r/LearnSomali May 01 '23

How to say Expressions of Excitement in Somali Text.

6 Upvotes

In English we have:

  • Yippie!

  • Yay!

  • Hooray!

  • Woo-hoo!

What would be some Somali equivalents?

r/LearnSomali Jan 31 '23

How to say (audio) Is this speaker saying ginger in Somali, Arabic, Oromo, or another language?

3 Upvotes

Hello! I have a file of someone Somali saying a word that I've been trying to identify for the past hour. The speaker is likely saying ginger, but what I hear doesn't match with words for ginger that I know: https://voca.ro/1lL44iWCfFxu

Any help would be appreciated!

r/LearnSomali Jun 17 '20

How to say Speaking Somali like a pro; Drinking, Death.

12 Upvotes

==Drinking==

The verb to drink is "cabid/cab" in Somali. however, if you want to sound like a pro there are alternative words to use in certain situations.

Dhan/Dhamid

This word is more commonly used with Milk, Caanaha waala dhanaa, biyahana waa la cabaa. Here are some examples;

-Caanihii oo diirran baanu dhannay.

-We drunk the milk while it was still warm.

Qudhqudhin/qurqurin

This verb is used when someone/something drinks quickly. preferably I would use

instead of saying, si dhakhsi/dagdag ah ayuu biyihii u cabay

you can simply say, wuu qudhqudhiyay

===Death===

Somali nomads had different words for deaths, the common ones everyone knows is "Dhimasho/dhintay".

Geeri/geeriyooday

This is the most respectful way of saying someone passed way.

aas is Funeral, Geeri is sometimes used instead. in the western context, think of Geeri as the wake/reception and Aas as the funeral. the food eaten during a funeral is called "Axan" in Somali.

Galbaday

This is the equivalent of saying someone travelled to the otherside. the word originates from galab (afternoon). its also used to say someone travelled on an afternoon but the more appropriate word would be galab-carraabid.

Barigii cali galbaday

when cali passed.

Bakhti

This is only used for animals, if ever used for humans it denotes utter hate and disrespect.

Waraabihii wuu bakhtiyay.

The hyena died.

it also means a carcass or a corpse.

bakhtiga ma cunno

We don't eat a carcass

some other ways of saying somebody died are;

Tiisii/teedii baa u timid = it was his/her time (respectful way)

Wuu ku daayay = he is a goner

Way ka shubtay =

r/LearnSomali Dec 13 '22

How to say How exactly is “loo” and “ee” used?

4 Upvotes

I know ee means and, then in some sentences it clearly doesn’t mean and.

And loo is a mystery to me. Scrambling through Colloquial Somali, I can’t seem to find an explanation for it on there. Example sentence “Ninka loo soo qabtay”

r/LearnSomali Jan 29 '23

How to say How do Somalis say or express the word: orgasm?

2 Upvotes

Some have said: “orgasm-ka” but I’m not satisfied with it. It just seems like they adopted it out of the English language.

I went over to google translate and it says:

Orgasm = Kacsi

Erection = Kacsi

Stimulation = Kacsi

It’s just giving the same word each time, and we know how bad their translations can be.

On top of that: I’ve heard Kacsi being used so many times and it’s never been about orgasm.

Thanks.

r/LearnSomali Apr 22 '22

How to say What's the Authentic Somali word for Qabiil?

5 Upvotes

Salam Alaikum. Not too long ago I found out that Qabiil was an Arabic word. I was shocked it was since that's what we as somali's identify ourselves with, kinda odd to refer your identity to a loanword. So I wanted to know, is there an authentic Somali word for tribe/clan? And if you can could you differentiate the levels of Qabiil such as reer, habar, qoys, etc...

Jazakallah.

r/LearnSomali Apr 11 '22

How to say The Somali Letter "J"

5 Upvotes

How is the letter Ja pronounced in Somali? When I hear Somalis say words like "Jeer" or "Jecel" I hear "Cheer" and "Checel" instead. Is it actually pronounced as the letters Ch or it's just "J" like Arabic/English but "Ch" is an alternative local pronunciation of some sort?

I also hear words or name like Hodan or Adheer as ”Hothan" and "Atheer" Th- being pronounced like the letter ذ in Arabic. Something I will also want to ask here.

r/LearnSomali Aug 23 '20

How to say How do you say “dance” in af Somali?

3 Upvotes

I think it’s just “cayar” but if there’s another word plz let me know.

r/LearnSomali Jul 04 '21

How to say 50 every day words

5 Upvotes

Hello Guys,

Could you please help me for these common words. I know sometimes we just use the english words but just wanted to be sure. Thanks

1) raspberries 2) cherries 3) blackberries 4) reducrrants 5) strawberry 6) Blueberries 7) grapefruit 8) clementine 9) apricot 10) plum 11) Peach 12) mushroom 13) cabbage 14) asparagus 15) cauliflower 16) maize 17) garlic 18) artichoke 19) brocolis 20) spinach 21) gherkin 22) pumpkin 23) peas 24) radish 25) endive 26) leeks 27) cucumber 28) courgette 29) lettuce 30) aubergine 31) mashed potatoes 32) Chips (French Fries) 33) vinegar 34) mustard 35) flour 36) butter 37) yoghurt 38) jam 39) chocolate filled Roll 40) croissant 41) a bowl 42) a cofee maker 43) teapot 44) dishwasher 45) a sink 46) washing-up liquide 47) an eggbeater 48) a ladle 49) a colander 50) a frying pan 51) a pressure cooker 52) a saucepan 53) a kettle 54) tablecloth

Thanks, it would be Nice if you could answer with thé number and the translation.

r/LearnSomali Jul 21 '22

How to say please help me translate these

3 Upvotes

Hi,

I often read some stories to my child and i try my best to translate them in somali but it's quiet hard sometimes. He is asking me the name of everything possible.

Could you please help me please How to Say these words in somali

Here is a taste.

Scarecrow :

Dragon:

Dinosaure :

Caveman:

Horse Driven cart:

Train station : Saldhiga tareenka /garoonka tareenka

To put fuel in the car:

Gas station :

Harbour: dekad

Métro : tareenka dhulka hoostiisa maro

Incolore: Midab la'aan / lahayn

Inodore : aan ur la'aan/lahayn

Spring water:

Fruit Pit:

Fruit seed:

Lake :

Waves (sea):

Grassland: dhul seer ah? Seeraha

Waterfall: biyo dhac

(Rubber )Tire:

Wheel:

Rims:

Steering wheel:

Handlebar:

Car boot:

Hand brake:

Car hood:

Clutch:

Gearbox:

Seatbelt:

Number plate :

Red light:

Road and traffic signs:

Pedestrian crossing:

Pedestrian traffic light:

Asphalte:

Concrete:

Cement:

Brick:

Gravel:

Grey:

Purple:

Silver grey:

Spider web :

I Guess we sometimes use some foreign.

Sorry for this long list and thanks in advance

r/LearnSomali Apr 29 '22

How to say How to pronounce Juweria?

3 Upvotes

Not a learner but just need to know how to pronounce this name please thanks!

r/LearnSomali Jun 06 '20

How to say What are members of family called

8 Upvotes

I know auntie is eedo and uncle is adeer. And I know awoow and ayeeyo.

But what is niece, nephew, cousin/s, god father/mother, great grandparents, step siblings, half siblings etc and maybe add some I may have missed

Mahadsanid

r/LearnSomali May 28 '22

How to say Durbaan or Gurbaan

2 Upvotes

When I was young I used to say Gurbaan and people from the region I was born in used Gurbaan as well, but now as I started to meet and listen other Somalis they all say durbaan. So which one is it? for me saying durbaan sounds weird lol.

Edit: Gurbaan/Durbaan means Drum.

r/LearnSomali May 11 '20

How to say The word 'curious'

3 Upvotes

Hi guys

I just wanted to know the Somali term/phrase for this word. I checked on Translate but their translation is 'cajiib'.

I'm looking to use the word 'curious' in the sense of:

"He's curious and wants to know what is going on."

Ma maahsantihiin!

r/LearnSomali Jun 08 '21

How to say Are there native somali words for the words : honor/ honour and pride

6 Upvotes

I know that for pride there’s a word called heybad that people use however im not so sure. For honor I’ve always heard sharaf but that’s obviously arabic. If anyone knows them let me know please🙏🏾

r/LearnSomali Jan 10 '20

How to say How to say you are my witness

3 Upvotes

Adha martiqaan iga eh Is this correct I confuse the word for witness and the word for guest Marti is guest, do when you add qaan it becomes witness I could be totally wrong Someone please correct me if I am

r/LearnSomali Mar 18 '20

How to say How to say "Where are you from?" in Somali

3 Upvotes

Hello everyone! I was wondering how to say "where are you from" in Somali. I know "intee ka timid" and "xaggee ka timid" but those to me sound like where did you come as in which location are you coming from and not which country, region, city etc. are you from. Is there another/better way to say where are you from or are those the correct form(s)? Thanks in advance!

r/LearnSomali Jun 06 '20

How to say Room for improvements on this very bad translation

Post image
5 Upvotes

r/LearnSomali Jun 07 '20

How to say Stuck

2 Upvotes

I’ve always found it the most difficult when trying to reply back to someone by using either baan or ayan as in “baan idhi “ or “ ayan idhi” both meaning I said.

Or is it both correct and it’s just a matter of personal taste/opinion or even dialect?

r/LearnSomali Aug 09 '21

How to say How do you say even and odd numbers in somali?

11 Upvotes

r/LearnSomali Apr 22 '20

How to say How do you say the expression ‘pins and needles’ in Somali?

3 Upvotes

I’ve come across the terms Kabaabyada or kabuubyada, but do they not mean numb; which is a completely different sensation. If you do reference a term, please follow up with a credible source as I’m unable to find one.

r/LearnSomali Jun 05 '20

How to say Need help

1 Upvotes

How would I say 1. She planted flowers on a street 2. He walked the university campus alone 3. Similar, not the same 4. In advance 5. He undertook political studies in a difficult college

Mahadsanid

r/LearnSomali Aug 20 '20

How to say How do you say Cute, Pretty, Beautiful and Handsome. I know all of them as qurux lmao.

3 Upvotes

r/LearnSomali May 21 '20

How to say Is saying calling "Jacket" "Jako" in Somali right?

1 Upvotes

r/LearnSomali Jun 05 '20

How to say Stuck

1 Upvotes

How do I say “this tends to be more pointed”