Fula vocabulary: 98 essential words to communicate
Learn essential Fula vocabulary with 98 words and phrases organized by theme. Perfect for beginners and travellers who want to communicate confidently.
Greetings & politeness
| Fulfulde / Pulaar | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| No mbadda? | How are you? (greeting) | Culture: En peul, les salutations sont longues et détaillées. Il est impoli de ne pas demander des nouvelles de la famille. |
| Jam tan | Fine, just fine (response) | |
| Djam weeti | Good morning (peace of morning) | |
| Djam hiri | Good evening (peace of night) | |
| Aw njehen e jam | Go in peace / Goodbye | |
| A jaaraama | Thank you | |
| Baawɗo | No problem | |
| Yoo Alla | God willing | |
| Tedduɗo | Respected one | |
| Mi yiɗi ɗum | I want this |
Food & drinks
| Fulfulde / Pulaar | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ñaama | Food | |
| Ndiyam | Water | |
| Teewu | Meat | |
| Liingu | Fish | |
| Kosam | Milk | Culture: Le lait de vache est central dans la culture peule. Les Peuls sont traditionnellement éleveurs. |
| Gerte | Peanut | |
| Njaari | Rice | |
| Gaari | Millet | |
| Kaafi | Coffee | |
| Ladde | Salt |
Family
| Fulfulde / Pulaar | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Baaba | Father | |
| Yummaa | Mother | |
| Biɗɗo | Child | |
| Mawɗo | Elder | |
| Sukaaɓe | Children | |
| Gorko | Man / Husband | |
| Debbo | Woman / Wife | |
| Maamiraaɓe | Grandparents | |
| Banndiraɓe | Siblings | |
| Teddungal | Close friend |
Human body
| Fulfulde / Pulaar | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hoore | Head | |
| Yitere | Eye | |
| Hinere | Nose | |
| hunorde | Mouth | |
| Nowru | Ear | |
| Juuɗe | Hand | |
| Koyngal | Foot | |
| Daɓɓunde | Heart | |
| Reedu | Stomach | |
| Yontii | Back |
Numbers (1-20)
| Fulfulde / Pulaar | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| go'o | One | |
| ɗiɗi | Two | |
| tati | Three | |
| nayi | Four | |
| jowi | Five | |
| jeegom | Six | |
| jeeɗiɗi | Seven | |
| jeetati | Eight | |
| jeenayi | Nine | |
| sappo | Ten | |
| sappo e go'o | Eleven | |
| sappo e ɗiɗi | Twelve | |
| sappo e tati | Thirteen | |
| sappo e nayi | Fourteen | |
| sappo e jowi | Fifteen | |
| sappo e jeegom | Sixteen | |
| sappo e jeeɗiɗi | Seventeen | |
| sappo e jeetati | Eighteen | |
| sappo e jeenayi | Nineteen | |
| noogaas | Twenty |
Colors
| Fulfulde / Pulaar | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| raneewo | White | |
| baleeri | Black | |
| woɗeewo | Red | |
| buluu | Blue | |
| hordeewo | Green | |
| jelngu | Yellow | |
| goorari | Grey | |
| kecceewo | Orange |
Animals
| Fulfulde / Pulaar | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Nai | Cow | Culture: La vache est sacrée dans la culture peule. Elle est au cœur de l'identité et de l'économie des Fulani. |
| Njawdi | Cattle / Herd | |
| Deggal | Goat | |
| Mbabba | Donkey | |
| Puccu | Horse | |
| Liingu | Fish | |
| Gawri | Sheep | |
| Ñiiri | Bird | |
| Waraango | Lion | |
| Sunguru | Rabbit |
Home & daily life
| Fulfulde / Pulaar | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suudu | House / Room | |
| Dingiral | Door | |
| Wuro | Village / Camp | |
| Luumo | Market | |
| Jaɓirde | School | |
| Ceede | Money | |
| Comci | Clothes | |
| Laana | Boat | |
| Ladde | Bush / Forest | |
| Ɓalndu | Fire |
Time & weather
| Fulfulde / Pulaar | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hannde | Today | |
| Haŋki | Yesterday | |
| Jaango | Tomorrow | |
| Naange | Sun | |
| Jamma | Night | |
| Toɓo | Rain | |
| Danɗal | Cold | |
| Keɓɗam | Heat | |
| Ɓargu | Wind | |
| Kawle | Rainy season |
Learn Fula with a native teacher
Vocabulary is the foundation. But to speak fluently, nothing beats live classes with a native teacher. Targumi offers Fula classes in small groups, 2 sessions per week, with passionate teachers.
30-day money-back guarantee
Cultural immersion in Fula
Films, TV shows, music and podcasts to practise Fula every day.