Somali Phrasebook: Greetings & Essential Phrases
The most useful Somali words and phrases for travelers — greetings, polite basics, numbers, directions and more — each with a simple pronunciation guide. This is a preview of the full phrasebook content.
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Greetings & IntroductionsCommon Words & QuestionsNumbersDays & TimeDirectionsLocationsFoodLodgingMedicalBody PartsEmergenciesWeatherDescriptionsFamilyOccupationsCustomsFuel & Vehicle
Greetings & Introductions 10 phrases
Welcome.soo dhawoowso dawo
Hello.haloow / iska warranhalo / eska waran
Good morning.subax wanaagsansobaH wonagsin
Good night.habeen wanaagsanhabeen wonagsin
Good bye.nabad galyona-bad galeeyo
How are you?sideed tahay?seedey tahay?
I'm fine, thanks, and you?waan wanaagsan ahay, mahadsanid, adigana?waan wonaksin ahay, mahadsaneed, adeegana?
I'm pleased to meet you.waan ku farax sanahay la kulan kaagawaan koo faraH sanahay la koolan kaaga
Thank you for your help.waad ku mahad santahay kaalmadaadawaad ko mahad santahay kalmaadaada
My name is ___.magacaygu waa ___maga'aygoo waa ___
Common Words & Questions 30 phrases
Please.fadlanfadlan
Thank you.mahad sanidmahad saneed
Can someone assist us?qof miyuu na kaalmayn karaa?qof meyoo naa kalmayn karaa?
OK.waa yahaywaa yahay
Excuse me. / I'm sorry.iga raali ahow / waan ka xumahayeega raalee aho / waan ka Humahay
Yeshaahaa
Nomayamaaya
Maybewaa laga yaabaawaa laga yaabaa
RightsaxsaH
WrongkhaladKhalad
Hereintaeentaa
TherexaggaHaga
I wantwaan rabaawaan rabaa
I do not want.ma raboma rabo
DangerkhatarKhatar
OK, no problem.waa yahay, mashaakil ma jirowa yahay, mashaakil ma jiro
Who?yaa waaye / waa ayo?yaa waye / waa aayo?
What?waa maxay?waa maHay?
When?goormee?goormeh?
Where?xaggee?Hage?
Why?sababtu waa maxay?sababtoo waa maHay?
How?sidee?seede?
What happened?maxaa dhacay?maHa da'ay?
Do you have ___?miyaad haysataa ___ ?meeyaad haysataa ___ ?
Do you need help?kaalmo miyaad rabtaa?kaalmo meeyaad rabtaa?
I amwaxaan ahaywaHan ahay
You arewaxaad tahaywaHad tahay
He / She isisaga / iyada, waaeesaga / eyadaa, waa
We arewaxaan nahaywaHan nahay
They arewaxay yihiinwaHay eeheen
Numbers 41 phrases
0 Zeroebereber
1 Onehalhal
2 Twolabalabo
3 ThreeseddexsedeH
4 Fourafarafar
5 Fiveshanshan
6 SixlixliH
7 Seventodobatodobo
8 Eightsideedseedeed
9 Ninesagaalsagaal
10 Tentobantoban
11 Elevenkow iyo tobankoo eeyo toban
12 Twelvelaba iyo tobanlaba eeyo toban
13 Thirteensedex iyo tobansedeH eeyo toban
14 Fourteenafar iyo tobanafar eeyo toban
15 Fifteenshan iyo tobanshan eeyo toban
16 Sixteenlix iyo tobanliH eeyo toban
17 Seventeentodoba iyo tobantodobo eeyo toban
18 Eighteensideed iyo tobansideed eeyo toban
19 Nineteensagaal iyo tobansagaal eeyo toban
20 Twentylabaatanlabaatan
30 Thirtysoddonsodon
40 Fortyafartanafartan
50 Fiftykontonkonton
60 SixtylixdanliHdan
70 Seventytodobaatantodobaatan
80 Eightysideetanseedeetan
90 Ninetysagaashansagaashan
100 Hundredboqolboqol
1,000 Thousandkunkoon
10,000 Ten Thousandtoban kuntoban koon
100,000 Hundred Thousandboqol kunboqol koon
1,000,000 Millionhal milyanhal milyon
Plusku darkoo dar
Minuska jarka jar
More (than)ka badanka badan
Less (than)ka yarka yar
Approximatelyqiyaas ahaanqeeyaas ahaan
Firstkowaadkoowaad
Secondlabaadlabaad
ThirdsedexaadsedeHad
Days & Time 24 phrases
SundayaxadaHad
Mondayis-niinisneen
Tuesdaytalaadotalaado
Wednesdayarbacoarba'o
ThursdaykhamiisKhamees
Fridayjimcojim'o
Saturdaysabtisebtee
Yesterdayshalayshalay
Todaymaantamaantaa
Tomorrowberriberee
Daymaalinmaaleen
Nighthabeenhabeen
Weektodobaad / usbuuctodobaad / osboo'
Monthbilbil
Yearsanadsanad
Secondilbiriqsiilbiriqsee
Minutedaqiiqaddaqeeqad
Hoursaacadsaa'ad
MorningsubaxsubaH
Eveningfiidnimofeedneemo
Noongalabnimogalabneemo
Midnightsaq dhexesaqdeHe
Nowhaddahada
Laterhadhoowhado
Directions 26 phrases
Above / Overkorkor
After / Pastka dibke deep
Back / Behindgadaalgadaal
In front of / Forwardhore / ka horhore / ka hor
Betweeninta u dhexeysainta oo daeHeysa
Coordinateswada shaqeynwada shaqayn
Degreesgaraadogaraado
Downhooshos
Eastbaribiree
Farfogfoog
Latitudexarriiqaha galoobkaHareeqaha galoobka
LeftbidixbeediH
Longitudexarriiqaha loolkaHarreeqaha loolka
My position is ___.meeshaan joogo waa ___meeshan joga waa ___
Neardhowdow
Northwaqooyiwoqooy
Northeastwaqooyi bariwoqooy bari
Northwestwaqooyi galbeedwoqooy galbed
Rightmidigmeedig
Southkoonfurkonfur
Southeastkoonfur barikoonfur bari
Southwestkoonfur galbeedkoonfur galbed
Straight ahead.si toos ahsee toos ah
Underhooshoos
Upkorkor
Westgalbeedgalbed
Locations 24 phrases
BorderxadHad
Bridgebuundoboondo
CampxeroHero
Dirt roadjid cadejid 'ade
Forestjiqjeeq
Harbordekaddekad
Hillburboor
Housegurigoori
Lakeharoharo
MeadowbarxadbarHad
Mountainbuurboor
Oceanbad weynbad ween
Pathwaddowado
Paved roadjid la xaareyjid la Haaray
Placemeelmel
Positiongoobgoob
Riverwebiwebee
Roaddariiqdareeq
Seabadbad
Squarefagaarefagaareh
Treegeedgeed
ValleydooxodoHo
Villagetuulotoolo
Where?xaggee?Hage?
Food 45 phrases
Foodcunto'oonto
Cangasac / koombogasa' / kombo
Cupkoobkob
Forkfargeetofargeto
Knifemindimeendi
PlatesaxansaHan
Spoonqaadoqaado
Beansdigirdeegir
Beerbiirbeer
Breadrootiroti
Buttersubagsobag
Cheesefarmaajofarmaajo
CoffeeqaxwoqaHwa
Fishmalaay / kaluunmalaay / kaloon
Flourburbor
Fruitfrutofrooto
Meathilibhileeb
Milkcaano'ano
Oilsaliidseleed
Potatoesbataatobataatee
Ricebariisberees
Saltcusbo / milix'osbo / meliH
Soupmaraqmaraq
Sugarsonkorsonkor
Teashaahshah
VegetableskhudaarKhodaar
Waterbiyobeyo
Winefiinofeeno / Khamro
Drink.cab'ab
Eat.cun'oon
Don't push! We have plenty of food.ha riixin, waxaan haynnaa cunto badanha reeHin waHan hayna 'oonto bodan
Give me your bowl.baaquligaaga ii dhiibbaaquleegaaga ee deep
Is the water safe to drink?biyaha ma la cabi karaa?beyaha ma la 'abee karaa?
Boil the water.biyaha karibeyaha kari
Wash your hands.gacmaha iska dhaqga'maaha iska daq
Wash yourself here.halkan isku dhaqhalkan isku daq
We need ___ liters of potable water.waxaa u baahan nahay ___ litir oo biyo caadi ahwaHa oo baahan nahay ___ litir oo beyo 'adi aa
Where is the latrine?musqusha waa xaggee?musqusha waa Hage?
The latrine is to the ___.musqusha waa dhinaca ___musqusha waa dina'a ___
leftbidixbeediH
rightmidigmeedik
straight aheadtooskaagatoskaaga
Is the food fresh?cuntada ma cusayb baa?'untada mo 'usay baa?
Is the food spoiled?cuntada miyay xumaatay?'untada miyay Humaatay?
Burn this ___.gub kan ___goob kan ___
Lodging 9 phrases
We must spend the night here.waa inaan halkan caawa joognaawaa inaan halkan 'aawa joognaa
Is there a dining facility here?meel wax laga cuno miyey jirtaa?meel waH laga 'uno miyey jirtaa?
How many kilometers to the nearest town?magaalada noogu dhow imisa bey noo jirtaa?magaalada nogoo doo imisaa bey noo jirtaa?
Are there any hotels near here?hoteelo meeshaan ka dhow miyey jiraan?hoteelo meshan ka doo meeyey jiran?
Are there any restaurants near here?makhaayado meeshaan ka dhow miyey jiraan?maKhayado meeshan ka doo meeyey jiran?
We want to go to ___.waxaan doonaynaa inaan aadno ___waHan dooniyaa in-aan aado ___
Are there rental cars available?baabuur kiro ah ma jiraan?baaboor kiro ah ma jiran?
Is there a telephone available?taleefon ma ya?talefon ma yal?
We need ___ gallons of potable water.waxaan u baahannahey ___ gallon biyo caadi ahwaHan oo baahannahay ___ galon biyo 'aadi aa
Medical 32 phrases
Antibioticsantibiyootikanteebeyootik
Bandagesharootosharoto
Blooddhiigdeeg
Burngubgoob
Cleannadiifnadeef
Deadgeergaree
DoctordhakhtadaKhtar
Feverfeebarofebaro
Hospitalisbitaalisbitaal
Infectionhurgunhoorgun
Injureddhaawacmaydaawa'mey
Malnutritionnafaqo darronafaqo daro
Medicfalmiyeerifelmiyeree
Medicinedawodawo
Poisonsunsoon
Sickjirrojiro
Vitaminsfitamiinfitameen
Wounddhaawacdaawa'
I am a doctor.dhakhtar baan ahaydaKhtar baan ahay
I am not a doctor.dhakhtar ma ahidaKhtar ma ahi
I am going to help.waan ku caawinayaawaan koo 'aawinayaa
Can you walk?miyaad socon kartaa?meeyaad so'on kartaa?
Can you sit?miyaad fariisan kartaa?meeyaad fareesan kartaa?
Can you stand?miyaad istaagi kartaa?meeyaad istagi kartaa?
Are you in pain?ma xanuun baa ku haya?ma Hanoon baa ko haya?
You will get a shot.waa lagu duri doonaawaa lagoo dori donaa
I will take you to the hospital.isbitaalka baan ku gayn doonaaisbitaalka baan koo gayn doonaa
What is wrong?maxaa kugu dhacay?maHa kugoo da'ay?
Are you injured?miyaad dhaawacantey?meeyaad daawa'antey?
Can you feed yourself?miyaad raashiin is siin kartaa?meeyaad rasheen is seen kartaa?
Open your mouthafkaaga furafkaga fur
Are you pregnant?urr miyaad leedahay?ur meeyaad leedahay?
Body Parts 36 phrases
Abdomenmuruqa calooshamooruqa 'alosha
Ankleanqowanqo
Armgacanga'an
Bonelaflaf
BrainmaskaxmaskaH
ChestxabadHabad
Eardhegdig
ElbowsuxulsuHul
Eyesindhoindo
Facewejiweji
Fingerfarfar
Footcag'ag
Hairtimotimo
Handgacanga'an
HeadmadaxmadaH
Heartwadnewaadne
Kidneykellikeli
Kneejilibjeeleeb
Legluglog
Lipsbishimobesheemo
Liverbeerber
Lungssambabosambabo
Mouthafaf
Neckqoorqoor
Nosesansan
Pelvis / Groinsaracsara'
Ribsfeerofero
Shouldergarabgarab
Skulllafta madaxalafta madaHa
Spinelaf dhabarlaf dabar
Stomach (area)caloosha'aloosha
Stomach (organ)xiidmoHeedmo
Teethilkoilko
Toefarta cagtafarta 'agta
Tonguecarrab'arab
Wristcurcur'ur'ur
Emergencies 5 phrases
Emergency!gurmad!goormed!
We need a doctor!dhakhtar baab u baahannahey!daKhtar baan oo baahanahay!
Distress signalbaaq gurmadbaaq goormad
Help!caawimaad!'awimaad!
Evacuate the area!ka baxa aaga!ka baH aaga!
Weather 18 phrases
Coldqaboowqaboo
Dryqaleylqaleel
Earthquakedhulgariirdolgareer
Fogcayr yaamo'ayr yamo
High windsdabeyl saredabeyl sare
Hotkuleylkolayl
Humidityhuurhoor
Icebarafbaraf
Lightningbiriqbiriq
Rainroobroob
Sandstormhabaashabaas
Severeaad u xunad o Hun
Snowbarafbaraf
Stormdabeylodabeylo
Temperatureheer kulkaHir kulka
Thunderstormgugacgooga'
Weathercimilo'imeelo
Wetqoyaanqoyan
Descriptions 69 phrases
Blackmadoowmedow
Bluebulugbuloog
Brownkafeekafe
Grayboor boorbor bor
Greencagaar'agar
Orangeoranjooronjo
Purpleblug biyo biyo ahblug biyo biyo ah
Redguduudgedood
Whitecadaan'adaan
Yellowjaallojalo
Bigwaynweyn
Deepqoto dheerqodo der
Longdheerder
Narrowciriiri'ireeri
Short (in height)gaabangaaban
Short (in length)gaabangaaban
Small, littleyaryear
Talldheerder
Thickdhumuc weyndumu' weyn
Thindhuubandooban
Widebalaaranbalaaran
Roundwareegwareyg
Straighttoosantosan
Squareafar geesafarges
Triangularseddex geessedeH ges
Bitterqaraarqaraar
Freshcusub'osob
Saltydhanaandanaan
Sourdhanaandanaan
Spicybasbaasbesbaas
Sweetmacaanma'aan
BadxunHoon
Cleannadiifnadeef
Darkmugdimoogdee
Difficultdhibdib
DirtywasakhwasaKh
Dryqaleylqaleyl
Easysahalsehal
Emptyfiraaqoferaaqo
Expensiveqaaliqaalee
Fastdeg degdeg deg
Foreignajnabiajnabi
FullbuuxsanboHsan
Goodwanaagwenag
Hard (firm)adagadag
Heavyculeys'uleys
Inexpensiveraqiisraqees
Light (illumination)iftiinifteen
Light (weight)khafiifKhafeef
Localhoosehose
Newcusub'usub
Noisyqeyloqaleel
Old (about things)duugdoog
Old (about people)gaboowgaboo
Powerfulxoog lehHoog leh
Quietaamusanaamusan
Right / CorrectsaxsaH
Slowtatiib / aayartarteeb / aayear
Softjileecjeele'
Veryaadad
Weakdaciifda'eef
Wetqoyanqoyen
Wrong / IncorrectkhaladKhalad
Youngyaryear
Few / Littlewax xoogaawaH Hogaa
Many / Muchbadanbadan
Partqaybqayb
Some / A fewqaar / xoogaaqaar / Hogaa
Wholekuli / gebikulee / gebi
Family 21 phrases
Aunteeddoeddo
Brotherwalaalwaalaal
Childcaruur'aroor
Childrenilmo adeerilmo adeer
Cousinilmo abtiilmo abti
Daughtergabargabar
Familyreerraer
Fatheraabeaabe
Grandfatherawooweawoowe
Grandmotherayeeyoayeyo
Husbandninkaneenka
Manninneen
Menragrag
Motherhooyohoyo
Relativesehelehel
Sisterwalaashawaalaasha
Sonwiilweel
Uncleadeerader
WifexaasHas
Womannaagnag
Womendumardoomar
Occupations 25 phrases
Air Forceciidamada cirka'ee-damada 'irka
Armyciidamada dhulka'ee-damada dulka
Marinesciidamada bada'ee-damada bada
Navyciidamada bada'eedamada bada
Air Defensedifaaca circadeefaa' 'irka
Commanderabaanduuleabandoole
Dentisttakhtarka ilkahadaKhtarka ilkaha
DoctortakhtardaKhtar
Driverdarawaldarawal
Farmerbeeraleeybaerleey
Fishermankaluumaysatokaloomaysato
Government employeeshaqaale dowladeedshaqaale doladeed
Guardwaardiyewardeeye
Housewifeguri jooktogurijogto
Laborershaqaaleshaqaale
Mechanicmakaanikmakaaneek
Messengerrasuulrasool
Pilotbilooto / baylootbiloot
Policemanbooliisbolees
Sailorbadmarebadmaare
Businessmanganacsadegena'sade
Shopkeeperdukaanledukanle
Soldieraskariaskaree
Studentardayarday
Teachermacalinma'alin
Customs 66 phrases
Where is my customs declaration?meesha badeecada la canshuuro waa xaggee?meesha bade'ada lage 'anshooro waa Hage?
I do not have anything to declare.mahayo wax aan shaaca ka qaadomahayo waH aan shaa'a ka qaado
These goods are personal.badeecadan waa mid shakhsiyadeedbade'adan waa mid shaKh-siya-deed
Not for sale.beec ma ahabe' ma aha
Can you help me fill out the forms?ma iga caawini kartaa foomkaan?ma iga 'aawin kartaa fomkaan?
Is this correct?ma sax baa?ma saH baa?
Here is my passport.waakan baasoborkaygawaakan baasoboor-kayga
Here is my visa.fisahayga waa kanfeesaahayga waa kan
I have no Somali money.ma haysto lacag Soomaali ahmaa haysto la'ag Somali aa
Ad valoremkudar qiiymokoodar qeemo
Ammunitionrasaasrasaas
Baggageboorsooyinborsoyeen
Bill of ladingrekumandaatorookumandaato
CargoxamuulHamool
Customsgoobta canshuurtagoobta 'anshoorta
Customs declarationcadayn lahaansho'adayn lahansho
Customs workershaqaalaha canshuurahashaqaalaha 'anshooraha
Damageddhaawacdaawaa'
Deliverygayngayn
Dutywaajibwajeeb
ExpenditureskharashKharash
Exportdhoofin badeecodoofin bade'o
FalsekhaladKhalad
Foreign currencylacagaha qalaadla'agaha qalaad
Form (document)foomfom
Holdinghaysmohaysmo
Importkeenid badeecokeenid badee’o
Insurancecaymis'aymis
SomaliSoomaalisomaalee
Loadingrarrear
Name of goodsmagaca badeecadamaga'a bade'ada
Narcoticsmaan dooriyeman dooree
National treasurexoolaha wadankaHolaha wadanka
Nomenclaturecayayaan'ayayan
On-Boardsaaransaa-ran
Originasalasal
Ownermilkiilemilkeele
Packing listxir xiridHir Hirid
Passportbaasaboorbaasaboor
Permissionogolaanshoogolaansho
Personal useisticmaalka shakhsigaeeste' maalka shakseega
PersonnelshakhsishaKhsee
Prohibitedmamnuucmamnoo'
Propertylahaansholahansho
Rateheerkaheerka
Rate of exchangeqiimaha sarifkaqeemaha sarifka
Receiptcadeyn iibsasho'adayn eebsesho
Relicsalaab qiimo badanalaab qeemo badan
Restrictedmamnuucmamnoo'
Souvenirhadiyadhadeeyad
SpecificationxaqiijinHaqeejeen
Storagemakhsinmakhseen
Tariffqiimaynqeemayn
Tax-freecanshuur la-aan'anshoor la-aan
To answerka jawaabidke jawaabeed
To be responsible formasuul ka ahaanshomasoon ka ahansho
To exportdhoofindoofin
To fill outbuuxinboHeen
To present for customs inspection.keenida canshuur baaristakeneeda 'anshoor baarista
Transportationgaadiidgadid
Unloadingka dejinka dejeen
Valuablesqiimo lehqeemo leh
Valueqiimoqeemo
Visafisafeesaa
Weaponshubhob
X-ray machinemakiinada raajiyadamakeenada raajiyada
Fuel & Vehicle 14 phrases
Gasolinebatrool / bansiinbatrool / benseen
Oilsaliidseleed
Dieselnaftonafto
Gas (propane)gaas dabiicigas debee'ee
Liters.litirliter
Do you have ___?ma haysaa ___ ?ma haysaa ___ ?
Hydraulic fluidshidaalka haydaroliga ahshidaalka haydrolika aa
Hydraulic systemhabka haydaroligahabka haydrolika
We need maintenance support.waxaan u baahan nahay garab farsameedwaHan oo baahan nahay garab farsamed
We need ___.waan u baahnayn ___waan oo baahnayn ___
400-cycleafar boqol oo wareegafar boqol oo woreeg
3-phaseseddex wajisedeH wojee
Alternating currentkoronto socotakoronto so'uto
115-voltboqol iyo shan iyo toban voltboqol iyo shan iyo toban volt
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