Somali phrases for travel

Soomaali

Basic Somali phrases for a trip, with how to say them and what they mean.

Emergency

I caawi! · ee ah-WEE · Help
Waxaan u baahanahay dhakhtar. · wa-HAAN oo baa-HA-na-hai dakh-TAR · I need a doctor
Wac ambalaas! · wah am-ba-LAAS · Call an ambulance
Wac booliska! · wah BOH-lis-ka · Call the police
Waan lumay. · waan LOO-mai · I'm lost
I caawi, saaxiibkay waa bukaa. · ee ah-WEE, saa-HEEB-kai waa boo-KAA · I need help, my friend is ill
Qof baa dhaawacmay. · kof baa daa-WAH-mai · Someone is hurt
Isbitaalku xaggee buu yaal? · is-bee-TAAL-koo hag-GEH boo yaal · Where is the hospital?
Xasaasiyad ayaan ku leeyahay penicillin. · ha-saa-see-YAD a-YAAN koo LAY-ya-hai peh-nee-see-LEEN · I'm allergic to penicillin
Xasaasiyad ayaan ku leeyahay looska. · ha-saa-see-YAD a-YAAN koo LAY-ya-hai LOHS-ka · I'm allergic to nuts
Xasaasiyad ayaan ku leeyahay cuntada badda. · ha-saa-see-YAD a-YAAN koo LAY-ya-hai oon-TA-da BAD-da · I'm allergic to shellfish
Xasaasiyad ayaan ku leeyahay qaniinyada shinnida. · ha-saa-see-YAD a-YAAN koo LAY-ya-hai ka-NEEN-ya-da SHIN-nee-da · I'm allergic to bee stings
Dab! · dab · Fire
Waa xaalad degdeg ah. · waa HAA-lad DEG-deg ah · It's an emergency
Fadlan, ma i caawin kartaa? · FAD-lan, ma ee ah-WEEN kar-TAA · Can you help me, please?
Waa la i dhacay. · waa la ee DA-hai · I've been robbed
Baasaboorkayga waan lumiyay. · baa-sa-BOOR-kai-ga waan loo-MEE-yai · I've lost my passport
Saldhigga booliska xaggee buu yaal? · sal-DIG-ga BOH-lis-ka hag-GEH boo yaal · Where is the police station?
Fadlan, wac lambarkan. · FAD-lan, wah lam-BAR-kan · Please call this number
Iga tag! · EE-ga tag · Leave me alone
Waxaan qabaa sonkorow. · wa-HAAN ka-BAA son-ko-ROW · I'm diabetic
Waxaan qabaa neef. · wa-HAAN ka-BAA nayf · I have asthma
Waan uurka leeyahay. · waan OOR-ka LAY-ya-hai · I'm pregnant

At the border

Waa kan baasaboorkayga. · waa kan baa-sa-BOOR-kai-ga · Here is my passport
Waxaan u imid fasax. · wa-HAAN oo ee-MID fa-SAH · I'm here on holiday
Waxaan joogayaa … maalmood. · wa-HAAN joh-ga-YAA … maal-MOHD · I'm staying for … days
Waxaan degganahay… · wa-HAAN deg-ga-NA-hai · I'm staying at…
Waan ka gudbayaa, waxaan u socdaa… · waan ka gud-ba-YAA, wa-HAAN oo soh-DAA · I'm passing through to…
Waxaan ku safrayaa baaskiil. · wa-HAAN koo saf-ra-YAA baas-KEEL · I'm travelling by bicycle
Waxaan ku socdaa lug. · wa-HAAN koo soh-DAA loog · I'm travelling on foot
Waxaan ku safrayaa baabuur. · wa-HAAN koo saf-ra-YAA baa-BOOR · I'm travelling by car
Waxaan ku safrayaa doon. · wa-HAAN koo saf-ra-YAA dohn · I'm travelling by boat
Wax aan cashuur ku bixiyo ma haysto. · wah aan a-SHOOR koo bee-HEE-yo ma HAI-sto · I have nothing to declare
Ma u baahanahay fiiso? · ma oo baa-HA-na-hai FEE-so · Do I need a visa?
Fadlan, baasaboorka ii shaabadee. · FAD-lan, baa-sa-BOOR-ka ee shaa-ba-DEH · Can you stamp my passport, please?
Waxaan haystaa tigidh celis ah. · wa-HAAN hai-STAA tee-GEED EH-lis ah · I have a ticket home
Waa kuwan waraaqaha baabuurka. · waa koo-WAN wa-RAA-ka-ha baa-BOOR-ka · Here are the vehicle's papers
Xadka ma furan yahay? · HAD-ka ma FOO-ran YA-hai · Is the border open?
Meesha xadka laga gudbo xaggee bay tahay? · MAY-sha HAD-ka LA-ga GUD-bo hag-GEH bai TA-hai · Where is the border crossing?
Waxaan u baahanahay inaan la xiriiro safaaraddayda. · wa-HAAN oo baa-HA-na-hai ee-NAAN la hee-REE-ro sa-faa-rad-DAI-da · I need to contact my embassy

Every day

Salaan · sa-LAAN · Hello
Subax wanaagsan · soo-BAH wa-NAAG-san · Good morning
Galab wanaagsan · GA-lab wa-NAAG-san · Good afternoon
Fiid wanaagsan · feed wa-NAAG-san · Good evening
Nabad gelyo · NA-bad GEL-yo · Goodbye
Fadlan · FAD-lan · Please
Mahadsanid · ma-had-SA-nid · Thank you
Haa · haa · Yes
Maya · MA-ya · No
Iga raali ahow · EE-ga RAA-lee a-HOW · Excuse me
Waan ka xumahay · waan ka hoo-MA-hai · Sorry
Ma ku hadashaa Ingiriisi? · ma koo ha-da-SHAA in-gee-REE-see · Do you speak English?
Ma fahmin · ma FAH-min · I don't understand
Musqushu xaggee bay tahay? · moos-KOO-shoo hag-GEH bai TA-hai · Where is the toilet?
Dukaanku xaggee buu yaal? · doo-KAAN-koo hag-GEH boo yaal · Where is the shop?
Xaggee laga raacaa baska? · hag-GEH LA-ga raa-AA BAS-ka · Where is the bus stop?
Farmashiyuhu xaggee buu yaal? · far-ma-shee-YOO-hoo hag-GEH boo yaal · Where is the chemist?
Xaggee ka helaa biyo la cabbo? · hag-GEH ka heh-LAA BEE-yo la AB-bo · Where can I get drinking water?
Waa imisa? · waa EE-mee-sa · How much is it?
Habeen wanaagsan · ha-BAYN wa-NAAG-san · Good night
Magacaygu waa… · ma-ga-AI-goo waa · My name is…
Waxaan ka imid… · wa-HAAN ka ee-MID · I'm from…
Maalin wanaagsan! · MAA-lin wa-NAAG-san · Have a good day
… xaggee buu yaal? · … hag-GEH boo yaal · Where is…?
Ma ii tusi kartaa khariidadda? · ma ee TOO-see kar-TAA kha-ree-DAD-da · Can you show me on the map?
Fadlan, ma ii qori kartaa? · FAD-lan, ma ee KO-ree kar-TAA · Can you write it down, please?
Fadlan, si tartiib ah u hadal · FAD-lan, see tar-TEEB ah oo HA-dal · Please speak more slowly
Fadlan, ma na sawiri kartaa? · FAD-lan, ma na sa-WEE-ree kar-TAA · Could you take a photo of us, please?

Food and drink

Miis laba qof ah, fadlan · mees LA-ba kof ah, FAD-lan · A table for two, please
Liiska cuntada, fadlan · LEES-ka oon-TA-da, FAD-lan · The menu, please
Maxaad igula talinaysaa? · ma-HAAD ee-goo-la ta-lee-NAY-saa · What do you recommend?
Maanta maxaa cunto ah jira? · MAAN-ta ma-HAA OON-to ah JEE-ra · Is there a dish of the day?
Koob khamri cas ah, fadlan · kohb KHAM-ree 'as ah, FAD-lan · A glass of red wine, please
Koob khamri cad ah, fadlan · kohb KHAM-ree 'ad ah, FAD-lan · A glass of white wine, please
Mid kale, fadlan · mid KA-leh, FAD-lan · Another one, please
Koob qaxwo ah, fadlan · kohb KAH-wo ah, FAD-lan · A coffee, please
Koob shaah ah, fadlan · kohb shaah ah, FAD-lan · A tea, please
Koob casiir liin macaan ah, fadlan · kohb a-SEER leen ma-AAN ah, FAD-lan · An orange juice, please
Koob biyo ah, fadlan · kohb BEE-yo ah, FAD-lan · A glass of water, please
Biyo caadi ah, fadlan · BEE-yo 'AA-dee ah, FAD-lan · Still water, please
Hilib ma cuno. · HEE-lib ma OO-no · I'm vegetarian
Hilib, kalluun, ukun iyo caano ma cuno. · HEE-lib, kal-LOON, OO-koon EE-yo AA-no ma OO-no · I'm vegan
Hilib la'aan, fadlan · HEE-lib la-AAN, FAD-lan · No meat, please
Ma cuni karo gluten. · ma OO-nee KA-ro GLOO-ten · I can't eat gluten
Loos la'aan, fadlan · lohs la-AAN, FAD-lan · No nuts, please
Caano iyo burcad la'aan, fadlan · AA-no EE-yo BOOR-ad la-AAN, FAD-lan · No milk or cheese, please
Ukun la'aan, fadlan · OO-koon la-AAN, FAD-lan · No eggs, please
Basbaas yar, fadlan · bas-BAAS yar, FAD-lan · Not too spicy, please
Hilib ma ku jiraa? · HEE-lib ma koo jee-RAA · Is there meat in this?
Kalluun ma ku jiraa? · kal-LOON ma koo jee-RAA · Is there fish in this?
Biilka, fadlan · BEEL-ka, FAD-lan · The bill, please
Ma qaadan karaa? · ma KAA-dan ka-RAA · Can I take this away?
Aad buu u macaanaa. · aad boo oo ma-aa-NAA · That was delicious
Musqul ma jirtaa halkan? · MOOS-kool ma jir-TAA HAL-kan · Is there a toilet here?

A bed for the night

Qol ma haysaan caawa? · kol ma hai-SAAN AA-wa · Do you have a room for tonight?
Habeenkii waa imisa? · ha-bayn-KEE waa EE-mee-sa · How much per night?
Quraacdu ma ku jirtaa? · koo-RAA-doo ma koo jir-TAA · Is breakfast included?
Waa maxay furaha wifi-ga? · waa MA-hai foo-RA-ha WAI-fai-ga · What's the wifi password?
Boorsooyinkayga halkan ma kaga tagi karaa? · bohr-soh-yin-KAI-ga HAL-kan ma KA-ga TA-gee ka-RAA · Can I leave my bags here?
Saacadda immisaad baan ka bixi karaa? · saa-AD-da im-mee-SAAD baan ka BEE-hee ka-RAA · What time do I need to leave?
Xaggee ka dhaqi karaa dharkayga? · hag-GEH ka DA-kee ka-RAA dar-KAI-ga · Where can I wash my clothes?

At the chemist

Ma haysaa wax loogu talagalay finanka cagta? · ma hai-SAA wah LOH-goo ta-la-GA-lai fee-NAN-ka AG-ta · Do you have something for blisters?
Ma haysaa wax calooshu xanuunto? · ma hai-SAA wah a-LOH-shoo ha-NOON-to · Do you have something for an upset stomach?
Ma haysaa wax qaniinyada cayayaanka? · ma hai-SAA wah ka-NEEN-ya-da ai-ya-YAAN-ka · Do you have something for insect bites?
Ma haysaa wax qorraxda gubashada? · ma hai-SAA wah kor-RAH-da goo-ba-SHA-da · Do you have something for sunburn?
Ma haysaa wax madax xanuun? · ma hai-SAA wah MA-dah ha-NOON · Do you have something for a headache?

Shopping

Kani waa imisa? · KA-nee waa EE-mee-sa · How much is this?
Waan qaadanayaa. · waan kaa-da-na-YAA · I'll take it
Kaar ma ku bixin karaa? · kaar ma koo BEE-hin ka-RAA · Can I pay by card?
Ma haysaa…? · ma hai-SAA · Do you have…?
Waan eegayaa oo kaliya, mahadsanid. · waan ay-ga-YAA oh KA-lee-ya, ma-had-SA-nid · Just looking, thanks
Bac, fadlan · bah, FAD-lan · A bag, please
Suuqa weyn xaggee buu yaal? · SOO-ka wayn hag-GEH boo yaal · Where is the supermarket?
Rooti · ROH-tee · Bread
Caano · AA-no · Milk
Biyo dhalo ah · BEE-yo DA-lo ah · Water (bottled)
ATM-ku xaggee buu yaal? · ay-tee-EM-koo hag-GEH boo yaal · Where is a cash machine?
Lacag caddaan ah ma ku bixin karaa? · LA-ag ad-DAAN ah ma koo BEE-hin ka-RAA · Can I pay in cash?
Xaggee lacag ka sarifan karaa? · hag-GEH LA-ag ka sa-REE-fan ka-RAA · Where can I change money?
SIM kaar internet leh, fadlan · sim kaar IN-ter-net leh, FAD-lan · A SIM card with data, please
Goorma ayaad furtaan? · GOHR-ma a-YAAD foor-TAAN · When do you open?

Getting around

Tigidh … loo socdo, fadlan · tee-GEED … loh SOH-do, FAD-lan · A ticket to…, please
Tag iyo kaalay · tag EE-yo KAA-lai · Return
Tag oo kaliya · tag oh KA-lee-ya · Single
Goorma ayuu baxayaa? · GOHR-ma a-YOO ba-ha-YAA · When does it leave?
Baskan ma u socdaa…? · BAS-kan ma oo soh-DAA · Is this the bus to…?
Bidix · BEE-dih · Left
Midig · MEE-dig · Right
Toos · tohs · Straight on
Intee ayuu jiraa? · in-TAY a-YOO jee-RAA · How far is it?

By bike

Dukaanka baaskiilada xaggee buu yaal? · doo-KAAN-ka baas-kee-LA-da hag-GEH boo yaal · Where is a bike shop?
Taayirkii baa iga daloolmay. · taa-yir-KEE baa EE-ga da-LOHL-mai · I have a puncture
Ma ii hagaajin kartaa baaskiilkayga? · ma ee ha-GAA-jin kar-TAA baas-keel-KAI-ga · Can you fix my bike?
Silsiladdii baa go'day. · sil-see-lad-DEE baa GOH-dai · My chain is broken
Mid ka mid ah xargaha giraangirta baa jabay. · mid ka mid ah har-GA-ha gee-raan-GEER-ta baa JA-bai · A spoke is broken
Ma ii amaahin kartaa bamka? · ma ee a-MAA-hin kar-TAA BAM-ka · Could I borrow a pump?
Meel ammaan ah ma jirtaa baaskiilka? · mayl am-MAAN ah ma jir-TAA baas-KEEL-ka · Is there somewhere safe to leave my bike?
Waddadu gaadiid badan ma leedahay? · wad-DA-doo gaa-DEED BA-dan ma LAY-da-hai · Is the road busy?
Aad ma u kacsan tahay? · aad ma oo KAH-san TA-hai · Is it very steep?

Bike parts in Somali

tuubbo · TOOB-bo · Inner tube
taayir · TAA-yir · Tyre
furaha baabuurka · foo-RA-ha baa-BOOR-ka · Car-type valve (Schrader)
qalabka daloolka · KA-lab-ka da-LOHL-ka · Puncture repair kit
biriigga · bee-REEG-ga · Brake pads
xadhigga biriigga · ha-DIG-ga bee-REEG-ga · Brake cable
xadhigga marshaha · ha-DIG-ga mar-SHA-ha · Gear cable
silsilad · sil-SEE-lad · Chain
saliid silsilad · sa-LEED sil-SEE-lad · Chain oil
xarig giraangir · HA-rig gee-RAAN-geer · Spoke
giraangir · gee-RAAN-geer · Wheel
bedaal · beh-DAAL · Pedal
kursiga · KOOR-see-ga · Saddle
gacanta · ga-AN-ta · Handlebars
nalka baaskiilka · NAL-ka baas-KEEL-ka · Bike light
quful · KOO-fool · Bike lock
bam · Pump

On the road

Xaggee dhigan karaa baabuurka? · hag-GEH DEE-gan ka-RAA baa-BOOR-ka · Where can I park?
kaalinta shidaalka · kaa-LIN-ta shee-DAAL-ka · Petrol station
naafto · NAAF-to · Diesel
Halkan ma dhigan karaa habeenka? · HAL-kan ma DEE-gan ka-RAA ha-BAYN-ka · Can I park here overnight?
Baabuurkaygii baa xumaaday. · baa-boor-kai-GEE baa hoo-MAA-dai · My car has broken down
Taayirkii baa fadhiistay. · taa-yir-KEE baa fa-DEES-tai · I have a flat tyre
Xaggee lagu bixiyaa baarkinka? · hag-GEH LA-goo bee-hee-YAA baar-KIN-ka · Where do I pay for parking?
baasiin · baa-SEEN · Unleaded

Car and van parts in Somali

taayir · TAA-yir · Tyre
istebne · is-TEB-neh · Spare wheel
baytari · bai-TA-ree · Battery
xadhkaha baytariga · had-KA-ha bai-TA-ree-ga · Jump leads
saliidda matoorka · sa-LEED-da ma-TOHR-ka · Engine oil
biyaha raadiyeetarka · bee-YA-ha raa-dee-yay-TAR-ka · Coolant
masaxaha muraayadda · ma-SA-ha-ha moo-raa-YAD-da · Windscreen wipers
guluub · goo-LOOB · Bulb
fiyuus · fee-YOOS · Fuse
dhalada gaaska · da-LA-da GAAS-ka · Gas bottle (propane or butane)
baabuurka jiidaya · baa-BOOR-ka jee-DA-ya · Tow truck
garaash · ga-RAASH · A garage that does repairs

Walking

Jidkan ma u socdaa…? · JID-kan ma oo soh-DAA · Is this the path to…?
Lugta intee waqti ah ayay qaadanaysaa? · LOOG-ta in-TAY WAK-tee ah a-YAI kaa-da-nai-SAA · How long does it take on foot?
Jidku ma furan yahay? · JID-koo ma FOO-ran YA-hai · Is the path open?
Ma ammaan baa in la gudbo? · ma am-MAAN baa in la GUD-bo · Is it safe to cross?
Jidka biyo ma ku jiraan? · JID-ka BEE-yo ma koo jee-RAAN · Is there water on the way?
Jidkani xaggee buu u socdaa? · jid-KA-nee hag-GEH boo oo soh-DAA · Where does this path go?

Outdoors

Halkan ma ka teendhayn karaa? · HAL-kan ma ka TAYN-dain ka-RAA · Can I camp here?
Xaggee ka buuxin karaa dhaladayda biyaha? · hag-GEH ka BOO-hin ka-RAA da-la-DAI-da bee-YA-ha · Where can I fill my water bottle?
Biyahan ma la cabbi karaa? · bee-YA-han ma la AB-bee ka-RAA · Is the water safe to drink?
Qubeys ma jiraa? · koo-BAYS ma jee-RAA · Is there a shower?
Xaggee ka shidi karaa taleefankayga? · hag-GEH ka SHEE-dee ka-RAA ta-lay-fan-KAI-ga · Where can I charge my phone?
Xaggee laga maraa…? · hag-GEH LA-ga ma-RAA · Which way to…?
Berri cimiladu sidee bay noqonaysaa? · BER-ree ee-mee-LA-doo see-DEH bai no-ko-nai-SAA · What will the weather be like tomorrow?
Halkan dab ma laga shidi karaa? · HAL-kan dab ma LA-ga SHEE-dee ka-RAA · Is it all right to light a fire?
Halkan xayawaan khatar ah ma jiraa? · HAL-kan ha-ya-WAAN KHA-tar ah ma jee-RAA · Are there any dangerous animals here?

Camping and walking kit in Somali

baytariyo · bai-ta-REE-yo · Batteries
kareemka qorraxda · ka-RAYM-ka kor-RAH-da · Sun cream
daawada kaneecada · daa-WA-da ka-nay-A-da · Insect repellent
tooj · tohj · Torch
kiniinnada biyaha nadiifiya · kee-NEEN-na-da bee-YA-ha na-dee-FEE-ya · Water purification tablets
khariidadda deegaanka · kha-ree-DAD-da day-GAAN-ka · A map of the area
laydhar · LAI-dar · Lighter

By boat

Xaggee ku xidhi karaa doonta? · hag-GEH koo HEE-dee ka-RAA DOHN-ta · Where can I moor?
Maamulaha dekedda xaggee buu joogaa? · maa-moo-LA-ha deh-KED-da hag-GEH boo joh-GAA · Where is the harbour master?
Meel aan doonta dhigno hal habeen ma haysaan? · mayl aan DOHN-ta DIG-no hal ha-BAYN ma hai-SAAN · Do you have a berth for one night?
Doonteennu waa … mitir dherer. · dohn-TAYN-noo waa … MEE-tir DEH-rer · Our boat is … metres long
Saadaasha cimiladu waa maxay? · saa-DAA-sha ee-mee-LA-doo waa MA-hai · What is the weather forecast?
Xaggee doonta shidaal looga shubaa? · hag-GEH DOHN-ta shee-DAAL LOH-ga shoo-BAA · Where is the fuel berth?
Doonta yar halkan ma kaga tagi karaa? · DOHN-ta yar HAL-kan ma KA-ga TA-gee ka-RAA · Can I leave my dinghy here?
Xaggee ku diiwaangelinnaa kastamka? · hag-GEH koo dee-waan-geh-lin-NAA kas-TAM-ka · Where do we check in with customs?
Kanaalkee raadiyaha isticmaashaan? · ka-naal-KAY raa-dee-YA-ha is-tih-maa-SHAAN · Which radio channel do you use?
Halkan ma ammaan baa in barroosin la dhigo? · HAL-kan ma am-MAAN baa in bar-ROH-sin la DEE-go · Is it safe to anchor here?
Fadlan, ma qaban kartaa xadhkahayaga? · FAD-lan, ma KA-ban kar-TAA had-ka-ha-YA-ga · Could you take our lines, please?

Boat parts in Somali

saliidda matoorka · sa-LEED-da ma-TOHR-ka · Engine oil
shaandhada shidaalka · shaan-DA-da shee-DAAL-ka · Fuel filter
baytari · bai-TA-ree · Battery
xadhig · HA-dig · Rope
barroosin · bar-ROH-sin · Anchor
matoorka doonta · ma-TOHR-ka DOHN-ta · Outboard engine
shiraac · shee-RAA · Sail

Numbers in Somali

kow · koh · 1
laba · LA-ba · 2
saddex · SAD-deh · 3
afar · A-far · 4
shan · 5
lix · lih · 6
toddoba · tod-DO-ba · 7
siddeed · sid-DAYD · 8
sagaal · sa-GAAL · 9
toban · TO-ban · 10
labaatan · la-BAA-tan · 20
konton · KON-ton · 50
boqol · BO-kol · 100

Signs you'll see

To recognise when you see them.

Furan · FOO-ran · Open
Xiran · HEE-ran · Closed
Gelitaan · geh-lee-TAAN · Entrance
Bixitaan · bee-hee-TAAN · Exit
Musqul / WC · MOOS-kool · Toilets
Rag · rag · Men
Dumar · DOO-mar · Women
Gelitaanka waa mamnuuc · geh-lee-TAAN-ka waa mam-NOO · No entry
Khatar · KHA-tar · Danger

Where Somali is spoken

Main language

Somalia, Somaliland

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