Basic Verbs

1. Yahugol

   To go

   Usage

   Put a destination next to it and the meaning gets across. Inside sentences it takes the -ude form (yahude)

   Grammar Note

   Bah dictionary yahugol (variant yaagol) = "aller; marcher; se déplacer". Compound yahugol hurgo = to go to the toilet. "Let's go" is yahen (in the dictionary examples).

2. Arugol

   To come

   Usage

   For asking someone to come to you, or checking an arrival

   Grammar Note

   Bah dictionary arugol (variant argol) = "venir; arriver". Example "O ari, o naati, o jooɗii takko mawɓe." (he came, went in and sat next to the elders).

3. Ñaamugol

   To eat

   Usage

   For inviting someone to eat or asking whether something is edible

   Grammar Note

   Bah dictionary ñaamugol 1 = "manger; consommer". Example "O ñaami haa o haari." (he ate until he was full). Do not confuse it with the separate word for the right side.

4. Yarugol

   To drink

   Usage

   Also used to check whether water is safe to drink

   Grammar Note

   Bah dictionary yarugol (variant yargol) = "boire; s'abreuver". Example "Yarugol ndiyan." (to drink water).

5. Soodugol

   To buy

   Usage

   States your intent to buy; point at the item as you say it

   Grammar Note

   Bah dictionary soodugol = "acheter". Example "Miɗo faalaa soodude defte pular." (I would like to buy books in Pular). "To sell" is yeeyugol.

6. Yi'ugol

   To see

   Usage

   For asking to be shown something, and for sightseeing talk

   Grammar Note

   Bah dictionary yi'ugol (variant yiigol) = "voir; comprendre; penser". Example "Mi yiiru gite an, wonaa goɗɗo haalanimmi." (I saw it with my own eyes). The apostrophe (U+0027) is the word-internal glottal stop.

7. Sabbagol

   To wait

   Usage

   For arranging to meet, or explaining you are queuing

   Grammar Note

   Bah dictionary sabbagol = "attendre". Example "Miɗo sabbi maa." (I am waiting for you). Synonyms: habbagol, fadagol.

8. Miɗo faalaa yahude Labe.

   I want to go to Labe

   Usage

   The pattern for telling a driver or ticket clerk where you are going; replace Labe with your destination

   Grammar Note

   Follows the pattern of the Bah example "Miɗo faalaa soodude defte pular." and the Peace Corps phrase "Mido faala yahude ka hurgo.". Labe is spelled as in the Bah example (Juulirde Labe). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).

9. Miɗo faalaa ñaamude.

   I want to eat

   Usage

   Add the name of a dish to turn it into an order

   Grammar Note

   Built from the Bah example "Miɗo faalaa soodude defte pular." by swapping in the verb ñaamugol. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).

10. Ko ɗun mi faalaa.

    I want this one

    Usage

    Point while you say it and the order is understood. Ko focuses "this one"

    Grammar Note

    Follows the guide's focus-sentence pattern "Ko kosan mi faalaa yarugol." and "Ko mawɗo mi faalaa.". ɗun is the Bah pronoun (ceci; cela). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).

11. Mi faalaaka ɗun.

    I don't want it

    Usage

    To refuse a bag, an add-on, or a persistent vendor

    Grammar Note

    The negative stative -aaka occurs in the Bah example under accugol, "Si a faalaaka accu ɗon." (if you don't want to, leave it). Here it is combined with mi and ɗun. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).

12. Miɗo ɗaɓɓude ɗun.

    I'm looking for it

    Usage

    When hunting for a place or an item; show a map or photo

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary ɗaɓɓugol = "chercher". Follows the pattern of the example "Himo ɗaɓɓude golle." (he is looking for work). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).

13. Mi mari ɗun.

    I have it

    Usage

    The answer when asked whether you have something

    Grammar Note

    Bah dictionary marugol 2 = "avoir; posséder" (used in the perfective). Example "Himo mari ganndal e faamu." (he has knowledge and understanding). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar (not yet checked by a native speaker).

14. Mi maraa kaalisi.

    I don't have any money

    Usage

    For saying you have no change or no money on you

    Grammar Note

    Taken verbatim from the Bah dictionary example under kaalisi: "Mi maraa kaalisi." (I don't have a penny).

15. Yo mi walle?

    Shall I help?

    Usage

    An offer of help, for example to someone carrying a load

    Grammar Note

    Taken verbatim from the Bah dictionary example under yo 2: "Yo mi walle?" (Shall I help you?).

16. Yahen.

    Let's go

    Usage

    Urging a companion along; used among friends and peers

    Grammar Note

    Attested in Bah examples such as "Yahen wuppol ka petun!" and "Koni aree yahen, jemmii!" (let's get going, it is night).

17. Aree gaa!

    Come this way!

    Usage

    Calling someone along; a plural/respectful imperative

    Grammar Note

    Taken verbatim from the Bah dictionary example under gaa: "Aree gaa!" (Venez par ici!).

18. Yahu ɗaa.

    Go over there

    Usage

    A casual instruction pointing the way; not for elders

    Grammar Note

    Taken verbatim from the Bah dictionary example under ɗaa: "Yahu ɗaa." (Vas là-bas).

Browse all TravelPhrases languages