Where does the slang word Yaakar come from?

Yaakar is a slang term from Senegal. It is part of the rich slang vocabulary used in Senegal and across Africa.

Yaakar

Q: What are other meanings of Yaakar?

Yaakar can also mean: Hope. Not exactly slang (it’s standard Wolof), but often used in everyday talk: “Am na yaakar” (“I have hope”).

🇸🇳 Senegal Slang

Added Jul 27, 2025 · 2 definitions

TOP DEFINITION

Yaakar definition 1

Hope. Often used in everyday talk and part of many local proverbs and songs, reflecting optimism

"Am na yaakar (I have hope)"

by Khulekani Dladla Elder · Aug 03, 2025

DEFINITION 2

Yaakar definition 2

Hope. Not exactly slang (it’s standard Wolof), but often used in everyday talk: “Am na yaakar” (“I have hope”).

"It’s part of many local proverbs and songs, reflecting optimism."

by Khulekani Dladla Elder · Jul 27, 2025

Word Details

Country: 🇸🇳 Senegal
Definitions: 2 community definitions
Added: July 2025

↻ Similar Words

Yaakaar 🇬🇲 Gambia

Yaakaar bi (The hope/expectation)

"Sama yaakaar mooy dem Europe (My hope is to go to Europe)"

Yaka 🇺🇬 Uganda

“Light up” or turn on (also a nickname for the electricity token system).

🇸🇳 About Senegal Slang

Senegalese slang is built on Wolof, the lingua franca spoken by 80% of the population, blended with French to create a rich urban vocabulary in Dakar.

KASINARY has 141 Senegal slang words collected from native speakers.

Browse all Senegal slang (141 words)

🇸🇳 More Senegal Slang

Dof Fou/idiot (Crazy/idiot) Noppal To chill or relax, literally to rest (Origin: Wolof/Senegalese) Téranga ak jamm A phrase combining Wolof and Arabic, roughly 'hospitality and peace.' It reflects Senegal'… Ngonal Late afternoon/evening greeting, often used to mean “good evening.” Fouta Région du nord/personne du Fouta (Northern region/person from Fouta) Ndiaga Ndiaye Transport en commun/car rapide (Public transport/rapid car)

View all 141 Senegal slang words

Related Senegal Slang Words

Dafa nice 🇸🇳 Senegal

C'est cool/génial (It's cool/awesome)

Chill 🇸🇳 Senegal

Se détendre/se relaxer (To chill/relax)

Da 🇸🇳 Senegal

Used for 'that/it.' Also forms the verb 'to be': Da me (It's me), Da na me (That is mine).

Wax 🇸🇳 Senegal

Tissu traditionnel africain (Traditional African fabric)

Xaalis 🇸🇳 Senegal

Money (literally means “money” in Wolof, used widely in Senegalese slang talk).

Mer 🇸🇳 Senegal

Être en colère (To be angry)

Niak 🇸🇳 Senegal

Manquer/avoir envie de (To miss/crave)

Déèt 🇸🇳 Senegal

No (Wolof word for no) (Origin: Wolof/Senegalese)

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