Banking & ATM

1. Bankigu waa halkee?

   Where is the bank?

   Usage

   Asks where the bank is. Remittances are also handled by money transfer firms.

   Grammar Note

   Banki is masculine; the subject form is bankigu. "X waa halkee?" is the pattern for asking where something is. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

2. Waxaan rabaa inaan lacag sarrifo

   I want to change some money

   Usage

   Says you want to exchange money. In practice US dollars are widely used.

   Grammar Note

   In "rabaa inaan ... sarrifo" the verb after inaan is subjunctive. Sarrif also means small change as a noun, but as a verb it is "exchange money". This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

3. Waxaan rabaa inaan xawaalad diro

   I want to send a money transfer

   Usage

   Used to send money to family or friends. Xawaalad is the remittance system on which many Somali households depend.

   Grammar Note

   In "rabaa inaan ... diro" the verb after inaan is subjunctive. Xawaalad is feminine and covers both domestic and foreign transfers. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

4. Sarrif ma haysaa?

   Do you have small change?

   Usage

   Ask if the seller has change when you only have a large note.

   Grammar Note

   As a noun sarrif means small change. "Ma ... haysaa" is the fixed way to ask "do you have ...?". This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

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