Somali (Soomaali)

travel phpto to inspire Somali language study
Somali young women and men performing the traditional dhaanto. by Ahmed Hussien Ahmed - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,

ALPHABET MATCHING GAME VOCABULARY FLASHCARDS

Why learn Somali?

Communication skills developed while learning Somali can improve your interpersonal skills in your native langauge as well. Adding Somali language skills to your business skills make you a more valuable an employee in the marketplace. Creativity is increased with the study of Somali. The study of Somali teaches and encourages respect for other people.

How Long Does it Take to Learn Somali?

Somali is rated as a category 3 language by the Foreign Service Institute. It is considered moderately difficult for English speakers to learn and takes an average of 44 weeks (or 1100 class hours) to gain professional working proficiency.

Somali Alphabet & Pronunciation

'
ء
B
(ba)
T
(ta)
J
(ja)
X
(xa)
KH
(kha)
D
(da)
د
R
(ra)
ر
S
(sa)
SH
(sha)
DH
(dha)
ط,ظ
C
(ca)
G
(ga)
غ
F
(fa)
ف
Q
(qa)
K
(ka)
L
(la)
M
(ma)
N
(na)
v
W
(wa)
و
H
(ha)
ه
Y
(ya)
A
(a)
E
(e)
I
(i)
O
(o)
U
(u)

Basic Phrases in Somali

HelloHaye
GoodbyeNabad galyo
YesHaa
NoMaya
Excuse meRaali ahaw
PleaseFadlan
Thank youMahadsanid
You are welcomeAdaa mudan
Do you speak englishIngiriisiga ma ku hadashaa?
Do you understandMa fahantay
I understandWaan fahmay
I do not understandMa fahmin
How are youSidee tahay?
Fine thanksWanaagsan, mahadsanid!
What is your nameMagacaa?
My name isMagacaygu waa
Pleased to meet youWaan kahelay inaan kula kulmo

Somali Grammar

Somali Nouns

ManNin
WomanNaag
BoyWiil
GirlGabar
CatBisad
DogEey
FishKalluun
WaterBiyo
MilkCaano
EggUkun
HouseGuri
FlowerUbax
TreeGeed
ShirtShaati
PantsSurwaal

Somali Adjectives

Colors in Somali

BlackMadow
WhiteCad
RedCasaan
OrangeOrange
YellowJaalle ah
GreenCagaaran
BlueBuluug
PurpleGuduud
PinkCasaan
GrayCawlan
BrownBunni

Numbers in Somali

ZeroEber
OneMid
TwoLaba
ThreeSaddex
FourAfar
FiveShan
SixLix
SevenToddobo
EightSideed
NineSagaal
TenToban
ElevenKow iyo toban
TwelveLaba iyo toban
TwentyLabaatan
ThirtySoddon
FortyAfartan
FiftyKonton
SixtyLixdan
SeventyTodobaatan
EightySiddeetan
NinetySagaashan
HundredBoqol
ThousandKun

Somali Verbs

To beNoqon
To haveInay lahaadaan
To wantIn la doonayo
To needLoo baahan yahay
To helpIn la caawiyo
To goIn la tago
To comeInuu yimaado
To eatIn la cuno
To drinkIn la cabbo
To speakInuu hadlo

Building Simple Sentences

More Complex Somali Sentences

AndIyo
OrAma
ButLaakiin
BecauseMaxaa yeelay
WithLeh
AlsoSidoo kale
HoweverSi kastaba ha noqotee
NeitherMidna
NorMidna
IfHaddii
ThenMarkaa

Useful Somali Vocabulary

Somali Questions

WhoYaa
WhatWaa maxay
WhenGoorma
WhereHalkee
WhySababta
HowSida
How manyImmisa
How muchIntee

Days of the Week in Somali

MondayIsniinta
TuesdayMaanta
WednesdayArbacada
ThursdayKhamiista
FridayJimce
SaturdaySabtiga
SundayAxad
YesterdayShalay
TodayMaanta
TomorrowBerri

Months in Somali

JanuaryJanawari
FebruaryFebraayo
MarchMaarso
AprilAbriil
MayMay
JuneJuun
JulyLuulyo
AugustOgast
SeptemberSebtember
OctoberOktoobar
NovemberNofeembar
DecemberDiseembar

Seasons in Somali

WinterJiilaalka
SpringGuga
SummerXagaaga
AutumnDayrta

Telling Time in Somali

What time is itWaa imisa
HoursSaacado
MinutesDaqiiqo
SecondsIlbidhiqsiyo
O clockSaac
HalfBadh
Quarter pastRubuc la soo dhaafay
BeforeKahor
AfterKadib