Shopping

1. Loolu ñaata la?

   How much is that?

   Usage

   Standard phrase for asking the price at any market or shop in Senegal

   Grammar Note

   "loolu" (that) vs "lii" (this) distinguishes distance. Prices are asked with "noun + ñaata la?" (examples "ñaata la ?" = "ça fait combien ?" and "ñaata lay jar ?" = "combien ça coûte ?"). Note: "fukk" is the number ten, not "how much". Senegal uses the West African CFA franc.

2. Dafa seer lool. Mën nga ko wàññi?

   It is too expensive. Can you reduce the price?

   Usage

   Used when bargaining in Senegalese markets. Price negotiation is very common.

   Grammar Note

   "seer" means "expensive/precious". "To reduce / to lower a price" is the transitive verb "wàññi" ("to give less to, to reduce"). "Can you …?" is "Mën nga". Note: "ci kanam" means "ahead / in a while" and has nothing to do with discounts.

3. Maa ngi xool rekk.

   I am just browsing

   Usage

   Used to tell eager sellers you are only looking, not buying yet

   Grammar Note

   "To look" is "xool" (example: "Xoolal ma lii rek."). "Maa ngi" is the first-person present progressive marker ("Maa ngi Tàmbali samay wax" = "I begin my words"; "maa ngi naan" = "I am saying"). "Rekk" ("only") is seen in "Asi rekk la" = "it is only Asia". The same frame appears in "Maa ngi gis rekk". Note: "dëkk" means "to live / village, town", not a copula.

4. Bëgg naa jënd loolu

   I want to buy that

   Usage

   Used to express your decision to purchase an item

   Grammar Note

   "To buy" is "jënd". "Bëgg naa" plus a verb gives "I want to ...". Note: "dëkk" means "to live / village, town", never "to buy".

5. Am nga sac plastik?

   Do you have a plastic bag?

   Usage

   Used to ask for a bag after shopping

   Grammar Note

   "am nga" asks "do you have?" in Wolof. "am" is the verb "to have/possess".

6. Ndax mën nga ma dimbali?

   Can you help me?

   Usage

   Used to ask a shop assistant for help in a market or store

   Grammar Note

   "Dimbali" is the verb "to help"; the noun is "ndimbal" ("help"). The object pronoun "ma" ("me") comes right after the subject pronoun "nga". Do not use "soxor", a different word meaning "to be mean, cruel"

7. Am nga taille yu mag?

   Do you have a larger size?

   Usage

   Used to ask for a larger size in clothing or footwear

   Grammar Note

   "taille" is borrowed from French (size/measurement). French clothing terms are widely used in Senegalese markets

8. Ñaata la weccit bi?

   What is the change? / How much change do I get?

   Usage

   Used after paying to ask about or receive change

   Grammar Note

   "weccit" means "change/remainder" in Wolof. Cash transactions are dominant in Senegal, making this essential

9. Bëgg naa jënd boubou

   I want to buy a boubou (traditional garment)

   Usage

   Used to shop for a boubou, the traditional West African flowing robe

   Grammar Note

   The boubou is a traditional robe worn across West Africa. Senegalese boubous are famous for intricate embroidery

10. Loolu dafa rafet. Bëgg naa loolu

    That is beautiful. I want that one.

    Usage

    Used to express admiration and selection of an item you wish to purchase

    Grammar Note

    "loolu" refers to something further away ("that"). "lii" means "this". Wolof distinguishes proximity

11. Soxlawuma reçu bi

    I don't need a receipt

    Usage

    Declining a receipt — the opposite of "May ma reçu bi" ("Give me the receipt")

    Grammar Note

    Wolof negates by inserting -wu- after the verb stem and then the person suffix (soxla + -wu- + -ma). The object may be the pronoun "ko" ("it"); a full noun phrase such as "reçu bi" takes that same slot. "Reçu" is a French loan in everyday Senegalese use.

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