Transportation

1. Paasi ɗin ko jelu?

   How much is the fare?

   Usage

   The basic question before getting in; fares are normally fixed

   Grammar Note

   Taken verbatim from the Bah dictionary example under paasi: "Paasi ɗin ko jelu?" (Le transport c'est combien?). The Peace Corps guide writes "Paasi on ko jelu?". paasi = frais de transport.

2. Ko oto hommbo woni e yahude Labe?

   Which car is going to Labe?

   Usage

   At the taxi park, for finding the car to your destination; replace Labe with your town

   Grammar Note

   A sentence from the Peace Corps guide's taxi-park section ("Ko oto hombo woni e yahude Labe?"). hombo is respelled hommbo after the Bah dictionary. Bah: oto = Fr. automobile.

3. Ko Labe mi yahata.

   I'm going to Labe

   Usage

   Tells the driver your destination; replace Labe with your town. Ko focuses the destination

   Grammar Note

   A sentence from the Peace Corps guide ("Ko Labe mi yahata."). Bah dictionary yahugol = "aller; marcher". -ata is the imperfective ending.

4. Mi yoɓay pilaasi ɗiɗi.

   I'll pay for two seats

   Usage

   A way to negotiate with the driver when you carry much luggage or want more room

   Grammar Note

   From the Peace Corps guide (OCR: "Mi yobay pilaasi didi.") with the hooks restored from Bah spellings (yoɓugol, ɗiɗi). pilaasi = "place".

5. Oto on heewi?

   Is the car full?

   Usage

   Shared taxis usually leave only when full, so this tells you when to expect departure

   Grammar Note

   A sentence from the Peace Corps guide ("Oto on heewi?"). Bah dictionary heewugol = "être ou devenir plein".

6. Oto on fokkitii.

   The car is leaving

   Usage

   Announces departure; useful for making sure you are not left behind

   Grammar Note

   Taken verbatim from the Bah dictionary example under fokkitugol: "Oto on fokkitii." (La voiture démarre). fokkitugol = "partir; prendre le départ; démarrer".

7. Ko honto gaaru on woni?

   Where is the station?

   Usage

   For finding where vehicles leave from

   Grammar Note

   Bah dictionary gaaru = Fr. "gare" (class O). Word order follows "Ko honto deftere nden woni?"; the article on is the same class-O article as in oto on. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).

8. Ko honto ayeropoor on woni?

   Where is the airport?

   Usage

   To ask a taxi driver or passer-by for the way to the airport

   Grammar Note

   Bah dictionary ayeropoor = Fr. "aéroport" (class O). Word order follows "Ko honto deftere nden woni?". Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).

9. Darnu oto on ɗoo.

   Stop the car here

   Usage

   Said to the driver where you want to get off. A singular imperative; with an older driver use the respectful plural (Darnee)

   Grammar Note

   Bah dictionary darnugol 1 = "arrêter; stopper"; oto on appears in Bah examples; ɗoo = "ici". Imperative -u (singular), -ee (plural/respectful) by regular rule. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).

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