Learning Somali: a practical guide
This is a written companion to the free Somali course on LanguagePath: what the language is like, how it sounds, the phrases you will use first, how the course is structured, and what to watch out for. Everything here comes from the same lessons you can practise interactively above.
What Somali is like
Somali is a Cushitic language — a distant cousin of Arabic within the wider Afro-Asiatic family. Vowels come in short and long pairs (a/aa, e/ee, i/ii, o/oo, u/uu); doubling a vowel changes the meaning, so stretch it. Nouns have masculine or feminine gender, and there is no separate word for 'a' — qaxwo can be 'coffee' or 'a coffee'. The definite article attaches to the end of the word: qaxwo → qaxwaha = the coffee. Word order is Subject–Object–Verb, so the verb usually comes last: waxaan rabaa biyo = I want water (literally 'I want water'). Watch the special letters — c is a deep throat sound, dh is a curled 'd', and x is a raspy 'h'.
Words you may already know
Pronunciation notes
Somali is written in a Latin alphabet and every letter is said the way it looks. The tricky part is a handful of throat sounds — c, dh, x, q and the glottal stop. Master these and you can read any word aloud.
- dh — like a normal "d" but with the tongue curled back to the roof of the mouth — a heavy, rounded "d" (close to the Arabic ض), as in dhagax = DAH-khakh (stone) · dhaqan = DAH-khan (culture).
- c — a deep sound made in the throat — the Arabic ع (ayn). Squeeze the throat and say a guttural "ah", as in cunto = OON-toh (food) · caano = AAH-noh (milk).
- x — a raspy "h" breathed from the back of the throat — like fogging a mirror (the Arabic ح), as in xoolo = HOH-loh (livestock) · xaggee = hahg-GAY (where).
- q — a hard "k" made far back at the roof of the mouth (the Arabic ق), as in qaxwo = kakh-WOH (coffee) · qoys = koyess (family).
- ' — a quick catch in the throat (glottal stop), like the pause in "uh-oh", as in aabbe = AAH-bbeh (father) · la'a = without.
- kh — a scratchy "kh" as in Scottish loch or German Bach (the Arabic خ), as in makhaayad = mah-KHAH-yad (restaurant) · khamri = KHAHM-ree (wine).
- sh — exactly like the English "sh" in ship, as in shaah = shah (tea) · shalay = SHAH-lay (yesterday).
- long vowels (aa ee ii oo uu) — hold the vowel about twice as long — length can change the whole meaning, as in Soomaali = soh-MAA-lee (Somali) · shaah = shah (tea).
First phrases
The pocket phrases below are the ones learners reach for most often. Say each one out loud a few times before moving on.
| Somali | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Salaan | sah-LAHN | Hello |
| Iska warran | IS-kah wah-RRAN | How are you? |
| Subax wanaagsan | SOO-bakh wah-NAHG-sahn | Good morning |
| Galab wanaagsan | GAH-lahb wah-NAHG-sahn | Good afternoon |
| Habeen wanaagsan | HAH-been wah-NAHG-sahn | Good night |
| Nabadgelyo | nah-BAD-GEL-yoh | Goodbye |
| Mahadsanid | mah-HAD-sah-nid | Thank you |
| Aad ayaad u mahadsan tahay | aad AH-yaad oo mah-HAD-sahn tah-HIGH | Thank you very much |
| Fadlan | FAHD-lahn | Please |
| Waxba ma aha | WAHsh-bah mah AH-hah | You're welcome |
| Iga raalli ahow | EE-gah RAH-lee AH-how | Excuse me |
| Ma fahmayo | mah fah-MAH-yoh | I don't understand |
| kow | koh | 1 |
| laba | LAH-bah | 2 |
| saddex | SAH-dehkh | 3 |
| afar | AH-far | 4 |
| shan | shahn | 5 |
| lix | likh | 6 |
| biyo | BEE-yoh | water |
| rooti | ROH-tee | bread |
| qaxwo | kakh-WOH | coffee |
| shaah | shah | tea |
| caano | AAH-noh | milk |
| cunto | OON-toh | food |
| xaggee? | hahg-GAY | Where? |
| midig | MEE-dihg | to the right |
| bidix | BEE-dihkh | to the left |
| maxaa? | MAH-hah | What? |
| imisa? | ee-MEE-sah | How much? |
| yaa? | yah | Who? |
How the Somali course is structured
The course has 16 short lessons that build on each other. Each one introduces a few new pieces and then asks you to construct sentences you have never seen, before revealing the answer:
- Greetings — salaan · iska warran · nabadgelyo
- Being polite — mahadsanid · fadlan · waxba ma aha
- Numbers 1–10 — kow · laba · saddex · toban
- I want" — waxaan rabaa — waxaan rabaa · ma rabtaa? · biyo · qaxwo
- Food & drink — biyo · rooti · qaxwo · shaah · cunto
- Getting around — xaggee? · midig · bidix · toos
- Questions — maxaa? · yaa? · imisa? · goorma? · sidee?
- Family & people — qoys · hooyo · aabbe · walaal
- Time, days & weather — maanta · berri · shalay · days of the week
- Your name — magacaygu waa Alex · magacaa? · waxaan ahay
- Help & emergency — caawimaad! · isbitaal · dhakhtar · ma fahmayo
- Tying it together — waxaan rabaa · imisa? · a capstone scene
- Airport & tickets — garoonka · baasaboor · tigidh · duulimaad
- The taxi — taksi · tag · huteel · istaag
- The hotel — ballan · qol · fure · habeen
- Ask for help — ma fahmayo · tartiib · Ingiriisi
Inside the lessons
Here is how a few of the lessons explain the language, with worked examples and the word-by-word breakdown the course uses.
Greetings
Key pieces: salaan · iska warran · nabadgelyo
Let's start with a warm Somali greeting: salaan — hi / a greeting. Say it out loud.
- salaan (sah-LAHN) — hi / greetings
- iska warran (IS-kah wah-RRAN) — how are you? (informal)
- subax wanaagsan (SOO-bakh wah-NAHG-sahn) — good morning
- galab wanaagsan (GAH-lahb wah-NAHG-sahn) — good afternoon
- habeen wanaagsan (HAH-been wah-NAHG-sahn) — good night
- nabadgelyo (nah-BAD-GEL-yoh) — goodbye (in peace)
To say “Hello, how are you?” in Somali: Salaan, iska warran? (sah-LAHN, IS-kah wah-RRAN). Built from salaan = greetings; iska warran = how are you?.
Two more essentials: mahadsanid (thank you) and fadlan (please).
To say “Thank you, goodbye” in Somali: Mahadsanid, nabadgelyo (mah-HAD-sah-nid, nah-BAD-GEL-yoh). Built from mahadsanid = thank you; nabadgelyo = goodbye.
To ask how someone is: iska warran? (informal). A warm reply is waan wanaagsanahay — I'm well.
- iska warran? (IS-kah wah-RRAN) — how are you?
- waan wanaagsanahay (wahn wah-NAHG-sah-nah-high) — I'm well
- waxba, mahadsanid (WAHsh-bah, mah-HAD-sah-nid) — nothing much, thanks
Being polite
Key pieces: mahadsanid · fadlan · waxba ma aha
Thank you in Somali is mahadsanid . Say it with a smile — it goes a long way.
- mahadsanid (mah-HAD-sah-nid) — thank you
- aad ayaad u mahadsan tahay (aad AH-yaad oo mah-HAD-sahn tah-HIGH) — thank you very much
- fadlan (FAHD-lahn) — please Memory hook: ≈ Arabic fadlan.
- waxba ma aha (WAHsh-bah mah AH-hah) — you're welcome (it's nothing)
- iga raalli ahow (EE-gah RAH-lee AH-how) — excuse me / forgive me
To say “Thank you very much” in Somali: Aad ayaad u mahadsan tahay (aad AH-yaad oo mah-HAD-sahn tah-HIGH). Built from aad = very; ayaad u mahadsan tahay = thank you.
For "please", use fadlan — very close to the Arabic fadlan.
To say “Water, please” in Somali: Biyo, fadlan (BEE-yoh, FAHD-lahn). Built from biyo = water; fadlan = please.
When someone thanks you, reply waxba ma aha — "it's nothing".
To say “Excuse me, sorry” in Somali: Iga raalli ahow (EE-gah RAH-lee AH-how). Built from iga raalli ahow = excuse me.
Numbers 1–10
Key pieces: kow · laba · saddex · toban
Numbers are the fastest win. Listen and repeat: kow, laba, saddex .
- kow (koh) — 1
- laba (LAH-bah) — 2
- saddex (SAH-dehkh) — 3
- afar (AH-far) — 4
- shan (shahn) — 5
- lix (likh) — 6
- toddoba (tod-DOH-bah) — 7
- sideed (see-DEHD) — 8
- sagaal (sah-GAHL) — 9
- toban (TOH-bahn) — 10
To say “Two coffees, please” in Somali: Laba qaxwo, fadlan (LAH-bah kakh-WOH, FAHD-lahn). Built from laba = two; qaxwo = coffee; fadlan = please.
To ask how much something costs: imisa? — how much / how many?
To say “How much is it?” in Somali: Imisa? (ee-MEE-sah). Built from imisa = how much.
To say “It's five dollars” in Somali: Shan doolar (shahn DOH-lahr). Built from shan = five; doolar = dollars.
I want" — waxaan rabaa
Key pieces: waxaan rabaa · ma rabtaa? · biyo · qaxwo
The phrase to order anything: waxaan rabaa — I want.
In Somali the verb goes at the end. waxaan rabaa + the thing, e.g. waxaan rabaa biyo — I want water.
To say “I want water” in Somali: Waxaan rabaa biyo (WAH-hahn rah-BAH BEE-yoh). Built from waxaan rabaa = I want; biyo = water.
To say “I want coffee” in Somali: Waxaan rabaa qaxwo (WAH-hahn rah-BAH kakh-WOH). Built from waxaan rabaa = I want; qaxwo = coffee.
To ask what someone wants: ma rabtaa? — do you want?
To say “Do you want tea?” in Somali: Ma rabtaa shaah? (mah rab-TAH shah). Built from ma rabtaa = do you want; shaah = tea.
Food & drink
Key pieces: biyo · rooti · qaxwo · shaah · cunto
Eating and drinking? Key words: biyo (water), rooti (bread), qaxwo (coffee).
- biyo (BEE-yoh) — water
- rooti (ROH-tee) — bread
- qaxwo (kakh-WOH) — coffee Memory hook: ≈ Arabic qahwa.
- shaah (shah) — tea Memory hook: ≈ Arabic shay.
- caano (AAH-noh) — milk
- cunto (OON-toh) — food
To say “Water and bread, please” in Somali: Biyo iyo rooti, fadlan (BEE-yoh EE-yoh ROH-tee, FAHD-lahn). Built from biyo = water; iyo = and; rooti = bread.
qaxwo is a true loan from Arabic qahwa, and shaah comes from shay — coffee and tea.
To say “I want tea and milk” in Somali: Waxaan rabaa shaah iyo caano (WAH-hahn rah-BAH shah EE-yoh AAH-noh). Built from waxaan rabaa = I want; shaah = tea; iyo = and; caano = milk.
To say it tastes great: waa macaan tahay — it's delicious.
To say “It's delicious!” in Somali: Waa macaan tahay! (wah mah-AHN tah-HIGH). Built from waa = it is; macaan = delicious; tahay = is.
Getting around
Key pieces: xaggee? · midig · bidix · toos
The most useful question in any city: xaggee? — where / which direction?
- xaggee? (hahg-GAY) — where?
- midig (MEE-dihg) — to the right
- bidix (BEE-dihkh) — to the left
- toos (tohs) — straight ahead
- halkan (HAHL-kahn) — here
- halkaas (hahl-KAHS) — there
To say “Where is the hospital?” in Somali: Isbitaal xaggee buu yahay? (is-bee-TAHL hahg-GAY boo yah-HIGH). Built from isbitaal = hospital; xaggee = where; buu yahay = is it.
midig (right) and bidix (left) tell you which way to turn; toos is straight ahead.
To say “Straight ahead” in Somali: Toos (tohs). Built from toos = straight ahead.
Questions
Key pieces: maxaa? · yaa? · imisa? · goorma? · sidee?
Questions are easy in Somali: the little word ma at the start turns many statements into yes/no questions.
- maxaa? (MAH-hah) — what?
- yaa? (yah) — who?
- imisa? (ee-MEE-sah) — how much / how many?
- goorma? (gohr-MAH) — when?
- xaggee? (hahg-GAY) — where?
- sidee? (see-DEH) — how?
To say “What is this?” in Somali: Waa maxay kani? (wah MAH-hay KAH-nee). Built from waa = it is; maxay = what; kani = this.
To ask "do you know?": ma taqaan?
To say “Do you know?” in Somali: Ma taqaan? (mah tah-KAAN). Built from ma = question word; taqaan = you know.
To say “How much is it?” in Somali: Imisa? (ee-MEE-sah). Built from imisa = how much.
Family & people
Key pieces: qoys · hooyo · aabbe · walaal
Family words: qoys (family), hooyo (mother), aabbe (father).
- qoys (koyess) — family
- hooyo (HOH-yoh) — mother
- aabbe (AAH-bbeh) — father
- walaal (wah-LAHL) — sibling / brother / sister
- wiil (weel) — son / boy
- gabadh (GAH-bahdh) — daughter / girl
- awoowe (ah-WOH-weh) — grandfather
- ayeeyo (ah-YAY-yoh) — grandmother
To say “This is my family” in Somali: Kani waa qoyskayga (KAH-nee wah koyess-KIY-gah). Built from kani = this; waa = is; qoyskayga = my family.
To say you have something: waxaan haystaa — I have.
To say “I have a family” in Somali: Waxaan haystaa qoys (WAH-hahn HAYS-tah koyess). Built from waxaan haystaa = I have; qoys = family.
Time, days & weather
Key pieces: maanta · berri · shalay · days of the week
Today is maanta , tomorrow is berri , yesterday is shalay .
- maanta (MAHN-tah) — today
- berri (BEH-rree) — tomorrow
- shalay (SHAH-lay) — yesterday
- hadda (HAH-dah) — now
- subax (SOO-bakh) — morning
- galab (GAH-lahb) — afternoon
- habeen (HAH-been) — night
To say “See you tomorrow” in Somali: Berri ayaan ku arkayaa (BEH-rree AH-yaan koo ar-KAH-yah). Built from berri = tomorrow; ayaan ku arkayaa = I'll see you.
To ask about the weather: jawigu siduu yahay? — how's the weather?
To say “It is raining” in Somali: Waa roobka (wah ROBB-kah). Built from waa = it is; roobka = the rain.
The week runs Sunday to Saturday: Axad, Isniin, Talaado, Arbaco, Khamiis, Jimce, Sabti .
- Axad (AH-hadd) — Sunday
- Isniin (is-NEEN) — Monday
- Talaado (tah-LAH-doh) — Tuesday
- Arbaco (ar-BAH-choh) — Wednesday
- Khamiis (khah-MEES) — Thursday
- Jimce (jeem-JEH) — Friday
- Sabti (SAB-tee) — Saturday
To say “Today is Monday” in Somali: Maanta waa Isniin (MAHN-tah wah is-NEEN). Built from maanta = today; waa = is; Isniin = Monday.
Your name
Key pieces: magacaygu waa Alex · magacaa? · waxaan ahay
Introduce yourself: magacaygu waa Alex — my name is Alex.
To say “My name is Alex” in Somali: Magacaygu waa Alex (mah-GAH-ichay-guh wah Alex). Built from magacaygu = my name; waa = is; Alex = your name.
To ask someone's name: magacaa? — your name?
To say “What is your name?” in Somali: Magacaa? (mah-GAH-chah). Built from magacaa = your name.
Or simply: waxaan ahay Alex — I am Alex.
To say “I am Alex” in Somali: Waxaan ahay Alex (WAH-hahn AH-high Alex). Built from waxaan ahay = I am; Alex = your name.
Help & emergency
Key pieces: caawimaad! · isbitaal · dhakhtar · ma fahmayo
The most important words if you need help: Caawimaad! (help!), isbitaal (hospital), dhakhtar (doctor).
- Caawimaad! (ah-wee-MAHD) — help!
- isbitaal (is-bee-TAHL) — hospital Memory hook: ≈ Italian ospedale.
- dhakhtar (dhakh-TAR) — doctor Memory hook: ≈ Arabic/English doctor.
- ma fahmayo (mah fah-MAH-yoh) — I don't understand
- degdeg (dehg-DEHG) — quickly / emergency
- fadlan i caawi (FAHD-lahn ee AH-wee) — please help me
To say “Help!” in Somali: Caawimaad! (ah-wee-MAHD). Built from caawimaad = help.
To say “I don't understand” in Somali: Ma fahmayo (mah fah-MAH-yoh). Built from ma = not; fahmayo = I understand.
To say you need help: waxaan u baahanahay caawimaad — I need help.
To say “I need help” in Somali: Waxaan u baahanahay caawimaad (WAH-hahn oo BAH-hah-nah-high ah-wee-MAHD). Built from waxaan u baahanahay = I need; caawimaad = help.
Tying it together
Key pieces: waxaan rabaa · imisa? · a capstone scene
Great — you've built a real toolbox. This capstone uses only words you've met. Build each line yourself before revealing.
To say “Hello, how are you?” in Somali: Salaan, iska warran? (sah-LAHN, IS-kah wah-RRAN). Built from salaan = greetings; iska warran = how are you?.
To say “I'd like a coffee, please” in Somali: Waxaan rabaa qaxwo, fadlan (WAH-hahn rah-BAH kakh-WOH, FAHD-lahn). Built from waxaan rabaa = I want; qaxwo = coffee; fadlan = please.
To say “Where is the hospital?” in Somali: Isbitaal xaggee buu yahay? (is-bee-TAHL hahg-GAY boo yah-HIGH). Built from isbitaal = hospital; xaggee = where; buu yahay = is it.
To say “How much is it?” in Somali: Imisa? (ee-MEE-sah). Built from imisa = how much.
Airport & tickets
Key pieces: garoonka · baasaboor · tigidh · duulimaad
You have landed. The building is the garoonka diyaaradaha . Your document is a baasaboor .
- garoonka diyaaradaha (gah-ROHN-kah dee-yah-RAH-dah-hah) — the airport
- baasaboor (BAH-sah-bohr) — the passport
- tigidh (tee-GIDH) — the ticket
- duulimaad (doo-lee-MAHD) — the flight
- albaabka (al-BAHB-kah) — the gate
To say “Where is the airport?” in Somali: Garoonka diyaaradaha xaggee buu yahay? (gah-ROHN-kah dee-yah-RAH-dah-hah hahg-GAY boo yah-HIGH). Built from garoonka diyaaradaha = the airport; xaggee = where; buu yahay = is it.
To say “Here is my passport” in Somali: Waa kan baasaboorkayga (wah kahn BAH-sah-bohr-KIY-gah). Built from waa kan = here is; baasaboorkayga = my passport.
To say “A ticket, please” in Somali: Tigidh, fadlan (tee-GIDH, FAHD-lahn). Built from tigidh = a ticket; fadlan = please.
To say “Where is the gate?” in Somali: Albaabka xaggee buu yahay? (al-BAHB-kah hahg-GAY boo yah-HIGH). Built from albaabka = the gate; xaggee = where.
The taxi
Key pieces: taksi · tag · huteel · istaag
The driver is waiting. taksi is the word you need. Tell them where to go with waxaan rabaa inaan tago .
- taksi (TAHK-see) — the taxi
- darawal (dah-rah-WAHL) — the driver
- waxaan rabaa inaan tago (WAH-hahn rah-BAH ee-NAHN TAH-goh) — I want to go
- halkan istaag (HAHL-kahn is-TAHG) — stop here
To say “Taxi, please” in Somali: Taksi, fadlan (TAHK-see, FAHD-lahn). Built from taksi = taxi; fadlan = please.
To say “I want to go to the hotel” in Somali: Waxaan rabaa inaan tago huteelka (WAH-hahn rah-BAH ee-NAHN TAH-goh hoo-TEEL-kah). Built from waxaan rabaa inaan tago = I want to go; huteelka = the hotel.
To say “Stop here, please” in Somali: Halkan istaag, fadlan (HAHL-kahn is-TAHG, FAHD-lahn). Built from halkan = here; istaag = stop; fadlan = please.
To say “How much is it?” in Somali: Imisa? (ee-MEE-sah). Built from imisa = how much.
The hotel
Key pieces: ballan · qol · fure · habeen
At the desk: Waxaan haystaa ballan — I have a reservation.
- huteel (hoo-TEEL) — the hotel
- ballan (BAHL-lahn) — the reservation
- qol (kohl) — the room
- fure (FOO-reh) — the key
- hal habeen (hahl hah-BEEN) — one night
To say “I have a reservation” in Somali: Waxaan haystaa ballan (WAH-hahn HAYS-tah BAHL-lahn). Built from waxaan haystaa = I have; ballan = a reservation.
To say “A room for one night, please” in Somali: Qol hal habeen, fadlan (kohl hahl hah-BEEN, FAHD-lahn). Built from qol = a room; hal habeen = one night; fadlan = please.
To say “The key, please” in Somali: Furaha, fadlan (foo-RAH-hah, FAHD-lahn). Built from furaha = the key; fadlan = please.
To say “Where is my room?” in Somali: Qolkayga xaggee buu yahay? (kohl-KIY-gah hahg-GAY boo yah-HIGH). Built from qolkayga = my room; xaggee = where.
Ask for help
Key pieces: ma fahmayo · tartiib · Ingiriisi
When the language is too fast: Tartiib, fadlan — slower, please.
- tartiib (tar-TEEB) — slower
- mar kale (mahr KAH-leh) — again
- Ingiriisi (in-gee-REE-see) — English
- ma i caawin kartaa? (mah ee AH-ween KAR-tah) — can you help me?
To say “I don't understand” in Somali: Ma fahmayo (mah fah-MAH-yoh). Built from ma = not; fahmayo = I understand.
To say “Slower, please” in Somali: Tartiib, fadlan (tar-TEEB, FAHD-lahn). Built from tartiib = slower; fadlan = please.
To say “Can you help me?” in Somali: Ma i caawin kartaa? (mah ee AH-ween KAR-tah). Built from ma = question; i = me; caawin kartaa = can you help.
To say “Do you speak English?” in Somali: Ma ku hadashaa Ingiriisi? (mah koo hah-DAH-shah in-gee-REE-see). Built from ma ku hadashaa = do you speak; Ingiriisi = English.
Common mistakes and things to watch out for
- iska warran (IS-kah wah-RRAN): informal.
- nabadgelyo (nah-BAD-GEL-yoh): in peace.
- waxba ma aha (WAHsh-bah mah AH-hah): it's nothing.
Culture and etiquette
The camel is wealth
In Somali pastoral life the camel (geel) is prized above all — a measure of wealth and the source of milk, meat and transport. Gifts and marriages are often discussed in camels. Even the greeting "iska warran" can be an excuse to catch up on a herd you both know.
A nation of poets
Somalia has been called a "nation of poets". A well-turned verse can be memorised and passed down for generations — praise, warning and history are all carried in poetry. Weddings, gatherings and even politics open with spoken or sung lines.
Coffee & spiced tea
Qaxwo (a true loan from Arabic qahwa) is shared generously with guests. Almost as common is shaah, tea brewed with cardamom, cinnamon and ginger, often served sweet. Refusing a cup can feel a little chilly — accept, sip, and enjoy the chat.
Islamic culture
Islam shapes the rhythm of the day. The everyday greeting "As-salaamu alaykum" (peace be upon you) is everywhere, and Friday (Jimce) is the holy day of the week, with communal prayer. Dress modestly, and be aware of prayer times around five points in the day.
Qaad — a word of caution
Qaad (also spelled khat) is a fresh green leaf many chew socially for a mild stimulant effect. It is expensive, it swallows hours of the day, and it is illegal in many countries and restricted in parts of the Horn. It's the one local habit best avoided — your time is better spent on coffee, tea and conversation.
Hospitality comes first
Somali hospitality is legendary. Guests are welcomed warmly, fed generously and treated as a blessing. A little effort in the language — a "salaan", a "mahadsanid" — is met with joy and makes the welcome even warmer.
Example dialogues
At a café
You: Salaan! Qaxwo, fadlan. (sah-LAHN, kakh-WOH, FAHD-lahn) — Hello! A coffee, please.
Barista: Waad soo dhawoowday. Ma qaxwo mise shaah? (wahd soh-dhow-WDAY, mah kakh-WOH MEE-say shah) — Welcome. Coffee or tea?
You: Qaxwo, mahadsanid. (kakh-WOH, mah-HAD-sah-nid) — Coffee, thank you.
Barista: Kani waa kuuga. Shan doolar. (KAH-nee wah KOO-gah, shahn DOH-lahr) — Here is yours. Five dollars.
You: Aad ayaad u mahadsan tahay! (aad AH-yaad oo mah-HAD-sahn tah-HIGH) — Thank you very much!
On the bus
You: Fadlan, xaggee buu joogsadaa baska? (FAHD-lahn, hahg-GAY boo john-GAH-dah BAHSS-kah) — Please, where does the bus stop?
Driver: Halkaas, toos ka soco. (hahl-KAHS, tohs kah SOH-choh) — There, just go straight.
You: Imisa baa laga bixiyaa? (ee-MEE-sah bah LAH-gah bee-KEE-yah) — How much do you pay?
Driver: Toban doolar. (TOH-bahn DOH-lahr) — Ten dollars.
You: Mahadsanid! (mah-HAD-sah-nid) — Thank you!
At a restaurant
Waiter: Salaan! Immisa qof baa jooga? (sah-LAHN, ee-MEE-sah kohf bah JOH-gah) — Hello! How many people?
You: Laba qof, fadlan. (LAH-bah kohf, FAHD-lahn) — Two people, please.
You: Waxaan rabaa hilib iyo bariis. (WAH-hahn rah-BAH HEE-lib EE-yoh bah-REESS) — I want meat and rice.
Waiter: Waan kuu keenayaa, hadda. (WAHN koo KAY-nah-yah, HAH-dah) — I'll bring it, right away.
You: Waa macaan tahay! Mahadsanid. (wah mah-AHN tah-HIGH, mah-HAD-sah-nid) — It is delicious! Thank you.
Written by the LanguagePath editorial team from our own course material. Pronunciation guides are approximate English respellings; tap any phrase in the app above to hear it. Native-speaker review of every course is ongoing — tell us if you spot an error.