Language/Wolof/Grammar/How-to-Use-Have
Hi Wolof learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to use "have" in Wolof. "Have" is used to express possession or to indicate the completion of an action. We will also explore the cultural and practical use of "have" in Wolof. Let's get started!
Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: Am (to have) in the present tense & Describing Actions.
Possession[edit | edit source]
"Have" is typically used to express possession in English. In Wolof, the verb that is used to indicate possession is "def". Examples:
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| def ko | def kɔ | I have a house |
| def yow | def joɓ | You have a car |
| def jëf | def ʤɛf | He/She has a book |
| def am na nekk | def am na nek | We have some money |
| def ñuy liggéey ci | def ɲuy liɡeːj ci | They have a problem |
Note that "def" has to be conjugated according to the subject, just like many other verbs in Wolof.
Let's practice using "def" in a dialogue:
- Person 1: Def ko jàmm? (Do you have food?)
- Person 2: Waay, def naa jàmm. (Yes, I have some food.)
Completion of an Action[edit | edit source]
"Have" is also used in English to indicate the completion of an action. For example, "I have eaten breakfast" implies that breakfast is already finished, rather than saying "I ate breakfast". The Wolof word for "have" in this sense is "wone". Examples:
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| xam wone ji | xam wonɛ ʤi | I have finished work |
| dina wone doy | dina wonɛ doj | It has rained |
| yëng wone xel | jɛŋ wonɛ xɛl | We have cooked rice |
| suuxal wone joòlu | suːxal wonɛ ʤoːlu | They have eaten lunch |
Now let's see "wone" in use:
- Person 1: Ngir Ndar wone baat yi? (Have you finished the work in Ndar?)
- Person 2: Waaw, xam wone baat yi. (Yes, I have finished the work.)
Cultural and Practical Use[edit | edit source]
In Wolof culture, the concept of "to have" is used to express hospitality and generosity. If you visit someone's home, they will likely ask you "Naka def?" (Do you have?), which means "Are you carrying anything?". This is an indirect way for the host to offer food or drink to their guest. The correct response to this question is "Am def" (Yes I have), even if the guest doesn't have anything. Also, when expressing condolences, Wolof people often say "My dear, may God have mercy on us" which translates to "Naka def jël, Yalle def tëre". This is a way to express feeling for the loss, but also to show generosity and support.
Let's add a dialogue with the cultural use of "def":
- Person 1: Salam aleikum. (Hello.)
- Person 2: Maleikum Salam. Naka def? (Hello. Did you bring anything?)
- Person 1: Alhamdulilah. Am def. (Thank you. Yes, I brought something.)
- Person 2: Jërëjëf. (Thank you.)
To improve your Wolof Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Future Tense
- Conjugation
- Am (to have) in the present tense
- Pronouns
- Give your Opinion
- Negation
- Static verbs
- Plural Nouns — Indefinite article
- Possessive pronouns
- Adjectives
Sources[edit | edit source]