Hino mawni.
It is big
Usage
For asking for another size; use it with a gesture. Pular expresses qualities with stative verbs
Grammar Note
Bah dictionary mawnugol = "grandir; être grand; être important". hino is a durative/stative particle (Bah: "particule durative ou progressive", variant no). Built on the "Hino seeri" pattern. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).
Hino teddi.
It is heavy
Usage
For excess baggage, or asking someone to lift something
Grammar Note
First half of the Bah dictionary example under teddugol: "Hino teddi, mi ronku townude." (it is heavy, I can't lift it). teddugol also means "to be venerable".
Hino hayfi.
It is light (in weight)
Usage
About weight only; a different word from "bright"
Grammar Note
Bah dictionary hayfugol 1 = "être léger (de poids)" (sense 2: one's health improves). hino is a durative/stative particle (Bah: "particule durative ou progressive", variant no). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).
Hino seeri.
It is expensive
Usage
The opening move in a haggle; add a face. For "a little expensive" say "Hino seeri seeɗa"
Grammar Note
Bah dictionary seerugol 2 (Fr.) = "être cher". Shortened from its example "Hino seeri seeɗa." (it is a bit expensive). Not the same word as seerugol 1 (to divorce).
Coggu hoyi.
The price is low (cheap)
Usage
States that the price is low; also a lead-in to asking for something cheaper
Grammar Note
Bah dictionary lists the compound "hoyugol coggu" (être moins cher, bon marché) under coggu, and hoyugol 2 ("être bon marché"). Built with coggu as subject in the perfective. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).
Hino wuli.
It is hot (a thing)
Usage
About food, drink, or water; not the way to talk about hot weather
Grammar Note
Bah dictionary wulugol (variant wulgol) = "être chaud; s'échauffer". The perfective wuli occurs in the compound "wuli kay" (extremely hot). hino is a durative/stative particle (Bah: "particule durative ou progressive", variant no). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).
Jaangol waɗii.
It is cold (weather)
Usage
About the weather; not the way to say a drink is cold
Grammar Note
Taken verbatim from the Bah dictionary example under jaangol: "Jaangol waɗii." (Il fait froid). waɗugol = "faire; agir".
Miɗo jaangaa.
I am cold
Usage
Says you feel cold; a lead-in to asking for a blanket
Grammar Note
Taken verbatim from the Bah dictionary example under jaangegol: "Miɗo jaangaa." (J'ai froid).
Miɗo ngulaa.
I am hot
Usage
Says you feel hot; a lead-in to asking for a fan or air conditioning
Grammar Note
Taken verbatim from the Bah dictionary example under ngulegol: "Miɗo ngulaa." (J'ai chaud).
Oto koro.
An old, worn-out car
Usage
For objects that are worn or rusty; never for people
Grammar Note
Bah dictionary koro (Mand.) = adj. "vieux, usé; couvert de rouille (métal, machine)". Taken verbatim from its example "Oto koro." (old vehicle). For an old person use the separate word mawɗo.
Mawɗo
Elder (respectful)
Usage
The respectful word for an elder; out of respect even one person may be referred to with the plural mawɓe
Grammar Note
Bah dictionary mawɗo (plural mawɓe) = "personne âgée et respectée au sein de la communauté; vieux; ancien". The pejorative terms mawɗoore, kiikalaare and maamaare are not used.
Hino laaɓi.
It is clean
Usage
For a clean room or clean water
Grammar Note
Bah dictionary laaɓugol 1 = "être propre" (example "Lootir ndiyan e saabunnde haa laaɓa.", wash it clean with water and soap). hino is a durative/stative particle (Bah: "particule durative ou progressive", variant no). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).
Hino tuuni.
It is dirty
Usage
Useful when asking to change rooms
Grammar Note
Bah dictionary tuunugol = "être ou devenir sale, crasseux". The perfective tuuni occurs in the compound "tuuni tus" (extremely dirty). hino is a durative/stative particle (Bah: "particule durative ou progressive", variant no). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).
Hino moƴƴi.
It is good
Usage
The all-purpose way to approve of something
Grammar Note
Bah dictionary moƴƴugol = "(objets et personnes) être bon, bien". The example "Ɗee golle ma'a no moƴƴi." (you did a good job) contains no moƴƴi (no = variant of hino). ƴ is the hooked y.
Hino boni.
It is bad / It has gone bad
Usage
For saying that quality is poor or that food has spoiled
Grammar Note
Bah dictionary bonugol = "être mauvais; se gâter; se détériorer". The perfective occurs in "Ñiiri ndin bonii, ñaamotaako." (the meal has gone bad, it can no longer be eaten) and "Konu Hubbuuɓe ɓen boni.". Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).
Hino woɗɗi.
It is far
Usage
Tells you whether you need transport
Grammar Note
Bah dictionary woɗɗugol = "être loin; être éloigné". The example "O yahii ka woɗɗi." (he went far away) contains woɗɗi. hino is a durative/stative particle (Bah: "particule durative ou progressive", variant no). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).
Law.
Early
Usage
About clock time, not speed (to be quick is yaawugol)
Grammar Note
Bah dictionary law = adv. "tôt" (example "Janngo bimmbi law.", tomorrow very early in the morning).
Accu hakkee, mi tardii seeɗa.
Sorry, I am a little late
Usage
An apology for being late, and the standard way to talk about lateness
Grammar Note
Taken verbatim from the Bah dictionary example under tardugol (Fr.): "Accu hakkee, mi tardii seeɗa." (Je m'excuse, je suis un peu en retard). tardugol is borrowed from French.
Yimɓe buy.
Many people
Usage
About quantity or how crowded somewhere is
Grammar Note
Taken verbatim from the Bah dictionary example under buy: "Yimɓe buy." (Beaucoup de gens). buy = adv. "beaucoup" (variant bus).
Seeɗa.
A little / Few
Usage
Also useful for asking for a smaller portion
Grammar Note
Bah dictionary seeɗa = adv. "un peu" (example "Ɓeydu seeɗa, no weli buy!").
No weli buy!
It is very delicious!
Usage
The most common compliment at a meal
Grammar Note
Second half of the Bah dictionary example under seeɗa: "Ɓeydu seeɗa, no weli buy!" (add a little, it's very good!). welugol 1 = "être bon, doux, agréable; (nourriture) être succulent".
Ɓeydu seeɗa.
Add a little more
Usage
For asking for more food or drink. It is a singular imperative, so use a respectful form with elders
Grammar Note
First half of the Bah dictionary example under seeɗa: "Ɓeydu seeɗa" (Augmente un peu). ɓeydugol = "augmenter; accroître".
Seeɗa tun.
Just a little
Usage
For asking for a smaller portion; tun means "only"
Grammar Note
The combination occurs in the guide phrase "Mido waawi Pular seeda tun." (hooks restored from Bah). tun = "seulement".
Fow.
All / Everything
Usage
For "all of it" or "in total"
Grammar Note
Bah dictionary fow (variant fop) = adv. "tout; la totalité; l'ensemble de". Related: fuu, denndaangal.
Hino yoni.
That is enough
Usage
To turn down more food or drink
Grammar Note
Bah dictionary yonugol 1 = "suffire; être suffisant". The form occurs in the example "Hino yoni yimɓe noogay." (it can reach twenty people). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).
More Fula (Pular) phrases
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