Somali greetings
| Salaamo -Greetings | |
| Soomaali | English |
| Subax wanaagsan | Good morning |
| Ans: Subax wanaagsan/wanaagsan oo wacan | Ans: Good morning |
| Galab wanaagsan | Good afternoon |
| Ans: Galab wanaagsan/wanaagsan oo wacan | Ans: Good afternoon |
| Fiid wanaagsan | Good evening |
| Ans: Fiid wanaagsan/Wanaagsan oo wacan | Ans: Good evening |
| Habeen wanaagsan | Good night |
| Ans: Habeen wanaagsan/wanaagsan oo wacan | Ans: Good night |
| Maalin wanaagsan | Good day |
| Ans: Maalin wanaagsan/wanaagsan oo wacan | Ans: Good day |
| Duhur wanaagsan | Good noon |
| Ans: Duhur wanaagsan/wanaagsan oo wacan | Ans: Good noon |
| Sanad wanaagsan | Happy new year |
| Ans: Sanad wanaagsan/wanaagsan oo wacan | Ans: Happy new year |
| Dhalasho wanaagsan | Happy birth day |
| Ans: Dhalasho wanaagsan/wanaagsan oo wacan | Ans: Happy birth day |
How to say ”How are you?” in Somali
| Salaamo -Greetings | |
| Soomaali | English |
| Seetahay? | How are you? |
| Ans: waan fiicanahay/waan ladanahay/waan roonahay | I am good |
| Sideetahay? | How are you? |
| Ans: waan fiicanahay/waan ladanahay/waan roonahay | I am good |
| Iska waran | How are you? |
| Ans: waan fiicanahay/waan ladanahay/waan roonahay | I am good |
| Ma nabad baa? | Is it peace? |
| Ans: Haa, waa nabad | Yes, it is peace |
| Ma fiicantahay ? | Are you good? |
| Ans: Haa, waan fiicanahay | Yes, I am good |
| Ma ladantahay? | Are you good? |
| Ans: Haa, waan ladanahay. | Yes, I am good |
| Ma roontahay? | Are you good |
| Ans: Haa, waan roonahay? | Yes, I am good |
| Assalaamu Aleykum? | Peace of Allah be up on you. |
| Ans: Wa alleykuma salaam | Up on you too. |
Introduction – Isbarasho
| Isbarasho – introduction | |
| Soomaali | English |
| Magacaa? | What is your name? |
| Ans: Magaceygu waa Hodan, adigana? Ans: Magaceygu waa Hassan. | Ans: My name is Hodan, and you? Ans: My name is Hassan. |
| Waa maxaay magacaagu ? | What is your name? |
| Ans: Magaceygu waa Hodan, adigana? Ans: Magaceygu waa Hassan. | Ans: My name is Hodan, and you? Ans: My name is Hassan. |
| Waa maxaay magacaaga koowaad ? | What is your first name? |
| Ans: Magaceyga koowaad waa Hodan | Ans: My first name is Hodan |
| Waa maxaay magacaaaga danbe ? | What is your last name? |
| Ans: Magaceyga danbe waa Ali | Ans: My last name is Ali |
| Waa maxaay magacaaga oo seddaxan/dhameystiran ? | What is your full name? |
| Ans: Magaceyga oo seddaxan waa Hodan M. Cali | Ans: My full name is Hodan M. Ali |
| Waa maxaay naynaastaadu? | What is your nickname? |
| Ans: Naynaas ma lihi. Ans: Naynaastaydu waa …… | Ans: I don’t have a nickname My nickname is ………….. |
where are you from ? – Halkee ka soo jeedaa?
| Isbarasho – introduction | |
| Soomaali | English |
| Soomaali miyaad tahay ? | Are you somali? |
| Ans: Haa, Soomaali baan ahay. Ans: Maya, Soomaali ma ihi. | Ans: Yes, I am Somali Ans: No, I am not Somali. |
| Soomaali ma ku hadli kartaa? | Can you speak Somali? |
| Ans: Haa, waan ku hadli karaa Soomaali. Ans: Maya, Kuma hadli karo Soomaali. | Ans: Yes, I can speak Somali. Ans: No, I cannot speak Somali. |
| Waa maxaay dhalashadaadu? | What is your nationality ? |
| Ans: Dhalashadeydu waa Soomaali, adigana? Ans: Dhalashadeydu waa Mareykan. | Ans: my nationality is Somali and you? Ans: my nationality is American. |
| Halkee ka soo jeedaa? | Where are you from ? |
| Ans: Waxaan ka soo jeedaa Soomaaliya, adigana? Ans: waxaan ka soo jeedaa Ingiriiska. | Ans: I am from Somalia and you ? Ans: I am from England. |
| Halkee ku dhalatay ? | Where were you born ? |
| Ans: waxaan ku dhashay Soomaaliya, adigana? Ans: waxaan ku dhashay Canada. | Ans: I was born in Somalia, and you? Ans: I was born in Canada. |
| Goorma ayaad dhalatay ? | When were you born ? |
| Ans: waxaan dhashay 1990(Kun sagaal boqol iyo sagaanshankii) | Ans: I was born in 1990 |
conversation – Wada sheekaysi
| Wada sheekaysi ku saabsan Reerka – conversation about the family | |
| Soomaali | English |
| Iska waran ? | How are you? |
| Ans: waan fiicanahay | Ans: I am good |
| Reerka ka waran? | How is the family? |
| Ans: wuu fiicanyahay | Ans: It is good |
| Halkee ku nooshahay? | Where do you live ? |
| Ans: waxaan ku noolahay Columbus, Ohio | Ans: I live in Columbus, Ohio |
| Yaad la nooshahay? | Who do you live with? |
| Ans: waxaan la noolahay, waalidkay iyo walaalahay. | Ans: I live with my parents and brothers |
| Adiga halkee degantahay? | You, where do you reside ? |
| Ans: waxaan deganahay London | Ans: I reside in London |
| Yaad la degantahay? | Who do you reside with ? |
| Ans: waxaan la deganahay xaaskayga/Naagtayda | Ans: I reside with my wife |
| Aad baad u mahadsantahay | Thank you very much |
| Ans: Adaa mudan | Ans: You are welcome |
| Igu salaan waalidkaa? | Tell your parents hi for me |
| Ans: Haye | Ans: Ok |
| Is arag danbe | See you later |
| Maalintu hakuu wacnaato | Have a lovely day |
| Nabadgelyo | Goodbye |
Common CLASSROOM EXPRESSIONS
| Weero/Weedho muhiim ah – Important phrases | |
| Soomaali | English |
| Ma fahamtay ? | Did you understand ? |
| Ans: Haa, waan fahmay. | Ans: Yes, I understood |
| Ans: Maya, ma fahmin | Ans: No, I did not understand |
| Ma taqaanaa? | Do you know? |
| Ans: Haa, waan aqaanaa | Ans: Yes, I know |
| Ans: Maya, ma aqaano | Ans: No, I don’t know |
| Ku celi | Repeat |
| Mar kale | Another time/Again |
| Mar labaad | Second time |
| Ii sheeg | Tell me |
| Aan kuu sheego | Let me tell you |
| Waa maxaay micnaha ….. | What is the meaning of …. |
| Mar labaad dheh | Say it again |
| Tartiib tartiib | Little by little |
| Fadlan Kor u hadal | Please speak up |
| Sideen u dhahaa… | How do I say …. |
Important phrases
| Weedho Muhiim ah – Important phrases | |
| Soomaali | English |
| Haye | Hello/ Hi |
| Barasho wanaagsan | Nice to meet you |
| Waa farxad in aan kula kulmo | Pleased to meet you |
| Waa fiican in aan kula kulmo | Good to meet you |
| Waad mahadsantahay | Thank you |
| Adaa mudan | You’re welcome |
| Beri baan ku arki doonaa | I will see you tomorrow |
| Aan is aragno dhowaan | See you soon |
| Fadlan | Please |
| Dabcan | Of course |
| Iga raali ahow | Excuse me |
| Waan ka xumahay | Sorry |
| Hambalyo | Congratulation |
| Waqti dheer kuma arag | Long time no see |
| Nasiib wacan | Good luck |
| Nabadgelyo | Goodbye |
| Soo dhawoow | Welcome |
| Waa yahay | Alright |
Important phrases
| Weedho Muhiim ah – Important phrases | ||
| Soomaali | English | |
| Maxaan kuu qabtaa ? | What should I do for you ? | |
| Sideen kuu caawin karaa? | How can I help you ? | |
| Waan ka mahadcelinayaa caawimaadaada | I appreciate your support | |
| Qof adag baad tahay | You are strong person | |
| qof caqli badan baad tahay | You are smart | |
| Fulay baad tahay | You are cowardly | |
| Saaxiibo Ayaan nahay | We are friends | |
| halkaan adiga baan kuu joogaa | I here for you | |
| Waxaan halkaan u joogaa in aan ku caawiyo | I am here to help you | |
| Gurigayga waa gurigaaga | My home is your home | |
| Geesi baad tahay | You are brave | |
| Maxaa kugu dhacay ? | What happened to you ? | |
| See dareemaysaa ? | How are you feeling ? | |
| Ma I caawin kartaa? | Can you help me ? | |
| Xaasle miyaad tahay mise doob ? | Are you married or single ? | |
| Ans: waxaan ahay xaasle | Ans: I am married | |
| Ans: waxaan ahay doob | Ans: I am single | |
| Run ii sheeg | Tell me truth | |
birthday and family
| Maalinta dhalashada iyo qoyska – birthday and family | ||
| Soomaali | English | |
| Haye, sidee tahay ? | Hi, how are you ? | |
| Fiican, Mahadsanid | Fine, thanks | |
| Maanta waa maalintii dhalashadayda | Today is my birthday | |
| Heersare! Immisa baad jirtaa? | Great! How old are you ? | |
| Waxaan jiraa 25 sano | I am 25 years old | |
| Ma guursatay ? | Are you married? | |
| Haa, waxaan guursaday hal sano ka hor | Yes, I married one year ago | |
| Caruur ma leedahay ? | Do you have children ? | |
| Haa, waxaan haystaa hal gabar | Yes, I have one daughter | |
| Walaalo ma leedahay ? | Do you have brothers ? | |
| Haa, waxaan leeyahay labo walaal | Yes, I have two brothers | |
| Say yihiin ? | How are they ? | |
| Way fiicanyihiin | They are fine | |
| Waad ku mahadsantahay macluumaadka | Thanks for the information | |
| Soo dhowoow | Welcome | |
| Maalin wanaagsan | Good day | |
| Is ilaali | Take care | |
| Nabadgelyo | Goodbye | |
Days of the week
| Maalmaha Todobaadka – Days of the week | |
| Soomaali | English |
| Sabti | Saturday |
| Axad | Sunday |
| Isniin | Monday |
| Talaado | Tuesday |
| Arbaco | Wednesday |
| Khamiis | Thursday |
| Jimce | Friday |
| Tusaaleyaal – Exampels | |
| Maanta waa ayaantee? | Today is which day ? |
| Ans: Maanta waa Isniin. | Ans: Today is Monday |
| Shaley ayaantee bay aheyd | What was it yesterday? |
| Ans: Shaley waxay aheyd Axad | Ans: Yesterday was Sunday |
| Beri waa ayaantee? | Which day is tomorrow ? |
| Ans: Beri waa Talaado | Ans: Tomorrow is Tuesday |