Madax
Head
Usage
For pointing to the head when describing a symptom. "Madaxu wuu i xanuunayaa" says that your head hurts.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun. With the definite article it is madaxa: after a final x the article is just -a.
Timo
Hair
Usage
For hair-related talk. It is normally used in the definite form timaha (the hair).
Grammar Note
A collective noun; the definite form is timaha. To say "the hair of the head" add madax: timaha madaxa.
Weji
Face
Usage
For pointing to the face, for example sunburn or a rash.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is wejiga. The dictionary headword is weji.
Il
Eye
Usage
For eye trouble. Both eyes are expressed with the plural indho.
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite form is isha. The plural indho (indhaha with the article) is irregular. Il also means a spring of water.
Dheg
Ear
Usage
For ear pain or trouble hearing.
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite form is dhegta and the definite plural is dhegaha.
San
Nose
Usage
For a blocked nose or a nosebleed.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is sanka.
Af
Mouth
Usage
For pain inside the mouth. The same spelling af also means "language" (af Soomaali is the Somali language).
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is afka and the plural is afaf. Context separates "mouth" from "language".
Bushimaha
Lips
Usage
For cracked or swollen lips. The definite plural covering both lips is the usual form.
Grammar Note
This is the definite plural, bushimaha (the lips). A form for a single lip is not covered here.
Ilig
Tooth
Usage
For toothache. Several teeth are ilko.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is iligga. The plural ilko (ilkaha with the article) is irregular.
Carrab
Tongue
Usage
For showing the tongue to a doctor or reporting a sore tongue.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is carrabka.
Luqun
Neck
Usage
For a stiff or sore neck. The throat is a different word, hunguri.
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite form is luqunta.
Hunguri
Throat
Usage
For a sore throat or trouble swallowing. The outer neck is luqun.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is hunguriga. The dictionary has separate headwords for the throat and the gullet.
Garab
Shoulder
Usage
For shoulder pain, for example after carrying a heavy load.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is garabka. The dictionary also describes it as the bones of the shoulder region.
Gacan
Hand
Usage
For pointing to the hand when it is hurt.
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite form is gacanta and the definite plural is gacmaha. The dictionary has several homographs; this is the one meaning "hand".
Far
Finger / toe
Usage
For an injured finger. The dictionary definition covers both fingers and toes.
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite form is farta and the definite plural is faraha.
Ciddi
Nail
Usage
For a broken or damaged nail.
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite form is ciddida and the definite plural is ciddiyaha.
Xabad
Chest
Usage
For the front of the body, such as chest pain.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is xabadka. The dictionary lists laab (chest) as a synonym.
Calool
Stomach
Usage
For stomach ache or an upset stomach. It covers both the belly and the stomach.
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite form is caloosha. The phrase calool xun (literally "bad stomach") can also mean sad.
Dhabar
Back
Usage
For back pain.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is dhabarka.
Lug
Leg
Usage
For leg pain or swelling. The foot is cag.
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite form is lugta and the definite plural is lugaha.
Bowdo
Thigh
Usage
For a sore thigh muscle or a bruise.
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite form is bowdada.
Jilib
Knee
Usage
For knee pain.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is jilibka and the definite plural is jilbaha. Jilib also has an unrelated sense, a branch of a clan.
Cag
Foot
Usage
For foot pain or blisters. The leg above it is lug.
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite form is cagta and the definite plural is cagaha.
Maqaar
Skin
Usage
For sunburn, a rash or an insect bite.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is maqaarka.
Laf
Bone
Usage
For a suspected fracture. It is the same word as in "Lafta way jabtay" (the bone is broken).
Grammar Note
A feminine noun; the definite form is lafta and the definite plural is lafaha.
Dhiig
Blood
Usage
For bleeding or a blood test. It is the dhiig of "kooxda dhiigga" (blood group).
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is dhiigga. The verb dhiig, spelled the same, means to bleed.
Wadne
Heart
Usage
For explaining a heart condition. It is the wadne of "Cudur wadne baan qabaa" (I have a heart condition).
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is wadnaha. The dictionary defines it as the heart, the organ.
Mindhicir
Intestine
Usage
For explaining bowel trouble to a doctor.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is mindhicirka.
Sambab
Lung
Usage
For breathing problems or a chronic condition.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is sambabka. The dictionary also lists an unrelated sense, a serious disease.
Beer
Liver
Usage
For a liver condition. The same spelling beer also means a field and to cultivate.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is beerka. The field sense is feminine (beerta), so the article tells them apart.
Kelli
Kidney
Usage
For explaining a kidney condition.
Grammar Note
Feminine in the dictionary; the definite form is kellida and the definite plural is kelyaha. The same spelling kelli also means a small irrigation channel.
Muruq
Muscle
Usage
For sore muscles or a cramp.
Grammar Note
A masculine noun; the definite form is muruqa and the definite plural is muruqyada.
More Somali phrases
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