Phrases

Everyday Life

Useful sentences for your daily routines and interactions. Each card shows the Senegalese and Gambian dialects next to one another so you can switch depending on where you are traveling.

I am hungry.

needs

Senegal

Dama xiif.

Gambia

Dama xiif.

Literally "I have become hungry" or "I am in a state of hunger".

I am tired.

Senegal

Dama sonn.

Gambia

Dama sonn.

I live in ...

Senegal

Maa ngi dëkk ci ...

Gambia

Mangi dekk ci ...

Replace ellipsis with town or neighborhood. The Gambian spelling reflects a common simplification.

I do not understand.

learning

Senegal

Degguma.

Gambia

Deguma.

Uses the negative suffix -u-ma (understand-not-I).

Do you speak English?

Senegal

Danga wax angale?

Gambia

Dang wax angale?

Gambian speakers often shorten the prefix "Danga" to "Dang".

I need help.

Senegal

Dama soxla ndimbal.

Gambia

Dama sohla ndimbal.

Soxla is the verb "to need". Ndmbal is the noun "help".