Schedule & Booking

1. Ban waxtu moo jot?

   What time is it?

   Usage

   The basic phrase for asking what time it is

   Grammar Note

   "Ban waxtu moo jot?" is the set form of "What time is it?". "Waxtu" covers both time and the clock time. Senegal uses West Africa Time (WAT, UTC+0)

2. Kañ la X di jóge?

   What time does X depart?

   Usage

   Used to ask the departure time of a bus, tour, or event

   Grammar Note

   "Jóge" means to leave or depart (as from a terminal). "Kañ" means "when"

3. Bëgg naa dellusi ci fajoor

   I want to return in the morning

   Usage

   Used to indicate that you plan to return in the morning

   Grammar Note

   Wolof time of day: "fajoor" (morning/dawn), "bëccëg" (midday), "ngoon" (afternoon), "guddi" (night). "Ci" functions as both place and time preposition

4. Dafa jeex

   It is finished / It has run out

   Usage

   Used to say that an event or service is over, or that something has run out

   Grammar Note

   "Jeex" means to finish or run out. "Jeex na" (it is finished), "dafa jeex" (it is done). Many Senegalese shops close for lunch (roughly 12–15h)

5. Kañ la X di ubbi?

   When does X open?

   Usage

   Used to ask the opening time of a shop, museum, or attraction

   Grammar Note

   "Ubbi" means to open; its opposite is "tëj" (to close). Checking opening times is especially important in Senegal due to prayer schedules and lunch breaks

6. Bëgg naa teel a jënd ticket bi

   I want to buy the ticket in advance

   Usage

   Used when you want to purchase tickets in advance for a tour, transport, or event

   Grammar Note

   "To do something early" is the auxiliary "teel" plus "a" plus the verb (example: "Teel na lekk." = "He ate early."). "Ticket" comes from French/English. Long-distance buses (car rapides, Dem Dikk) in Senegal may require advance booking during holidays. Note: "kanam" is "face / what is in front of one", and "ci kanam" points forward in time ("in a while, later") — it can never mean "beforehand"

7. Dafa yeex

   It is late / delayed

   Usage

   Used when transportation or an appointment is running late

   Grammar Note

   "Yeex" means late, slow or delayed. Senegal, like many West African countries, has a flexible attitude toward time — delays are common and culturally accepted

8. Bëgg naa tëdd ci hotel bi guddi

   I want to stay at the hotel tonight

   Usage

   Used to indicate plans to stay at a hotel tonight

   Grammar Note

   "Tëdd" covers lying down, sleeping, and overnight stays. "Hotel" is from French. "Auberge" (guesthouse) is also a common accommodation type in Senegal

9. Ban waxtu la programme bi?

   What is the schedule / program?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the schedule or program of a tour or event

   Grammar Note

   "Programme" is from French. Tour and festival schedules in Senegal are often approximate — flexibility and patience are helpful when following any timetable

10. Jërejëf ci sa ndimbal

    Thank you for your help

    Usage

    Used to thank someone after they have helped you with schedule or travel information

    Grammar Note

    "Ndimbal" is a noun meaning help or support, and "sa" means "your". Wolof culture values expressing gratitude for thoughtfulness directly

Browse all TravelPhrases languages