SOMALI GRAMMAR
1- SOMALI ALPHABET
2- WORD ORDER
1 Basic S + V Waan seexdaa. I sleep.
2 Direct object S + V + DO Waxaan akhriyaa buugga. I read the book.
3 Indirect object S + IO + DO + V Waxaan isaga siiyaa buugga. I give him the book.
4 Beneficiary S + V + DO + u/loogu + Beneficiary Waxaan isaga u iibsadaa buug. I buy a book for him.
5 IO pronoun S + IO pronoun + V + DO Waxaan isaga siiyaa buugga. I give him the book.
6 Adjective S + waa + Adj + yahay/tahay Buuggu waa weyn yahay. The book is big.
7 Adverb S + V + Adv Wuu si degdeg ah u akhriyaa. He reads quickly.
8 Direct object + adverb S + V + DO + Adv Waxaan buugga si degdeg ah u akhriyaa. I read the book quickly.
9 Time adverb S + V + Time Waxaan shaqeeyaa maanta. I work today.
10 Place adverb S + V + Place Wuu halkaas deggan yahay. He lives there.
11 Location phrase S + location verb + Location Buuggu miiska ayuu saaran yahay. The book is on the table.
12 DO + location S + V + DO + Location Waxaan buugga saaray miiska. I put the book on the table.
13 Determiner + noun Dem + N Buuggan waa cusub yahay. This book is new.
14 Determiner + adjective + noun Dem + N + Adj Buuggan weyn waa cusub yahay. This big book is new.
15 Numeral + noun Num + N Laba buug ayaa cusub. Two books are new.
16 Conjunction Clause + Conj + Clause Waan akhriyaa, isaguna wuu qoraa. I read and he writes.
17 Conjunction + objects S + V + DO + Conj + S + V + DO Waxaan akhriyaa buugga, isaguna wuxuu qoraa warqad. I read the book and he writes a letter.
18 Present passive S + waa + passive participle/construction Buugga waa la akhriyaa. The book is read.
19 Passive + agent S + waa + la + V + agent Buugga isaga ayaa akhriya. The book is read by him.
20 Passive + IO S + IO + waa + loo + V Buugga isaga ayaa loo siiyaa. The book is given to him.
21 Passive + IO + agent S + IO + waa + loo + V + agent Buugga isaga ayaa macallinku ugu siiyaa. The book is given to him by the teacher.
22 Passive + adverb S + waa + la + V + Time Buugga maanta waa la akhriyaa. The book is read today.
23 Passive + location S + waa + la + V + Location Buugga miiska ayaa la saaraa. The book is put on the table.
24 Passive + agent + adverb S + Time + waa + la + V + agent Buugga maanta isaga ayaa akhriya. The book is read by him today.
25 Passive + agent + IO + adverb S + IO + Time + waa + loo + V + agent Buugga maanta isaga ayaa macallinku ugu siiyaa. The book is given to him by the teacher today.
26 Perfect passive S + waa + la + V + past Buugga waa la akhriyey. The book has been read.
27 Perfect passive + agent S + waa + la + V + past + agent Buugga isaga ayaa akhriyey. The book has been read by him.
28 Future passive S + waa + la + V + doonaa Buugga waa la akhriyi doonaa. The book will be read.
29 Future passive + agent S + agent + waa + la + V + doonaa Buugga isaga ayaa akhriyi doona. The book will be read by him.
30 Modal passive S + waa in + la + V Buugga waa in la akhriyaa. The book must be read.
31 Negative S + ma + V + DO Ma akhriyo buugga. I do not read the book.
32 Negative passive S + ma + la + V Buugga lama akhriyo. The book is not read.
33 Yes/no question Ma + V + S + DO? Ma akhrisaa buugga? Do you read the book?
34 Passive question Ma + S + la + V? Buugga ma la akhriyaa? Is the book read?
35 Agent question Yaa + V + DO? Yaa akhriya buugga? Who reads the book?
36 IO question Yaa/kee + u + V + DO? Yaa aad u siisaa buugga? To whom do you give the book?
37 Imperative Imperative + DO Akhri buugga! Read the book!
38 Imperative + IO Imperative + IO + DO Isaga sii buugga! Give him the book!
39 Passive imperative Ha/Sha + passive construction Buugga ha la akhriyo! Let the book be read!
40 Verbal noun verb-derived noun akhris reading
41 Verbal noun + DO verbal noun + DO akhriska buugga reading the book
42 Infinitive in + verb in la akhriyo to be read / to read
43 Purpose S + V + si/si aan + subjunctive Waxaan cunaa si aan u ciyaaro. I eat in order to play.
44 Relative clause N + relative clause Buugga aan akhriyo waa xiiso badan yahay. The book that I read is interesting.
45 Passive relative N + relative passive clause Buugga la akhriyey waa xiiso badan yahay. The book that was read is interesting.
46 Conditional Haddii + clause, conditional clause Haddii aan waqti helo, buugga waan akhrin lahaa. If I had time, I would read the book.
47 Conditional + passive Haddii + passive clause, conditional clause Haddii buugga la akhriyo, wuu baran lahaa. If the book were read, he would learn.
48 Reported speech S + V + in + clause Wuxuu sheegay inuu buug akhrinayo. He said that he was reading a book.
49 Reported question S + V + in + question clause Wuxuu weydiiyay inaan buugga akhriyo iyo in kale. He asked whether I was reading the book.
50 Reported command/request S + V + person + in + subjunctive Wuxuu iga codsaday inaan buugga akhriyo. He asked me to read the book.
INDIRECT OBJECT:
1 Basic IO S + IO + DO + V Waxaan isaga siiyaa buugga. I give him the book.
2 IO with noun S + DO + u + IO + V Waxaan buugga u siiyaa Cali. I give the book to Ali.
3 IO pronoun — me ii + DO + V Waxay ii siisay buugga. She gave me the book.
4 IO pronoun — you kuu + DO + V Waxaan kuu siiyaa buugga. I give you the book.
5 IO pronoun — him/her u + DO + V Waxaan u siiyaa buugga. I give him/her the book.
6 IO pronoun — us noo + DO + V Waxay noo siisay buugga. She gave us the book.
7 IO pronoun — you plural idiin + DO + V Waxaan idiin siiyaa buugga. I give you all the book.
8 IO pronoun — them u + DO + V Waxaan u siiyaa buugaagta. I give them the books.
9 Give IO + DO + sii Buugga ii sii! Give me the book!
10 Tell IO + DO + sheeg Waxaan runta u sheegaa. I tell him/her the truth.
11 Show DO + IO + muuji Waxay buugga ii muujisay. She showed me the book.
12 Send DO + IO + dir Waxaan warqadda u diray. I sent him/her the letter.
13 Buy for S + DO + u + Beneficiary + V Waxaan isaga u iibsadaa buug. I buy a book for him.
14 IO question Yaa + S + DO + u + V? Yaa aad buugga u siisay? To whom did you give the book?
15 For whom? Yaa + S + DO + u + V? Yaa aad buugga u iibisay? For whom did you buy the book?
16 Negative IO DO + uma + V Buugga uma siiyo. I don't give him/her the book.
17 Past negative IO DO + uma + V-past Buugga uma siin. I didn't give him/her the book.
18 Future IO IO + DO + V + doonaa Waxaan u siin doonaa buugga. I will give him/her the book.
GENITIVE:
1 Basic genitive Possessed N + Possessor buugga Cali Ali's book
2 Person's possession N + definite possessor guriga ninka the man's house
3 Possession with a person N + person buugga ardayga the student's book
4 "Of" relationship N + N albaabka guriga the door of the house
5 Part-whole Part + whole saqafka guriga the roof of the house
6 Family relationship Family N + possessor hooyada ilmaha the child's mother
7 Place/association N + place dadka Soomaaliya the people of Somalia
8 My N + -kay/-tay buuggayga my book
9 Your (sg.) N + -kaaga/-taada buuggaaga your book
10 His N + -kiisa buuggiisa his book
11 Her N + -keeda buuggeeda her book
12 Our N + -keenna buuggeenna our book
13 Your (pl.) N + -kiinna buuggiinna your book
14 Their N + -kooda buuggooda their book
15 Double possession N + possessed person guriga aabbahay my father's house
16 Possessive pronoun Possessed N + possessive suffix buuggayga my book
17 Genitive question — whose? Yaa leh + N? Yaa leh buuggan? Whose is this book?
18 Genitive question — whose book? Buugga yaa leh? Buugga yaa leh? Whose book is it?
1st singular -kayga -tayda buuggayga / hooyadayda
2nd singular -kaaga -taada buuggaaga / hooyadaada
3rd singular masculine -kiisa — buuggiisa
3rd singular feminine -keeda — buuggeeda
1st plural -keenna — buuggeenna
2nd plural -kiinna — buuggiinna
3rd plural -kooda — buuggooda
Ali's book N + Possessor buugga Cali
the man's house N + definite N guriga ninka
my book N + possessive buuggayga
his book N + possessive buuggiisa
the door of the house N + N albaabka guriga
my father's house N + possessed person guriga aabbahay
INDEPENDENT:
Person Masculine / general Feminine English
1st singular kayga tayda mine
2nd singular kaaga taada yours
3rd singular masculine kiisa tiisa his
3rd singular feminine keeda teeda hers
1st plural keenna teenna ours
2nd plural kiinna tiinna yours
3rd plural kooda tooda theirs
Gurigani waa kayga.
This is mine. Tani waa tayda.
WAS GOING TO:
was going to / intended to past rab + in + subjunctive Waxaan rabay inaan tago. I was going to go.
was planning to past qorshayn + in + subjunctive Waxaan qorshaynayay inaan tago. I was planning to go.
was about to ku dhowaa + in + subjunctive Waxaan ku dhowaa inaan tago. I was about to go.
was going to, but didn't rab + in... + negative past Waxaan rabay inaan tago, laakiin ma tegin. I was going to go, but I didn't.
I was going to eat. Waxaan rabay inaan cuno. Waxaan rabay inaan cuno.
You were going to eat. Waxaad rabtay inaad cunto. Waxaad rabtay inaad cunto.
He was going to eat. Wuxuu rabay inuu cuno. Wuxuu rabay inuu cuno.
She was going to eat. Waxay rabtay inay cunto. Waxay rabtay inay cunto.
We were going to eat. Waxaan rabnay inaan cunno. Waxaan rabnay inaan cunno.
You were going to eat. Waxaad rabteen inaad cuntaan. Waxaad rabteen inaad cuntaan.
They were going to eat. Waxay rabeen inay cunaan. Waxay rabeen inay cunaan.
I was planning to go. Waxaan qorshaynayay inaan tago.
He was planning to eat. Wuxuu qorshaynayay inuu cuno.
She was planning to study. Waxay qorshaynaysay inay barato.
We were planning to leave. Waxaan qorshaynay inaan baxno.
Waxaan rabay inaan ku soo waco, laakiin ma aanan wicin. I was going to call you, but I didn't call.
Waxaan ku dhowaa inaan dhaco. I was about to fall.
2- NOUNS
CASES:
DECLENSION 1: Masculine Noun Ending in a Consonant
Example:
wiil = boy
Plural:
wiilal = boys
Singular Indefinite
Case Form Meaning
Nominative wiil a boy (subject)
Accusative wiil a boy (object)
Genitive wiil of a boy
Vocative wiilow O boy!
Singular Definite
Case Form Meaning
Nominative wiilku the boy (subject)
Accusative wiilka the boy (object)
Genitive wiilka of the boy
Vocative wiilow O boy!
Plural Indefinite
Case Form
Nominative wiilal
Accusative wiilal
Genitive wiilal
Plural Definite
Case Form
Nominative wiilalku
Accusative wiilalka
Genitive wiilalka
Vocative wiilalow
DECLENSION 2: Masculine Noun Ending in a Vowel
Example:
guri = house
Plural:
guryo = houses
Singular Indefinite
Case Form
Nominative guri
Accusative guri
Genitive guri
Vocative guriyow
Singular Definite
Case Form
Nominative gurigu
Accusative guriga
Genitive guriga
Vocative guriyow
Plural Indefinite
Case Form
Nominative guryo
Accusative guryo
Genitive guryo
Plural Definite
Case Form
Nominative guryuhu
Accusative guryaha
Genitive guryaha
Vocative guryohow
DECLENSION 3: Feminine Noun Ending in a Consonant
Example:
gabar = girl
Plural:
gabdho = girls
Singular Indefinite
Case Form
Nominative gabar
Accusative gabar
Genitive gabar
Vocative gabaray
Singular Definite
Case Form
Nominative gabartu
Accusative gabarta
Genitive gabadha
Vocative gabaryahow
Plural Indefinite
Case Form
Nominative gabdho
Accusative gabdho
Genitive gabdho
Plural Definite
Case Form
Nominative gabdhuhu
Accusative gabdhaha
Genitive gabdhaha
Vocative gabdhoyahow
DECLENSION 4: Feminine Noun Ending in a Vowel
Example:
hooyo = mother
Plural:
hooyooyin = mothers
Singular Indefinite
Case Form
Nominative hooyo
Accusative hooyo
Genitive hooyo
Vocative hooyoy
Singular Definite
Case Form
Nominative hooyadu
Accusative hooyada
Genitive hooyada
Vocative hooyoy
Plural Indefinite
Case Form
Nominative hooyooyin
Accusative hooyooyin
Genitive hooyooyin
Plural Definite
Case Form
Nominative hooyooyinku
Accusative hooyooyinka
Genitive hooyooyinka
Vocative hooyooyinow
DECLENSION 5: Human Masculine Noun (Irregular Plural)
Example:
nin = man
niman = men
Singular Definite
Case Form
Nominative ninku
Accusative ninka
Genitive ninka
Vocative ninow
Plural Definite
Case Form
Nominative nimanku
Accusative nimanka
Genitive nimanka
Vocative nimanow
DECLENSION 6: Masculine Noun Ending in -e
Example:
aabe = father
Plural: aabayaal = fathers
Singular Indefinite
Case Form
Nominative aabe
Accusative aabe
Genitive aabe
Vocative aabow
Singular Definite
Case Form
Nominative aabuhu
Accusative aabaha
Genitive aabaha
Vocative aabow
Plural Indefinite
Case Form
Nominative aabayaal
Accusative aabayaal
Genitive aabayaal
Plural Definite
Case Form
Nominative aabayaalku
Accusative aabayaalka
Genitive aabayaalka
Vocative aabayaalow
DECLENSION 7: Masculine Noun Ending in -o
Example:
mindi = knife
Plural: mindiyo = knives
Singular Definite
Case Form
Nominative mindidu
Accusative mindida
Genitive mindida
Vocative mindiyow
Plural Definite
Case Form
Nominative mindiyuhu
Accusative mindiyaha
Genitive mindiyaha
Vocative mindiyow
DECLENSION 8: Nouns with Plural Ending -yo
Example:
kursi = chair
Plural: kuraasyo = chairs
Singular Definite
Case Form
Nominative kursigu
Accusative kursiga
Genitive kursiga
Vocative kursiyow
Plural Definite
Case Form
Nominative kuraasyadu
Accusative kuraasyada
Genitive kuraasyada
Vocative kuraasyoy
DECLENSION 9: Noun with Plural Ending -o
Example:
geed = tree
Plural: geedo = trees
Singular Definite
Case Form
Nominative geedku
Accusative geedka
Genitive geedka
Vocative geedow
Plural Definite
Case Form
Nominative geeduhu
Accusative geedaha
Genitive geedaha
Vocative geedow
DECLENSION 10: Human Feminine Irregular Plural
Example:
naag = woman
Plural: dumar = women
Singular Definite
Case Form
Nominative naagtu
Accusative naagta
Genitive naagta
Vocative naagow
Plural Definite
Case Form
Nominative dumarku
Accusative dumarka
Genitive dumarka
Vocative dumarow
DECLENSION 11: Child Noun (Irregular)
Example:
ilmo = child
Plural: carruur = children
Singular Definite
Case Form
Nominative ilmuhu
Accusative ilmaha
Genitive ilmaha
Vocative ilmoow
Plural Definite
Case Form
Nominative carruurtu
Accusative carruurta
Genitive carruurta
Vocative carruurow
DECLENSION 12: Person Noun (Irregular)
Example:
qof = person
Plural: dad = people
Singular Definite
Case Form
Nominative qofku
Accusative qofka
Genitive qofka
Vocative qofow
Plural Definite
Case Form
Nominative dadku
Accusative dadka
Genitive dadka
Vocative dadow
DECLENSION 13: Animal Noun
Example:
faras = horse
Plural: fardo = horses
Singular Definite
Case Form
Nominative farasku
Accusative faraska
Genitive faraska
Vocative farasow
Plural Definite
Case Form
Nominative farduhu
Accusative fardaha
Genitive fardaha
Vocative fardow
DECLENSION 14: Masculine Noun Ending in -ar
Example:
libaax = lion
Plural: libaaxyo = lions
Singular Definite
Case Form
Nominative libaaxu
Accusative libaaxa
Genitive libaaxa
Vocative libaaxow
Plural Definite
Case Form
Nominative libaaxyadu
Accusative libaaxyada
Genitive libaaxyada
Vocative libaaxyow
DECLENSION 15: Masculine Noun Ending in -an
Example:
macallin = teacher
Plural: macallimiin = teachers
Singular Definite
Case Form
Nominative macallinku
Accusative macallinka
Genitive macallinka
Vocative macallinow
Plural Definite
Case Form
Nominative macallimiintu
Accusative macallimiinta
Genitive macallimiinta
Vocative macallimiinow
DECLENSION 16: Masculine Noun with -in → -yo
Example:
qalin = pen
Plural: qalimo = pens
Singular Definite
Case Form
Nominative qalinku
Accusative qalinka
Genitive qalinka
Vocative qalinow
Plural Definite
Case Form
Nominative qalimuhu
Accusative qalimaha
Genitive qalimaha
Vocative qalimow
DECLENSION 17: Feminine Noun Ending in -ad
Example:
walaalad = sisterhood / female relative
Plural: walaalo = sisters/relatives
Singular Definite
Case Form
Nominative walaaladu
Accusative walaalada
Genitive walaalada
Vocative walaalay
Plural Definite
Case Form
Nominative walaaluhu
Accusative walaalaha
Genitive walaalaha
Vocative walaalow
DECLENSION 18: Feminine Noun Ending in -nimo
Abstract nouns often end in -nimo.
Example:
wanaag = goodness
wanaagga = the goodness
(abstract nouns are usually treated as masculine in agreement)
Definite
Case Form
Nominative wanaaggu
Accusative wanaagga
Genitive wanaagga
Vocative wanaagow
DECLENSION 19: Collective Nouns
Some Somali nouns represent groups.
Example:
dad = people
Definite
Case Form
Nominative dadku
Accusative dadka
Genitive dadka
Vocative dadow
Example:
Dadku way yimaadeen.
"The people arrived."
DECLENSION 20: Food / Mass Nouns
Mass nouns usually do not pluralize.
Example:
biyo = water
Definite
Case Form
Nominative biyuhu
Accusative biyaha
Genitive biyaha
Vocative biyow
Example:
Biyuhu waa qabow yihiin.
"The water is cold."
DECLENSION 21: Loanwords (Borrowed Words)
Borrowed nouns usually follow Somali endings.
Example:
baabuur = car
Plural: baabuurro = cars
Singular Definite
Case Form
Nominative baabuurku
Accusative baabuurka
Genitive baabuurka
Vocative baabuurow
Plural Definite
Case Form
Nominative baabuurradu
Accusative baabuurta
Genitive baabuurta
Vocative baabuurroow
DECLENSION 22: Nouns Ending in -le
Example:
ninle = owner/person with something
Plural: nillo (varies)
General pattern:
Case Form
Nominative noun + ku
Accusative noun + ka
Genitive noun + ka
INDIRECT OBJECT:
Give someone something Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object Waxaan siiyey wiilka buug.
Give to someone Subject + Object + u + Recipient + Verb Waxaan buug u dhiibay ardayga.
GENITIVE:
Ali's house Possessed noun + possessor Guriga Cali
Teacher's book Possessed noun + possessor Buugga macallinka
3- ADJECTIVES:
Attributive noun + adjective guri weyn big house
Predicate noun + waa + adjective + yahay/tahay Gurigu waa weyn yahay. The house is big.
PLURAL ADJECTIVE FORMS:
Singular weyn
Plural waaweyn
guri weyn big house
guryo waaweyn big houses
TO BE VERB:
1. Present Tense
A. Identity ("is a...")
Formation
Subject + waa + noun
Examples:
Somali English
Waxaan ahay arday. I am a student.
Waxaad tahay macallin. You are a teacher.
Wuxuu yahay dhakhtar. He is a doctor.
Waxay tahay kalkaaliso. She is a nurse.
Waxaan nahay arday. We are students.
Waxay yihiin arday. They are students.
Notice that with pronouns, the full copular verb (ahay, tahay, yahay...) is commonly used.
B. With Nouns
When the subject is already a noun:
Cali waa dhakhtar.
Ali is a doctor.
Aamina waa macallin.
Amina is a teacher.
Here waa links the subject and predicate.
2. Predicate Adjectives
Formation:
Subject + waa + adjective + copula
Examples:
Somali English
Waan faraxsanahay. I am happy.
Waad daallan tahay. You are tired.
Wuu weyn yahay. He is big.
Way qurux badan tahay. She is beautiful.
Way waaweyn yihiin. They are big.
Notice:
The adjective usually does not change, but the copula does.
3. Present Conjugation
Person Somali English
I ahay am
You (sg.) tahay are
He yahay is
She tahay is
We nahay are
You (pl.) tihiin are
They yihiin are
Examples:
Waxaan ahay arday.
I am a student.
Waxay yihiin saaxiibaday.
They are my friends.
4. Past Tense
The verb "to be" usually becomes ahaa ("was/were").
Person Somali English
I ahaa was
You ahayd were
He ahaa was
She ahayd was
We ahayn were
They ahaayeen were
Examples:
Somali English
Waxaan ahaa arday. I was a student.
Waxaad ahayd macallin. You were a teacher.
Wuxuu ahaa dhakhtar. He was a doctor.
Waxay ahayd kalkaaliso. She was a nurse.
Waxay ahaayeen saaxiibo. They were friends.
5. Future Tense
Somali often expresses future with noqon doonaa ("will become/be") or by using the future marker with the predicate.
Examples:
Somali English
Waxaan noqon doonaa dhakhtar. I will be a doctor.
Wuxuu noqon doonaa macallin. He will be a teacher.
Waxay noqon doontaa faraxsan. She will be happy.
6. Conditional ("Would Be")
Formation:
noqon lahaa
Examples:
Somali English
Waxaan noqon lahaa dhakhtar. I would be a doctor.
Wuxuu noqon lahaa hodan. He would be rich.
Waxay noqon lahayd macallin. She would be a teacher.
7. Negative
Present
Somali English
Ma ahi arday. I am not a student.
Ma tihid macallin. You are not a teacher.
Ma aha dhakhtar. He/She is not a doctor.
Ma nihin diyaar. We are not ready.
Ma tihidin daallan. You (pl.) are not tired.
Ma ahaan arday. They are not students. (Often: Ma aha arday.)
Past
Somali English
Ma aanan ahayn arday. I was not a student.
Ma uusan ahayn macallin. He was not a teacher.
Ma aysan ahayn faraxsan. She was not happy.
8. Questions
Present
Somali English
Ma waxaad tahay arday? Are you a student?
Ma wuxuu yahay dhakhtar? Is he a doctor?
Ma way faraxsan tahay? Is she happy?
In everyday Somali, these are more naturally phrased without repeating the subject pronoun:
Ma tahay arday? – Are you a student?
Ma yahay dhakhtar? – Is he a doctor?
Past
Somali English
Ma waxaad ahayd arday? Were you a student?
Ma wuxuu ahaa dhakhtar? Was he a doctor?
9. Location ("To Be")
For location, Somali usually uses joog- ("to be present").
Somali English
Wuu joogaa guriga. He is at home.
Way joogtaa dugsiga. She is at school.
Waxaan joognaa Muqdisho. We are in Mogadishu.
10. Existence ("There is")
Use jira.
Somali English
Waxaa jira buug. There is a book.
Waxaa jira dad badan. There are many people.
Ma jiro qof. There is no one.
11. Location of Objects
Use yaal.
Somali English
Buuggu wuxuu ku yaal miiska. The book is on the table.
Gurigu wuxuu ku yaal magaalada. The house is in the city.
Complete Conjugation
Present
Person Form Example
I ahay Waxaan ahay arday.
You tahay Waxaad tahay arday.
He yahay Wuxuu yahay arday.
She tahay Waxay tahay arday.
We nahay Waxaan nahay arday.
You (pl.) tihiin Waxaad tihiin arday.
They yihiin Waxay yihiin arday.
Past
Person Form Example
I ahaa Waxaan ahaa arday.
You ahayd Waxaad ahayd arday.
He ahaa Wuxuu ahaa arday.
She ahayd Waxay ahayd arday.
We ahayn Waxaan ahayn arday.
You (pl.) ahaydeen Waxaad ahaydeen arday.
They ahaayeen Waxay ahaayeen arday.
PRONOUNS:
1. Present — “am / is / are”
Person Pronoun To-be form Full example English
1st singular aniga ahay Waxaan ahay arday. I am a student.
2nd singular adiga tahay Waxaad tahay arday. You are a student.
3rd singular masculine isaga yahay Wuxuu yahay arday. He is a student.
3rd singular feminine iyada tahay Waxay tahay arday. She is a student.
1st plural annaga nahay Waxaan nahay arday. We are students.
2nd plural idinka tihiin Waxaad tihiin arday. You are students.
3rd plural iyaga yihiin Waxay yihiin arday. They are students.
Pattern
pronoun + ah- form + noun/adjective
Waxaan ahay macallin.
I am a teacher.
Wuxuu yahay dhakhtar.
He is a doctor.
2. Present Negative — “am not / is not / are not”
The negative forms are different.
Person Somali English
I ma ihi I am not
You singular ma tihid you are not
He ma aha he is not
She ma aha she is not
We ma nihin we are not
You plural ma tihidin you are not
They ma aha they are not
Examples:
Ma ihi arday.
I am not a student.
Ma tihid macallin.
You are not a teacher.
Ma aha dhakhtar.
He is not a doctor.
Ma nihin arday.
We are not students.
3. Past — “was / were”
The past is based on ahaa.
Person Pronoun Form English
1st singular aniga ahaa I was
2nd singular adiga ahayd you were
3rd masculine isaga ahaa he was
3rd feminine iyada ahayd she was
1st plural annaga ahayn we were
2nd plural idinka ahaydeen you were
3rd plural iyaga ahaayeen they were
Examples:
Waxaan ahaa arday.
I was a student.
Waxaad ahayd arday.
You were a student.
Wuxuu ahaa macallin.
He was a teacher.
Waxay ahayd kalkaaliso.
She was a nurse.
Waxaan ahayn arday.
We were students.
Waxay ahaayeen macallimiin.
They were teachers.
4. Past Negative — “was not / were not”
Person Somali English
I ma aanan ahayn I was not
You singular ma aadan ahayn you were not
He ma uusan ahayn he was not
She ma aysan ahayn she was not
We ma aanaan ahayn we were not
You plural ma aydnaan ahayn you were not
They ma aysan ahayn they were not
Examples:
Ma aanan ahayn arday.
I was not a student.
Ma uusan ahayn dhakhtar.
He was not a doctor.
Ma aysan ahayn macallin.
She was not a teacher.
5. Future — “will be”
Somali normally uses noqon doonaa for a future state/identity.
The auxiliary doon- changes according to person.
Person Form English
I noqon doonaa I will be
You singular noqon doontaa you will be
He noqon doonaa he will be
She noqon doontaa she will be
We noqon doonnaa we will be
You plural noqon doontaan you will be
They noqon doonaan they will be
Examples:
Waxaan noqon doonaa dhakhtar.
I will be a doctor.
Waxaad noqon doontaa macallin.
You will be a teacher.
Wuxuu noqon doonaa hoggaamiye.
He will be a leader.
Waxay noqon doontaa faraxsan.
She will be happy.
Waxaan noqon doonnaa diyaar.
We will be ready.
Waxay noqon doonaan guulaystayaal.
They will be successful.
6. Future Negative — “will not be”
Use the negative future of doon-.
Person Somali English
I ma noqon doono I will not be
You ma noqon doontid you will not be
He ma noqon doono he will not be
She ma noqon doonto she will not be
We ma noqon doonno we will not be
You plural ma noqon doontaan you will not be
They ma noqon doonaan they will not be
Example:
Ma noqon doono dhakhtar.
I will not be a doctor.
7. Conditional / Would Be
Somali uses lahaa with noqon lahaa.
Person Somali English
I noqon lahaa I would be
You singular noqon lahayd you would be
He noqon lahaa he would be
She noqon lahayd she would be
We noqon lahayn we would be
You plural noqon lahaydeen you would be
They noqon lahaayeen they would be
Examples:
Waxaan noqon lahaa dhakhtar.
I would be a doctor.
Wuxuu noqon lahaa macallin.
He would be a teacher.
Waxay noqon lahayd hoggaamiye.
She would be a leader.
Waxaan noqon lahayn diyaar.
We would be ready.
8. Conditional Negative — “would not be”
Person Somali English
I ma noqon lahayn I would not be
You ma noqon lahayd you would not be
He ma noqon lahayn he would not be
She ma noqon lahayn she would not be
We ma noqon lahayn we would not be
You plural ma noqon lahaydeen you would not be
They ma noqon lahaayeen they would not be
Example:
Ma noqon lahayn diyaar.
We would not be ready.
9. Present Perfect-Like "Have Been"
Somali often expresses "have been" using the past form according to context rather than a direct English-style perfect copula.
For example:
Waxaan ahaa arday.
can mean:
I was a student.
and, depending on context:
I have been a student.
For a continuing state, Somali often uses a construction with ahaa plus contextual time information.
10. Continuous "Being"
Somali does not have a direct equivalent of English:
I am being...
Instead, the appropriate verb is generally used.
For example:
Wuu dhaqmayaa...
= He is behaving...
rather than creating a separate "to be" continuous tense.
11. To Be + Adjective
The copula agrees with the subject.
Person Somali English
I Waan faraxsanahay. I am happy.
You Waad faraxsan tahay. You are happy.
He Wuu faraxsan yahay. He is happy.
She Way faraxsan tahay. She is happy.
We Waan faraxsan nahay. We are happy.
You plural Waad faraxsan tihiin. You are happy.
They Way faraxsan yihiin. They are happy.
Notice the subject markers:
waan
waad
wuu
way
These are extremely important in Somali.
4- PRONOUNS:
1. Subject Pronouns
Person Somali English
1st singular aniga I
2nd singular adiga you
3rd singular masculine isaga he
3rd singular feminine iyada she
1st plural annaga we
2nd plural idinka you (plural)
3rd plural iyaga they
Examples
Aniga ayaan imanayaa.
I am coming.
Iyaga way shaqeeyaan.
They work.
2. Direct Object Pronouns
These receive the action.
English Somali
me i
you ku
him u / isaga
her u / iyada
us na
you (plural) idin
them u / iyaga
Examples
Wuu i arkay.
He saw me.
Waxaan ku arkay.
I saw you.
Waxaan na arkay.
He saw us.
3. Indirect Object Pronouns
These mean to/for someone.
English Somali
to me ii
to you kuu
to him u
to her u
to us noo
to you (plural) idiin
to them u
Examples
Buugga ii keen.
Bring me the book.
Lacag noo dir.
Send us money.
4. Possessive Pronouns
Independent
English Somali
mine kayga / tayda
yours kaaga / taada
his kiisa
hers keeda
ours keenna
yours (plural) kiinna
theirs kooda
Examples
Buuggani waa kayga.
This book is mine.
Possessive Adjectives
English Somali
my -gayga / -tayda
your -gaaga
his -giisa
her -geeda
our -geenna
your (plural) -giinna
their -gooda
Examples
Buuggayga
my book
Baabuurkiisa
his car
5. Reflexive Pronouns
Somali uses:
nafta
(self)
or
is
(self)
English Somali
myself naftayda
yourself naftaada
himself naftiisa / isagaa is...
herself nafteeda
ourselves nafteenna
yourselves naftiinna
themselves naftooda
Examples
Wuu is arkay.
He saw himself.
Waxaan naftayda jeclahay.
I love myself.
6. Reciprocal Pronoun
Meaning:
each other
Somali:
is
Examples
Way is jecel yihiin.
They love each other.
Way is caawiyeen.
They helped each other.
7. Demonstrative Pronouns
Somali English
kan this (masculine)
tan this (feminine)
kuwa these/those
kaas that
taas that
kuwaas those
Examples
Kan waa fiican yahay.
Kan this one / this masculine singular demonstrative pronoun
waa is present focus/copular marker
fiican good / fine adjective
yahay is masculine singular form of ah- (“to be”)
This one is good.
Taas waa qurux badan.
That is beautiful.
Taas that / that one demonstrative pronoun, feminine
waa is / it is present focus/copular marker
qurux beauty noun, “beauty”
badan much / a lot / abundant adjective, literally “much/many”
10. Indefinite Pronouns
Somali English
qof someone
qof walba everyone
wax something
wax walba everything
qaar some
qaar badan many
Examples
Qof baa yimid.
Someone came.
11. Negative Pronouns
Somali English
qofna nobody
waxba nothing
midna none
Examples
Qofna ma iman.
Nobody came.
Waxba ma hayo.
I have nothing.
12. Emphatic Pronouns
Used for emphasis.
Somali English
aniga qudhayda I myself
adiga qudhaada you yourself
isaga qudhiisa he himself
iyada qudheeda she herself
annaga qudheenna we ourselves
iyaga qudhooda they themselves
Examples
Aniga qudhayda ayaan sameeyey.
I myself did it.
5- VERB TENSES:
Aniga waan cunaa I eat
Adiga waad cuntaa You eat
Isaga wuu cunaa He eats
Iyada way cuntaa She eats
Annaga waan cunnaa We eat
Idinka waad cuntaan You (pl.) eat
Iyaga way cunaan They eat
Aniga waan cunayaa I am eating
Adiga waad cunaysaa You are eating
Isaga wuu cunayaa He is eating
Iyada way cunaysaa She is eating
Annaga waan cunaynaa We are eating
Idinka waad cunaysaan You (pl.) are eating
Iyaga way cunayaan They are eating
Aniga waan cunay I ate
Adiga waad cuntay You ate
Isaga wuu cunay He ate
Iyada way cuntay She ate
Annaga waan cunnay We ate
Idinka waad cunteen You (pl.) ate
Iyaga way cuneen They ate
Aniga waan cunayay I was eating
Adiga waad cunaysay You were eating
Isaga wuu cunayay He was eating
Iyada way cunaysay She was eating
Annaga waan cunaynay We were eating
Idinka waad cunayseen You (pl.) were eating
Iyaga way cunayeen They were eating
Aniga waan cuni doonaa I will eat
Adiga waad cuni doontaa You will eat
Isaga wuu cuni doonaa He will eat
Iyada way cuni doontaa She will eat
Annaga waan cuni doonnaa We will eat
Idinka waad cuni doontaan You (pl.) will eat
Iyaga way cuni doonaan They will eat
Aniga waan cuni doonayaa I will be eating
Adiga waad cuni doontaa adigoo cunaya You will be eating
Isaga wuu cuni doonayaa He will be eating
Iyada way cuni doontaa iyadoo cunaysa She will be eating
Annaga waan cuni doonnaa annagoo cunayna We will be eating
Idinka waad cuni doontaan idinkoo cunaya You (pl.) will be eating
Iyaga way cuni doonaan iyagoo cunaya They will be eating
Aniga waan cunay I have eaten
Adiga waad cuntay You have eaten
Isaga wuu cunay He has eaten
Iyada way cuntay She has eaten
Annaga waan cunnay We have eaten
Idinka waad cunteen You (pl.) have eaten
Iyaga way cuneen They have eaten
Aniga waan cunay ka hor I had eaten
Adiga waad cuntay ka hor You had eaten
Isaga wuu cunay ka hor He had eaten
Iyada way cuntay ka hor She had eaten
Annaga waan cunnay ka hor We had eaten
Idinka waad cunteen ka hor You (pl.) had eaten
Iyaga way cuneen ka hor They had eaten
Aniga waan cuni doonaa ka hor I will have eaten
Adiga waad cuni doontaa ka hor You will have eaten
Isaga wuu cuni doonaa ka hor He will have eaten
Iyada way cuni doontaa ka hor She will have eaten
Annaga waan cuni doonnaa ka hor We will have eaten
Idinka waad cuni doontaan ka hor You (pl.) will have eaten
Iyaga way cuni doonaan ka hor They will have eaten
You (sg.) Cun! Eat!
You (pl.) Cuna! Eat!
6- PASSIVE TENSES:
Cuntada waa la cunaa. The food is eaten.
Hilibka waa la cunaa. The meat is eaten.
Rootiga waa la cunaa. The bread is eaten.
Cuntada waa la cunayaa. The food is being eaten.
Guriga waa la dhisayaa. The house is being built.
Buugga waa la akhrinayaa. The book is being read.
Cuntada waa la cunay. The food was eaten.
Albaabka waa la furay. The door was opened.
Warqadda waa la qoray. The letter was written.
Cuntada waa la cunayay. The food was being eaten.
Guriga waa la dhisayay. The house was being built.
Cuntada waa la cuni doonaa. The food will be eaten.
Guriga waa la dhisi doonaa. The house will be built.
Buugga waa la akhriyi doonaa. The book will be read.
Ha la cuno! Let it be eaten!
Ha la dhiso! Let it be built!
7- NEGATION:
Subject + ma aha + noun/adjecitve
Aniga ma cuno I do not eat
Adiga ma cuntid You do not eat
Isaga ma cuno He does not eat
Iyada ma cunto She does not eat
Annaga ma cunno We do not eat
Idinka ma cuntaan You (pl.) do not eat
Iyaga ma cunaan They do not eat
Aniga ma cunayo I am not eating
Adiga ma cunaysid You are not eating
Isaga ma cunayo He is not eating
Iyada ma cunayso She is not eating
Annaga ma cunayno We are not eating
Idinka ma cunaysaan You (pl.) are not eating
Iyaga ma cunayaan They are not eating
Lama cuno. It is not eaten.
Lama cunayo. It is not being eaten.
Lama cunin. It was/has not been eaten.
Lama cuni doono. It will not be eaten.
Lama cuni lahaa. It would not be eaten.
8- QUESTIONS:
YES/NO QUESTIONS:
yes/no questions use the same sentence structure, we just add a question mark
QUESTION WORDS:
Yaa? Who?
Kumaa? Who is?
Maxaa? What?
Maxay? What?
Waa maxay? What is it?
Xaggee? Where?
Halkee? Where?
Goorma? When?
Sababtee? Why?
Sidee? How?
Kee? Which (masculine)?
Tee? Which (feminine)?
Yaa leh? Whose?
Imisa? How many?
Immisa? How much?
Immisa jir? How old?
Intee? How far/how long?
1 Yaa yimid? Who came?
2 Yaa yahay? Who is he?
3 Yaa aragtay? Who did you see?
4 Maxaa dhacay? What happened?
5 Maxaad rabtaa? What do you want?
6 Maxaad samaynaysaa? What are you doing?
7 Maxaad iibsatay? What did you buy?
8 Xaggee joogtaa? Where are you?
9 Xaggee ayuu deggan yahay? Where does he live?
10 Xaggee ayay tegayaan? Where are they going?
11 Goorma ayaad imaanaysaa? When are you coming?
12 Goorma ayuu yimid? When did he come?
13 Goorma ayay bixi doonaan? When will they leave?
14 Maxaad u ooyaysaa? Why are you crying?
15 Muxuu u baxay? Why did he leave?
16 Sidee tahay? How are you?
17 Sidee u samaysay? How did you do it?
18 Kee ayaad rabtaa? Which one do you want?
19 Buuggee ayaad akhriday? Which book did you read?
20 Imisa buug ayaad haysataa? How many books do you have?
21 Imisa qof ayaa yimid? How many people came?
22 Qof noocee ah ayuu yahay? What kind of person is he?
23 Cunto noocee ah ayaad jeceshahay? What kind of food do you like?
24 Buuggani yaa leh? Whose book is this?
25 Baabuurkaas yaa leh? Whose car is that?
26 Intee jeer ayaad timaaddaa? How often do you come?
27 Intee ayaad joogtay? How long did you stay?
28 Waa maxay kan? What is this?
29 Magacaagu waa maxay? What is your name?
30 Xaggee buuggu yaal? Where is the book?
Imisa buug ayaad haysataa? How many books do you have?
9- ADVERBS:
Somali Transliteration English
si fiican si fiican well
si xun si xun badly
si fiican si fiican properly / well
si wanaagsan si wanaagsan well / nicely
si fudud si fudud easily
si adag si adag hard / firmly
si tartiib ah si tartiib ah slowly
si degdeg ah si degdeg ah quickly
si dhaqso ah si dhaqso ah quickly
si taxaddar leh si taxaddar leh carefully
si cad si cad clearly
si sax ah si sax ah correctly
si dhab ah si dhab ah seriously / genuinely
si toos ah si toos ah directly
si gaar ah si gaar ah especially / particularly
si wadajir ah si wadajir ah together
si gooni ah si gooni ah separately
si lama filaan ah si lama filaan ah suddenly
si ula kac ah si ula kac ah deliberately
si kama' ah si kama' ah accidentally
si aamusnaan ah si aamusnaan ah silently
si qarsoodi ah si qarsoodi ah secretly
si furan si furan openly
si xor ah si xor ah freely
si buuxda si buuxda completely
si qayb ahaan si qayb ahaan partially
si weyn si weyn greatly
si yar si yar slightly
si badan si badan greatly / a lot
si yar-yar si yar-yar little by little
si joogto ah si joogto ah continuously / regularly
si caadi ah si caadi ah normally
si rasmi ah si rasmi ah officially
si sharci ah si sharci ah legally
si dabiici ah si dabiici ah naturally
Basic pattern
si + adjective/adjective-like form + ah
Wuxuu si fiican u shaqeeyaa.
Wuxuu si fiican u shaqeeyaa.
He works well.
Waxay si degdeg ah u orodday.
Waxay si degdeg ah u orodday.
She ran quickly.
2. Place adverbs — meel
Somali Transliteration English
halkan halkan here
halkaas halkaas there
halkaa halkaa there
halkaas halkaas over there
meel kasta meel kasta everywhere
meel walba meel walba everywhere
meelna meelna anywhere / nowhere, depending on context
meel kale meel kale elsewhere / another place
meel dhow meel dhow nearby
meel fog meel fog far away
gudaha gudaha inside
dibadda dibadda outside
kor kor up / above
hoos hoos down / below
hore hore ahead / in front
gadaal gadaal behind / backward
dhinac dhinac aside / to the side
bidix bidix left
midig midig right
meel dhexe meel dhexe in the middle
meel kasta meel kasta everywhere
meelna meelna anywhere / nowhere
meel walba meel walba everywhere
Examples:
Halkan fadhiiso.
Halkan fadhiiso.
Sit here.
Carruurtu bannaanka ayay joogaan.
Carruurtu bannaanka ayay joogaan.
The children are outside.
3. Time adverbs — waqti
Present / current time
Somali Transliteration English
hadda hadda now
imika imika now
imminka imminka now
maanta maanta today
caawa caawa tonight
habeenkan habeenkan tonight / this night
saaka saaka this morning
galabta galabta this afternoon
xalay xalay last night
shalay shalay yesterday
berri berri tomorrow
barrito barrito tomorrow
Past / future
Somali Transliteration English
shalay shalay yesterday
dorraad dorraad the day before yesterday
saaka saaka this morning
xalay xalay last night
berri berri tomorrow
saaka dambe saaka dambe tomorrow morning
maalinta dambe maalinta dambe the next day
dhawaan dhawaan soon / recently
dhowaan dhowaan soon / recently
hore hore earlier / previously
horay horay already / previously
mar dambe mar dambe later / ever again
goor dambe goor dambe later / late
hadda ka hor hadda ka hor before now
hadda kadib hadda kadib from now on / after now
4. Frequency adverbs — inta jeer
Somali Transliteration English
mar walba mar walba always
had iyo jeer had iyo jeer always
weligiis weligiis always / ever, masculine
weligeed weligeed always / ever, feminine
weligood weligood always / ever, plural
badanaa badanaa usually / often
inta badan inta badan usually / mostly
marar badan marar badan often
mararka qaarkood mararka qaarkood sometimes
mararka qaar mararka qaar sometimes
marmar marmar sometimes
mararka qaarkood mararka qaarkood occasionally
dhif dhif rarely
si dhif ah si dhif ah rarely
weligiisba weligiisba ever / at all
marna marna ever / never, depending on polarity
waligiis waligiis ever / always, depending on context
weligii weligii ever / always
mar keliya mar keliya once
laba jeer laba jeer twice
marar badan marar badan many times
maalin kasta maalin kasta every day
toddobaad kasta toddobaad kasta every week
bil kasta bil kasta every month
sannad kasta sannad kasta every year
Important negative construction
marna commonly occurs with negation:
Marna ma aado halkaas.
Marna ma aado halkaas.
I never go there.
5. Degree and intensity adverbs
Somali Transliteration English
aad aad very
aad u aad u very / extremely
si aad ah si aad ah very / greatly
badan badan much / a lot
wax badan wax badan a lot
wax yar wax yar a little
xoogaa xoogaa somewhat / a little
in yar in yar a little
gebi ahaan gebi ahaan completely
gebi ahaanba gebi ahaanba completely
dhammaantood dhammaantood completely / all of them
si buuxda si buuxda fully
si weyn si weyn greatly
si xad dhaaf ah si xad dhaaf ah excessively
xad dhaaf xad dhaaf excessively / extreme
ku dhowaad ku dhowaad almost
ku dhawaad ku dhawaad almost
ku filan ku filan enough / sufficiently
ugu yaraan ugu yaraan at least
ugu badnaan ugu badnaan at most
wax yar wax yar slightly / a little
Examples:
Aad baan u faraxsanahay.
Aad baan u faraxsanahay.
I am very happy.
Wuxuu aad u dhaqso badan yahay.
Wuxuu aad u dhaqso badan yahay.
He is very fast.
6. Quantity adverbs
Somali Transliteration English
badan badan much / a lot
wax badan wax badan a lot
wax yar wax yar a little
xoogaa xoogaa somewhat / some
in yar in yar a little
ku filan ku filan enough
aad u badan aad u badan very much / a lot
aad u yar aad u yar very little
gebi ahaan gebi ahaan entirely
ku dhowaad ku dhowaad almost
ugu yaraan ugu yaraan at least
ugu badnaan ugu badnaan at most
dhammaan dhammaan all / entirely
qayb ahaan qayb ahaan partly
7. Affirmation adverbs
These indicate that the speaker considers something true or certain.
Somali Transliteration English
haa haa yes
hubaal hubaal certainly / definitely
xaqiiqdii xaqiiqdii indeed / in fact
dhab ahaantii dhab ahaantii really / actually
runtii runtii really / truly
xaqiiq ahaan xaqiiq ahaan in reality
sida xaqiiqda ah sida xaqiiqda ah in fact
dabcan dabcan of course
runtii runtii truly
si dhab ah si dhab ah truly / seriously
8. Negation-related adverbs
The principal Somali negative particle is ma, but several adverbial expressions interact with negation.
Somali Transliteration English
ma ma not
maya maya no
marna marna never / ever
weligeed weligeed ever / never, depending on context
weligiis weligiis ever / never, depending on context
meelna meelna anywhere / nowhere
cidna cidna anyone / no one
waxba waxba anything / nothing
haba yaraatee haba yaraatee at all
sinaba sinaba in no way
marnaba marnaba never / under no circumstances
Examples:
Marnaba ma samayn doono.
Marnaba ma samayn doono.
I will never do it.
Sinaba uma aqbalayo.
Sinaba uma aqbalayo.
I will not accept it in any way.
9. Probability and possibility adverbs
Somali Transliteration English
laga yaabee laga yaabee perhaps / maybe
laga yaabo laga yaabo possibly / perhaps
malaha malaha perhaps / probably
waxaa laga yaabaa waxaa laga yaabaa it may be / it is possible
hubaal hubaal certainly
xaqiiqdii xaqiiqdii certainly / indeed
runtii runtii really / truly
u badan tahay u badan tahay likely / probably
suuragal ahaan suuragal ahaan possibly
suuragal suuragal possible
laga yaabo laga yaabo may / might
Examples:
Malaha wuu imanayaa.
Malaha wuu imanayaa.
Perhaps he is coming.
Waxaa laga yaabaa inuu yimaado.
Waxaa laga yaabaa inuu yimaado.
He may come.
10. Certainty adverbs
Somali Transliteration English
hubaal hubaal certainly
dhab ahaantii dhab ahaantii actually / truly
xaqiiqdii xaqiiqdii indeed / certainly
runtii runtii really / truly
dabcan dabcan of course
shaki la'aan shaki la'aan undoubtedly
hubaashii hubaashii certainly / surely
si dhab ah si dhab ah genuinely / seriously
xaqiiq ahaan xaqiiq ahaan in reality
11. Uncertainty and doubt
Somali Transliteration English
malaha malaha perhaps / maybe
laga yaabee laga yaabee perhaps
laga yaabo laga yaabo possibly
suuragal ahaan suuragal ahaan possibly
laga yaabaa laga yaabaa it may be
shaki shaki doubt
shaki la'aan shaki la'aan without doubt
waxaa laga yaabaa waxaa laga yaabaa it is possible
12. Question adverbs
These are especially important for Somali grammar.
Somali Transliteration English
xaggee xaggee where
halkee halkee where
goorma goorma when
sidee sidee how
sababtee sababtee why
maxaa maxaa why / what
meeqa meeqa how many / how much
intee intee how much / how many / how far
intee le'eg intee le'eg how much / how large
intee jeer intee jeer how many times
ilaa goorma ilaa goorma until when
goormee goormee when
Examples:
Xaggee baad joogtaa?
Xaggee baad joogtaa?
Where are you?
Goorma ayaad imanaysaa?
Goorma ayaad imanaysaa?
When are you coming?
Sidee baad u samaysay?
Sidee baad u samaysay?
How did you do it?
Sababtee ayaad u tagtay?
Sababtee ayaad u tagtay?
Why did you go?
13. Directional adverbs
Somali Transliteration English
hore hore forward / ahead
horay horay forward / previously
gadaal gadaal backward / behind
kor kor upward
hoos hoos downward
gudaha gudaha inward / inside
dibadda dibadda outward / outside
bidix bidix left
midig midig right
dhinac dhinac sideways / aside
meel fog meel fog far away
meel dhow meel dhow nearby
14. Adverbs of sequence/order
Somali Transliteration English
marka hore marka hore first / firstly
marka labaad marka labaad secondly
marka saddexaad marka saddexaad thirdly
dabadeed dabadeed then / afterwards
kadib kadib afterwards / after
ka dib ka dib afterwards
markaas markaas then
ugu dambayn ugu dambayn finally
ugu horreyn ugu horreyn firstly / first
hore hore previously
mar kale mar kale again
haddana haddana again / nevertheless
weliba weliba furthermore / additionally
15. “Again / already / still / yet”
Somali Transliteration English
mar kale mar kale again
haddana haddana again
weli weli still / yet
wali wali still / yet
horay horay already / previously
hore hore already / previously
mar kale mar kale once again
weli ma weli ma not yet
Examples:
Weli wuu shaqaynayaa.
Weli wuu shaqaynayaa.
He is still working.
Horay ayaan u arkay.
Horay ayaan u arkay.
I have already seen it.
Mar kale isku day.
Mar kale isku day.
Try again.
16. Temporal relationship
Somali Transliteration English
ka hor ka hor before
ka dib ka dib after
kadib kadib after
inta lagu jiro inta lagu jiro during
markaas markaas then
isla markiiba isla markiiba immediately
markiiba markiiba immediately
dhowaan dhowaan soon / recently
dhawaan dhawaan soon / recently
mar dambe mar dambe later
goor dambe goor dambe later
hadda hadda now
markaas markaas then
weli weli still
horay horay already
ugu dambayn ugu dambayn finally
17. Comparison adverbs
Somali Transliteration English
sida sida as / like
si la mid ah si la mid ah similarly
si ka badan si ka badan more
si ka yar si ka yar less
aad aad very
intaas oo kale intaas oo kale that much / that many
sidaas oo kale sidaas oo kale likewise / similarly
ka badan ka badan more
ka yar ka yar less
ugu badan ugu badan most
ugu yar ugu yar least
18. Focus / limiting adverbs
Somali Transliteration English
kaliya kaliya only
keliya keliya only
oo keliya oo keliya only
sidoo kale sidoo kale also / too
weliba weliba also / furthermore
xitaa xitaa even
ba ba even / at all / emphatic
gaar ahaan gaar ahaan especially
si gaar ah si gaar ah particularly
ugu yaraan ugu yaraan at least
ugu badnaan ugu badnaan at most
dhab ahaan dhab ahaan actually
runtii runtii really
19. Emphasis adverbs
Somali Transliteration English
aad aad very
runtii runtii really
dhab ahaantii dhab ahaantii really / actually
xaqiiqdii xaqiiqdii indeed
gebi ahaanba gebi ahaanba completely
xitaa xitaa even
si gaar ah si gaar ah especially
hubaal hubaal certainly
dabcan dabcan of course
weliba weliba moreover / furthermore
ba ba even / at all
20. Concessive / contrastive adverbial expressions
Somali Transliteration English
haddana haddana nevertheless / however
si kastaba si kastaba nevertheless / anyway
si kastaba ha ahaatee si kastaba ha ahaatee nevertheless / however
weliba weliba moreover / besides
taa beddelkeeda taa beddelkeeda instead
halkii halkii instead / rather
dhinaca kale dhinaca kale on the other hand
si kastaba si kastaba anyway
21. Cause/reason-related adverbial expressions
Somali Transliteration English
sidaas darteed sidaas darteed therefore
sidaa darteed sidaa darteed therefore
taas darteed taas darteed because of that
sidaas awgeed sidaas awgeed therefore / consequently
awgeed awgeed because of / therefore
darteed darteed because of / therefore
sababtaas awgeed sababtaas awgeed for that reason
markaa markaa therefore / then, depending on context
22. Result / consequence adverbs
Somali Transliteration English
sidaas darteed sidaas darteed therefore
sidaa darteed sidaa darteed therefore
sidaas awgeed sidaas awgeed consequently
sidaa awgeed sidaa awgeed consequently
markaa markaa then / therefore
natiijadaas awgeed natiijadaas awgeed as a result
ugu dambayn ugu dambayn ultimately / finally
23. Purpose-related expressions
Somali Transliteration English
si si so that / in order to
si loo si loo in order to
si uu si uu so that he
si ay si ay so that she/they
ujeeddo ahaan ujeeddo ahaan intentionally / for the purpose
ujeeddadaas ujeeddadaas for that purpose
taas awgeed taas awgeed for that reason
These are generally adverbial/conjunctive constructions, rather than simple adverbs.
24. Adverbs of manner formed with si
This is one of the most productive patterns in Somali.
Somali Transliteration English
si fiican si fiican well
si xun si xun badly
si fudud si fudud easily
si adag si adag firmly / hard
si cad si cad clearly
si sax ah si sax ah correctly
si tartiib ah si tartiib ah slowly
si degdeg ah si degdeg ah quickly
si wanaagsan si wanaagsan well
si taxaddar leh si taxaddar leh carefully
si toos ah si toos ah directly
si qarsoodi ah si qarsoodi ah secretly
si rasmi ah si rasmi ah officially
si sharci ah si sharci ah legally
si dabiici ah si dabiici ah naturally
si ula kac ah si ula kac ah deliberately
si kama' ah si kama' ah accidentally
si joogto ah si joogto ah regularly
si buuxda si buuxda fully
si gaar ah si gaar ah especially
si wadajir ah si wadajir ah jointly / together
25. Indefinite adverbial expressions
Somali Transliteration English
meel kasta meel kasta everywhere
meel walba meel walba everywhere
meel kasta oo meel kasta oo wherever
goor kasta goor kasta whenever / at any time
mar kasta mar kasta whenever / always
mar walba mar walba always
si kasta si kasta however / in any way
sida kasta sida kasta however / in whatever way
meel kale meel kale elsewhere
goor kale goor kale another time
mar kale mar kale again
qof kasta qof kasta everyone / each person
cid kasta cid kasta anyone / everyone
Some of these contain pronouns/quantifiers, so they are better called adverbial phrases rather than simple adverbs.
26. Negative indefinite adverbial expressions
Somali Transliteration English
meelna meelna anywhere / nowhere
weligeed weligeed ever / never
weligiis weligiis ever / never
marnaba marnaba never
marna marna never
sinaba sinaba in no way
haba yaraatee haba yaraatee not at all
cidna cidna nobody / anyone
waxba waxba nothing / anything
27. “Only / even / also”
These are extremely common adverbial/focus elements.
Somali Transliteration English
kaliya kaliya only
keliya keliya only
oo keliya oo keliya only
xitaa xitaa even
sidoo kale sidoo kale also
weliba weliba also / moreover
ba ba even / at all
gaar ahaan gaar ahaan especially
ugu yaraan ugu yaraan at least
Examples:
Isaga kaliya ayaa yimid.
Isaga kaliya ayaa yimid.
Only he came.
Xitaa isaga wuu yimid.
Xitaa isaga wuu yimid.
Even he came.
10- CONJUNCTIONS:
Somali Transliteration English Example
iyo iyo and Cali iyo Axmed — Ali and Ahmed
ama ama or Shaah ama qaxwo — tea or coffee
mise mise or / or rather Shaah mise qaxwo? — Tea or coffee?
laakiin laakiin but Waan imid, laakiin wuu baxay. — I came, but he left.
balse balse but / rather Waan rabaa, balse ma awoodo. — I want to, but I cannot.
hase yeeshee hase yeeshee however / but Wuu yimid, hase yeeshee wuu daalay. — He came; however, he was tired.
haddana haddana nevertheless / yet Wuu daalay, haddana wuu shaqeeyay. — He was tired, yet he worked.
ama ... ama ama ... ama either ... or Ama tag ama joog. — Either leave or stay.
iyo ... iyo iyo ... iyo both ... and Iyo Cali iyo Axmed — both Ali and Ahmed
midkood ... ama midkood ... ama either ... or Midkood tag ama joog. — Either leave or stay.
Most basic
iyo = and
ama = or
mise = or? / or rather?
laakiin = but
balse = but/rather
hase yeeshee = however
2. Additive conjunctions
Somali Transliteration English
iyo iyo and
sidoo kale sidoo kale also / also
weliba weliba moreover / furthermore
intaa waxaa dheer intaa waxaa dheer in addition
waxaa kale oo waxaa kale oo also / additionally
iyo weliba iyo weliba and furthermore
sidoo kale ... sidoo kale also
Example:
Wuu akhriyey, sidoo kale wuu qoray.
Wuu akhriyey, sidoo kale wuu qoray.
He read, and he also wrote.
3. Alternative / disjunctive conjunctions
Somali Transliteration English
ama ama or
mise mise or / or rather
ama ... ama ama ... ama either ... or
haddii kale haddii kale otherwise
haddii kale haddii kale or else
midkood ... ama midkood ... ama either ... or
ha noqoto ... ama ha noqoto ... ama whether ... or
Examples:
Ma rabtaa shaah ama qaxwo?
Ma rabtaa shaah ama qaxwo?
Do you want tea or coffee?
Tag, haddii kale waan daahaynaa.
Tag, haddii kale waan daahaynaa.
Go, otherwise we will be late.
4. Adversative conjunctions — “but”
Somali Transliteration English
laakiin laakiin but
balse balse but / rather
hase yeeshee hase yeeshee however
si kastaba ha ahaatee si kastaba ha ahaatee nevertheless / however
haddana haddana yet / nevertheless
taa beddelkeeda taa beddelkeeda instead / on the contrary
halkii halkii instead / rather
Example:
Waan rabay inaan tago, laakiin waan mashquulsanaa.
Waan rabay inaan tago, laakiin waan mashquulsanaa.
I wanted to go, but I was busy.
5. Causal conjunctions — “because”
Somali Transliteration English
sababtoo ah sababtoo ah because
maxaa yeelay maxaa yeelay because
waayo waayo because / for
maadaama maadaama since / because
maadaama oo maadaama oo since / because
taas awgeed taas awgeed because of that / therefore
taas darteed taas darteed because of that
sababtaas awgeed sababtaas awgeed for that reason
awgeed awgeed because of / due to
darteed darteed because of / due to
Most important:
sababtoo ah = because
maxaa yeelay = because
waayo = because/for
maadaama = since/because
Example:
Ma aanan tegin sababtoo ah waan xanuunsanaa.
Ma aanan tegin sababtoo ah waan xanuunsanaa.
I didn't go because I was sick.
6. Result / consequence conjunctions
Somali Transliteration English
sidaas darteed sidaas darteed therefore
sidaa darteed sidaa darteed therefore
sidaas awgeed sidaas awgeed therefore / consequently
sidaa awgeed sidaa awgeed consequently
markaa markaa then / therefore
sidaas sidaas thus / so
natiijadaas awgeed natiijadaas awgeed as a result
taas darteed taas darteed therefore / because of that
sidaas darteedna sidaas darteedna therefore / and therefore
Example:
Roob baa da'ayay, sidaas darteed guriga ayaan joogay.
Roob baa da'ayay, sidaas darteed guriga ayaan joogay.
It was raining, therefore I stayed home.
7. Conditional conjunctions — “if”
Somali Transliteration English
haddii haddii if
hadduu hadduu if he
hadday hadday if she/they
haddii ay haddii ay if they/she
haddii uu haddii uu if he
haddii aan haddii aan if I
haddii aad haddii aad if you
haddii ay haddii ay if they
haddii kale haddii kale otherwise
haddii ay sidaas tahay haddii ay sidaas tahay if that is the case
haddii loo baahdo haddii loo baahdo if necessary
haddii ay suurtagal tahay haddii ay suurtagal tahay if possible
Basic conditional
Haddii aad timaaddo, waan ku farxi doonaa.
Haddii aad timaaddo, waan ku farxi doonaa.
If you come, I will be happy.
8. “Unless”
Somali commonly expresses unless through negative conditional constructions.
Somali Transliteration English
haddii aan ... ahayn haddii aan ... ahayn unless
haddii uusan ... ahayn haddii uusan ... ahayn unless he is/doesn't
haddii aysan ... ahayn haddii aysan ... ahayn unless they/she is/doesn't
haddii kale haddii kale otherwise
haddii aan ... la samayn haddii aan ... la samayn unless ... is done
Example:
Ma tegi doono haddii uusan iman.
Ma tegi doono haddii uusan iman.
I will not go unless he comes.
Literally, Somali often uses a structure equivalent to “if he does not come” rather than a single word equivalent to unless.
9. Concessive conjunctions — “although / even though”
Somali Transliteration English
inkastoo inkastoo although / even though
inkasta oo inkasta oo although
in kastoo in kastoo although
inkastaba ha ahaatee inkastaba ha ahaatee nevertheless
xitaa haddii xitaa haddii even if
xitaa haddii ay xitaa haddii ay even if
si kastaba ha ahaatee si kastaba ha ahaatee nevertheless
haddana haddana nevertheless / yet
weliba weliba even / moreover
Example:
Inkastoo uu daalay, wuu shaqeeyay.
Inkastoo uu daalay, wuu shaqeeyay.
Although he was tired, he worked.
10. “Even if”
Somali Transliteration English
xitaa haddii xitaa haddii even if
xataa haddii xataa haddii even if
haddii xitaa haddii xitaa even if
si kastaba ha ahaatee si kastaba ha ahaatee nevertheless
Example:
Xitaa haddii uu roob da'o, waan tegi doonaa.
Xitaa haddii uu roob da'o, waan tegi doonaa.
Even if it rains, I will go.
11. “Even though”
Somali Transliteration English
inkastoo inkastoo even though
inkasta oo inkasta oo even though
in kastoo in kastoo even though
xitaa haddii xitaa haddii even if
Important distinction:
inkastoo = although/even though
xitaa haddii = even if
12. Temporal conjunctions — time
Somali Transliteration English
marka marka when
markii markii when / when ... happened
inta inta while / as long as
inta uu inta uu while he
inta ay inta ay while she/they
ka hor inta aan ka hor inta aan before
ka hor intaan ka hor intaan before
ka dib marka ka dib marka after
ka dib markii ka dib markii after
ilaa ilaa until
ilaa inta ilaa inta until / as long as
tan iyo markii tan iyo markii since
tan iyo inta tan iyo inta since/as long as
mar haddii mar haddii once / since
isla marka isla marka as soon as
marka uu marka uu when he
marka ay marka ay when she/they
marka aan marka aan when I
markuu markuu when he
markay markay when she/they
Examples:
Markii uu yimid, waan baxay.
Markii uu yimid, waan baxay.
When he came, I left.
Ka hor inta aanad tegin, i sug.
Ka hor inta aanad tegin, i sug.
Before you leave, wait for me.
Isla marka uu yimaado, ii sheeg.
Isla marka uu yimaado, ii sheeg.
Tell me as soon as he arrives.
13. “While”
Somali Transliteration English
inta inta while
inta uu inta uu while he
inta ay inta ay while she/they
iyadoo iyadoo while / being
isagoo isagoo while he / being
iyagoo iyagoo while they / being
xilli xilli while / at the time
Example:
Inta uu shaqaynayo, ha dhibin.
Inta uu shaqaynayo, ha dhibin.
Don't disturb him while he is working.
14. “Before”
Somali Transliteration English
ka hor inta aan ka hor inta aan before
ka hor intaan ka hor intaan before
ka hor inta uusan ka hor inta uusan before he
ka hor inta aysan ka hor inta aysan before they/she
ka hor inta aad ka hor inta aad before you
Example:
Ka hor inta aanad seexan, akhri.
Ka hor inta aanad seexan, akhri.
Read before you sleep.
15. “After”
Somali Transliteration English
ka dib marka ka dib marka after
ka dib markii ka dib markii after
marka uu dhammaado marka uu dhammaado after it ends
markii uu dhammaaday markii uu dhammaaday after it ended
dabadeed dabadeed then / afterwards
16. “Until”
Somali Transliteration English
ilaa ilaa until
ilaa inta ilaa inta until / as long as
ilaa uu ilaa uu until he
ilaa ay ilaa ay until she/they
ilaa laga gaaro ilaa laga gaaro until reaching
Example:
Sug ilaa aan ka soo laabto.
Sug ilaa aan ka soo laabto.
Wait until I return.
17. “Since”
Somali Transliteration English
tan iyo markii tan iyo markii since
tan iyo tan iyo since
ilaa ilaa since / until, depending on context
maadaama maadaama since / because
Example:
Tan iyo markii uu yimid, waan faraxsanahay.
Tan iyo markii uu yimid, waan faraxsanahay.
I have been happy since he came.
18. Purpose conjunctions
Somali Transliteration English
si si so that / in order to
si uu si uu so that he
si ay si ay so that she/they
si aan si aan so that I
si aad si aad so that you
si loo si loo in order to
si aan loo si aan loo so that ... not
si uusan si uusan so that he does not
si aysan si aysan so that they/she does not
Example:
Waan imid si aan kuu caawiyo.
Waan imid si aan kuu caawiyo.
I came in order to help you.
19. Negative purpose — “so that ... not”
Somali Transliteration English
si aan loo si aan loo so that ... not
si uusan si uusan so that he does not
si aysan si aysan so that she/they do not
si uusan u si uusan u so that he does not
si aanay si aanay so that they/she do not
Example:
Aamus si uusan ilmuhu u toosin.
Aamus si uusan ilmuhu u toosin.
Be quiet so that the child doesn't wake up.
20. Complement / “that” conjunction
Somali frequently uses in to introduce a complement clause.
Somali Transliteration English
in in that
inuu inuu that he
inay inay that she/they
inaan inaan that I
inaad inaad that you
inaynu inaynu that we
in uu in uu that he
in ay in ay that she/they
Example:
Waan ogahay inuu imanayo.
Waan ogahay inuu imanayo.
I know that he is coming.
This is an important Somali conjunction/subordinator.
21. Reported speech / complement clauses
Somali Transliteration English
in in that
inuu inuu that he
inay inay that she/they
inaan inaan that I
inaad inaad that you
in la in la that one/people
in loo in loo that it be done for/to
Example:
Wuxuu sheegay inuu iman doono.
Wuxuu sheegay inuu iman doono.
He said that he would come.
22. Comparison conjunctions
Somali Transliteration English
sida sida as / like
sidii sidii as / like / as if
sida ... oo kale sida ... oo kale like / just as
sidaas oo kale sidaas oo kale likewise
ka badan intii ka badan intii more than
ka yar intii ka yar intii less than
intii intii as much/many as
sida uu sida uu as he
sida ay sida ay as she/they
Example:
Wuxuu u shaqeeyaa sida aabbihii oo kale.
Wuxuu u shaqeeyaa sida aabbihii oo kale.
He works like his father.
23. “As if / as though”
Somali Transliteration English
sidii oo sidii oo as if
sidii inuu sidii inuu as if he
sidii ay sidii ay as if she/they
sidii oo kale sidii oo kale as though / as if
Example:
Wuxuu u dhaqmay sidii uusan waxba ogayn.
Wuxuu u dhaqmay sidii uusan waxba ogayn.
He acted as if he knew nothing.
24. “No matter / regardless”
Somali Transliteration English
si kastaba si kastaba however / anyway
si kasta oo si kasta oo however / no matter how
meel kasta oo meel kasta oo wherever
goor kasta oo goor kasta oo whenever
qof kasta oo qof kasta oo whoever
cid kasta oo cid kasta oo whoever
wax kasta oo wax kasta oo whatever
sida kasta oo sida kasta oo however
inta kasta oo inta kasta oo however much/many
Examples:
Meel kasta oo aad tagto, waan ku raaci doonaa.
Meel kasta oo aad tagto, waan ku raaci doonaa.
Wherever you go, I will follow you.
Si kasta oo ay u adag tahay, waan isku dayayaa.
Si kasta oo ay u adag tahay, waan isku dayayaa.
No matter how difficult it is, I will try.
25. Correlative conjunctions
Somali uses paired structures rather than having a huge closed set of correlative conjunctions.
Somali Transliteration English
ama ... ama ama ... ama either ... or
iyo ... iyo iyo ... iyo both ... and
midkood ... ama midkood ... ama either ... or
haddii ... haddii haddii ... haddii if ... if
ha ... ha ha ... ha whether ... or
qof kasta ... qof kasta ... whoever ...
wax kasta ... wax kasta ... whatever ...
meel kasta ... meel kasta ... wherever ...
sida ... sida sida ... sida as ... as
26. “Both ... and”
Common Somali forms:
Somali English
labadaba ... iyo both ... and
labadaba both
iyo ... iyo both ... and
mid iyo mid both/each
Example:
Labadaba Cali iyo Axmed way yimaadeen.
Labadaba Cali iyo Axmed way yimaadeen.
Both Ali and Ahmed came.
27. “Neither ... nor”
Somali normally expresses this through negative coordination, rather than one fixed equivalent of English neither...nor.
Somali construction English
ma ... mana neither ... nor
ma ... midna neither ... nor
midna ... midna neither ... nor
midkoodna ... neither one ...
Example:
Ma cabbo shaah mana cabbo qaxwo.
Ma cabbo shaah mana cabbo qaxwo.
I drink neither tea nor coffee.
28. “Not only ... but also”
Somali Transliteration English
ma aha oo keliya ... laakiin sidoo kale ma aha oo keliya ... laakiin sidoo kale not only ... but also
ma aha oo kaliya ... balse sidoo kale ma aha oo kaliya ... balse sidoo kale not only ... but also
kaliya ma aha ... sidoo kale kaliya ma aha ... sidoo kale not only ... also
Example:
Ma aha oo keliya inuu akhriyo, laakiin sidoo kale wuu qoraa.
Ma aha oo keliya inuu akhriyo, laakiin sidoo kale wuu qoraa.
He not only reads, but also writes.
29. “Instead of”
Somali Transliteration English
halkii halkii instead of
halkii uu ... halkii uu ... instead of him ...
halkii ay ... halkii ay ... instead of her/them ...
taa beddelkeeda taa beddelkeeda instead
beddelkeeda beddelkeeda instead
30. “And then”
Somali Transliteration English
ka dib ka dib after that
dabadeed dabadeed then / afterwards
markaas markaas then
dabadeedna dabadeedna and then
markaasna markaasna and then
The suffix -na can coordinate or connect an item to what came before:
Wuu yimid, dabadeedna wuu baxay.
He came, and then he left.
31. “But also / and also”
Somali English
laakiin sidoo kale but also
balse sidoo kale but also
iyo sidoo kale and also
weliba moreover / also
sidoo kale also
11- PREPOSITIONS:
# Somali Transliteration Main English meanings Main function
1 u u to, for, toward destination, recipient, beneficiary
2 ku ku in, into, on, at, with, by location, instrument, means, language
3 ka ka from, out of, away from, about, than source, separation, topic, comparison
4 la la with, together with accompaniment
These four are normally placed before the verb, rather than directly before the noun as English prepositions usually are.
2. u — to / for / toward
Somali Transliteration English
u u to
u u toward
u u for
u u for the benefit of
u u to/for a recipient
Examples
Somali sentence Transliteration English
Waxaan u tagayaa suuqa. Waxaan u tagayaa suuqa. I am going to the market.
Waxaan buugga u keenay isaga. Waxaan buugga u keenay isaga. I brought the book for/to him.
Waxaan u diray macallinka. Waxaan u diray macallinka. I sent it to the teacher.
The grammar sources describe u as marking direction, goal, recipient and benefactive relationships.
3. ku — in / on / at / with / by
Somali Transliteration English
ku ku in
ku ku inside
ku ku into
ku ku on
ku ku at
ku ku with
ku ku by means of
ku ku using
ku ku in a language
Examples
Somali sentence Transliteration English
Waxaan ku jiraa guriga. Waxaan ku jiraa guriga. I am in the house.
Buugga miiska ku jiraa. Buugga miiska ku jiraa. The book is on/in the table area.
Qalinkaan ku qorayaa. Qalinkaan ku qorayaa. I am writing with this pen.
Waxaan ku hadlaa Af-Soomaali. Waxaan ku hadlaa Af-Soomaali. I speak in Somali.
The traditional grammar gives ku meanings such as “at, upon, in, into,” while modern teaching materials also describe its instrumental and language uses.
4. ka — from / out of / away from / about / than
Somali Transliteration English
ka ka from
ka ka out of
ka ka away from
ka ka off
ka ka about
ka ka concerning
ka ka than
Examples
Somali sentence Transliteration English
Waxaan ka imid Muqdisho. Waxaan ka imid Muqdisho. I came from Mogadishu.
Wuxuu ka baxay guriga. Wuxuu ka baxay guriga. He went out of the house.
Buuggan ka hadal. Buuggan ka hadal. Talk about this book.
Cali ayaa iga dheer isaga. Cali ayaa iga dheer isaga. Ali is taller than him.
Thus ka is much broader than simply “from”; it can mark source, separation, topic and comparison.
5. la — with / together with
Somali Transliteration English
la la with
la la together with
la la accompanied by
Examples
Somali sentence Transliteration English
Waxaan la hadlay Cali. Waxaan la hadlay Cali. I spoke with Ali.
Waxaan la joogaa qoyskayga. Waxaan la joogaa qoyskayga. I am with my family.
Sahra waxay la ciyaaraysaa Farxiya. Sahra waxay la ciyaaraysaa Farxiya. Sahra is playing with Farhiya.
la also has other grammatical functions, including appearing in passive-like constructions, so not every occurrence of la should automatically be translated “with.”
6. Position/location prepositions
This is where Somali becomes different from English.
Many spatial relationships are expressed using position nouns combined with one of the core prepositions and a possessive ending. A major Somali grammar explicitly describes these as complex “preposition phrases.”
Core position nouns
# Somali base Transliteration English
1 ag ag vicinity, vicinity of
2 dhinac dhinac side
3 dhex dhex middle, center
4 dabo dabo back
5 gadaal gadaal back, rear
6 hore hore front, before
7 kor kor top, above
8 hoos hoos bottom, below
9 dus dus top/surface
10 hoos hoos underneath
11 gudaha gudaha inside
12 dibadda dibadda outside
13 debed debed exterior/outside
14 xagga xagga direction/side toward
15 dhinaca dhinaca side of
16 dhexda dhexda middle of
The grammar specifically gives forms such as agtiisa, agteeda, agtooda; hoostiisa, hoosteeda, hoostooda; dhexdiisa, dhexdeeda, dhexdooda, etc.
7. ag — near / beside
The position noun ag produces possessive forms:
Somali Transliteration English
agtiisa agtiisa near him/it; beside his/its vicinity
agteeda agteeda near her/it
agtooda agtooda near them
agta agta near/at the vicinity of
Example
Waxay ku nooshahay guriga agtiisa.
Waxay ku nooshahay guriga agtiisa.
= She lives near the house.
8. dhex — inside / between / among / in the middle
Somali Transliteration English
dhexdiisa dhexdiisa inside/in the middle of it
dhexdeeda dhexdeeda inside/in the middle of it
dhexdooda dhexdooda between/among them
Examples
Somali Transliteration English
dhexdiisa dhexdiisa inside it
dhexdeeda dhexdeeda inside it
dhexdooda dhexdooda between/among them
9. dhinac — beside / next to / on the side of
Somali Transliteration English
dhinaciisa dhinaciisa beside him/it
dhinaceeda dhinaceeda beside her/it
dhinacooda dhinacooda beside them
dhinaca is especially useful for expressing “on the side of / beside / next to.”
10. dabo / gadaal — behind / at the back of
Somali Transliteration English
dabadiisa dabadiisa behind him/it
dabadeeda dabadeeda behind her/it
dabadooda dabadooda behind them
gadaashiisa gadaashiisa behind him/it
gadaasheeda gadaasheeda behind her/it
gadaashooda gadaashooda behind them
These position expressions can also have temporal meanings, particularly “after.”
11. hore / hor — before / in front of
Somali Transliteration English
hortiisa hortiisa in front of him/it
horteeda horteeda in front of her/it
hortooda hortooda in front of them
hor can express spatial “in front of” while related forms can express temporal before.
12. kor / dus — above / on top of / over
Somali Transliteration English
korkiisa korkiisa above/on top of it
korkeeda korkeeda above/on top of it
korkooda korkooda above/on top of them
dushiisa dushiisa on top/surface of it
dusheeda dusheeda on top/surface of it
dushooda dushooda on top of them
13. hoos — under / below
Somali Transliteration English
hoostiisa hoostiisa underneath it
hoosteeda hoosteeda underneath it
hoostooda hoostooda underneath them
Example
Bisaddu waxay ku jirtaa miiska hoostiisa.
Bisaddu waxay ku jirtaa miiska hoostiisa.
= The cat is under the table.
This exact type of construction is documented in Somali grammar.
14. gudaha — inside / within
Somali Transliteration English
gudaha gudaha inside
gudihiisa gudihiisa inside it
gudaheeda gudaheeda inside it
gudahooda gudahooda inside them
15. dibadda / debed — outside / outside of
Somali Transliteration English
dibadda dibadda outside
dibaddiisa dibaddiisa outside it
dibaddeeda dibaddeeda outside it
dibaddooda dibaddooda outside them
debeddiisa debeddiisa outside it
debeddeeda debeddeeda outside it
16. xagga — toward / in the direction of
Somali Transliteration English
xagga xagga toward
xagga magaalada xagga magaalada toward the city
xagga midigta xagga midigta toward the right
Example:
Waxaan u socdaa xagga magaalada.
Waxaan u socdaa xagga magaalada.
= I am walking toward the city.
17. Common temporal preposition-like expressions
Somali commonly uses combinations involving the four core prepositions and temporal nouns/expressions.
Somali Transliteration English
hor hor before
ka hor ka hor before
ka dib ka dib after
dib dib after/behind
ilaa ilaa until, up to
ilaa iyo ilaa iyo since/from … until/to
tan iyo tan iyo since
tan iyo markii tan iyo markii since
inta lagu jiro inta lagu jiro during
inta inta during/while/as long as
waqtiga waqtiga at the time of
marka marka when/at the time when
Note: Some of these are conjunctions or temporal constructions rather than simple prepositions.
18. ilaa — until / up to / as far as
Somali Transliteration English
ilaa ilaa until
ilaa ilaa up to
ilaa ilaa as far as
ilaa iyo ilaa iyo from … to / up to
Example:
Waxaan sugayaa ilaa berri.
Waxaan sugayaa ilaa berri.
= I will wait until tomorrow.
19. Other important preposition-like expressions
Somali Transliteration English
la'aan la'aan without
ku saabsan ku saabsan about, concerning
ku saabsan ku saabsan regarding
ka sokow ka sokow besides, apart from
ka baxsan ka baxsan outside, beyond
ku dhex ku dhex inside, among
ka dhex ka dhex from among / out of
ka hor ka hor before / in front of
ka gadaal ka gadaal behind
ka fog ka fog far from
ku dhow ku dhow near / close to
u dhow u dhow near / close to
u dhexeeya u dhexeeya between
u dhexe u dhexe between
ku dhex jira ku dhex jira inside / among
ku xeeran ku xeeran around / surrounding
ku wareegsan ku wareegsan around / surrounding
ku xiga ku xiga next to / following
la mid ah la mid ah like / similar to
ka duwan ka duwan different from
ka soo horjeeda ka soo horjeeda against / opposite
beddelkeed beddelkeed instead of
darteed darteed because of / for the sake of
awgeed awgeed because of / due to
sababta sababta because of / due to
xagga xagga toward / in the direction of
Some of these are not simple prepositions in strict grammatical classification; they are preposition-like phrases built from nouns, adjectives, verbs, or the four core prepositions. Somali grammar specifically notes that complex prepositional phrases are extremely common.
20. Important compound combinations with the 4 core prepositions
The four core prepositions can combine with one another. They often contract into a single written form. For example:
Combination Somali form Meaning
u + ku ugu to … in/on/with
u + ka uga to … from
u + la ula to … with
ku + ka kaga in/on … from
ku + la kula with/in/on … with
ka + la kala from … with / apart
u + u ugu for/to … for/to
ka + ka kaga from … from
ka + la kala from … with
The contraction ugu is particularly interesting because it can represent different underlying combinations depending on context.
21. More precise spatial combinations
Somali can combine a core preposition with a position noun to produce very precise meanings:
Somali Transliteration English
ka dul ka dul over/off the top of
ku dul ku dul on top of
ka hoos ka hoos from underneath
ku hoos ku hoos underneath
ka dhex ka dhex from among/within
ku dhex ku dhex within/among
ka hor ka hor from/before/in front of
ku hor ku hor in front of
ka gadaal ka gadaal from behind
ku gadaal ku gadaal behind
ka ag ka ag from near/beside
ku ag ku ag near/beside
ka dhex ka dhex out of/between
u dhex u dhex between/toward the middle
For example, ka dul is documented as a combination meaning approximately “over,” particularly for movement over an obstacle: Waan ka dul boodi karaa = “I can jump over it.”
22. “English preposition → Somali equivalent” master table
English Somali Transliteration
about ka / ku saabsan ka / ku saabsan
above kor / korka kor / korka
across dhinaca kale / ka gudub dhinaca kale / ka gudub
after ka dib / dabadeed ka dib / dabadeed
against ka soo horjeeda ka soo horjeeda
among dhex / dhexdooda dhex / dhexdooda
around ku wareegsan / agagaarka ku wareegsan / agagaarka
at ku ku
before ka hor / hor ka hor / hor
behind gadaal / ka gadaal / gadaashiisa gadaal / ka gadaal / gadaashiisa
below hoos / hoostiisa hoos / hoostiisa
beneath hoos / hoostiisa hoos / hoostiisa
beside dhinac / dhinaciisa / ag dhinac / dhinaciisa / ag
between dhex / dhexdooda dhex / dhexdooda
beyond ka baxsan / ka fog ka baxsan / ka fog
by ku ku
concerning ku saabsan / ka ku saabsan / ka
despite inkastoo / iyadoo ay jirto inkastoo / iyadoo ay jirto
down hoos hoos
during inta lagu jiro / xilliga inta lagu jiro / xilliga
except marka laga reebo marka laga reebo
for u u
from ka ka
in ku / gudaha ku / gudaha
inside gudaha / ku dhex gudaha / ku dhex
into ku ku
near ag / ku dhow / u dhow ag / ku dhow / u dhow
next to dhinaca / ku xiga dhinaca / ku xiga
of ee / ka ee / ka
on ku / korka ku / korka
opposite ka soo horjeeda ka soo horjeeda
out of ka ka
outside dibadda / debedda dibadda / debedda
over kor / ka dul / korka kor / ka dul / korka
since tan iyo / ilaa iyo tan iyo / ilaa iyo
through dhex / dhexda / ku dhex dhex / dhexda / ku dhex
to u / ku u / ku
toward u / xagga u / xagga
under hoos / hoostiisa hoos / hoostiisa
until ilaa ilaa
up kor kor
with la / ku la / ku
within gudaha / ku dhex gudaha / ku dhex
without la'aan la'aan
12- DETERMINERS
Noun Definite form Transliteration English
buug buugga buugga the book
guri guriga guriga the house
nin ninka ninka the man
naag naagta naagta the woman
miis miiska miiska the table
bisad bisadda bisadda the cat
buugag buugaagta buugaagta the books
Common definite endings include:
Ending Example English
-ka buugga the book
-ga guriga the house
-ta naagta the woman
-da bisadda the cat
The exact form depends on the noun's gender, final sound and noun class.
Important
There is therefore no universal standalone Somali word for “the” corresponding directly to English the.
2. Demonstrative determiners
Somali has demonstratives corresponding to:
this
that
these
those
The form changes according to gender, number and distance.
Near demonstratives
Somali Transliteration English
kan kan this
tan tan this
kuwan kuwan these
Examples:
Somali Transliteration English
ninkan ninkan this man
gabadhan gabadhan this girl
buuggan buuggan this book
kuwan kuwan these
3. Far demonstratives
Somali Transliteration English
kaas kaas that
taas taas that
kuwaas kuwaas those
Examples:
Somali Transliteration English
ninkaas ninkaas that man
gabartaas gabartaas that girl
buuggaas buuggaas that book
kuwaas kuwaas those
4. Demonstrative system summary
Distance Masculine singular Feminine singular Plural English
Near kan tan kuwan this / these
Far kaas taas kuwaas that / those
You will also encounter forms such as:
Somali Transliteration English
kan kan this one
tan tan this one
kaas kaas that one
taas taas that one
kuwan kuwan these ones
kuwaas kuwaas those ones
5. Possessive determiners
Possession can function as a determiner:
my book
your house
his car
our country
Common Somali possessive forms include:
Somali Transliteration English
kayga kayga my / mine
kaaga kaaga your / yours
kiisa kiisa his
keeda keeda her / hers
keenna keenna our / ours
kiinna kiinna your / yours
kooda kooda their / theirs
There are also forms such as -ayga, -aaga, -iisa, -eed a, etc., depending on the noun and construction.
Examples
Somali Transliteration English
buuggayga buuggayga my book
buuggaaga buuggaaga your book
buuggiisa buuggiisa his book
buuggeeda buuggeeda her book
buuggeenna buuggeenna our book
buuggiinna buuggiinna your book
buuggooda buuggooda their book
Somali possession therefore interacts strongly with definiteness and noun morphology.
6. Interrogative determiners
The principal interrogative determiner is equivalent to which.
Somali Transliteration English
kee kee which?
tee tee which?
kuwee kuwee which ones?
Examples:
Somali Transliteration English
Ninkee? ninkee? Which man?
Naagtee? naagtee? Which woman?
Kee ayaad rabtaa? kee ayaad rabtaa? Which one do you want?
Kuwee ayaad dooratay? kuwee ayaad dooratay? Which ones did you choose?
7. Indefinite determiners
Somali does not map perfectly onto English a/an with a single universal article.
Indefiniteness can be expressed through the noun itself and through words such as mid and related constructions.
Somali Transliteration English
mid mid one / a certain one
mid ka mid ah mid ka mid ah one of
qaar qaar some / certain
qof qof a person / someone
wax wax something / some thing
Examples:
Somali Transliteration English
Nin ayaa yimid. Nin ayaa yimid. A man came.
Mid ayaan rabaa. Mid ayaan rabaa. I want one.
Qaar baa yimid. Qaar baa yimid. Some came.
8. qaar — some / certain
qaar is an important quantifier/determiner.
Somali Transliteration English
qaar qaar some
qaar ka mid ah qaar ka mid ah some of
qaar badan qaar badan many/some many
qaar yar qaar yar a few/some few
Example:
Qaar ka mid ah ardayda way tageen.
Qaar ka mid ah ardayda way tageen.
= Some of the students left.
9. dhammaan — all
Somali Transliteration English
dhammaan dhammaan all
dhammaantood dhammaantood all of them
dhammaanteen dhammaanteen all of us
dhammaantiin dhammaantiin all of you
Example:
Dhammaan ardaydu way yimaadeen.
Dhammaan ardaydu way yimaadeen.
= All the students came.
10. kasta — every / each / any
kasta is extremely important.
Somali Transliteration English
kasta kasta every / each / any
qof kasta qof kasta every person / everyone
maalin kasta maalin kasta every day
buug kasta buug kasta every book
mid kasta mid kasta each one
Example:
Qof kasta wuu iman karaa.
Qof kasta wuu iman karaa.
= Everyone / every person can come.
11. walba — every / each
walba is another common universal/distributive determiner-like element.
Somali Transliteration English
walba walba every / each
qof walba qof walba everyone
maalin walba maalin walba every day
mar walba mar walba every time / always
meel walba meel walba everywhere
kasta and walba frequently overlap in meaning.
12. mid kasta / mid walba
Somali Transliteration English
mid kasta mid kasta each one
mid walba mid walba each one
mid kasta oo mid kasta oo every one that...
mid walba oo mid walba oo every one that...
Example:
Mid kasta wuxuu helay buug.
Mid kasta wuxuu helay buug.
= Each one received a book.
13. labadaba — both
Somali Transliteration English
labadaba labadaba both
labadoodaba labadoodaba both of them
labadeenaba labadeenaba both of us
labadiinaba labadiinaba both of you
Example:
Labaduba way yimaadeen.
Labaduba way yimaadeen.
= Both came.
14. midna — neither / not one
Somali Transliteration English
midna midna neither / none
midkoodna midkoodna neither one
waxba waxba nothing / not anything
qofna qofna nobody / no one
Example:
Midkoodna ma iman.
Midkoodna ma iman.
= Neither one came.
15. Negative determiners
Somali has several negative quantifier/determiner-like forms.
Somali Transliteration English
qofna qofna no one / anyone
waxba waxba nothing / anything
midna midna none / neither
midkoodna midkoodna neither one
meelna meelna nowhere / anywhere
marna marna never / at no time
These normally occur with negative constructions.
Example:
Qofna ma iman.
Qofna ma iman.
= Nobody came.
16. qof kasta — everyone
Somali Transliteration English
qof kasta qof kasta every person
qof walba qof walba everyone
qof kasta oo qof kasta oo everyone who...
qof walba oo qof walba oo everyone who...
17. wax kasta — everything / anything
Somali Transliteration English
wax kasta wax kasta everything / anything
wax walba wax walba everything
wax kasta oo wax kasta oo everything that...
wax walba oo wax walba oo everything that...
Example:
Wax kasta waan samayn karaa.
Wax kasta waan samayn karaa.
= I can do anything/everything.
18. meel kasta — every place / everywhere
Somali Transliteration English
meel kasta meel kasta everywhere / every place
meel walba meel walba everywhere
meel kasta oo meel kasta oo everywhere that/where
meelna meelna nowhere
19. mar kasta — every time / whenever
Somali Transliteration English
mar kasta mar kasta every time
mar walba mar walba always / every time
mar kasta oo mar kasta oo whenever
marna marna never
20. hal — one / a single
hal can function as a numeral determiner.
Somali Transliteration English
hal hal one
hal qof hal qof one person
hal buug hal buug one book
hal maalin hal maalin one day
hal keliya hal keliya only one
Example:
Hal buug ayaan hayaa.
Hal buug ayaan hayaa.
= I have one book.
21. Numeral determiners
Somali cardinal numerals can determine nouns.
Somali Transliteration English
hal hal one
laba laba two
saddex saddex three
afar afar four
shan shan five
lix lix six
toddoba toddoba seven
siddeed siddeed eight
sagaal sagaal nine
toban toban ten
kow iyo toban kow iyo toban eleven
laba iyo toban laba iyo toban twelve
boqol boqol hundred
kun kun thousand
milyan milyan million
Examples:
Somali Transliteration English
laba buug laba buug two books
saddex qof saddex qof three people
shan guri shan guri five houses
toban arday toban arday ten students
22. Ordinal determiners
Ordinal numbers can also determine nouns.
Somali Transliteration English
koowaad koowaad first
labaad labaad second
saddexaad saddexaad third
afraad afraad fourth
shanaad shanaad fifth
lixaad lixaad sixth
toddobaad toddobaad seventh
siddeedaad siddeedaad eighth
sagaalaad sagaalaad ninth
tobnaad tobnaad tenth
Example:
maalinta koowaad
maalinta koowaad
= the first day
23. keli / keliya — only / sole
Somali Transliteration English
keli keli only / sole
keliya keliya only
hal keliya hal keliya only one
qof keliya qof keliya only one person
Example:
Hal qof keliya ayaa yimid.
Hal qof keliya ayaa yimid.
= Only one person came.
24. badan — many / much / a lot of
badan can function as a quantifying modifier.
Somali Transliteration English
badan badan many / much
dad badan dad badan many people
buugaag badan buugaag badan many books
waqti badan waqti badan much time
25. yar — few / little
Somali Transliteration English
yar yar few / little
dad yar dad yar few people
waqti yar waqti yar little time
lacag yar lacag yar little money
26. aad u badan / aad u yar
Somali Transliteration English
aad u badan aad u badan very many / very much
aad u yar aad u yar very few / very little
wax badan wax badan much / many things
wax yar wax yar a little / a few things
27. intii / inta — amount / quantity
These are important quantity expressions.
Somali Transliteration English
inta inta as much/many as; the amount
intii intii as much/many as; the amount that
inta badan inta badan most / mostly
intii badan intii badan the greater part
inta yar inta yar the small amount
inta kale inta kale the rest / the other amount
Example
Inta badan way yimaadeen.
Inta badan way yimaadeen.
= Most of them came.
28. kale — other / another
kale is a very important noun modifier/determiner-like word.
Somali Transliteration English
kale kale other
mid kale mid kale another / another one
qof kale qof kale another person
maalin kale maalin kale another day
wax kale wax kale something else
kuwa kale kuwa kale the others
Example:
Waxaan rabaa buug kale.
Waxaan rabaa buug kale.
= I want another book.
29. isku — same
isku can express sameness and can function in determiner-like expressions.
Somali Transliteration English
isku isku same
isku mid isku mid the same
isku qof isku qof the same person
isku meel isku meel the same place
Example:
Waxaan leenahay isku fikrad.
Waxaan leenahay isku fikrad.
= We have the same idea.
30. nooc kasta / nooc walba — every kind
Somali Transliteration English
nooc kasta nooc kasta every kind/type
nooc walba nooc walba every kind
nooc kale nooc kale another kind
noocyo badan noocyo badan many kinds
31. qaar badan / qaar yar
Somali Transliteration English
qaar badan qaar badan many/some many
qaar yar qaar yar a few
qaar kale qaar kale some others
qaar ka mid ah qaar ka mid ah some of
32. Partitive determiners
Somali frequently uses ka mid ah constructions.
Somali Transliteration English
mid ka mid ah mid ka mid ah one of
qaar ka mid ah qaar ka mid ah some of
mid kasta oo ka mid ah mid kasta oo ka mid ah each of
dhammaan ... ka mid ah dhammaan ... ka mid ah all of
Example:
Qaar ka mid ah ardayda way tageen.
Qaar ka mid ah ardayda way tageen.
= Some of the students left.
33. Distributive expressions
Somali Transliteration English
mid kasta mid kasta each one
mid walba mid walba each one
qof kasta qof kasta each person
qof walba qof walba every person
maalin kasta maalin kasta every day
midkiiba midkiiba each one
qofkiiba qofkiiba each person
mid walba oo mid walba oo each one that...
The ending -kiiba / -iiba can express distributive meanings such as each/per.
34. Reciprocal/collective determiner-like expressions
Somali Transliteration English
midba midka kale midba midka kale one another
midba midka kale midba midka kale each other
qofba qofka kale qofba qofka kale each person and the other
midba midba each/one after another
These are more accurately quantifier/pronominal constructions than simple determiners.
35. Focused determiner-like words
Some words emphasize or restrict the noun.
Somali Transliteration English
keliya keliya only
oo keliya oo keliya only
xitaa xitaa even
xataa xataa even
gaar ahaan gaar ahaan especially
dhammaan dhammaan all
kasta kasta every/any
These are not all strict determiners; several are particles or adverbial/focusing expressions.
36. Negative / indefinite series
A very useful Somali pattern is:
Positive/indefinite Negative/indefinite English
qof qofna person / no one
wax waxba something / nothing
mid midna one / none
meel meelna somewhere / nowhere
mar marna sometime / never
37. “Any” constructions
English any has several Somali equivalents depending on context.
Somali Transliteration English
qof kasta qof kasta anyone/everyone
wax kasta wax kasta anything/everything
meel kasta meel kasta anywhere/everywhere
mid kasta mid kasta any one/every one
qofna qofna anyone/no one with negation
waxba waxba anything/nothing with negation
So English any should not be mapped to one single Somali determiner.
38. “No” constructions
Somali usually expresses English no through negative constructions rather than one universal determiner equivalent to English no.
Somali Transliteration English
qofna qofna no person
waxba waxba nothing / no thing
midna midna none
meelna meelna nowhere
midkoodna midkoodna neither
marna marna never
Example:
Qofna ma iman.
Qofna ma iman.
= No one came.
39. “Other” series
Somali Transliteration English
kale kale other
mid kale mid kale another
qof kale qof kale another person
kuwa kale kuwa kale the others
wax kale wax kale something else
meel kale meel kale another place
mar kale mar kale another time / again
40. “Rest / remaining” expressions
Somali Transliteration English
kale kale other
kuwa kale kuwa kale the others
inta kale inta kale the rest
waxyaabaha kale waxyaabaha kale the other things
dadka kale dadka kale the other people
13- IF CONDITIONAL
Zero haddii + present + present Haddii roob da'o, dhulku qoyaa If it rains, ground gets wet
First haddii + present + future Haddii aan helo, waan iman doonaa If I get it, I will come
Second haddii + lahaa + lahaa Haddii aan heli lahaa, waan iibsan lahaa If I had it, I would buy
Third haddii + lahaa + lahaa Haddii aan ogaan lahaa, waan sheegi lahaa If I had known, I would tell
Mixed past + present Haddii aan bartay lahaa, dhakhtar baan ahaan lahaa If I had studied, I would be a doctor
Aniga waan cuni lahaa I would eat
Adiga waad cuni lahayd You would eat
Isaga wuu cuni lahaa He would eat
Iyada way cuni lahayd She would eat
Annaga waan cuni lahayn We would eat
Idinka waad cuni lahaydeen You (pl.) would eat
Iyaga way cuni lahaayeen They would eat
Wuxuu yiri inuu iman doono. He said that he will come.
Wuxuu sheegay inuu iman lahaa. He said he would come.
I would like Waxaan jeclaan lahaa
You would like Waxaad jeclaan lahayd
He would like Wuxuu jeclaan lahaa
She would like Waxay jeclaan lahayd
We would like Waxaan jeclaan lahayn
They would like Waxay jeclaan lahaayeen
Waxaan jeclaan lahaa inaan barto Soomaali. "I would like to learn Somali."
waxaan doorbidi lahaa = I would rather/prefer
Waxaan doorbidi lahaa inaan joogo. "I would rather stay."
I could waan kari lahaa
You could waad kari lahayd
He could wuu kari lahaa
She could way kari lahayd
We could waan kari lahayn
They could way kari lahaayeen
Waan samayn kari lahaa. "I could / would be able to do it."
Aniga ma cuni lahaa I would not eat
Adiga ma cuni lahayd You would not eat
Isaga ma cuni lahaa He would not eat
Iyada ma cuni lahayd She would not eat
Annaga ma cuni lahayn We would not eat
Idinka ma cuni lahaydeen You (pl.) would not eat
Iyaga ma cuni lahaayeen They would not eat
Aniga Ma jeclaan lahaa inaan cuno I would not like to eat
Adiga Ma jeclaan lahayd inaad cunto You would not like to eat
Isaga Ma jeclaan lahaa inuu cuno He would not like to eat
Iyada Ma jeclaan lahayd inay cunto She would not like to eat
Annaga Ma jeclaan lahayn inaan cunno We would not like to eat
Idinka Ma jeclaan lahaydeen inaad cuntaan You would not like to eat
Iyaga Ma jeclaan lahaayeen inay cunaan They would not like to eat
I would rather not go Waxaan doorbidi lahaa inaanan tegin
She would rather not speak Waxay doorbidi lahayd inaanay hadlin
They would rather not wait Waxay doorbidi lahaayeen inaanay sugin
Ma samayn kari lahaa I could not do it
Ma samayn kari lahayd You could not do it
Ma samayn kari lahaa He could not do it
Ma samayn kari lahayd She could not do it
Ma samayn kari lahayn We could not do it
Ma samayn kari lahaayeen They could not do it
He said he would not eat Wuxuu yiri inuusan cuni doonin
She said she would not go Waxay tiri inaanay tegi doonin
They said they would not come Waxay yiraahdeen inaanay iman doonin
I would not have been happy Ma farxi lahayn
He would not have been ready Ma diyaar noqon lahayn
They would not have been successful Ma guulaysan lahaayeen
Cuntada waa la cuni lahaa. The food would be eaten.
Guriga waa la dhisi lahaa. The house would be built.
Warqadda waa la qori lahaa. The letter would be written.
Waxaan jeclaan lahaa in guriga la dhiso. I would like the house to be built.
Waxaan jeclaan lahaa in warqadda la qoro. I would like the letter to be written.
Waxaan doorbidi lahaa in cuntada la kariyo. I would rather the food be cooked.
Waxaan doorbidi lahaa in guriga la nadiifiyo. I would rather the house be cleaned.
Shaqada waa la qaban kari lahaa. The work could be done.
Dhibaatada waa la xallin kari lahaa. The problem could be solved.
Buugga waa la akhriyi kari lahaa. The book could be read.
He said the house would be built Wuxuu yiri guriga waa la dhisi lahaa
She said the letter would be written Waxay tiri warqadda waa la qori lahaa
Cuntada lama cuni lahaa. The food would not be eaten.
Buugga lama akhriyi lahaa. The book would not be read.
Guriga lama dhisi lahaa. The house would not be built.
Ma jeclaan lahaa in cuntada la kariyo. I would not like the food to be cooked.
Ma jeclaan lahaa in guriga la iibiyo. I would not like the house to be sold.
Ma jeclaan lahaa in buugga la tuuro. I would not like the book to be thrown away.
Waxaan doorbidi lahaa in cuntada aan la cunin. I would rather the food not be eaten.
Waxaan doorbidi lahaa in albaabka aan la furin. I would rather the door not be opened.
Shaqada lama samayn kari lahaa. The work could not be done.
Dhibaatada lama xallin kari lahaa. The problem could not be solved.
Buugga lama akhriyi kari lahaa. The book could not be read.
He said the house would not be built Wuxuu yiri guriga lama dhisi lahayn
She said the letter would not be written Waxay tiri warqadda lama qori lahayn
if haddii
when (future/general) marka
when (past) markii
whenever mar kasta oo / markasta oo
only if haddii oo keliya
if only haddii uun
unless haddii aan... ahayn
otherwise haddii kale
even if xitaa haddii
whether or not haddii... ama haddii kale
in case haddii ay dhacdo
as long as inta / haddii
provided that haddii ay shardi tahay
suppose haddii aan u qaadanno
what if maxaa dhacaya haddii
before ka hor inta / intaan
after kadib marka / markii
until ilaa
14- COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE
Positive adjective weyn big
Comparative ka + adjective ka weyn bigger
Superlative ugu + adjective ugu weyn biggest
Comparative + noun noun + ka + adjective Cali ka dheer Xasan Ali taller than Hassan
Superlative masculine kan ugu + adjective kan ugu dheer the tallest one
Superlative feminine ta ugu + adjective ta ugu dheer the tallest one
Superlative plural kuwa ugu + adjective kuwa ugu dheer the tallest ones
More (quantity) ka badan ka badan more
Most (quantity) ugu badan ugu badan most
Less/fewer ka yar ka yar less/fewer
Very aad u + adjective aad u weyn very big
Much more aad uga + adjective aad uga weyn much bigger
Equality sida ... oo kale sida isaga oo kale as ... as
Increasing degree sii + verb sii weynaanaya getting bigger
Wuu ka badan yahay akhriska. "He reads more."
Cali waa ka dheer Axmed. Ali is taller than Ahmed.
Marka loo eego isaga, waan dheerahay. Compared to him, I am tall.
Waxaan haystaa lacag ka yar isaga. "I have less money than him.
15- RELATIVE CLAUSES
Subject relative -> the man who came verb + noun ninka yimid
Object relative -> book that I read noun + subject marker + verb buugga aan akhriyey
Whom -> man whom I saw noun + marker + verb ninka aan arkay
Whose -> man whose car... noun + possessive + verb ninka baabuurkiisa...
Where -> place where I live place + marker + verb meesha aan ku noolahay
When -> day when we met time + marker + verb maalintii aan kulannay
Why -> reason why he left sababta + marker + u + verb sababta uu u baxay
The one who -> the one who came kii/tii + verb kii yimid
Negative -> man who did not come noun + aan + verb ninka aan iman
REDUCED:
Active present noun + participle ninka shaqaynaya the man working
Active past noun + past form ninka yimid the man who came
Passive noun + passive construction guriga la dhisay the house built
Ongoing passive noun + la + verb guriga la dhisayo the house being built
Location noun + location participle buugga miiska yaal the book on the table
Object relative noun + aan + verb buugga aan akhriyey the book I read
Infinitive-like noun + relative/subjunctive wax aan cuno something to eat
Negative noun + aan + verb qofka aan shaqayn the person not working
16- REPORTED SPEECH AND DIRECT SPEECH
Direct Speech: Subject + yiri/tiri/yidhi + "exact words"
Reported Speech:
Present inuu cunayo that he is eating
Past inuu cunay that he ate / had eaten
Future inuu cuni doono that he will eat / would eat
Would inuu cuni lahaa that he would eat
Negative inuusan cunayn that he is not eating / did not eat
Question (Yes/No) inuu cunayo whether he is eating
Command inuu cuno to eat
Negative command inuusan cunin not to eat
Request inuu caawiyo to help
Promise inuu imanayo that he is coming / will come
17- INFINITIVES AND VERBAL NOUNS
to eat inuu cuno / cunid in + subjunctive / -id
to go inuu tago / tagid in + subjunctive / -id
to learn inuu barto / barasho in + subjunctive / -asho
eating cunid / cunistu verb + id
reading akhris / akhrisku verb noun
writing qoris / qoristu verb noun
I want to eat waxaan rabaa inaan cuno rabaa + in + subjunctive
I plan to eat waxaan qorsheynayaa inaan cuno plan + in + subjunctive
after eating ka dib cunista verbal noun
in order to eat si aan u cuno si + subjunctive
I am happy seeing you Waan ku faraxsanahay inaan ku arko gerund-like clause adjective + in + subjunctive
FORMATION:
I am happy waan ku faraxsanahay I am happy
seeing you inaan ku arko to see you / seeing you
I am happy to see you Waan ku faraxsanahay inaan ku arko infinitive clause adjective + in + subjunctive
FORMATION:
I am happy waan ku faraxsanahay I am happy
seeing you inaan ku arko to see you / seeing you
I plan to eat Waxaan qorsheynayaa inaan cuno infinitive plan + in + subjunctive
FORMATION:
I plan waxaan qorsheynayaa I plan
to eat inaan cuno to eat
I plan eating Waxaan qorsheynayaa cunista gerund/verbal noun plan + verbal noun
FORMATION:
plan qorsheynayaa plan
eating cunista eating
I see him run Waxaan arkaa isaga oo ordaya perception + action see + object + oo + verb
FORMATION:
I see waxaan arkaa I see
him isaga him
run oo ordaya running
I see him running Waxaan arkaa isaga oo ordaya continuous action see + object + oo + verb
FORMATION:
I see waxaan arkaa I see
him isaga him
run oo ordaya running
I eat to play Waxaan cunaa si aan u ciyaaro purpose infinitive si + subjunctive
FORMATION:
I eat waxaan cunaa I eat
in order to si in order to
play aan u ciyaaro play
18- SUBJUNCTIVE
want rabaa + in Waxaan rabaa inaan tago
need u baahanahay + in Waxaan u baahanahay inaan shaqeeyo
purpose si + aan/u + verb Waxaan bartaa si aan u barto
reported speech yiri + in Wuxuu yiri inuu yimaado
command ha + verb Ha yimaado
wish ha + verb Ilaahay ha ku caawiyo
hope rajaynayaa + in Waxaan rajaynayaa inuu yimaado
allow oggolow + in Ii oggolow inaan tago
19- TAG QUESTIONS
You are coming, aren't you? Waad imanaysaa, ma aha?
He works, doesn't he? Wuu shaqeeyaa, sax miyaa?
She is not here, is she? Ma joogto, miyaa?
They came, didn't they? Way yimaadeen, ma aha?
You will go, won't you? Waad tegi doontaa, sax miyaa?
Let's go, shall we? Aan tagno, ma aha?
ma aha? isn't it? / aren't you?
sax miyaa? right? / correct?
miyaa? right? / really?
ma run baa? is it true?
miyaanay? aren't they/she?
miyaanu? isn't he?
miyaan? am I not?
Don't you eat? Miyaadan cunin? OR: Ma cuntaa? (for a less negative meaning)
Isn't he coming? Miyaanu imanayn?
Isn't she working? Miyaanay shaqaynayn?
Didn't you go? Miyaadan tegin?
Won't they come? Miyaanay iman doonin?
Don't you have money? Miyaadan haysan lacag?
Isn't he a teacher? Miyaanu ahayn macallin?
Can't you help? Miyaadan caawin karin?
Miyaan cunin? Don't I eat?
Miyaadan cunin? Don't you eat?
Miyaanu cunin? Doesn't he eat?
Miyaanay cunin? Doesn't she eat?
Miyaanaan cunin? Don't we eat?
Miyaanay cunin? Don't they eat?
20- MODAL WORDS
Somali Transliteration English
karaa karaa can / be able to
kartaa kartaa can / be able to
karnaa karnaa can / be able to
kartaan kartaan can / be able to
karaan karaan can / be able to
The basic modal verb is kari / karaa “to be able to, can.” The infinitive of another verb commonly occurs with karaa.
Examples
Somali Transliteration English
Waan dabaalan karaa. Waan dabaalan karaa. I can swim.
Wuu akhriyi karaa. Wuu akhriyi karaa. He can read.
Ma iman kartaa? Ma iman kartaa? Can you come?
Ma samayn karaan? Ma samayn karaan? Can they do it?
2. Past ability — karay / kari jiray
Somali Transliteration English
karay karay could / was able to
kartay kartay could
karray karray could/was able
kari jiray kari jiray used to be able to
kari jirtay kari jirtay used to be able to
Example:
Markii aan yaraa, waan dabaalan kari jiray.
Markii aan yaraa, waan dabaalan kari jiray.
= When I was young, I could / used to be able to swim.
3. Possibility — karaa
karaa can also express possibility, not only ability.
Somali Transliteration English
wuu iman karaa wuu iman karaa he may/could come
way dhici kartaa way dhici kartaa it may/could happen
waxay noqon kartaa waxay noqon kartaa it may/could be
Example:
Roob baa da'i kara.
Roob baa da'i kara.
= It may/could rain.
So:
karaa = can / be able to / may / could
depending on context.
4. Permission — karaa
Somali commonly uses karaa in questions for permission.
Somali Transliteration English
Ma geli karaa? Ma geli karaa? May/Can I enter?
Ma bixi karaa? Ma bixi karaa? May/Can I leave?
Ma isticmaali karaa? Ma isticmaali karaa? May/Can I use it?
Thus English may often has no separate Somali modal equivalent; karaa can cover both permission and possibility.
5. Intention / desire — rabaa
rabaa means “want,” but it is also used as a modal-like auxiliary expressing intention. A Somali grammar specifically lists rabaa among the main auxiliary verbs and gives constructions such as qori rabaa for intended action.
Somali Transliteration English
rabaa rabaa want / intend
rabtaa rabtaa want / intend
rabnaa rabnaa want / intend
rabtaan rabtaan want / intend
rabaan rabaan want / intend
Example
Waxaan rabaa inaan tago.
Waxaan rabaa inaan tago.
= I want to / intend to go.
6. Future / intended future — doonaa
doonaa is a very important Somali auxiliary. Its simple form functions as a future auxiliary, corresponding broadly to English will. Its progressive form doonayaa instead has the modal meaning “want.”
Somali Transliteration English
doonaa doonaa will
doontaa doontaa will
doonnaa doonnaa will
doontaan doontaan will
doonaan doonaan will
Example:
Berri waan iman doonaa.
Berri waan iman doonaa.
= I will come tomorrow.
7. Want — doonayaa
This is different from the simple future auxiliary.
Somali Transliteration English
doonayaa doonayaa want
doonaysaa doonaysaa want
doonaynaa doonaynaa want
doonaysaan doonaysaan want
doonayaan doonayaan want
Example:
Waxaan doonayaa inaan wax barto.
Waxaan doonayaa inaan wax barto.
= I want to study.
The distinction is important:
Form Meaning
doonaa will
doonayaa want
8. Necessity / obligation — waa in
This is the major Somali equivalent of:
must
have to
need to
should, in some contexts
Somali Transliteration English
waa in waa in must / have to
waa inaan waa inaan I must
waa inaad waa inaad you must
waa inuu waa inuu he must
waa inay waa inay she/they must
waa inaan waa inaan we must
Examples
Waa inaan tagaa.
Waa inaan tagaa.
= I must / have to go.
Waa inaad barato.
Waa inaad barato.
= You must / have to study.
Waa inuu yimaadaa.
Waa inuu yimaadaa.
= He must / has to come.
This construction is specifically documented as the common way to express necessity and obligation.
9. Strong obligation — waajib
waajib means “obligation/duty” and can form modal constructions.
Somali Transliteration English
waajib waajib obligation / duty
waa waajib waa waajib it is obligatory
waajib ah waajib ah obligatory / required
waajib ku ah waajib ku ah is obligated to
Example:
Waa waajib inaad timaaddo.
Waa waajib inaad timaaddo.
= You are required / are obliged to come.
This is a modal construction, rather than a simple modal auxiliary.
10. Necessity — u baahan
u baahan means “need,” and therefore expresses necessity.
Somali Transliteration English
u baahan u baahan need
u baahan yahay u baahan yahay needs
u baahan tahay u baahan tahay needs
u baahan yihiin u baahan yihiin need
Example:
Waxaan u baahanahay inaan tago.
Waxaan u baahanahay inaan tago.
= I need to go.
11. Possibility — laga yaabaa
One of the most important Somali possibility expressions is:
waxaa laga yaabaa
= it may be / it might be / perhaps / it is possible
It is a fixed modal expression, not simply the ordinary verb yaab “be surprised.”
Somali Transliteration English
waxaa laga yaabaa waxaa laga yaabaa it may be / it might be
laga yaabaa laga yaabaa may / might
waxaa laga yaabaa in... waxaa laga yaabaa in... it may be that...
Example:
Waxaa laga yaabaa inuu yimaado.
Waxaa laga yaabaa inuu yimaado.
= He may/might come.
12. laga yaabo — may / might
You will also encounter the subjunctive-related form:
Somali Transliteration English
laga yaabo laga yaabo may/might be possible
waxaa laga yaabo waxaa laga yaabo it may possibly be
The exact form depends on the grammatical environment.
13. malaha — perhaps / probably
malaha is an important modal/adverbial word.
Somali Transliteration English
malaha malaha perhaps
malaha malaha probably
malaha malaha maybe
Example:
Malaha wuu imanayaa.
Malaha wuu imanayaa.
= Maybe/probably he is coming.
Unlike waa in, malaha is an adverbial modal expression rather than an auxiliary verb.
14. Probability / possibility — u badan tahay
Somali Transliteration English
u badan tahay u badan tahay it is likely
waxay u badan tahay waxay u badan tahay it is likely
waxaa u badan tahay waxaa u badan tahay it is likely
Example:
Waxay u badan tahay inuu yimaado.
Waxay u badan tahay inuu yimaado.
= He is likely to come.
15. Certainty — hubaa
hubaa means “be sure/certain” and can have modal force.
Somali Transliteration English
hubaa hubaa be sure
hubtaa hubtaa be sure
hubaan hubaan be sure
Example:
Waan hubaa inuu iman doono.
Waan hubaa inuu iman doono.
= I am sure that he will come.
A Somali grammar lists hubaa/hubtaa among verbs expressing states such as certainty.
16. Certainty — hubaal
Somali Transliteration English
hubaal hubaal certainly
hubaashii hubaashii certainly / surely
si hubaal ah si hubaal ah certainly
Example:
Hubaal wuu iman doonaa.
Hubaal wuu iman doonaa.
= He will certainly come.
These are modal adverbial expressions rather than modal verbs.
17. waa hubaal — certainly / it is certain
Somali Transliteration English
waa hubaal waa hubaal it is certain
waa hubaal inuu... waa hubaal inuu... it is certain that...
Example:
Waa hubaal inuu guulaysan doono.
Waa hubaal inuu guulaysan doono.
= It is certain that he will succeed.
18. suurtagal — possible
Somali Transliteration English
suurtagal suurtagal possible
waa suurtagal waa suurtagal it is possible
suurtagal ah suurtagal ah possible
Example:
Waa suurtagal inuu yimaado.
Waa suurtagal inuu yimaado.
= It is possible that he will come.
19. aan suurtagal ahayn — impossible / cannot
Somali Transliteration English
aan suurtagal ahayn aan suurtagal ahayn impossible
ma suurtagal aha ma suurtagal aha it is not possible
Example:
Ma suurtagal aha inaan maanta tago.
Ma suurtagal aha inaan maanta tago.
= It is not possible for me to go today.
20. Inability — waayaa
waayaa / waydaa can function as an auxiliary expressing inability or failure to do something. A Somali grammar specifically lists waayaa, waydaa among auxiliary-like verbs corresponding to “cannot.”
Somali Transliteration English
waayaa waayaa cannot / fail to
waydaa waydaa cannot / fails to
waayeen waayeen could not / failed to
Example:
Waan waayay inaan tago.
Waan waayay inaan tago.
= I was unable to go.
21. Habitual / used to — jiray
jiray / jirtay is an auxiliary used with an infinitive to express a habitual past.
Somali Transliteration English
jiray jiray used to
jirtay jirtay used to
jireen jireen used to
Example:
Waxaan akhriyi jiray.
Waxaan akhriyi jiray.
= I used to read.
This is primarily a tense/aspect auxiliary rather than a modal, but it is included in the broader auxiliary system.
22. Conditional / hypothetical — lahaa
lahaa / lahayd / lahaa... is used with the infinitive for conditional/hypothetical meanings corresponding to English would and sometimes would have.
Somali Transliteration English
lahaa lahaa would
lahayd lahayd would
lahayn lahayn would
lahaydeen lahaydeen would
lahaayeen lahaayeen would
Example:
Waan tegi lahaa.
Waan tegi lahaa.
= I would go.
The conditional construction is documented as infinitive + lahaa and its inflected forms.
23. Conditional past — lahaa
Example:
Haddii aan haysto lacag, waan iibsan lahaa.
Haddii aan haysto lacag, waan iibsan lahaa.
= If I had money, I would buy it.
24. Advice / recommendation — waa in
English should often has no unique Somali modal verb. waa in can express advice/recommendation when the context is weaker than strict obligation.
Somali Transliteration English
waa inaad nasataa waa inaad nasataa you should rest
waa inaad barato waa inaad barato you should study
waa inuu tagaa waa inuu tagaa he should go
So:
waa in = must / have to / should
depending on context.
25. Prohibition — ha
ha is a modal-like negative particle used with the subjunctive/imperative system.
Somali Transliteration English
ha ha don't / let...not
ha samayn ha samayn don't do
ha tegin ha tegin don't go
ha hadlin ha hadlin don't speak
Example:
Ha tegin!
Ha tegin!
= Don't go!
Strictly speaking, ha is a prohibitive particle, not a modal verb. Somali grammatical descriptions treat prohibitive mood separately.
26. Optative / let — aan
aan can express “let me/us…”
Somali Transliteration English
aan aan let me / let us
aan tago aan tago let me/us go
aan eegno aan eegno let us look
Example:
Aan tagno.
Aan tagno.
= Let's go.
This is more accurately an optative construction, not a lexical modal verb.
27. Intention — doonayaa / rabaa
Two important ways of expressing intention/desire:
Somali Transliteration English
rabaa rabaa want to
doonayaa doonayaa want to
doonayaa inuu... doonayaa inuu... intends/wants to
rabaa inuu... rabaa inuu... wants to
28. Expectation — la filayaa
Somali Transliteration English
la filayaa la filayaa is expected
waxaa la filayaa waxaa la filayaa it is expected
waxaa la filayaa inuu... waxaa la filayaa inuu... he is expected to...
Example:
Waxaa la filayaa inuu yimaado.
Waxaa la filayaa inuu yimaado.
= He is expected to come.
This is a modal-like evidential/expectation construction rather than a simple modal verb.
29. Obligation from external force — lagu qasbay
Somali Transliteration English
lagu qasbay lagu qasbay was forced to
waa lagu qasban yahay waa lagu qasban yahay one is obliged/required
qasban qasban obliged/forced
Example:
Waxaa lagu qasbay inuu tago.
Waxaa lagu qasbay inuu tago.
= He was forced to leave.
This is an important distinction from voluntary waa in obligation.
30. “Be supposed to”
Somali has several ways to express this depending on the intended meaning:
Somali construction Transliteration English
waa in... waa in... be supposed/required to
la filayaa inuu... la filayaa inuu... be expected to
waxaa la rabaa inuu... waxaa la rabaa inuu... be wanted/required to
waa inuu... waa inuu... is supposed/required to
31. “Be willing to”
Somali Transliteration English
rabaa rabaa want/be willing
doonayaa doonayaa want/be willing
diyaar u ah diyaar u ah be ready/willing to
Example:
Wuxuu diyaar u yahay inuu caawiyo.
Wuxuu diyaar u yahay inuu caawiyo.
= He is willing/ready to help.
32. “Be likely to”
Somali Transliteration English
u badan tahay u badan tahay be likely to
waxay u badan tahay inuu... waxay u badan tahay inuu... he is likely to...
laga yaabaa inuu... laga yaabaa inuu... he may/might...
33. “Be unlikely to”
Somali Transliteration English
uma badna uma badna unlikely
uma badna inuu... uma badna inuu... unlikely to...
way yar tahay suurtagalnimadu way yar tahay suurtagalnimadu the possibility is small
Example:
Uma badna inuu yimaado.
Uma badna inuu yimaado.
= He is unlikely to come.
34. “Certainly”
Somali Transliteration English
hubaal hubaal certainly
hubaashii hubaashii surely
waa hubaal waa hubaal certainly / it is certain
si hubaal ah si hubaal ah certainly
dhab ahaantii dhab ahaantii indeed / really
35. “Probably”
Somali Transliteration English
malaha malaha probably/perhaps
u badan tahay u badan tahay probably/likely
waxay u badan tahay waxay u badan tahay it is likely
36. “Maybe / perhaps”
Somali Transliteration English
malaha malaha maybe/perhaps
laga yaabaa laga yaabaa maybe/might
waxaa laga yaabaa waxaa laga yaabaa it may be
suurtagal suurtagal possible
waa suurtagal waa suurtagal it is possible
malaha is especially useful as a standalone modal adverb, while waxaa laga yaabaa is a fixed possibility construction.
37. “Need not / don't have to”
Somali commonly uses negative waa in or expressions of lack of necessity.
Somali Transliteration English
ma aha inaad... ma aha inaad... you don't have to...
uma baahnid inaad... uma baahnid inaad... you don't need to...
looma baahna inaad... looma baahna inaad... it is not necessary for you to...
Example:
Uma baahnid inaad timaaddo.
Uma baahnid inaad timaaddo.
= You don't need to come.
38. “Cannot / must not” distinction
These are important because they are not the same:
Somali English
ma awoodo cannot / am unable to
ma kari karo cannot
waa inaanan... must not / mustn't
ha... don't
lama oggola it is not allowed
Examples
Ma kari karo.
Ma kari karo.
= I cannot.
Waa inaanan tegin.
Waa inaanan tegin.
= I must not go.
Ha tegin!
Ha tegin!
= Don't go!
39. Permission — oggol
Somali Transliteration English
oggol oggol permitted / willing
oggol yahay oggol yahay is permitted
oggol tahay oggol tahay is permitted
la oggol yahay la oggol yahay it is permitted
lama oggola lama oggola it is not permitted
Example:
Lama oggola inaad halkan dhigato baabuurka.
Lama oggola inaad halkan dhigato baabuurka.
= You are not allowed to park here.
40. “Should ideally” / appropriateness
Somali Transliteration English
habboon habboon appropriate
ku habboon ku habboon suitable/appropriate
waa habboon tahay waa habboon tahay it is appropriate
waxaa habboon waxaa habboon it is advisable/appropriate
Example:
Waxaa habboon inaad nasato.
Waxaa habboon inaad nasato.
= You should / it would be advisable for you to rest.
41. “Better to”
Somali Transliteration English
waxaa fiican inaad... waxaa fiican inaad... it is better for you to...
waxaa wanaagsan inaad... waxaa wanaagsan inaad... it is good/better to...
waxaa habboon inaad... waxaa habboon inaad... you should / it is advisable to...
42. “Would rather”
Somali Transliteration English
doorbidayaa doorbidayaa prefer
waxaan doorbidayaa inaan... waxaan doorbidayaa inaan... I would rather...
waxaan ka doorbidayaa inaan... waxaan ka doorbidayaa inaan... I would rather...
This is a lexical preference construction rather than a modal auxiliary.
43. “Have to” — different strengths
Somali Transliteration English
waa in waa in must/have to
u baahan yahay u baahan yahay need to
waajib ku ah waajib ku ah be obliged to
qasban yahay qasban yahay be forced/obliged to
lagu qasbay lagu qasbay be forced to
21- THERE IS / HAVE / BE
There is a book Waxaa jira buug waxaa jira + noun
There are books Waxaa jira buugaag waxaa jira + plural noun
There is a man Waxaa jooga nin jooga + person
There is a house Gurigu wuu jiraa noun + jiraa
There is no book Ma jiro buug ma jiro + noun
There are no books Ma jiraan buugaag ma jiraan + plural
Is there a book? Ma jiraa buug? ma jiraa + noun
Are there books? Ma jiraan buugaag? ma jiraan + plural
There was Waxaa jiray. (jiray)
There will be Waxaa jiri doona. jiri doona
I have Waxaan leeyahay leeyahay
He has Wuxuu leeyahay leeyahay
She has Waxay leedahay leedahay
They have Waxay leeyihiin leeyihiin
I don't have Ma lihi ma + laha
He doesn't have Ma laha ma + laha
I had Waxaan lahaa lahaa
He had Wuxuu lahaa lahaa
I will have Waxaan yeelan doonaa yeelan doonaa
I have (with me) Waxaan hayaa hayaa
Do you have? Ma leedahay? question + leedahay
I have waxaan leeyahay
you have (m.) waxaad leedahay
you have (f.) waxaad leedahay
he has wuxuu leeyahay
she has waxay leedahay
we have waxaan leenahay
they have waxay leeyihiin
You singular verb stem Tag! Go!
You plural/formal verb + a Taga! Go!
Negative singular ha + subjunctive Ha tagin! Don't go!
Negative plural ha + plural subjunctive Ha tagina! Don't go!
Let's aan + subjunctive Aan tagno! Let's go!
Let's not yaan + verb Yaan tagin! Let's not go!
Be noqo Noqo wanaagsan! Be good!
Active -> Fur albaabka! Open the door!
Passive -> Ha la furo albaabka. Let the door be opened.
Active -> Qor magaca! Write the name!
Passive -> Ha la qoro magaca. Let the name be written.
Active -> Dhis guriga! Build the house!
Passive -> Ha la dhiso guriga. Let the house be built.