Greetings and politeness in Somali
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the eleven openers everything else builds on. 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 11 Somali phrases in this lesson
- Salaamsa-LAAM
- Hello
- Subax wanaagsanSUB-ah wa-NAAG-san
- Good morning
- Fiid wanaagsanFEED wa-NAAG-san
- Good evening
- Nabad gelyoNA-bad GEL-yo
- Goodbye
- Is arag dambeis A-rag DAM-beh
- See you
- FadlanFAD-lan
- Please
- Mahadsanidma-had-SA-nid
- Thank you
- Adigaa mudana-DI-gaa MU-dan
- You're welcome
- Waan ka xumahaywaan ka KHU-ma-hai
- Sorry
- Raali noqoRAA-li NO-qo
- Excuse me
- Ku faraxsanahay inaan ku bartoku fa-rakh-SA-na-hai in-AAN ku BAR-to
- Nice to meet you
The universal greeting across Muslim East Africa, standing alone or as "salaam alaikum" (peace be upon you). Somalis respond with "wa alaikum assalaam" (and upon you be peace), though just repeating "salaam" works.
Literally "good morning". Used until mid-morning, after which "salaam" takes over. The response mirrors the phrase: "subax wanaagsan" back to you.
Literally "good evening".
Literally "go in peace". The standard formal goodbye. Shortened to just "nabad" in very casual contexts. The response mirrors it back: "nabad gelyo oo dhamaadka" (go in peace and finish well).
See you later, a friendly sign-off.
The direct request word, often tacked onto a request rather than standing alone: "kaah-fadlan" (tea please). Somali relies less on a word-for-word please and more on respectful tone and context, but fadlan is always understood.
The standard short form, verb conjugated for past tense "thanked you". Works in any casual context. Also heard as "mahadsanideen" when addressing multiple people.
Literally "you are worthy". The polite response to thanks. An alternative is "waadaan kaaga heshay" (I am happy for you), emphasizing shared goodwill rather than obligation.
Literally "I feel bad about it", the real apology.
Literally "be content with me", said to excuse yourself, pass someone or interrupt.
Literally "I am glad to get to know you".