Njaay yi   Purchases


Butig ba   At the boutique

– Boroom butig, jaay ma suukër !   Shopkeeper, sell me some sugar!
– Benn boyet ?  One box?
– Waaw, benn boyet. Ñaata lay jar?  Yes, one box. How much does it cost?
– Téeméeri dërëm.  500 CFA.
– Am! Delloo ma sama weccit.  Here you are! Give me my change!
– Mu ngi !  Here it is!
– Jërëjëf !  Thank you!
– Amul solo ! You're welcome!

From the French :
suukër - le sucre : sugar
butig - la boutique : shop


CULTURAL EXPLANATION

Butig are small shops, found on average about every block or two even more frequently in a big city and usually at least one in every village. In a butig, the quantity of each item may not be large, but the selection is stunning. One can find everything from oil to hair extensions to incense to toothpaste to tea leaves. Very rare are the everyday items that one cannot find in the neighborhood butig.


Jaaykat bi   The saleswoman

– Jaay ma xaal !  Sell me some melons!
– Ñaata, benn  ?  How many, one?
– Waaw benn, ñaata lay jar ?  Yes, how much does it cost?
– Ñaari téeméer.  1000 CFA (200 dërëm).
– Dafa jafe, wàññi ko ! That's expensive, lower it (the price).
– Fabal téeméer ak ñeent fukk !  Take 700 CFA (140 dërëm)!
– Waaw, baax na !  Yes, that's good.


– Foo jëm ?  Where are you going?
– Ja ba la jëm.  I'm going to the market.
– Lan ngay jëndi ? What are you going to buy?
– Jën laay jëndi.  I'm buying fish.
– Nu ànd ?  Should we go together?
– Waaw, soo bëggee.  Yes, if you want to.

Abdoulaye Dial