These phrases are designed to be practical for everyday communication, covering greetings, introductions, directions, shopping, dining, emergencies, travel and common expressions.
(Remember the letter X is pronounced as “H” and the letter C as short “A”)
Somali-Swahili-English phrases for asking for directions
| Somali | Swahili | English |
| Xagee …? | iko wapi? | Where is…? |
| Sideen u tagaa…? | Ninawezaje kufika…? | How do I get to…? |
| Ma dhowdahay? | Iko karibu? | Is it near? |
| Bidix ama midig? | Kushoto au kulia? | Left or right? |
| Ilaa intee? | Hadi wapi? | How far? |
| Ma jiraa bas halkan? | Kuna basi hapa? | Is there a bus here? |
| Waa maxay meesha ugu dhow? | Sehemu ya karibu ni ipi? | What is the nearest place? |
| Ma i caawin kartaa? | Unaweza kunisaidia? | Can you help me? |
| Kharitad ma haysaa? | Una ramani? | Do you have a map? |
| Halkaan ma joogsan karaa? | Ninaweza kusimama hapa? | Can I stop here? |
Somali-Swahili-English phrases for shopping
| Somali | Swahili | English |
| Waa imisa qiimaha? | Bei ni kiasi gani? | How much is it? |
| Ma jiraa qiimo dhimis? | Kuna punguzo la bei? | Is there a discount? |
| Kaar ma ku bixin karaa? | Ninaweza lipa na kadi? | Do you accept cards? |
| Waxaan doonayaa tan | Nataka hii | I want this |
| Ma haysaa cabbir kale? | Una saizi nyingine? | Do you have another size? |
| Ma haysaa midab kale? | Una rangi nyingine? | Do you have another color? |
| Waxaan jeclaan lahaa inaan tijaabiyo | Ningependa kujaribu | I would like to try it |
| Waaranti ma leedahay? | Una waranti? | Do you have a warranty? |
| Ma beddeli kartaa? | Unaweza kubadilisha? | Can you exchange it? |
| Boorso ma haysaa? | Unatoa mfuko? | Do you provide a bag? |
Somali-Swahili-English phrases for dining
| Somali | Swahili | English |
| Ma heli karaa liiska cuntada? | Naweza kupata menu? | Can I get the menu? |
| Maxaad ku talin lahayd? | Unapendekeza nini? | What do you recommend? |
| Cuntadan dhadhan fiican ma leedahay? | Chakula hiki kina ladha nzuri? | Does this food taste good? |
| Ma diyaar baa? | Iko tayari? | Is it ready? |
| Waxaan jeclaan lahaa… | Ningependa… | I would like… |
| Ma heli karaa biyo? | Naweza kupata maji? | Can I get water? |
| Cuntada aad bay u fiicnayd | Chakula kilikuwa kizuri sana | The food was very good |
| Ma jirtaa cunto khudradeed? | Kuna chakula cha mboga? | Is there vegetarian food? |
| Waa imisa qiimaha guud? | Bei ya jumla ni kiasi gani? | What is the total cost? |
| Ma ku dari karaa tip? | aweza kuongeza bakshishi? | Can I add a tip? |
Somali-Swahili-English phrases for emergencies
| Somali | Swahili | English |
| Caawimaad | Msaada | Help |
| Wac booliiska! | Pigia simu polisi! | Call the police! |
| Wac ambalaaska! | Pigia simu ambulansi! | Call an ambulance! |
| Waa xagee isbitaalka? | Hospitali iko wapi? | Where is the hospital? |
| Waxaan u baahanahay dhakhtar | Nahitaji daktari | I need a doctor |
| Ma jiraa farmashiye halkan? | Kuna duka la dawa hapa? | Is there a pharmacy here? |
| Waxaan dareemayaa xanuun | Nahisi maumivu | I feel pain |
| Waan lumay | Nimepotea | I am lost |
| Waxaan u baahanahay caawimaad degdeg ah | Nahitaji msaada wa haraka | I need urgent help |
| Ma nabad qabaa? | Iko salama? | Is it safe? |
Somali-Swahili-English phrases for time and dates
| Somali | Swahili | English |
| Saacadu waa imisa? | Ni saa ngapi? | What time is it? |
| Goorma? | Lini? | When? |
| Maanta waa Isniin | Leo ni Jumatatu | Today is Monday |
| Berri waa Talaado | Kesho ni Jumanne | Tomorrow is Tuesday |
| Hal saac | Saa moja | One o’clock |
| Labo saac iyo bar | Saa mbili na nusu | Half past two |
| Ma ogtahay waqtiga saxda ah? | Unajua wakati halisi? | Do you know the exact time? |
| Shalay waxay ahayd Sabti | Jana ilikuwa Jumamosi | Yesterday was Saturday |
| Waa maxay taariikhda maanta? | Tarehe ya leo ni ipi? | What is today’s date? |
| Waxaan sugayaa toban daqiiqo | Nangoja kwa dakika kumi | I am waiting for ten minutes |