Yes, no and the essentials in Somali
The small words that carry half of every conversation, and the ones that rescue it. Play the ten Somali words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Somali phrases in this lesson
- HahHAH
- Yes
- MayaMA-yah
- No
- Hagaagha-GAAG
- Okay
- Ma fahmoma FAH-mo
- I don't understand
- Ingiriis ma ku hadashaa?in-gi-REES ma ku ha-DA-shaa
- Do you speak English?
- Ku celi, fadlanku CEH-li, FAD-lan
- Can you repeat that?
- Si tartiib ah, fadlansi tar-TEEB ah, FAD-lan
- Slowly, please
- Waa maxay kani?waa ma-KHAI KA-ni
- What is this?
- Waxaan u baahanahay...wa-KHAAN u baa-HA-na-hai
- I need...
- Ma i caawin kartaa?ma i CAA-win kar-TAA
- Can you help me?
The direct affirmative. Also "yah" (yah) in very casual contexts. Somali also uses repetition for emphasis: "hah hah" means definitely yes or absolutely.
The word is literally "not I" or "not so". Softening it: "maya laakiin" (no, but) or "maya hadda" (not now) allows for negotiation, which is part of Somali communication style.
The everyday okay.
Ma (negative) plus fahmo (understand, from the verb "fahmin"). In cities, English speakers are common, so this may switch the conversation to English, but the effort to speak Somali is always appreciated.
Literally "repeat it, please". The c is a throaty sound from deep in the throat.
Literally "in a gentle way".