learning Somali for travel, family, work, study or everyday conversation, this guide covers 100 common Somali phrases with English meanings.
The Somali language is widely spoken in Somalia, Somaliland, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya, as well as by Somali communities around the world.
Table of Contents
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1. Common Somali greetings
| Somali phrase | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Salaan | Hello / greetings |
| Sidee tahay? | How are you? |
| Sidee tihiin? | How are you? (plural/formal) |
| Iska warran? | How are things? / How are you? |
| Nabad miyaa? | Is everything well? |
| Waan fiicanahay | I am fine |
| Aad baan u fiicanahay | I am very well |
| Adigu sidee tahay? | How are you? |
| Soo dhawoow | Welcome |
| Soo dhowaada | Welcome (plural) |
| Subax wanaagsan | Good morning |
| Galab wanaagsan | Good afternoon |
| Habeen wanaagsan | Good evening / good night |
| Nabad gelyo | Goodbye / go in peace |
| Ilaahay ha ku dhowro | May God protect you |
2. Somali phrases for saying thank you
Showing appreciation is an important part of everyday communication.
| Somali phrase | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Mahadsanid | Thank you |
| Aad baad u mahadsan tahay | Thank you very much |
| Aad baad u mahadsan tihiin | Thank you very much (plural) |
| Waad mahadsan tahay | Thank you |
| Mahadsanid walaal | Thank you, brother/sister |
| Ilaahay ha ku abaal mariyo | May God reward you |
| Waxba ma aha | It is nothing / you’re welcome |
| Adigaa mudan | You deserve it / you’re welcome |
3. Somali phrases for apologies
Here are some useful expressions for apologising or responding to an apology.
| Somali phrase | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Raalli iga noqo | I’m sorry / forgive me |
| Iga raalli noqo | Please forgive me |
| Waan ka xumahay | I am sorry |
| Khaladkayga ayay ahayd | It was my mistake |
| Dhib ma leh | No problem |
| Waxba ma jiraan | It’s nothing / no problem |
| Ha ka welwelin | Don’t worry |
4. Common Somali questions
Knowing basic questions makes everyday conversations much easier.
| Somali phrase | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Maxaa? | What? |
| Yaa? | Who? |
| Xaggee? | Where? |
| Goorma? | When? |
| Sidee? | How? |
| Immisa? | How much? / how many? |
| Maxaad samaynaysaa? | What are you doing? |
| Xaggee baad joogtaa? | Where are you? |
| Xaggee baad u socotaa? | Where are you going? |
| Goorma ayaad imanaysaa? | When are you coming? |
| Magacaa? | What is your name? |
| Xaggee ka timid? | Where are you from? |
| Maxaad rabtaa? | What do you want? |
| Ma fahantay? | Do you understand? |
| Maxaa dhacay? | What happened? |
5. Somali phrases for introducing yourself
These phrases can help beginners introduce themselves.
| Somali phrase | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Magacaygu waa… | My name is… |
| Waxaan ahay… | I am… |
| Waxaan ka imid… | I am from… |
| Waxaan ku noolahay… | I live in… |
| Waxaan ahay arday | I am a student |
| Waxaan ahay macallin | I am a teacher |
| Waxaan shaqeeyaa | I work |
| Waxaan baranayaa Af-Soomaali | I am learning Somali |
| Waxaan rabaa inaan barto Af-Soomaali | I want to learn Somali |
| Aad baan ugu faraxsanahay inaan kula kulmo | I am very happy to meet you |
6. Somali phrases for everyday conversation
These are useful expressions you may hear or use regularly.
| Somali phrase | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Haa | Yes |
| Maya | No |
| Haye | Okay / alright |
| Waa hagaag | It is okay / alright |
| Waa run | It is true |
| Ma hubo | I am not sure |
| Waan ogahay | I know |
| Ma aqaan | I don’t know |
| Waan fahmay | I understand |
| Ma fahmin | I don’t understand |
| Sug | Wait |
| Hal daqiiqo | One minute |
| Kaalay | Come |
| Tag | Go |
| Fadhiiso | Sit down |
| Istaag | Stand up |
| Eeg | Look |
| Dhageyso | Listen |
| I caawi | Help me |
| Fadlan | Please |
7. Somali phrases for asking for help
| Somali phrase | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Fadlan i caawi | Please help me |
| Ma i caawin kartaa? | Can you help me? |
| Waxaan u baahanahay caawimo | I need help |
| Xaggee isbitaalku ku yaal? | Where is the hospital? |
| Xaggee dukaanku ku yaal? | Where is the shop? |
| Sideen halkaas ku tagaa? | How do I get there? |
| Ma ii sheegi kartaa? | Can you tell me? |
| Ma i fahmi kartaa? | Can you understand me? |
| Dib ma u celin kartaa? | Can you repeat it? |
| Si tartiib ah u hadal | Speak slowly |
8. Somali phrases for shopping
These phrases can be useful in shops and markets.
| Somali phrase | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Immisa ayuu yahay? | How much is it? |
| Immisa ayay tahay? | How much is it? |
| Waa qaali | It is expensive |
| Wax yar iga dhimo | Reduce the price a little |
| Lacag intee le’eg? | How much money? |
| Waxaan rabaa kan | I want this one |
| Waxaan rabaa taas | I want that |
| Ma haysaa? | Do you have it? |
| Mid kale ma haysaa? | Do you have another one? |
| Ma iibsanayo | I am not buying it |
9. Somali phrases for travelling
If you are travelling in a Somali-speaking area, these expressions can be particularly useful.
| Somali phrase | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Xaggee loo socdaa? | Where are we going? |
| Xaggee ku yaal…? | Where is…? |
| Sideen ku tagaa…? | How do I get to…? |
| Garoonka diyaaradaha xaggee ku yaal? | Where is the airport? |
| Saldhigga xaggee ku yaal? | Where is the station? |
| Hoteelku xaggee ku yaal? | Where is the hotel? |
| Intee ayay qaadanaysaa? | How long will it take? |
| Halkan iga deji | Drop me off here |
| Halkaan ayaan degayaa | I am staying here |
| Waxaan rabaa inaan tago… | I want to go to… |
10. Somali phrases for family and friends
| Somali phrase | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Walaal | Brother / sister |
| Saaxiib | Friend |
| Sidee tahay walaal? | How are you, brother/sister? |
| Qoyskaagu sidee yahay? | How is your family? |
| Hooyo sidee tahay? | How is mother? |
| Aabbahaa sidee yahay? | How is your father? |
| Carruurtu sidee yihiin? | How are the children? |
| Waan ku faraxsanahay | I am happy for you / glad |
| Waan kuu xiisay | I missed you |
| Mar kale ayaan is arki doonaa | We will see each other again |
11. Somali phrases for work and school
| Somali phrase | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Xaggee ka shaqaysaa? | Where do you work? |
| Maxaad shaqaysaa? | What work do you do? |
| Waxaan ka shaqeeyaa… | I work at… |
| Shir ayaa jira | There is a meeting |
| Shaqo ayaan hayaa | I have work |
| Waan mashquulsanahay | I am busy |
| Waqti ma haysaa? | Do you have time? |
| Casharku goorma ayuu bilaabmaa? | When does the lesson start? |
| Waxaan ahay arday | I am a student |
| Waxaan baranayaa | I am studying / learning |
12. Somali phrases for the home
| Somali phrase | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Guriga ayaan joogaa | I am at home |
| Guriga tag | Go home |
| Kaalay guriga | Come home |
| Cuntadu waa diyaar | The food is ready |
| Biyaha keen | Bring the water |
| Albaabka fur | Open the door |
| Albaabka xir | Close the door |
| Fadhiiso | Sit down |
| Soo gal | Come in |
| Bax | Go out / leave |
13. Somali phrases for expressing feelings
| Somali phrase | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Waan faraxsanahay | I am happy |
| Waan murugaysanahay | I am sad |
| Waan daalay | I am tired |
| Waan gaajaysanahay | I am hungry |
| Waan harraadsanahay | I am thirsty |
| Waan xanaaqsanahay | I am angry |
| Waan baqayaa | I am afraid |
| Waan ku faraxsanahay | I am happy / pleased |
| Waan ka xumahay | I am sorry |
| Waan ku jeclahay | I love you |
14. Somali phrases for understanding and communication
These expressions are particularly helpful when you are learning Somali.
| Somali phrase | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Waan fahmay | I understand |
| Ma fahmin | I don’t understand |
| Ma ku celin kartaa? | Can you repeat it? |
| Si tartiib ah u hadal | Speak slowly |
| Maxaad tiri? | What did you say? |
| Taasi maxay ka dhigan tahay? | What does that mean? |
| Sidee loo yiraahdaa? | How do you say it? |
| Af-Soomaali kuma hadlo si fiican | I don’t speak Somali well |
| Wax yar ayaan ku hadlaa Af-Soomaali | I speak a little Somali |
| Waxaan baranayaa Af-Soomaali | I am learning Somali |
15. Somali phrases for saying goodbye
| Somali phrase | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Nabad gelyo | Goodbye / go in peace |
| Nabad | Peace / goodbye |
| Ilaahay ha ku dhowro | May God protect you |
| Ilaahay ha kula jiro | May God be with you |
| Mar dambe ayaan is arki doonaa | We will see each other later |
| Soo noqo | Come back |
| Is arag dambe | See you later |
| Habeen wanaagsan | Good night |
16. Common Somali religious expressions
Religious expressions are common in everyday Somali conversation, particularly among Muslim Somali speakers.
| Somali expression | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Insha Allah | God willing |
| Alxamdulillaah | Praise be to God |
| Subxaanallaah | Glory be to God |
| Bismillaah | In the name of God |
| Allaahu akbar | God is greatest |
| Ilaahay ha ku dhowro | May God protect you |
| Ilaahay ha kuu fududeeyo | May God make it easy for you |
| Ilaahay ha ku caawiyo | May God help you |
| Ilaahay ha kuu barakeeyo | May God bless you |
| Ilaahay ha ku abaal mariyo | May God reward you |
17. Useful Somali phrases for beginners
If you are completely new to Somali, start by memorising these 20 phrases:
- Salaan — Hello
- Sidee tahay? — How are you?
- Waan fiicanahay — I am fine
- Mahadsanid — Thank you
- Fadlan — Please
- Soo dhawoow — Welcome
- Haa — Yes
- Maya — No
- Haye — Okay
- Waan fahmay — I understand
- Ma fahmin — I don’t understand
- Ma aqaan — I don’t know
- I caawi — Help me
- Immisa ayuu yahay? — How much is it?
- Xaggee? — Where?
- Yaa? — Who?
- Maxaa? — What?
- Waan daalay — I am tired
- Waan gaajaysanahay — I am hungry
- Nabad gelyo — Goodbye