jam nyalli
The English phrase "good evening" is translated into Fulani as jam nyalli.
jam nyalli is used as a greeting during the evening.
Meaning: greeting said in the evening (intj)
When do people say it?
When someone greets you with jam nyalli, a common response is to say jam ni, which means "peace to you".
Did you know?
- The word jam in jam nyalli means 'peace' and is the foundation for almost every greeting in Fulani. Rather than wishing someone a 'good' time, the language prioritizes wishing them 'peace'.
- Fulani is an Atlantic language, making it a distant relative of the languages spoken in Senegal and Gambia, rather than the Bantu languages found in Central Africa.
- The word jam is a cognate with words for 'peace' in other languages of the region due to the historical influence of Arabic and Islam on the Fulani people.
Examples in context
- A jaraama, jam nyalli.Thank you, good evening.
Example conversation
Amadou arrives at Aissata's house as the sun sets.
- AmadouJam nyalli, Aissata.Good evening, Aissata.
- AissataJam nyalli, Amadou.Good evening, Amadou.
- AmadouNo mbaddi?How are you?
- AissataJam ni.I am well.
