In Senegal they use the franc CFA. But the traditional unit of currency is the dërëm which is counted by fives. Usually when dealing with money most people will deal strictly with the French terms for simplicity. If Wolof is used the dërëm is implied if not specifically said. So for example junni is 5000, not 1000, even though dërëm has been left off. The generic Wolof term for money is xaalis.
BASIC EXCHANGE RATES - This is just for a general idea, exchange rates fluctuate constantly, with the exception of the euro which has a fixed rate of 655.957 CFA to 1 euro.
Use www.xe.com for up to date currency exchange rates.
What is the exchange rate? Quel est le taux de change?
CONVERTING DËRËM TO CFA - When talking money, the number ñaari teemeeri (200) is the same as ñaari teemeeri dërëm (1000 CFA). To get the CFA equivalent of dërëm, take the number of dërëm and multiply it by 5, for example, teemeeri dërëm – 100 dërëm or 100 x 5, is 500 CFA.
Sometimes CFA is written as FCFA or just F.
A comma is often used to indicate decimals. For example – 1,5 is the same as 1.5.
Also, a period is often used to indicate thousands. For example – 10.000 is the same as 10,000.
Common French terms for money: l’argent means money, bills/notes are called les billets or les factures and change/coinage is called pièces de monnaie.
What is the price? Quel est le prix?
How much does it cost? Combien est-ce là?
Text excerpt from the upcoming Janga Wolof produced Senegalese Phrasebook & Information Guide. Publish date TBA.
