Conjugation of the Wolof Verb "naan" — to drink

naan

to drink

Type

Action verb

Paradigms

5 focus forms

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)	naan naa
yow (you sg.)	naan nga
moom (he/she)	naan na
nun (we)	naan nañu
yeen (you pl.)	naan ngeen
ñoom (they)	naan 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 naan
yow (you sg.)	yaa ngi naan
moom (he/she)	mu ngi naan
nun (we)	nu ngi naan
yeen (you pl.)	yéena ngi naan
ñoom (they)	ñu ngi naan

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 naan
yow (you sg.)	danga naan
moom (he/she)	dafa naan
nun (we)	dañu naan
yeen (you pl.)	dangeen naan
ñoom (they)	dañu naan

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 naan
yow (you sg.)	doo naan
moom (he/she)	du naan
nun (we)	dunu naan
yeen (you pl.)	dungeen naan
ñoom (they)	duñu naan

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 naan
yow (you sg.)	dinga naan
moom (he/she)	dina naan
nun (we)	dinañu naan
yeen (you pl.)	dingeen naan
ñoom (they)	dinañu naan

Imperative (Commands)

Singular uses the bare verb stem. Plural adds the suffix -leen.

Form	Wolof
Singular (you)	Naan!
Plural (you all)	Naanleen!

Example Sentences

Naan ndox!

Drink water!

Dama bëgg naan attaya.

I want to drink tea.

Naan nga café?

Did you drink coffee?