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Lesson 7 of 10
Meeting people in Somali
How are you, what is your name, where are you from, I like it: the first five minutes. 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
- Sidee tahay?si-DAY ta-HAY
- How are you?
- Waan fiicanahay, mahadsanidwaan fee-CA-na-hai, ma-had-SA-nid
- I'm fine, thanks
- Adiguna?a-di-GU-na
- And you?
- Magacaa?ma-ga-CAA
- What's your name?
- Magacaygu waa...ma-ga-CAI-gu waa
- My name is...
- Xaggee baad ka timid?khag-GEH baad ka TI-mid
- Where are you from?
- Waxaan ka imid...wa-KHAAN ka I-mid
- I'm from...
- Waan jeclahaywaan JEC-la-hai
- I like it
- Waa quruxwaa QU-rukh
- It's beautiful
- Soo dhowowsoo dho-WOW
- Welcome
Sidee (how) tahay (are you, formal). The response is almost always "wanaagsan" (I am well). In Somali culture, politeness comes through the form and tone, not through elaborate speech.
Literally "I am well, thanks".
Literally "and you?".
Literally "your name?".
Literally "come near". The Somali welcome is warm and often followed by tea.