salaam aleekum
Hello in Wolof is salaam aleekum.
salaam aleekum means "peace be upon you" and serves as a common, respectful way to say hello.
Meaning: greeting (intj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
Naka nga def? is widely used in Senegal to greet both friends and acquaintances.
When do people say it?
salaam aleekum is an Arabic-derived Islamic greeting used widely in Wolof-speaking communities. The standard response to salaam aleekum is aleekum salaam.
Did you know?
- In Wolof culture, the greeting salaam aleekum is an essential tool for maintaining 'teranga', a word that means 'hospitality' but also implies a social obligation to be welcoming to strangers.
- In Senegal, a greeting like salaam aleekum is often the start of a long social ritual. It is considered impolite to jump straight to the point of a conversation without first asking about the person's health, family and wellbeing.
- The use of salaam aleekum in Wolof reflects the historical influence of the Almoravid dynasty and the spread of Islam across the Senegal River valley centuries ago.
Examples in context
- Salaam aleekum, sa waay.Hello, my friend.
- Salaam aleekum, nuyul naa la.Hello, I greet you.
Example conversation
Mariama meets Omar on a street in Dakar.
- MariamaSalaam aleekum, Omar.Hello, Omar.
- OmarMaaleekum salaam, Mariama.Hello, Mariama.
- MariamaNanga def?How are you?
- OmarMangi fi rekk.I am fine.
