Conjunctions connect words, phrases and clauses. They allow speakers to express relationships such as addition, contrast, choice, reason and condition.
Learning Somali conjunctions will help you move from short sentences to longer and more natural expressions.
Common Somali conjunctions
| Somali | English |
|---|---|
| iyo | and |
| ama | or |
| laakiin | but |
| balse | but/rather |
| sababtoo ah | because |
| haddii | if |
| marka | when/then |
| inkastoo | although |
| si | so that/in order to |
| haddii kale | otherwise |
The precise meaning can depend on context.
Iyo — and
Axmed iyo Cali way yimaadeen.
Ahmed and Ali came.
Waxaan iibsaday rooti iyo caano.
I bought bread and milk.
Ama — or
Shaah ama qaxwo ma rabtaa?
Do you want tea or coffee?
Waxaad tagi kartaa maanta ama berri.
You can go today or tomorrow.
Laakiin — but
Waan iman lahaa, laakiin waan mashquulsanahay.
I would come, but I am busy.
Sababtoo ah — because
Ma aanan iman sababtoo ah waan xanuunsanaa.
I did not come because I was ill.
Haddii — if
Haddii aad rabto, waan ku caawin karaa.
If you want, I can help you.
In kasta oo — although
In kasta oo uu daalay, wuu shaqeeyey.
Although he was tired, he worked.
Connecting longer sentences
Conjunctions allow learners to express more sophisticated ideas.
Waxaan rabaa inaan tago, laakiin roob baa da’aya.
I want to go, but it is raining.
Haddii aad barato maalin kasta, waxaad horumar samayn doontaa.
If you study every day, you will improve.
Tips for learning Somali conjunctions
Learn conjunctions with complete example sentences.
Instead of memorising:
laakiin = but
learn:
Waan rabaa inaan tago, laakiin ma awoodo.
I want to go, but I cannot.