Eey
Dog
Usage
For a dog bite or a fear of dogs. After a bite, always see a doctor.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is eeyga. The dictionary lists the female dog as a separate feminine entry spelled the same.
Bisad
Cat
Usage
For talk about a cat at your lodging or in the street.
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite form is bisadda.
Shimbir
Bird
Usage
The general word for a bird you spot.
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite form is shimbirta and the definite plural is shimbiraha. A separate entry spelled the same names an illness of livestock.
Kalluun
Fish
Usage
For choosing a fish dish or talking about fish at the sea or a river.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is kalluunka. The same form serves for one fish or fish in general.
Libaax
Lion
Usage
The headline wild animal. It pairs with "Waxaan rabaa inaan arko libaax" (I want to see a lion).
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is libaaxa and the plural is libaaxyo.
Maroodi
Elephant
Usage
For talk about wildlife. It is the maroodi of "Maroodigu muxuu cunaa?" (what does the elephant eat?).
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is maroodiga.
Geri
Giraffe
Usage
Spotted on wildlife trips. The dictionary describes it as a long-necked, patterned grazer.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is geriga. Geri also has an unrelated sense, a small stick.
Wiyil
Rhinoceros
Usage
For talk about wildlife. The dictionary describes it as a huge animal with two horns on the face and a thick hide.
Grammar Note
The dictionary lists both a masculine and a feminine entry, so the gender is not fixed here.
Shabeel
Leopard
Usage
For talk about wildlife. The dictionary describes a spotted big cat that climbs trees.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is shabeelka. A second sense in the dictionary names a different, sea-dwelling animal.
Waraabe
Hyena
Usage
For wild animals. The dictionary treats it as the same animal as dhurwaa.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is waraabaha. The dictionary treats it as the same animal as dhurwaa, a large beast that kills livestock and crushes bones.
Geel
Camel
Usage
One of the most important animals in Somali life. Camel milk is "caano geel".
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is geela.
Ri'
Goat
Usage
For meat dishes or livestock. Goats and sheep together can be called ari.
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite plural is riyaha. The dictionary defines it as a female of the ari (small livestock) kind; in the Bible riyo are goats.
Ido
Sheep
Usage
For checking whether a dish is mutton or lamb.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite plural is idaha. The dictionary describes a woolly kind of ari (small livestock).
Lo'
Cattle
Usage
For cattle or beef. A bull or ox is dibi.
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite form is lo'da. The apostrophe marks a glottal stop and is the plain ASCII character.
Digaag
Chicken
Usage
For choosing a chicken dish.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is digaagga.
Bakayle
Rabbit / hare
Usage
For a rabbit or hare. The dictionary describes a small animal with long ears, soft fur and a split upper lip.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is bakaylaha. The word does not separate rabbit from hare.
Mas
Snake
Usage
An urgent word for a snake sighting or a bite. After a bite, get medical help at once.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is masaska. The dictionary describes a long, legless animal that bites and can be venomous.
Yaxaas
Crocodile
Usage
A word of warning near rivers. The dictionary describes a river animal like an enlarged lizard.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is yaxaaska.
Dameer
Donkey
Usage
For a pack animal. The dictionary describes it as an animal that carries loads.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is dameerka and the definite plural is dameeraha. The dictionary also lists a feminine form for the female.
Faras
Horse
Usage
For riding or talk about horses.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is faraska. The plural is fardo (fardaha with the article).
Deero
Gazelle
Usage
For wildlife. The dictionary lists it as a kind of game animal.
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite form is deerada.
Kaneeco
Mosquito
Usage
To say you were bitten or that there are many. The dictionary notes that some mosquitoes carry disease.
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite form is kaneecada.
Shinni
Bee
Usage
To say you were stung. The dictionary defines it as the insect that makes honey.
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite form is shinnida. Honey is malab.
Duqsi
Fly
Usage
When you worry about food hygiene. The dictionary says flies breed in dirty places and spread disease.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is duqsiga. The dictionary also lists spelling variants such as daqsi.
Quraanyo
Ant
Usage
To say there are ants on food or in the bed. The dictionary lists quraanjo as the same word.
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite plural is quraanyada.
Caaro
Spider
Usage
To say there is a spider in the room. The same spelling also names an itchy skin complaint.
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite form is caarada. The dictionary describes an eight-legged creature that spins a web.
Rah
Frog
Usage
For the animal of the water margin. The dictionary notes that it makes a loud call while in the water.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun. The dictionary describes a tailless animal with long hind legs that calls in the water.
Diin
Tortoise / turtle
Usage
For talk about animals. The same spelling diin also means religion, so context decides.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is diinta (the religion sense uses the same form). The dictionary describes a slow animal with a hard shell and a long neck.
Gorgor
Eagle / bird of prey
Usage
For a large bird of prey. The dictionary describes a strong, meat-eating bird that flies long distances.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is gorgorka. The dictionary names no single species but treats it as a kind of bird of prey.
More Somali phrases
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- Basic Nouns
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