Basic Words

28 phrases · Fula (Pular) with romanization, English and audio

  1. Hiihi.

    Yes

    Usage

    The basic "yes". Nodding while you say it makes it unmistakable. Eyyo and Awa are also heard as agreement

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary hiihi = interj. "oui". The guide writes Hii-hi. Awa (OK) and eyyo carry the same meaning.

  2. Aa'a.

    No

    Usage

    The basic "no". To decline politely, add Albarka (no thanks) after it

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary aa'a = interj. "non" (synonym oo'o). The apostrophe (U+0027) marks the glottal stop, written word-internally. It is the guide's o'o.

  3. Yanndi.

    Please

    Usage

    Added before or after a request. It can also mean "pardon me"

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary yanndi = interj. "s'il te plait; s'il vous plait; pardon; je t'en prie" (example "Mi torike ma yanndi musiɗɗo wallan!").

  4. Albarka.

    Thanks / No thank you

    Usage

    Thanks at the end of a meal or for a gift. Also a soft way to decline something offered

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary albarka = interj. "merci (surtout à la fin d'un repas ou à l'occasion d'un don ou cadeau); peut servir aussi de formule de refus poli".

  5. Accu hakkee.

    Excuse me / Sorry

    Usage

    A light apology or opener before a request. It is a singular imperative; with elders use a respectful plural form

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary hakkee 1 example: "Accu hakkee." (Excuse moi). hakkee is an Arabic loan that also means injustice/sin, so do not reuse it in unrelated sentences.

  6. Awa.

    OK / All right

    Usage

    Agreement or acknowledgement. Also used as "well then" to move a conversation along

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary awa = interj. 1 "oui; d'accord; ok", 2 "ensuite; alors". The guide also lists Awa. = OK.

  7. Mi faamaali.

    I don't understand

    Usage

    When you did not follow what was just said. Literally "I did not understand (it)"

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary faamugol = "comprendre". The negative-perfective ending -aali is attested in "Mi faamaali ko yewtaa kon" (I did not understand what was said). The bare sentence is the Peace Corps guide's phrase.

  8. Mi faamii.

    I understand

    Usage

    Tells the other person you followed the explanation so the conversation can move on

    Grammar Note

    Built from the Bah dictionary example under faamugol "A faamii ko wii-maa-mi?" (did you understand what I told you?) by changing the subject to mi. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).

  9. Sabbu seeɗa.

    Wait a little

    Usage

    While you look for your wallet or wait for a companion. To elders or strangers use the plural "Sabbee seeɗa"

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary sabbagol = "attendre" (example "Miɗo sabbi maa.", I am waiting for you); seeɗa = "un peu". Imperative -u (as in addu) and plural/respectful -ee (as in aree). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).

  10. Yanndi, wallan.

    Please, help me

    Usage

    A request for help. In an emergency say it loudly to draw attention

    Grammar Note

    The closing part of the Bah dictionary example under yanndi: "Mi torike ma yanndi musiɗɗo wallan!" (I beg you, friend, help me). wallugol = "aider".

  11. Fillitee.

    Please repeat

    Usage

    When you missed what was said; pairs naturally with "Mi faamaali"

    Grammar Note

    A phrase from the Peace Corps guide ("Fillitee.", Please repeat). Bah dictionary fillagol (variant fillitagol) = "raconter; narrer; répéter". The ending -ee is the plural/respectful imperative.

  12. Haliree doy.

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When speed is the problem rather than the words; most people oblige

    Grammar Note

    A phrase from the Peace Corps guide ("Haliree doy.", Speak slowly). Bah dictionary haalugol = "parler; dire", doy = "doucement; lentement" (example "Ñaamir doy.", eat slowly). The form Haliree has no dictionary example and is kept as the guide spells it.

  13. Miɗo waawi Pular seeɗa tun.

    I speak only a little Pular

    Usage

    Say it early; people then choose simpler words and slow down

    Grammar Note

    A phrase from the Peace Corps guide (OCR: Micfo waawi Pular seeda tun), with the lost hooks restored from the Bah spellings (miɗo, seeɗa). waawugol = "pouvoir; être capable", tun = "seulement".

  14. Mi waawataa Pular buy.

    I don't speak much Pular

    Usage

    A modest way to tell a local speaker how little you know

    Grammar Note

    A phrase from the Peace Corps guide ("Mi waawataa Pular buy."). Bah dictionary shows the negative imperfective -ataa in "Ɗum waawataa wonde." (that is not possible); buy = "beaucoup".

  15. Hiɗa nana Pular?

    Do you understand Pular?

    Usage

    A first check that you share a language. Local speakers often react with delight when a visitor tries

    Grammar Note

    Taken verbatim from the Bah dictionary example under nanugol: "Hiɗa nana pular?" (Tu comprends le peul?). nanugol = "entendre; comprendre; parler une langue".

  16. Hiɗa nana Enngele?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Check for a common language before something complicated. In Guinea French often works better than English

    Grammar Note

    Built from the Bah dictionary example "Hiɗa nana pular?" under nanugol by replacing the language name with Enngele (Bah: anglais). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).

  17. Ɗun ɗoo.

    This (here)

    Usage

    For something in your hand or in front of you; the workhorse phrase while pointing at a market

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary ɗun = pro. "ceci; cela", ɗoo = adv:loc. "ici". The pair ɗun ɗoo occurs in the dictionary example "Ko honɗun ɗun ɗoo firi e pular?" (what does this mean in Pular?).

  18. Ɗun ɗon.

    That (near you)

    Usage

    For something near the person you are talking to

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary ɗon = adv:loc. "là; là-bas", ɗun = "ceci; cela". Built from ɗun ɗoo (this) by swapping ɗoo for ɗon. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).

  19. Ɗoo.

    Here

    Usage

    For where you want to be dropped off or to meet

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary ɗoo (variant ɗo'o) = adv:loc. "ici". The word gaa in "Aree gaa!" (come this way) also means "here".

  20. Ɗon.

    There

    Usage

    For a spot near the person you are talking to

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary ɗon = adv:loc. "là; là-bas" (idiom "ɗon e ɗon", immediately).

  21. Too.

    Over there

    Usage

    For a distant spot; you will hear it in replies to directions too

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary too = adv:loc. "là-bas". For somewhere farther away there is toonin ("là-bas (très loin)").

  22. Min.

    Me (emphatic)

    Usage

    To say "me" while pointing at yourself, e.g. when counting heads or taking a turn

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary min = pro. "moi (pronom emphatique)". It is distinct from the short subject pronoun mi that precedes verbs. The guide's introduction "Min ko Ousmane Diallo mi innetee." also uses it.

  23. An.

    You (emphatic)

    Usage

    To address the other person directly; with elders the plural onon is more respectful

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary an 2 = pro. "toi" (example "Ko an jeyi ɗun?", is that yours?). The plural/respectful emphatic form onon occurs in the Bah example "Onon ko honto jeya-ɗon?".

  24. Gooto.

    One person

    Usage

    For stating party size at a table or gate; hold up one finger

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary gooto = pro. "un; chacun; personne, nul" (example "Gooto araali.", nobody came). It is the form used for people (things take go'o).

  25. Ɗiɗo.

    Two people

    Usage

    For stating party size. It is a different form from ɗiɗi, which counts things

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary ɗiɗo = num. "deux (humains)". Things take ɗiɗi. The guide OCR misreads it as didi.

  26. Tato.

    Three people

    Usage

    For stating party size. It is a different form from tati, which counts things

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary tato = num. "trois (quand il s'agit de personnes)". Things take tati.

  27. Mi anndaa.

    I don't know

    Usage

    When you are asked something you cannot answer, such as directions or a price

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary anndugol = "connaître; savoir". The negative form anndaa occurs in the example "o anndaa ngal o rewa" (he did not know what to do); here the subject is changed to mi. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).

  28. Miɗo faalaa yahude ka hurgo.

    I need to go to the toilet

    Usage

    For when you need a toilet urgently; follow with "Ko honto hurgo ngon woni?" to ask where

    Grammar Note

    A sentence from the Peace Corps guide ("Mido faala yahude ka hurgo."), with the lost hook restored from the Bah spelling (miɗo). hurgo = "toilette; wc".

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