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Arabic Conjugation of the Wolof Verb "xam" — to know
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) | xam naa |
| yow (you sg.) | xam nga |
| moom (he/she) | xam na |
| nun (we) | xam nañu |
| yeen (you pl.) | xam ngeen |
| ñoom (they) | xam 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 xam |
| yow (you sg.) | yaa ngi xam |
| moom (he/she) | mu ngi xam |
| nun (we) | nu ngi xam |
| yeen (you pl.) | yéena ngi xam |
| ñoom (they) | ñu ngi xam |
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 xam |
| yow (you sg.) | danga xam |
| moom (he/she) | dafa xam |
| nun (we) | dañu xam |
| yeen (you pl.) | dangeen xam |
| ñoom (they) | dañu xam |
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 xam |
| yow (you sg.) | doo xam |
| moom (he/she) | du xam |
| nun (we) | dunu xam |
| yeen (you pl.) | dungeen xam |
| ñoom (they) | duñu xam |
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 xam |
| yow (you sg.) | dinga xam |
| moom (he/she) | dina xam |
| nun (we) | dinañu xam |
| yeen (you pl.) | dingeen xam |
| ñoom (they) | dinañu xam |
Imperative (Commands)
Singular uses the bare verb stem. Plural adds the suffix -leen.
| Form | Wolof |
|---|---|
| Singular (you) | Xam! |
| Plural (you all) | Xamleen! |
Example Sentences
Xam naa ko.
I know it / him / her.
Duma xam.
I don't know.
Xam nga Wolof?
Do you know Wolof?