "Fan la gëna rafet …?"). "jege" is "to be near"; "lëkk" does not mean "near". Note: "mbindaan" means "housemaid / domestic servant" and never "print shop" (to print is "muul")

14. Dama bëgg jënd carte SIM ak données ci liggéey.

    I'd like to buy a SIM card with data for work.

    Usage

    Buying a data SIM card for work purposes

    Grammar Note

    French loanword "carte SIM" = SIM card

15. Am na kabine téléphone?

    Is there a phone booth or quiet call room?

    Usage

    Asking about a quiet phone or call booth

    Grammar Note

    French loanword "kabine téléphone" = telephone booth

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