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Arabic Conjugation of the Wolof Verb "dem" — to go
Perfect (Completed)
The perfect paradigm expresses completed actions. The verb comes first, followed by the subject marker. This is the most neutral way to state that something happened.
| Person | Wolof |
|---|---|
| man (I) | dem naa |
| yow (you sg.) | dem nga |
| moom (he/she) | dem na |
| nun (we) | dem nañu |
| yeen (you pl.) | dem ngeen |
| ñoom (they) | dem nañu |
Presentative (Progressive)
The presentative paradigm describes a current state or action in progress. The subject marker with "ngi" comes before the verb, similar to "I am (doing)" in English.
| Person | Wolof |
|---|---|
| man (I) | maa ngi dem |
| yow (you sg.) | yaa ngi dem |
| moom (he/she) | mu ngi dem |
| nun (we) | nu ngi dem |
| yeen (you pl.) | yéena ngi dem |
| ñoom (they) | ñu ngi dem |
Emphatic (Verb Focus)
The emphatic paradigm highlights the action itself. The "da-" prefix fuses with the subject marker before the verb. Used for emphasis or in narrative contexts.
| Person | Wolof |
|---|---|
| man (I) | dama dem |
| yow (you sg.) | danga dem |
| moom (he/she) | dafa dem |
| nun (we) | dañu dem |
| yeen (you pl.) | dangeen dem |
| ñoom (they) | dañu dem |
Negative
The negative paradigm negates the action. The "du-" prefix fuses with the subject marker. Covers both "don't" (habitual) and "won't" (future).
| Person | Wolof |
|---|---|
| man (I) | duma dem |
| yow (you sg.) | doo dem |
| moom (he/she) | du dem |
| nun (we) | dunu dem |
| yeen (you pl.) | dungeen dem |
| ñoom (they) | duñu dem |
Future
The future paradigm expresses actions that will happen. The "dina-" prefix fuses with the subject marker before the verb.
| Person | Wolof |
|---|---|
| man (I) | dinaa dem |
| yow (you sg.) | dinga dem |
| moom (he/she) | dina dem |
| nun (we) | dinañu dem |
| yeen (you pl.) | dingeen dem |
| ñoom (they) | dinañu dem |
Imperative (Commands)
Singular uses the bare verb stem. Plural adds the suffix -leen.
| Form | Wolof |
|---|---|
| Singular (you) | Dem! |
| Plural (you all) | Demleen! |
Example Sentences
Fan ngay dem?
Where are you going?
Dem naa Ndakaaru.
I went to Dakar.
Dinaa dem ëllëg.
I will go tomorrow.