Sénégal
/se.ne.ɡal/masculine
Sénégal is the French word for Senegal.
To refer to the people of the country, you can use les Sénégalais.
Meaning: Republic of Senegal (name)
How does it change in a sentence?
Because Sénégal is a masculine noun, you must use specific contractions when using prepositions. To say "in Senegal", use the contraction au (à + le) to form au Sénégal. To say "from Senegal" or "of Senegal", use the contraction du (de + le) to form du Sénégal.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables: /se.ne.ɡal/.
Did you know?
- The name Sénégal is thought by many historians to derive from the Wolof phrase Sal mele, which translates to 'bend in the river'.
- In French, le Sénégal is often referred to as le pays de la Teranga, which means 'the land of hospitality'.
- The word Teranga is actually from the Wolof language, but it is used frequently within French sentences when describing le Sénégal.
Examples in context
- La Gambie est un pays presque entièrement enclavé dans le Sénégal.Gambia is a country almost entirely enclaved within Senegal.This sentence uses Sénégal to describe the geographical relationship between Gambia and Senegal.Tatoeba #4081069 by Amastan, translation #11792095 by shekitten
- Le Sénégal a eu son indépendance en l’an mille neuf cent soixante.Senegal gained its independence in the year 1960.This sentence uses Sénégal in the context of the country gaining independence.Tatoeba #9852330 by lamino822, translation #11792096 by shekitten
- Ce qui se passe aujourd'hui en Europe concerne également le pêcheur au Sénégal et le programmeur en Inde.What happens today in Europe also concerns the fisher in Senegal and the programmer in India.This sentence uses Sénégal to show how global events affect people living there.Tatoeba #1708803 by Rovo, translation #11792097 by shekitten
- Je vais voyager au Sénégal cette année.I am going to travel to Senegal this year.
- Le Sénégal est un pays magnifique.Senegal is a beautiful country.
- Les Sénégalais sont connus pour leur hospitalité.Senegalese people are known for their hospitality.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are discussing their future travel plans.
- LéaEst-ce que tu veux aller au Sénégal ?Do you want to go to Senegal?
- NathanOui, j'aimerais beaucoup visiter le Sénégal.Yes, I would really like to visit Senegal.
- LéaC'est une excellente idée pour nos vacances.That is an excellent idea for our vacation.
- NathanOn peut réserver les billets demain.We can book the tickets tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “senegal” translations and entries Sénégal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
