ba beneen
Goodbye in Wolof is ba beneen.
The phrase ba beneen is a fixed expression used to say farewell. It functions as the English equivalent of 'until next time'.
Meaning: farewell (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, ba beneen means 'until next' or 'until the next one'.
Which one should you use?
While ba beneen is used for a general farewell, you can use ba suba if you specifically mean 'until tomorrow' and intend to see the person the following day.
How does it change in a sentence?
Ba beneen is a fixed expression used to say goodbye.
Did you know?
- In many Wolof communities, saying ba beneen is only the start of a departure ritual that can involve several minutes of polite inquiries about family and health.
- While ba beneen is the standard farewell, people often use the Arabic phrase as-salamu alaykum as both a greeting and a way to take leave in religious contexts.
- The word beneen in ba beneen is a numeral meaning 'second' or 'next', showing that a goodbye is linguistically framed as a countdown to the next encounter.
Examples in context
- Ba beneen, jërëjëf.Goodbye, thank you.
- Ba beneen, ñungi lay gis.Goodbye, we will see you.
Example conversation
Astou and Moussa are finishing a meeting.
- AstouMoussa, ba beneen!Moussa, goodbye!
- MoussaBa beneen, Astou!Goodbye, Astou!
- AstouYalla na la yalla liggey.May God bless your work.
- MoussaJerejef, ba beneen.Thank you, goodbye.
